Terminator-like Takeshi Kovacs (voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki) was hired by Hideki Tanaseda (Kenji Yamauchi) to investigate on the death of a Yakuza boss while acting as a bodyguard to Holly Togram (Ayaka Asai) -- who turns out to be a very important piece of the investigation -- along the way, they are joined by a CTAC agent named Gina (Rina Satuo), who also is investigating the clan. Soon enough, they unravel a secret that will lead to the clan's downfall but they need to confront the current Yakuza bosses and their minions first.
Even for a viewer that hasn't seen the TV series, "Altered Carbon: Resleeved" is an easy watch. It has a linear narrative that can be followed even without much context from the Altered Carbon mythos. The characters are easily identifiable and their motives are clear enough, but not to a point of total understanding.
"Altered Carbon: Resleeved" share the same condition present in its TV show. It draws us in a futuristic world wherein a 'body' is as replaceable like clothes rendering it almost meaningless and invaluable, what important is something that they call "stack" a device that can hold consciousness. That's what makes this spin-off an intriguing watch as it spurs me to ponder on what life is without that imperative presence of end and the fear that comes with it.
"Altered Carbon: Resleeved" has a very promising premise but it finds itself in an obvious action/adventure genre that belittles its potential to truly profit from its more humanistic characteristic. At some point in the film, that fearlessness of dying slowly sees its significance shrink ultimately making it an inessential aspect of the narrative. Though the action sequences are enthralling and the animation is arguably good but it's not enough to breathe value on its simple plot.
It just means to show that "Altered Carbon: Resleeved" is meant to expound the Altered Carbon series only and not to indulge or convince others to explore the series' story. It's a 'for fans only' film in summary. It may be an easy watch but it's hard to appreciate what it wants to say.
2/5
