Appleseed takes place in the 22nd Century, after the non-nuclear Third World War decimates the Earth. While states like Great Britain, France and China have difficulty maintaining order and power, international organisations like the "Sacred Republic of Munma" and "Poseidon" have been established in the aftermath. The main characters are Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires, former SWAT members of the LAPD. They are found in the desolated city and invited to join the prestigious ESWAT organisation in the utopian city of Olympus, the new world's most powerful state. Roughly one half of Olympus's population are bioroids. The series follows Deunan and Briareos as they protect their new home from enemies, both foreign and domestic.