Batou (also known as Batto or Bato) holds the position of second-in-command within Section 9. Little is revealed about this enigmatic, imposing foreigner who has been alongside Motoko Kusanagi for years. Formerly American, he served in Special Forces in South America. The extent of his cyborg modifications varies by storyline, ranging from just his limbs to nearly his entire body, second only to the Major herself. Despite access to advanced ocular enhancements, he developed a superstition regarding his older model eye replacements, which are popular among many top-tier military operatives. He also experiences lingering body-image issues, leading him to frequently buy workout equipment despite its impracticality for his cybernetic form.
In the two Stand Alone Complex series, Batou's personality mirrors that in the manga version. He is an outgoing joker with a quick temper. More emotional and less composed than the Major, Batou displays anger at injustice and cruelty, sometimes appearing quite hotheaded. He can be impatient with Section 9's rookies, like Togusa, occasionally bordering on rudeness, and constantly jokes with him.
At times, he serves as a voice of reason and concern for the Major, to the extent that she admits she can confide in him. Both seasons of the anime, similar to the movies, hint at romantic tension between them, especially near the end of each major event. This tension is briefly revisited in the Solid State Society movie, where Batou confesses to covering up any appearances of the Major prior to the Puppet Master case.
Prior to joining Section 9, Batou served in a military special forces unit. Most of his body consists of cybernetic prosthetics. Despite exercise offering no benefit to his cybernetic parts, Batou lifts weights as a hobby. Several episodes of Stand Alone Complex suggest Batou served in the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force before joining Section 9. It is implied that he held a JGSDF Ranger qualification. His unit was involved in World War IV and deployed to South America alongside Motoko Kusanagi, where they inadvertently encountered an American Imperial Navy unit conducting a covert operation codenamed "Project Sunset." This operation involved soldiers gaining community trust before committing war crimes, spreading terror and chaos among enemy ranks. Batou's eyes are grey and clearly prosthetic, standard issue for Ranger Special Forces operatives.
