The Tachikoma's life-like behavior has always disturbed Major Kusanagi as they've repeatedly shown themselves capable of personal growth as well as un-machine-like behavior as well as interests. She believes this potentially endangers Section Nine and also raises moral concerns about their use in combat. Not wanting to be dismissed, the Tachikomas attempt to adopt robotic behavior but fool no one. Batou is ultimately called back to speak with them and is told they will be sent off to be studied after their military armaments are removed.
- Acting Unnatural: The Tachikomas attempts to behave like machines clues Batou and the rest that there really is something with them.
- A.I. Is a Crapshoot: The Tachikoma's childlike adorable personality is not what their designers intended.
- Hive Mind: The Tachikomas all share each other's memories as part of their attempts to become more human.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Major Kusanagi isn't wrong that using the childlike Tachikomas in battle is irresponsible to both them as well as the team.
- Just a Machine: The Tachikomas aren't, which is why they can't be used anymore.
- Pick Your Human Half: This trope comes up as a subject of conversation among the Tachikomas themselves. One of them theorizes that as advances in cybernetics technology blur the lines between humans and machines, humans are becoming nervous about any robots that seem too human. Thus, any robots which require a human-like appearance (in order to interact with human environments) are given less advanced AIs so they're not perceived as a threat, while more advanced AIs are confined to obviously non-human bodies.note
- Put on a Bus: The Tachikomas are sent off to be studied by an AI research lab at the end of the episode.
- What Measure Is a Non-Human?: The question of this regarding the Tachikomas becomes an issue as they shouldn't be used as weapons if they're more than a machine.
