Making The Cyborg

“Making The Cyborg” by Ghost In The Shell is a hauntingly beautiful piece that delves into the creation and existence of a cyborg. The lyrics, sung in Japanese, evoke a sense of ancient ritual and mysticism, blending the old with the new in a way that mirrors the fusion of human and machine. The song opens with the lines “A ga maeba, kuwashime yoini keri / A ga maeba, teru tsuki toyomu nari,” which can be interpreted as a poetic description of transformation and awakening. The imagery of the moon and the night suggests a mystical process, one that is both natural and otherworldly.

The second stanza, “Yobai ni kami amakudarite, / Yoha ake, nuedori naku, / Tookamiemitame,” continues this theme of transformation. The mention of “kami amakudarite,” which refers to the descent of a deity, implies a divine intervention in the creation of the cyborg. The breaking of dawn and the cry of the bird symbolize a new beginning, a rebirth into a new form of existence. This can be seen as a metaphor for the cyborg’s awakening, a moment where the boundaries between human and machine blur, creating a new entity that is both and neither.

Ghost In The Shell, as an artist, is deeply rooted in the cyberpunk genre, often exploring themes of identity, consciousness, and the impact of technology on humanity. “Making The Cyborg” is a perfect example of this, using poetic and mystical language to explore the profound and often unsettling implications of merging human and machine. The song invites listeners to reflect on what it means to be human in an age where technology can fundamentally alter our very essence.