The anime “Appleseed Alpha” impresses with its stunning visuals. Made entirely with CGI, the film shows incredible detail, from the characters’ hair and water effects to the powerful explosion scenes. Briareos’s cyborg design stands out, showing both his strong, tank-like build and complex mechanical features.
Watching through the screen, the opening scenes genuinely make you wonder, “Is this live-action or animation?” When characters walk, their natural movements are so convincing you can’t help but stare. The background art of the ruined New York is also superb, possessing a charm that makes you want to explore the devastated city.
Still, the impressive visuals can’t fully make up for the simple story. It feels like a beautiful meal that lacks much flavor.
Dunan and Briareos—The Core of the Story Woven by Their Bond
The primary focus of Appleseed Alpha is the relationship between Dunan and Briareos. They have a “buddy cop” partnership, and their strong trust and care for each other are at the center of the story.
The voice actors, do a great job showing this complex relationship. Dunan shows both strength and vulnerability, while Briareos expresses quiet but deep affection. Their conversations have a gritty feel, like a Clint Eastwood film, but also show genuine warmth.
Particularly memorable was the scene revealing that the Two Horns mechanic had deliberately weakened Briasleos’ system. The contrast between Dunan’s rage and Briasleos’ calm analysis of the situation spoke volumes about the depth of their bond.
Between Hollywood-Style Reboot Ambition and a Sense of Déjà Vu
Released in 2015, ‘Appleseed Alpha’ was produced as a “reboot” with no direct story connection to the two theatrical films (2004, 2007) previously directed by Shinji Aramaki.
In interviews, Director Aramaki said he wanted a “new approach” instead of a sequel. He decided to tell a prequel story about Dunan and Brialios as they travel to Olympus, a city seen as humanity’s utopia. His goal was to turn the complex original story into something fresh, simple, and fun, so both longtime fans and newcomers could enjoy it.
Between Originality and Versatility
Dunan and Briareos keep their original look but are updated in a more realistic style. Briareos, in particular, makes a strong impression.
The new character, Two Horns, has a very unique design. The music during his entrance makes him even more memorable, and his mysterious identity keeps viewers interested.
However, the enemy mecha designs are disappointing. Though Shirow Masamune is renowned as one of the world’s top mecha designers, the mecha in this work heavily reflect existing titles like ‘Crisis,’ lacking originality. Utilizing the original designs directly would have made them far more compelling.
Action Scenes—A Coexistence of Flashiness and Lackluster Moments
The action scenes in this film feel more restrained than those in the 2004 ‘Appleseed’ or 2007’s ‘Ex Machina’. Earlier movies had exciting moments, like Dunan jumping from her mecha to defeat enemies, but this film doesn’t have that same thrill.
Still, the tank battles and fights in the ruins look great. The one-on-one fight between Briareos and Nix, who works for Talos, is especially tense and really shows off the intensity of cyborg battles.
Eiji Takahashi’s music is excellent, with electronic sounds that recall Daft Punk’s work on Tron. It’s just unfortunate that the soundtrack isn’t used more often.
As a Turning Point for the Series—The Merits and Demerits of the Gritty Reboot
For fans of the Appleseed series, this film marks a significant turning point. The glittering Olympus Tower and harmonious society depicted in the 2004 version and Ex Machina are absent here. Instead, we are presented with bombed-out cityscapes and people fighting to survive.
It was clearly intentional. The film uses the Hollywood style of a “gritty reboot,” presenting a harsher, more realistic world, similar to that of Batman Begins. But with so many post-apocalyptic stories out there now, this approach can feel a bit ordinary.
For people new to the series, this film is a good place to start. You don’t need to know any complicated backstory, and it’s set up as a simple action movie. Still, fans who love Masamune Shirow’s original world might feel that something is missing.
Character portrayal also warrants mention. In the original manga and anime, Dunan was portrayed as an independent, strong female warrior. In this film, however, the scenes in which she becomes a “character who needs protecting” stand out. The design of her combat suit is particularly questionable. A design exposing her torso and abdomen would be a fatal weakness in actual combat. Of course, this is an animated work, and a certain degree of stylized beauty should be allowed. Still, considering the essence of Dunan’s character, a bit more consideration might have been desirable.
Summary: A Work Questioning the Balance Between Visual Beauty and Narrative Depth
‘Appleseed Alpha’ is visually stunning and tells a touching story about Dunan and Briareos’s bond. Still, the story feels familiar, and the film sometimes lacks the unique touches that animation can offer because it tries to look like a live-action movie.
This film shows that even the best visual technology can’t replace a strong story. To give CGI a beautiful, meaningful purpose, the story itself is essential.
Even so, the film has real value. Showing two people who keep hope alive in a ruined world is a message that still matters today. Hitomi’s words in the final scene, “They’re like apple seeds. Wherever they go, hope sprouts,” remind us that it’s our humanity, not perfect technology, that brings true hope.
Fans of the Appleseed series will enjoy comparing this film to earlier versions. For newcomers, it’s an easy way to start exploring the world Masamune Shirow created.
