why is he carrying a pink kiddie bag?

I loved that backpack!

I’m sure it was for comic relief.

The dichotomy of such a big, muscular, manly-man carrying a pink kids backpack gave me life every time I saw it on the screen.

I just loved how much Kovacs simply did not care what the optics were of him sporting that thing everywhere - such a badass with zero f*cks given.

Comic relief, yes. Plus, the unicorn on the backpack is clearly a nod to Blade Runner.