Don't know much about manga books but I have some really cool vids you might be interested in. Appleseed (there's a book on this.), X (really nice visual effects and storyline), Crying Freeman (a good hit man for hire movie) , Ninja Scroll (set in the glory days of the samuri), Ghost in the Shell (you already know about this), The Wings of Honnemise (about a nations quest to send a man into space. really beautiful artwork.), Zone of the Enders: Idolo (this one is really visually stunning.). I can't remember the rest but I hope this helps.
peace
"...double fisted with two Heinekens acting like a lush..."