Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

“A Captivating Anime Prequel: Reviving Cyberpunk 2077”

Are you familiar with Cyberpunk 2077? The vast majority of anime fans also dabble in gaming, if only occasionally. Unfortunately, CD Projekt Red's long-awaited video game Game did not get off to the strong start it deserved upon release for a number of reasons, including being rushed to completion. While many of the game's problems were eventually fixed, the overall impression was that it never found its footing. However, that was only the beginning…

Enter Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, an anime series by Netflix that acts as a prequel to the game's story. Yes, this 10-episode ONA series aired on September 13, 2022, and it rejuvenated the entirety of Cyberpunk 2077.

Imaishi Hiroyuki served as the director, Urakari Hiroki as the sound director, Yoneyama Mai as the episode director, storyboard, and key animation, and Kaneko Yoshiyuki as the episode director, storyboard, and assistant director on the project that CD Projekt Red produced and the talented Studio Trigger brought to life. It featured the genres of action and sci-fi, alongside the themes of gore and psychological Each episode lasted 25 minutes, and the series received a rating of R+ for its mild nudity.

The series is based on the source game Cyberpunk 2077. It also released a single music video on September 12, 2022, titled “Let You Down”. It ran for 4 minutes and featured a brief prequel to the series. Studio Massket produced it. The song is by Dawid Podsiadł, and it serves as the ending theme for the anime.

All dreams are fated to die a tragic death amidst the chaos of Night City, which is a futuristic Californian metropolis that also serves as the setting for this anime. Protagonist David Martinez is just another teenager living in the city's gloomy slums, trying very hard to fulfill his mother's lifelong wish of him reaching the top of Arasaka, their world's leading security corporation, someday. In order to fulfill her wish, he casts aside his own ambitions and attends the prestigious Arasaka Academy while she works tirelessly to keep their small family afloat.

Things were troublesome yet okay for David, until a horrible incident with a street gang left his life in shambles. He ends up stumbling upon Sandevistan cyberware, a prosthetic that gives its wearer superhuman speed, and opts to implant the device in his own back to enact revenge on his tormentors. He ends up being expelled from the academy in the process, further shattering his hopes of making his late mother proud.

The data thief Lucyna "Lucy" Kushinada approaches David while he is wandering aimlessly and offers to work with him because of his abilities. In his desperation, he accepts, and so he finds himself sucked into the underworld of the Edgerunners, a group of cyborg criminals who will break any law for money. The catch is that many Edgerunners die as a result of encounters with mind-altering cyberware or in the struggle to stay alive in a deeply corrupt society. David must now steel his resolve and prepare to risk it all.

In all honesty, I absolutely loved Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and want as many people as possible to see it. There are many reasons for it, and I think it's best to start with this tear-jerking story. After joining the Edgerunners, David’s life changes drastically, and each moment becomes filled with action of some shape or form. Before long, you notice how he keeps falling deeper into a void, with some occasional positives here and there. At each important point of the story, we see how our protagonist has little to no choice but to do what he did.

Because of this, he becomes quite relatable, and you cannot really blame him for his actions because he doesn’t seem to have any control over his own life. It’s as if each action was done for the sake of someone or something important, and these decisions drive the plot forward. In the end, we are hit with the realization that he was plunged into the void despite having good intentions all the way through. Yes, this tale portrays moral dilemmas in an incredible way, and we cannot help but resonate with it.

This is a character torn between the expectations and dreams of others, sacrificing his own in the process. The story begins and concludes within its runtime and is well-paced, leaving you wondering about the deep messages it left behind. I cried so much at the conclusion, and it left me emotionally scarred in a positive way. I wouldn’t dare spoil this incredible tale for you, so I’ll stop there.

Next up is the character department. Just like I stated before, David is an absolutely beloved and unforgettable protagonist. Despite the setting, he feels very real, and you quickly grow attached to him. He is smart and talented, but he doesn’t see himself as much. He simply tries his best and goes out of his way for others, hoping he makes the right decisions every step of the way. He is just a very believable teenager, struggling and triumphing along his journey just like most of us.

The female lead, Lucy, is interesting from the onset. This is a badass girl done right, struggling with her own decisions, and not devoid of weaknesses. You grow to like her more as the story progresses, as she keeps becoming more and more relevant. She is a great example of someone who went above and beyond for her beloved, but not everything goes as we want it to in a cruel world.

The remainder of the Edgerunners also grow on you, each of them unique and memorable in their own way. The antagonists are eerily realistic too, reminding us just how much of a cutthroat world we live in.

Studio Trigger deserves praise for creating such a visually stunning and well-animated anime. It is one-of-a-kind, gorgeous, and jaw-dropping the whole way through. In keeping with the cyberpunk aesthetic, the anime backgrounds are meticulously detailed and vivid. The stunning cityscapes of this near-future setting immediately draw the viewer in. The photorealistic textures are seamlessly integrated into the anime.

The lighting in each scene follows vibrant neon vibes and is sprinkled with superbly fluid animation in classic Trigger style. The action is spot on too, employing a wide variety of unique camera angles and perspectives to present some of the best fights I've ever seen. On that note, don’t forget that blood and gore are big parts of this show.

Trigger has always been good with colors, but this anime is simply next level. The character designs are unique, beautiful, and memorable. We can just feel how much of a budget has gone into this anime, along with a lot of love and effort. The transitions are perfect too, expertly portraying this cyberworld and helping you take the scene in within a short span of time.

The animation is fast-paced but smooth, though I’ll admit there were a few times where I felt I might get an epileptic seizure but never did. I recommend watching this one in the dark or at night to fully appreciate the colors. This department is simply a masterpiece; there’s nothing else to say.

The Sounds and Music department is also well handled. While it’s not as legendary as the visual aspect, it is incredibly unique and memorable. The opening theme is "This Fffire" by Franz Ferdinand, and the ending theme is "Let You Down" by Dawid Podsiadło, both of which are refreshing and good in their own rights. What stood out to me the most were the OSTs, though, each of them fitting and enhancing the scenes perfectly.

You will hear an array of tragic melodies, rock music, battle jams, and emotional tunes throughout the show, expertly managing to bring out the feel of each moment. Oh, I cannot forget to mention death metal either! Voice acting was on point too, with each cast member managing to bring out the best in their characters throughout the show. My favorite aspect, however, was the insert song “I Really Want to Stay at Your House” by Hallie Coggins and Rosa Walton. I still listen to this gorgeous track, and it invokes the feels in me every time.

Hands down, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is one of the greatest anime ever made. It’s a masterpiece, no matter how I look at it, and you will remember it for ages. It is an incredible experience from the very beginning to the end, with each episode leaving you craving the next.

You’ll feel like it all ended too soon, but looking back, you’ll realize just how much happened and how impactful it all was. This show is incredibly consistent; each moment is stunning, all the fights are blood-pumping, and the plot is always on point.

Simply put, Trigger handled everything flawlessly, and the show is deserving of every accolade. This anime is a true work of art and a true masterpiece, the likes of which rarely grace our screens. It’s so good that players old and new flocked to experience Cyberpunk 2077, reigniting the game and changing the worldview. So after finishing the anime, sit down for a while and ponder the deep messages conveyed.