The Animus is the virtual-reality device used to relive genetic memories in Assassin's Creed.
In the series, a person enters the Animus and experiences memories inherited through their genetic lineage. The device translates those memories into an interactive simulation, allowing modern-day characters to explore the lives of historical ancestors without literally traveling through time.
The Animus is central to the framing story of the first game, in which Desmond Miles is forced to relive the memories of his ancestor Altaïr. Later games introduce different versions and manufacturers, including Abstergo's commercial Helix system.
The concept is fictional and combines science-fiction ideas about genetic memory, virtual reality, and ancestral identity. The Helix is sometimes mistaken for the general name of the device, but it is a later entertainment platform derived from Animus technology.