When Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was announced, I'll be blunt: I really didn't care about it. I'd heard what Cyberpunk 2077 was like at release, and I wasn't willing to give it a chance. While the story and world sounded interesting, I didn't trust that the game would even run on my PC. There were so many horror stories about crashes, glitches, and unfinished sections that I decided to leave it alone. Sure, later on I heard how things had improved, but in my mind, I thought, "Just how much could they have actually fixed?" So, when the new Edgerunners anime started gaining attention, I was genuinely confused as to why it was receiving so much praise!
I mean, sure, TRIGGER is known for doing some full-on crazy, over-the-top series, but was that enough to carry the show? Was it something that was actually worth watching? Or was all this hype just from fans of the game trying to push it on others? I really wasn't sure, but I didn't plan on finding out.
But then something happened.
I was getting married.
My entire life, I'd always assumed the night before I got married would be your typical bachelor party (but more nerdy). I figured I'd hang out with friends or something, maybe play some games, and then spend a last night at my parents'. I guess I could have technically done both, but the way things played out ended up being completely different.
We did the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (so I did hang out with friends), but since my wife and I had just bought our house a few months before, I ended up staying there alone instead. I set up my blankets and pillows on our couch, and before going to sleep, I did what I usually would at night: I searched through streaming services for something to watch.
A lot of the time, I'd fall asleep, and my half-awake/asleep self would find something, but considering the next day was such a huge day for me, I was wide awake. Was I too... excited? Nervous? To sleep? I'm not sure how to explain the feeling, but it was something that was keeping me awake. So I searched through service after service, and that's when I came across Cyberpunk: Edgerunners on Netflix.
Let's just say, despite not caring about it whatsoever, giving it a chance is something I don't regret one bit! In fact, I was so impressed with it, I bought Cyberpunk 2077 the very next day and ended up playing it a little before heading off for my big day. (Yeah, not how I ever thought any of this would go at all!)
Anyway, that's the story of how I got into this series... But what about the show itself? Was it worth it? Or am I just another one of those people joining the hype train?
Well...
Welcome to the World of Cyberpunk:
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners dives headfirst into an already established world, thanks to the original Cyberpunk tabletop RPG. This universe is rich with lore, centered around the sprawling metropolis known as Night City, and right from the start, the series begins introducing terms that might be foreign to newcomers.
Naturally, it didn't take me long to figure out what an "edgerunner" was, nor to understand how people in this world enhance their bodies, sometimes losing control in the process. However, it's clear that someone already familiar with the Cyberpunk lore would have an even smoother learning curve. That being said, this is an original story set within this universe, and it actually takes place before the events of Cyberpunk 2077 itself. This makes it perfect for newcomers, easily watchable as a standalone series, and a fantastic treat for long-time fans as well
The story itself follows a young man named David. David comes from a poor family where it's just him and his mom trying to survive. Because of his situation, David sometimes cuts corners and breaks the law, which in turn causes more issues for him and his mom. When the series first opens, we see David using a "BD" chip (braindance) to experience the final moments of an enhanced human gone mad, known as a "cyberpsycho." In David's case, he's watching this for entertainment, but these chips allow you to live someone else's life and learn things from them. It's a useful—and dangerous—tool, and David shouldn't be experimenting with it.
After watching the BD and then being sent "another experience," David decides it's enough for the morning and goes off to school. Being poor means he can't afford the required technology to attend the school, so David uses his own black market equipment with illegally installed, outdated software, and consequently gets into trouble with the school. Of course, his problems don't end there.
Shortly after, David gets into an altercation with a fellow student, and the school calls his mom. It's your typical "kid being bad" and "mom angry because she can't keep doing this" situation, but then something unexpected happens... The series gives us an up-close and personal look at what it truly means to live in this world.
While David and his mom are on their way home, a car pulls up alongside theirs, and suddenly, they're being shot at. The criminals unload everything they have into David's mom's car, causing them to crash. David is thankfully "okay," but his mom, on the other hand... she spends countless hours in surgery but ultimately doesn't pull through.
Fed up with his life and the world as a whole, David, now homeless, does something his mom would have never wanted for him. He breaks into his old apartment, goes into his mom's room, and takes a high-tech augmentation she had been hiding. He then takes it to an illegal doctor and has it installed on his back. It's a painful surgery, and his body might reject it, but he takes the chance. Now with his newfound power of speed and strength, David goes back to school, gets his revenge on the stuck-up student who got him in trouble, and then sets out for the streets. His old life is over, so he might as well enjoy what little he has left.
After leaving school, David has an unexpected run-in with our second lead character: Lucy. Lucy is a member of an edgerunner group that makes a living by stealing and taking on odd jobs. After Lucy tries to steal David's chip, he stops her, and the two work out a deal. David will use his augmented speed to steal, while Lucy will find the jobs and provide support. The two work well together, and David feels like he's finally found his place in the world. But how long will it last?
From this point forward, the overall plot of Edgerunners is about David and the new group he joins up with. Throughout the show they all become closer and work together to achieve their goals, while himself David continues to develop as a character. The David we see at the start of the show is not the David we see by the end, and it's the group's experiences that shape the entire cast into who they are by the conclusion. Of course there are a lot of twists and turns along the way, with the ending being one you won't ever forget.
The Presentation:
Although the story is top-notch, the presentation of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is outstanding. The series boasts a unique art style that perfectly suits the cyberpunk theme, and the animation quality is exceptional. Studio TRIGGER truly went all out with this one; even the slower scenes are a visual spectacle. The show isn't long, but every episode is jam-packed with visual flair, and the character designs themselves really pop. Yet, all of this is just one part of what makes Cyberpunk: Edgerunners so great. The other is the music!
Featuring tracks from Cyberpunk 2077, the musical choices in the anime series are perfect. "Who's Ready for Tomorrow" by RAT BOY perfectly sets the tone as David ventures out into the world for the first time, and "I Really Want to Stay at Your House" became an internet sensation for a reason. It's a truly beautiful track that captures David and Lucy's relationship, but it also carries so many other underlying meanings. By the time you finish the series and go back to hear the song in Cyberpunk 2077, you'll be filled with a mix of emotions. It's perfect, and the same can be said for most of the soundtrack. Everything here fits seamlessly, helping to set the mood for this emotional ride.
Should you watch it?
If you're a fan of Cyberpunk 2077, the Cyberpunk series in general, or simply interested in a compelling futuristic setting, then you really should give Cyberpunk: Edgerunners a chance. In fact, you owe it to yourself!
While you don't need to be a long-time fan to enjoy it, those familiar with the series will definitely get more out of it on their first watch. Many locations seen in the anime can also be visited in the game, and nearly everything is rooted in the original Cyberpunk RPG rulebooks. That said, Edgerunners is specifically set within the revised lore created for Cyberpunk 2077, making it more relevant to the game than anything that came before. You could do your research on the broader series (like I did) to get a deeper understanding, but it's genuinely not necessary.
Instead, Edgerunners is a perfect entry point, and I strongly recommend starting here. Even if you don't continue on with the game afterward, it's still a fantastic show on its own. Saying too much more about it would simply spoil the experience, so I'll cut it short there.
So yes, you should watch it!
VERDICT: Essential
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