Earth ( The Spirits Within ) < br > The world of " " is a fictional depiction of the real - world Earth in crisis , set in the 2060s . Story . The majority of the film ' s plot is situated the New York Barrier City and various Wasteland s in the United States of America , with brief visits to the Caspian Mountains in Eurasia and outer space in the Zeus Cannon in orbit around the planet . Geography . A fictionalized version of real - world planet Earth appears in " Final Fantasy : The Spirits Within " . In this future , the world has been invaded by ghost - like aliens called Phantoms who have forced the human race near the brink of extinction . What few cities are left are fortress towns called Barrier Cities , whose bio - etheric ovo - pacs protect the inhabitants against the Phantoms . Outside of the Barrier Cities , the Earth has been turned into a barren wasteland , with all life killed by the Phantoms . Cities like New York have been completely devastated outside of the section protected by the barrier . Climate . The climates shown are that typical of their relative real - world locations , with the mild temperatures of New York and the snow - capped Caspian Mountains . Flora / Fauna . With the majority of the world ' s wildlife and plants consumed by the Phantoms , the remaining populace has been kept in protected conservation zones and wildlife preserves . Politics . A culture in crisis , hiding behind bio - etheric shields from an enemy they cannot naturally see . The political aspect of the American world , as shown in the movie , seems to be run by a council . The decisions of who have authority over the actions of the USMF . It is unknown whether this is just a military council or if these people dictate civilian matters as well . Technology . Based on the technology of the real - world , late - 1990 ' s , early - 2000 ' s , the technology shown in the world of " Final Fantasy : The Spirits Within " focuses on the military and scientific worlds . USMF Technology . Military technology has advanced , thanks to the findings in the science of Bio - Etherics . Primary field weapons now being biotic - laser guns and plasma grenades , the development of which were necessary due to how the Phantoms are immune to projectile fire . It should be noted that projectile weaponry are still in rotation , with a variety of rapid fire rifles and single - shot pistols USMF vehicles are primarily heavily armored VTOL aircraft , provided by the USAF , and " Land Master " vehicles . Scientific Technology . Technology used by the scientists involved in Bio - Etherics bare remarkable similarities to their real - world cousins , though these are powered or use biotic energy in order to affect Phantom tissue . Perhaps the most notable scientific contribution is the Barrier Shield of the Barrier Cities ; a series of energy walls supported by a metal frame that resonates at a frequency that the Phantoms are unable to penetrate . Each " shield " is powered by a power generator operated from within the city . Other contributions include the current plasma technology used by the USMF and a modified type of laser surgery that uses a biotic laser instead of one of hard light . Population . Spirits . Each biological being exists as a physical entity and a bio - ethereal entity based on their biological energy . A science on the exploration of these bio - energy forms , Bio Etherium , has been formed by Dr . Sid and also explores the concepts of Gaia and the existence of the Phantoms . Architecture . The Architecture shown in " " seems to be frozen in the early real - world 2000s , with the constructive emphasis on practical structure than creative style .