The Empire of Corpses

The Empire of Corpses (屍者の帝国, Shisha no Teikoku) is a 2015 Japanese science fiction adventure horror anime film produced by Wit Studio and directed by Ryoutarou Makihara. It is the first in a series of films based on novels by Project Itoh, followed by Harmony and Genocidal Organ. Set in an alternate 19th-century Europe, the story revolves around a world where humans have developed the technology to reanimate corpses, though these reanimated bodies lack souls and are used as labor. Medical student John Watson seeks Frankenstein's notes in order to find the secret to granting souls to corpses, fulfilling a promise to his deceased friend, Friday. His quest uncovers the dark reality of this technology. The film combines historical and fictional characters, like John Watson and Frederick Burnaby, with steampunk aesthetics. It explores themes of soul, life, and technological ethics, delivering a narrative filled with suspense, action, and reflections on human nature.