Compilation of stories that make up The Laughing Man plot of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Six years before Major Kusanagi (voice of Atsuko Tanaka) and Section 9s current exploits, the president of a massively successful micro machine company was kidnapped and ransomed in what came to be known as the Laughing Man incident. Now, the detective responsible for the continued investigation contacts Section 9, wishing to meet with Togusa (Koichi Yamadera) and hand over crucial information. Almost immediately, he is killed in an accident. Shortly afterwards, a police press conference is hijacked by the Laughing Man (Yamadera) who announces his return.
