There are movies that transcend cultural boundaries and they have left an indelible mark in the memory of those who have enjoyed them, and they even leave their mark in the way of making films during the following years. You could say that “”. One of those films is a gem of animation and a benchmark for science fiction and cyberpunk cinema: Ghost in the Shell. And although one could talk at length about its fascinating plotits aesthetic influence or its iconic protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi, today we will delve into a peculiar detail and quite well known in Spain: the presence of the San Miguel beer in the movie.
Why was this brand of beer chosen in a Japanese science fiction work set in a dystopian future? The answer is surprising and has to do with the war between Spain and the United States of 1898.
Future Past Day
Ghost in the Shell is a Japanese animated film released in 1995 and directed by Mamoru Oshii. This film, based on the homonymous manga by Masamune Shirow, has become a benchmark in the world of science fiction and animation. Set in a dystopian future where technology and biology merge in astonishing ways, the film follows Major Motoko Kusanagi and her police team in the fight against cybercrime. The plot deals with themes as deep as identity and the nature of consciousness and existence, and has been crowned as one of the best works among lovers of the genre.
Ghost in the Shell was one of the first great successes of Japanese animation in the West, along with other iconic productions such as Akira or Dragon Ball. Marked a before and after in the perception of Japanese animation in the world, especially in Hollywood, where directors like James Cameron praised its quality and narrative proposal. The influence of this film is not only noticeable in later animation and science fiction productions, but it also left a imprint on Western aesthetics and pop culture of the moment. In fact, some of the ideas presented in Ghost in the Shell reappeared in later films as well-known as The Matrix. However, today we will focus on a peculiar detail that is especially relevant for the Spanish public: San Miguel beer.
Why does Saint Michael appear in Ghost in the Shell?
Ghost in the Shell fans in Spain often mention with amazement that in the film, the characters drink cans of San Miguel beer. It’s important pointing that this election is not free and adds a touch of authenticity to the narrative. In one of the most memorable scenes, the characters relax on an outdoor terrace, enjoying San Miguel beer while talking about the mysteries of life and existence in that technological future. Basically, like you do with your friends.
But what is the reason behind the appearance of this brand? The answer takes us on a journey through the world of globalization and beer culture in Asia. The San Miguel beer that we see in Ghost in the Shell It is not the same as what is commonly drunk in Spain. Although the labels may be similar, it is important to clarify that it is a brand of its own. one of the most important beer distilleries in the worldespecially in Asia: the San Miguel Corporation, abbreviated as SMC, and based in Manila. So how come this Filipino beer It is the same as the Spanish one?
The history of San Miguel beer dates back to the end of the 19th century. With the idea of opening the first brewery in Southeast Asia, a group of Spaniards, led by Enrique María Barretto de Ycaza, began producing beer in Manila, in the neighborhood of San Miguel, at that time the Spanish capital of the Philippine Islands. In 1890 the San Miguel Beer Factory was officially inaugurated, and began its export to other regions and countries in the areareaching commercial destinations as important as Guam, Shanghai and Hong Kong at the beginning of the 20th century.
After the loss of the Philippines In the context of the Spanish-American War of 1898, the owners of the brewery They moved their production and headquarters to Spain, where it remains to this day. However, in the Philippines and other countries such as the United States, the San Miguel beer sold It does it under the Filipino seal, and not the Spanish one. In fact, this brand is one of the main manufacturers and distributors in the area, and today its San Miguel beers are among the most consumed and known in that entire area of influence of the Pacific Ocean.
This curious reason for including San Miguel beer in Ghost in the Shell, a nod to the influence of Filipino culture in Japan and a show of appreciation for a brand that has left a mark in the region and that It still has its origin in Spain.
The two San Miguels: a world of difference
It is important to highlight the difference between the two San Miguel beers, the Filipino and the Spanish. Although they share a name, They are completely different products, produced by independent companies. While the Filipino San Miguel has a Spanish origin, its business roots are in Manila and has spread throughout the world, while the Spanish San Miguel is produced by San Miguel, Fábricas de Cerveza, SLU, based in Malaga. So keep it clear, they are two separate entities that share a name: the next time someone mentions that in Ghost in the Shell they drink San Miguel beer, you can share this anecdote and make a little clarification.
