Appleseed takes place in the 22nd century, after the non-nuclear Third World War has led to the destruction of a majority of the Earth's people.

While countries like Great Britain, USA and China have difficulty maintaining order and power, international organizations like the "Sacred Republic of Munma" and "Poseidon" have been established in the aftermath.

The Hypernotes consist of a four chapter story followed by technical information about the world, mechs, and equipment much like Appleseed Databook.

An English language version of Appleseed Hypernotes was serialized in Dark Horse Comics' Super Manga Blast.

The reason for this is because Shirow was unsatisfied with the work and wanted to fix it before releasing it as a complete book for English readers.

[17][18] A cancelled anime television series known as Appleseed: Genesis (アップルシード ジェネシス, Appurushīdo Jeneshisu) was originally announced in 2005.

The TV series was being directed by Romanov Higa with Haruhiko Mikimoto as character design and Romi Park as voice actress for Deunan Knute.

[23] During the release of the feature films, limited edition first Blu-ray volumes were being sold in theatres and the episodes were being streamed online.

An action video game titled Appleseed: Oracle of Prometheus (アップルシード プロメテウスの神託, Appurushīdo Purometeusu no Shintaku) for the Super Famicom was released on August 26, 1994, and was published by Visit.

[29] Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime Movies stated that the manga "is packed with political, ecological, technical, and literary references and subtexts, but it's also an enjoyable science fiction adventure".

[30] Director Neill Blomkamp has cited Appleseed's Briareos as an influence on the design of the eponymous character in his 2015 film, Chappie.

[31] The French FÉLIN (Fantassin à Équipement et Liaisons Intégrés – Integrated Infantryman Equipment and Communications, an infantry combat system) has a firing capability directly inspired by Appleseed.