By 2032, humans and machines have reached a point where they interact closely. Crimes committed by cyborgs are investigated by Section 9, a specialized counter-terrorist unit led by Chief Aramaki and his cyborg assistant, Major Motoko Kusanagi. Section 9 has faced numerous challenges in both the physical world and cyberspace, but none as formidable as 'The Awakened.' This group of terrorists is believed to have the ability to take control of people's minds and bodies, using them as tools for committing crimes against the state. When Major Kusanagi captures one of their victims, she uses her cyberbrain hacking skills to access their cyberbrain and discover the identity of the ringleader. This leads her on a journey through cyberspace that challenges her beliefs and forces her to confront her own humanity.