32 quotes
When Words Fail, Action Becomes Necessary
Batou
When talking fails, it's time to break shit up.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Definition of Humanity in a Machine World
Taglines
When machines learn to feel, who decides what is human...
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Navigating Challenges Together in Darkness
Batou
What's up?
Togusa
Narrow, dark stairs. What's the plan?
Batou
We'll take turns, I'll lead.
Togusa
No, I'll lead. You're so damned big, I can't cover you!
[walks up the stairs, thereby forcing the lead]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Science of Love and Belief
Opening Quote
If our Gods and our hopes are nothing but scientific phenomena, then let us admit it must be said that our love is scientific as well. - Tomorrow's Eve
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Voice and Existence
Major Motoko Kusanagi
We weep for the blood of a bird, but not for the blood of a fish. Blessed are those with a voice. If the dolls could speak, no doubt they'd scream, "I didn't want to become human.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Metropolis as External Memory System
Batou
If the essence of life is information carried in DNA, then society and civilization are just colossal memory systems, and a metropolis like this one, simply a sprawling external memory.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Complexity of Human Existence
English dub
] - Togusa
[[w:Crispin Freeman|Crispin Freeman]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Literary References in a Philosophical Dialogue
Togusa
His legions, angel forms, who lay entranced. Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks.
Batou
Now you're quoting Milton, but we are not Satan.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring the Nature of Humanity and Existence
English dub
] - Koga, Lin
[[w:Garfield Morgan|Garfield Morgan]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Mirror's Role in Reflecting Evil
Major Motoko Kusanagi
Who can gaze into the mirror without becoming evil? The mirror does not reflect evil, but creates it." Based on the Saitō Ryokuu quote: "There is something evil about several people holding mirrors, it is not that it exposes evil; rather, it helps create evil.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Unseen Nature of Luck and Misfortune
Batou
Just as luck appears in three, so does misfortune. Because you don't want to see it, you don't see it coming. Even if you notice it, you don't say anything. Even if you're told, you don't listen. Then boom, the end comes!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Humanity and Technology in Conflict
English dub
] - Daisuke Aramaki
[[w:William Knight|William Knight]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Fragility of Life and Death
Togusa
Life and death come and go like marionettes dancing on a table. Once their strings are cut, they easily crumble.
[Quoting the writings on the wall]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Investigating Protocols in a Cybernetic Future
Section 9 Department Chief Aramaki
I ordered you to conduct an investigation. I never said skip the paperwork and act like vigilantes. I certainly don't recall ordering you to barge into any Yakuza office. This isn't the jungle and you're not Special Forces hit men.
[first title cards]
In a future time when most human thought has been accelerated by artificial intelligence and external memory can be shared on a universal matrix, Batou, an agent of the elite Section 9 Security Force and a being so artificially modified as to be essentially cyborg, is assigned, along with his mostly human partner, Togusa, to investigate a series of gruesome murders.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Identity and Humanity in Technology
English dub
] - Motoko Kusanagi
[[w:Mary Elizabeth McGlynn|Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Identity and Existence in Technology
Original voiceovers
] - Motoko Kusanagi
[[w:Atsuko Tanaka (voice actress)|Atsuko Tanaka]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Identity and Humanity in Technology
Original voiceovers
] - Haraway
[[w:Yoshiko Sakakibara|Yoshiko Sakakibara]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Commitment in Action
Batou
A half-assed approach just won't cut it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Consequences of Overreaching Ambition
Batou
His downfall came when his reach exceeded his grasp.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Transformation and Identity in Batou's Reflection
Batou
But no matter how far a jackass may travel, it will never return as a horse.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Humanity and Existence in Technology
Original voiceovers
] - Togusa
[[w:Kōichi Yamadera|Kōichi Yamadera]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Voice and Existence
Major Motoko Kusanagi
We are saddened by a bird's cry, but not a fish's blood; Blessed are those with voices. If those dolls had voices, I bet each and everyone would scream "I don't want to be a human." (Alternate translation from one of the dubbed versions)
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Humanity and Technology
Original voiceovers
] - Ishikawa
[[w:Yutaka Nakano|Yutaka Nakano]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Understanding and Wishful Thinking
Chief Aramaki
Understanding is in principle solely based on wishful thinking.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Weight of Memory and Obligation
Batou
You sure have gotten informal, Lin. Since when do you skip the "Sir"?
Lin
I haven't forgotten the debt I owe you.
Batou
The less one forgets, the less one can remember?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Memory and Knowledge
Togusa
How great is the sum of thy thoughts? If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.
Batou
Psalms 139, Old Testament. The way you spout these spontaneous exotic references, I'd say your own external memory's pretty twisted.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Existence Beyond the Physical Realm
Original voiceovers
] - Daisuke Aramaki
[[w:Tamio Ōki|Tamio Ōki]
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Walking Alone in Silence and Virtue
Chief Aramaki
Let one walk alone, committing no sin, with few wishes, like elephants in the forest. (Based on a Buddhist Poem)
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Embracing Action in Moral Ambiguity
Batou
When there is no right or wrong it's time to beat the drums and attack.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Dilemma of Loyalty and Truth
Lin
We got loyalty even in my line.
Batou
There's loyalty that protects secrets and loyalty that protects the truth. You cannot serve both masters, so which loyalty is yours?
Lin
They say there's no truth without secrets.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Family and Loss
Togusa
All I could see... were my wife and daughter's faces.
[With his head between his hands, looking to the floor after a grenade explodes near him]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Innocence Represents the Essence of Life
Taglines
Sore wa inotchi innosensu ('Innocence is Life')
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.