>>547257I haven't read the manga yet, since I'm both a brainlet and a lazy piece of shit, but just do whatever you want, anon.
I'd suggest watching either the original 1995 movie + Innocence or Stand Alone Complex (Two seasons, plus a movie, Solid State Society) first just to see if you like the franchise. And then go back and watch the thing you didn't choose first if you're hooked or read the manga. Don't watch the movie compilations of SAC, they remove a lot of what makes the TV series so great. And watch the original 1995 movie, not the 2008 "2.0" version.
Also, to comment on Arise, since it's pretty heavily hated by most of fans, I don't think it's absolutely terrible and still worth watching, but you can form your own opinion of it if you decide to watch it. But if you're going to watch it, watch the 4 OVAs/movies and then the last 2 episodes of Alternative Architecture and then Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie. The reasoning is because AA is a recut of the OVAs, but also cuts out some parts of them for a 24-minute TV broadcast. And the last two episodes are new material.
Also check this picture to see the chronology of each take on the franchise.
This post probably wasn't helpful, since I haven't read the manga, but I hope you enjoy the franchise whenever and whichever way you decide to experience it. Also, I highly suggest skipping on the western live-action movie, but it's still an okay action film if you want to watch it.
