Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn vol. 14

This volume’s first story involves Nene getting to know a young girl who is about to experience life with a completely different kind of cyberbody.  Now, I expect this story to have a humanist sci-fi bent that takes the unusual nature of this cyberbody and spins a surprisingly touching tale that’s another showcase for our protagonist’s empathy while showing how technology can make our lives better.  That’s been standard issue for this series for a while now.  What I was not expecting were a couple of fun cameos from creators Rikudou Koushi and Masamune Shirow’s previous series.  The one from the “Ghost in the Shell” universe is ironically appropriate since it was the “Stand Alone Complex” anime series that frequently trafficked in the kind of storytelling that we’ve been seeing in “Pandora” as opposed to the original manga.

It’s also the volume’s best story as the remaining chapters are either frivolously enjoyable meet-ups with characters we’ve met before, or a big chunk of setup regarding Poseidon’s ambitions on Cenacle.  Said “big chunk of setup” is still interesting in its own way as what initially looks to be a loopy riff on Michael Crichton’s “Prey,” gives way to something far more silly and filled with backstory regarding what Takumi and Uzal were up to when they were working for the organization.  It’s not a bad story, even though it leaves me wondering when the business with Poseidon is going to kick into high gear.  Everything feels like it’s in place and while I don’t expect Koushi and artist Rin Hitotose to wrap things up in the next two volumes, some forward momentum would be most appreciated next time.