In a dystopian future where society is engulfed in chaos due to an extremely addictive drug called "Substance D," an undercover detective named Bob Arctor infiltrates a group of users. However, the mission becomes complicated when Bob begins to lose track of his own identity. To maintain his cover, he must use advanced camouflage technology that turns him into a stranger to himself and his surroundings. As he delves deeper into the world of Substance D, the line between reality and paranoia blurs.
As he interacts with his friends, such as the charming but unstable Luckman and the enigmatic Barris, Bob finds himself caught in a spiral of deception and betrayal. His life transforms into a mental chess game, where the pieces move on their own and no one is what they seem. The dark side of addiction and dehumanization is portrayed in a haunting manner, revealing the consequences of a state of omnipresent surveillance.
Hallucinations and confusion become his reality until he faces the decision to save his life or succumb to madness. The story explores themes of identity, control, and the nature of consciousness in a world where nothing is certain and the future is increasingly uncertain, all tinged with a unique visual style that could only be imitated using rotoscoping technique.