Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is the only anime eligible for a 'Best animated feature' Oscar at the upcoming awards and now has to fight off 11 other films (including Shrek 2, Shark Tale and the Korean sci-fi film 'Wonderful Days') to make the final cut of three nominations. These final nominations will be announced on January 25th.

One can only assume that the likes of Steamboy (Katsuhiro Otomo) and Howl's Moving Castle (Hayao Miyazaki) will be in the running for an 05/06 nomination instead.

Ghost In The Shell should win it. It blew me away more than any Miyazaki film did.

It should win, especially against the unimaginative CG stuff coming out of the US right now (Shark Tail).

My money will be on Shrek 2 though-- seems as though the award panel aren't looking for the most accomplished film, more like the highest grossing flick combined with 'wholesome American values'.

I'm with Paul on this one - Innocence isn't what the judges are expecting in an animated film; at least Spirited Away was pretty accessible to everyone.