Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Explained

Image Upright:1
Director:Hiroyuki Imaishi
Creative Director:Hiromi Wakabayashi
Composer:Akira Yamaoka
Language:Japanese
Genre:Cyberpunk[1]
Num Episodes:10
Editor:Masato Yoshitake
Runtime:23–28 minutes
Network:Netflix

is a Japanese-Polish cyberpunk original net animation (ONA) miniseries based on the video game Cyberpunk 2077 by Polish studio CD Projekt Red.[2] The series was animated by Japanese animation studio Trigger under the supervision of CD Projekt and premiered on Netflix in September 2022.[3] Set in the Cyberpunk universe created by Mike Pondsmith, the anime serves as a prequel to the game and takes place about a year before the events of Cyberpunk 2077.

Upon its release, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners received critical acclaim, with praise directed at its characters, animation, and worldbuilding.[4] In October 2022, CD Projekt announced that the anime would not be receiving a second season and stated that, while they were open to collaborating with Trigger for future projects, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners had always been planned as a standalone work.[5]

Synopsis

Setting

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is set in Night City, a self-reliant metropolis located in the Free State of California that suffers from extensive corruption, cybernetic addiction, and gang violence. The city is split into six districts, each of which has its own precise living requirements, and is controlled by several megacorporations, including Arasaka and its rival Militech. The anime's story is primarily set in Santo Domingo, the oldest, poorest, and most industrial district of Night City, and takes place during the year 2076.

Plot

In a dystopia overrun by corruption, crime, and cybernetic implants, an impulsive but talented street kid named David Martinez, after losing everything he has in a drive-by shooting, makes the choice to survive on the wrong side of the law as an "edgerunner": a high-tech, black-market mercenary also known as a "cyberpunk".

Characters

A Latino American teenager who is a top student at the prestigious Arasaka Academy. Due to coming from a very poor family, he is relentlessly bullied by his classmates and feels like he does not belong at school. A sudden and devastating tragedy leads him to abandon his education and puts him on the path of becoming an edgerunner.
  • A young and mysterious netrunner who becomes romantically involved with David and introduces him to the criminal underworld of Night City. She has a particular hatred towards Arasaka and dreams of traveling to the Moon.
  • A veteran edgerunner who commands his own crew. He is one of Gloria's clients and allows David to join the crew under his guidance.
  • Maine's girlfriend and second-in-command.
  • A foul-mouthed techie and a member of Maine's crew. He is also Rebecca's older brother.
  • A veteran netrunner who is often cold and stoic, and a member of Maine's crew. She is also Lucy's mentor.
  • A member of Maine's crew who works as the group's getaway driver.
  • A young and trigger-happy edgerunner and a member of Maine's crew. She is also Pilar's younger sister.
  • A fixer who works for Militech. He has a business relationship with Maine's crew and often hires them to conduct jobs that usually involve them performing corporate espionage against Arasaka.
  • A bloodthirsty and fully cybernetic supersoldier who works for Arasaka as their chief of security. His English voice actor, Alec Newman, reprises the role from Cyberpunk 2077.
  • A local ripperdoc who helps upgrade and install David's cybernetic implants, as well as providing him with the required immunosuppressants.
  • David's mother and a paramedic who works herself to the bone to pay for his tuition at the Arasaka Academy.

    • Production and release

    The series was announced during a "Night City Wire" livestream for the game on June 25, 2020, as a collaboration between CD Projekt and Trigger.[6] [7] Hiroyuki Imaishi directed the series, with Masahiko Otsuka and Yoshiki Usa writing scripts, Yoh Yoshinari designing the characters and serving as animation director, Yuto Kaneko and Yusuke Yoshigaki serving as assistant character designers, Hiroyuki Kaneko serving as assistant director, Hiromi Wakabayashi serving as creative director, and Akira Yamaoka serving as the show's composer.[8] [9] The anime's opening theme is "This Fffire" by Franz Ferdinand,[10] while its ending theme is "Let You Down" by Dawid Podsiadło.[11] Edgerunners also utilized songs from 2077s in-game radio stations.[12] Rosa Walton's song "I Really Want to Stay at Your House" was featured prominently and critically praised.[13] [14]

    Reception

    In its first week, the show debuted on the Netflix top ten with 14.88 million hours viewed.[15] Its success helped increase the sales of Cyberpunk 2077 to 20 million units sold.[16]

    Critical response

    Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was acclaimed by critics and fans.

