Batou

Seiyuu / Dub

Jablonka, Christoph· Japanese

Juhász, György· Japanese

Júnior, Francisco· Japanese

Lee, Jung-gu· Japanese

Lopes, Guilherme· Japanese

Matsuda, Kenichirou· Japanese

Ootsuka, Akio· Japanese

Schmitz, Tilo· Japanese

Vass, Gábor· Japanese

Yasumoto, Hiroki· Japanese

Becerril, Carlos· Spanish

Beretta, Daniel· French

Summary

Batou, also known as Batto or Bato, serves as the nominal second-in-command of Section 9. He is a tall, enigmatic foreigner who has worked alongside Motoko Kusanagi for many years. A former American Special Forces operative in South America, his level of cybernetic augmentation varies by storyline, ranging from just his limbs to nearly his entire body, making him the most cyberized member aside from the Major. Batou retains a superstitious preference for his vintage optical replacements, a style favored by high-ranking military personnel, over superior modern optics. He also harbors residual body-image issues, leading him to persistently buy workout equipment despite the clear anachronism and lack of physical benefit for his cybernetic frame. In the Stand Alone Complex series, his personality aligns more closely with the manga version. He is an outgoing joker with a quick temper, displaying emotions and a lack of calm that contrasts with the Major. Batou exhibits anger toward injustice and cruelty, often appearing hotheaded. He can be impatient and rude with rookies like Togusa, frequently joking at his expense. However, he also acts as a voice of reason and concern for the Major, who admits she can confide in him. The anime seasons and movies hint at romantic tension between them, particularly near the end of each Gig. This dynamic is briefly explored in the Solid State Society movie, where Batou reveals he has covered up the Major’s appearances in cases prior to the Puppet Master incident. Before joining Section 9, Batou served in a military special forces team. Evidence from Stand Alone Complex episodes suggests he previously served in the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) and held a Ranger qualification. His unit participated in World War IV and was deployed to South America alongside Motoko Kusanagi. There, they inadvertently encountered an American Imperial Navy unit conducting a covert operation called Project Sunset, which involved soldiers gaining community trust to commit war crimes and spread terror. Batou’s eyes are grey and clearly prosthetic, representing standard cybernetic equipment issued to Ranger Special Forces operatives.