A spin-off of a cyberpunk classic, a philosophical parable about the future and a city built by robots.
Science fiction, one of the most diverse genres, has a rich history of inspiring works that explore both the horrors and the wonders of futuristic realities.
For fans of Ben Stiller's sci-fi thriller Severance, we've rounded up five of the most intriguing titles.
1. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 2002-2005
A spectacular and smart cyberpunk series that enriches the universe of the full-length anime and manga Ghost in the Shell.
In Stand Alone Complex the investigation of individual cybercrimes evolves into the unraveling of a conspiracy between the government and giant corporations.
Even more interesting are the memories of Major Kusanagi's youth. What is it like to lose your own body and learn to live as a cyborg in a world where your memory can be rewritten without you even noticing?
2. Ergo Proxy, 2006
An ecological catastrophe has turned the Earth into a deadly wasteland. Humans hide in cities under a protective dome that maintains the necessary climatic conditions. Many processes are entrusted to AutoReivs – robots programmed to serve humans, but a virus is discovered in the city of Romdeau that gives androids free will.
At the same time, mysterious murders begin to occur in the city, which are entrusted to Re-l Mayer – a gothic employee of the Bureau of Investigation and the granddaughter of the Regent.
3. Serial Experiments Lain, 1998
In a faded, wired world, a girl lives on the Internet – a reclusive high school student, Lain Iwakura, who, after receiving an email from a dead classmate, decides to find out what the Wired is. And soon it becomes impossible to distinguish reality from virtuality, and humans from gods.
An elusive psychedelic plot, a subjective point of view, an atmosphere of urban madness. Coupled with the scriptwriter's predictions about the development of the Internet, it is not surprising that the show was appreciated all over the world.
4. Psycho-Pass, 2012-2019
Japan in the 22nd century has become an almost perfect place thanks to the Sibyl system. It ensures security by creating a so-called psycho-passport for every citizen, a profile of their propensity for violence and illegal actions.
Those whose indicators slightly exceed the norm are sent for compulsory treatment, and the "incorrigible" are destroyed. The young idealist Akane Tsunemori joins the Public Safety Bureau, whose agents carry out the AI decisions.
She learns about the dark side of a futuristic paradise of drones, cybernetic prosthesis, and other high-tech pleasures.
5. Blame!, 2003
Once upon a time, humans invented robots and built the Megastructure – a city of incredible proportions that eventually surpassed the Earth and continues to fill the solar system. The only way to stop the mechanical activity of the androids, who continue to repair and develop this terrifying structure, is with the help of the spheres.
To access it, you need to collect all the "network genes" (unaltered human DNA), which is what the silent Killy – an unusually tough guy with accelerated regeneration – is doing.