In the not-so-distant future, humanity has progressed to a point where complete body transplants from flesh to machine are possible. This enables significant boosts in both physical and cybernetic capabilities, blurring the lines between the two realms. However, criminals can also exploit such technology, resulting in new and sometimes very dangerous crimes. In response to these innovative methods, the Japanese Government has established Section 9, an independently operating police unit that handles such highly sensitive cases. Led by Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 addresses these crimes across the entire social spectrum, usually with success. However, when confronted with a new A-level hacker nicknamed "The Laughing Man," the team is drawn into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, tracking the hacker's trail as it leaves its mark on Japan.