>>775713>but it's really confusing trying to figure out what order to watch everything in.It's actually relatively simple, it just looks confusing because there are three separate takes on the manga. You can start with either the movie or Stand Alone Complex, but I recommend SAC because it has a lot of what you're asking for.
Refer to pic related before reading if you want a picture of the whole thing to visualize it better.
>Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone ComplexThis has two seasons and a follow-up movie, Solid State Society. They're all in the same universe and have the squad mechanics that I think you'd like. Also has nice close-quarters combat sequences as well as a good cast of characters.
>Ghost in the Shell (1995)This is the original movie and has a follow-up movie called Ghost in the Shell: Innocence. These are in a separate universe from Stand Alone Complex and are more focused on the main character and the antagonist rather than the entire squad of Section 9.
>Ghost in the Shell: AriseThis one does an origin story for the Major, but the last couple of episodes does have the whole team together and the follow-up movie, Ghost in the Shell (2015) is pretty decent.
(This one is actually complicated) For this, you'll want to watch the 4 OVAs and then the last two episodes of Alternative Architecture. AA basically redid the OVAs, but cut some of the content, changed the order, and then added two new episodes of material. Thus, it's better to just watch the OVAs, then the last two episodes, then the 2015 movie.
There's also a new anime coming out next season that will be a sequel to Stand Alone Complex. Can only hope it's decent.
