Joseph Campbell's Oriental mythology in *Ghost in the Shell* (1995) and Occidental mythology in *Ghost in the Shell* (2017)

Hollywood's increasing reliance on adaptations, particularly from existing intellectual properties like anime, is a prominent trend. While anime adaptations have a history stretching back to the 1940s, many have faced criticism for deviating from source material or failing to capture their cultural nuances. This study focuses on the *Ghost in the Shell* franchise, comparing the 1995 anime and 2017 live-action film to analyze narrative differences. Previous studies have linked the original *Ghost in the Shell* to transhumanism. This article, however, uses Joseph Campbell's Oriental and Occidental mythologies as a comparative framework, acknowledging the artistic merit of both versions while exploring their differing cultural ideologies. The study moves beyond simple fidelity debates and embraces the concept of adaptation intertextuality to appreciate the unique contributions of each adaptation.

Adaptation studies have evolved from a focus on fidelity (how closely an adaptation adheres to the original) to an emphasis on intertextuality (how adaptations create meaning through their relationship with other texts). The article reviews existing literature on adaptations, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented when adapting across cultures and media. It cites various examples, including the German alterations of Shakespeare's works during WWII and the contrasting approaches in Swedish and American versions of *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo*. The article then reviews critiques of Campbell's monomyth, addressing challenges related to gender and universality. It notes the evolution of Campbell's work, emphasizing *The Masks of God* series and its relevance to cross-cultural comparisons. Finally, the literature review examines existing scholarship on the representation of Japanese culture in anime, the tension between national and transnational elements, and the hybrid nature of anime's global appeal.

This article employs a comparative analysis framework. Using Joseph Campbell's *Oriental Mythology* and *Occidental Mythology* as theoretical lenses, the authors analyze the 1995 anime and 2017 live-action film versions of *Ghost in the Shell*. The analysis focuses on narrative themes, character development, and visual symbolism to explore how the adaptations reflect different mythological frameworks. Specific scenes and dialogue are examined to highlight the differences in philosophical underpinnings and cultural representations between the two versions. The authors utilize screenshots from both films to illustrate their points. The choice of Campbell's mythologies provides a comparative factor for analyzing the adaptations' differing expressions of Eastern and Western philosophies.

The analysis reveals significant differences in the portrayal of mythology in the two *Ghost in the Shell* versions. The 1995 anime aligns more closely with Campbell's Oriental mythology, emphasizing the ambiguity and interconnectedness of the divine and the secular. The film’s theme song, visual symbolism (frame-within-a-frame shots symbolizing confinement and freedom), and the protagonist's journey towards self-discovery through merging with the Puppet Master reflect this. The merging is presented as a transcendent experience, representing a union of Heaven and Earth, followed by rebirth and the acceptance of ambiguity. Conversely, the 2017 live-action film exhibits characteristics of Campbell's Occidental mythology. The film sets up a stark separation between the powerful mega-corporation, Hanka Robotics, and the individuals, mirroring the separation of Heaven and Earth. The protagonist's journey is more of a classic hero's journey with a clear antagonist. Killian's rejection of transcendence and her decision to fight for justice against Hanka Robotics embodies the Occidental hero's defiance of a higher power and commitment to individual agency. The final scenes emphasize self-actualization and a return to the familiar world, but with a newfound understanding of self and purpose.

The findings demonstrate the significant influence of cultural context and mythological frameworks on film adaptations. The differences between the anime and live-action *Ghost in the Shell* highlight how similar narratives can be interpreted and adapted to resonate with different cultural values and beliefs. The study contributes to adaptation studies by demonstrating the utility of comparative mythology as a tool for analyzing cross-cultural adaptations. The use of Campbell's framework enables a nuanced understanding of the artistic choices made in each version, moving beyond simple assessments of fidelity. The results demonstrate that rather than simply being a 'better' or 'worse' adaptation, the 2017 film offers a distinct and valid interpretation of the source material, reflecting different cultural and philosophical perspectives.

This article contributes to adaptation studies by providing a comparative analysis of the 1995 anime and 2017 live-action *Ghost in the Shell*, using Joseph Campbell's Oriental and Occidental mythologies as a framework. The analysis shows how cultural differences shape narrative choices and philosophical underpinnings. Future research could expand this methodology to other cross-cultural film adaptations, examining the interplay between mythology, culture, and narrative choices. Exploring other theoretical lenses alongside Campbell's work could further enrich the field.

The study focuses primarily on narrative and visual aspects of the films, potentially overlooking other significant elements, such as sound design or character interactions. While the authors utilized screenshots to illustrate their analysis, a more detailed textual analysis might further strengthen the study's findings. The focus on Campbell's work, while useful, might not capture the full complexity of the cultural and philosophical differences between Eastern and Western thought. Future research could consider incorporating additional theoretical perspectives to enhance the depth of analysis.