It is somewhat remarkable how much can change in a few years: Motoko is not just an EXPLICIT lesbian in the new Ghost in the Shell adaptation, but also a BOTTOM.
They really took EXTRA EFFORT to make this scene SIGNIFICANTLY MORE lesbian as compared to the 2 pages (or rather, 3-4 panels) it had in the original manga:
Imagine having THAT depicted in an anime 20 years ago that would have been - rightfully - presumed to be the iconic flagship show of the entire season, and that purely on the whim of the studio direction without being able to hide behind the source material.
Science Saru really said "I know artists who use subtext and they are all cowards" and proceeded to devote almost two whole minutes of the episode to making sure everyone knows just how much of a lesbian Motoko is. Quite a difference to the intentionally strong asexual depiction in the 90s movie.
My new fucking obsession
