The Empire of Corpses

is a Japanese sci-fi adventure anime film produced by Wit Studio and directed by Ryoutarou Makihara. The movie is part of a series of films based on novels written by Project Itoh, followed by Harmony and Genocidal Organ.

Plot
By the 19th century, humanity has cultivated technology enabling the reanimation of corpses. Unable to experience individual thoughts or emotions, the corpses are programmed by humans to act as laborers in various occupations.

However, this newfound technology cannot fully revive the dead without a major component, science cannot revive the soul. But the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who vanished shortly after his revolutionary work on corpse reanimation, is said to have revived the only corpse in possession of a soul.

In pursuit of this scientific knowledge, London medical student John Watson hopes to fulfill his promise to his late partner, Friday. After being scouted by a government agency, Watson is on a hunt to obtain Frankenstein's notes, which he believes hold the key to the secrets of the soul. During his search, Watson uncovers the harsh realities of the developing corpse technology and the price he must pay to advance his research.