First learned of Shirow through the GITS PSX game. Then watched the Mamoru Oshii Film and then read the manga. Suffice to say of all his works GITS had the most impact on me. It was the first more sophisticated anime/manga that I got into all those years ago.
I would say he's not so innovative these days. Not that that is a bad thing, given the length of time he has been in the business. He's done his time in my book and has definitely earned the right to be given a little slack.