    Jonathon Wilson wrote for Ready Steady Cut that in "many ways, this is the Cyberpunk story the Cyberpunk game wanted to tell and couldn't."[17] Matt Kim of IGN praised the exploration of the hostile life in Night City, specifically the visual effects, noting more of the focus was on the city rather than on some of the characters, and calling it "a wild ride, but worth every blistering second".[18] In a review for Polygon, Kambole Campbell praised the "visual language for various in-game concepts," as well as the "sonic diversity in its score" and found that the show's best aspect was "[its] ability to depict the psychological unmooring of its characters without feeling inauthentic."[19]

    Video game director Hideo Kojima lauded the show as well, calling it "a miracle of squeezing the trigger to the world", and compared the art and world design favorably to the 1990 OVA series Cyber City Oedo 808.[20] Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the original Cyberpunk role-playing game also praised the show, writing "It's like seeing my brain in a big screen anime."[21] The publisher of the tabletop Cyberpunk game, R. Talsorian, announced plans for an Edgerunners-based expansion in November 2022.[22]

    Accolades

    YearCeremonyCategoryResult
    2022IGN AwardsBest Anime Series[23]
    The Game Awards 2022Best Adaptation[24]
    202350th Annie Awards[25]
    9th Anime Trending AwardsSci-Fi or Mecha Anime of the Year[26]
    Best in Original Screenplay
    7th Crunchyroll Anime AwardsAnime of the Year[27]
    Best Character Design
    Best Animation
    Best New Series
    Best Opening Sequence
    Best Score
    Best Director
    Best Main Character
    Best Supporting Character
    Best Action
    Best Drama
    Best Voice Artist Performance (English)
    Best Voice Artist Performance (French)
    Japan Expo AwardsDaruma for Best Anime[28]
    Daruma for Best Director[29]
    Daruma for Best Action Anime[30]
    Daruma for Best Original Soundtrack[31]
    Daruma for Best Opening [32]
    13th Newtype Anime AwardsBest Soundtrack [33]

    Future

    In an interview with Famitsu, CDPR community manager Satoru Honma said of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners that no plans exist for a second season but that if ever there would be, it would not be a continuation of the first season but "something completely different."[34]

    Other media

    Lucy is scheduled to appear as a playable character via downloadable content in Guilty Gear Strive.[35]

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Delivers Ultraviolence with a (Cybernetic) Heart. Paste. October 17, 2022. October 4, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20221010171920/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/cyberpunk-edgerunners/cyberpunk-edgerunners-review/. October 10, 2022.
    2. Netflix, CD Projekt Red, and Studio Trigger Come Together For Global Anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. June 25, 2020. Netflix Media Center. September 1, 2022. September 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210909035304/https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-cd-projekt-red-and-studio-trigger-come-together-for-global-anime-cyberpunk-edgerunners. live.
    3. Web site: Frederiksen. Erik. Netflix's Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime Finally Has A Teaser Trailer and Clip. GameSpot. June 8, 2022. June 8, 2022. June 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220609000124/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/netflixs-cyberpunk-edgerunners-anime-finally-has-a-teaser-trailer-and-clip/1100-6504273/. live.
    4. News: Peters. Megan. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Review Round-Up. September 16, 2022. ComicBook. September 16, 2022. October 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221009034412/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/cyberpunk-edgerunners-reviews/#7. live.
    5. Web site: 'Cyberpunk Edgerunners' Confirmed as Standalone Project. Chow. Aaron. Hype Beast. October 20, 2022. October 22, 2022. October 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221020093047/https://hypebeast.com/2022/10/cd-projekt-red-cyberpunk-edgerunners-standalone-work-no-season-2-news-info. live.
    6. Web site: Skrebels. Joe. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a Cyberpunk 2077 Anime Announced. IGN. August 17, 2022. June 25, 2020. July 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210724113748/https://www.ign.com/articles/cyberpunk-edgerunners-a-cyberpunk-2077-anime-announced. live.
    7. Web site: Sherman. Jennifer. Trigger Announces Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime for Netflix Debut in 2022. Anime News Network. August 17, 2022. June 25, 2020. June 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628155836/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-25/trigger-announces-cyberpunk-edgerunners-anime-for-netflix-debut-in-2022/.161084. live.
    8. Web site: Pineda. Rafael. Studio Trigger's Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime Reveals More Staff, September Debut in Teaser, Clip. Anime News Network. June 9, 2022. June 9, 2022. June 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220609004352/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-06-08/studio-trigger-cyberpunk-edgerunners-anime-reveals-more-staff-september-debut-in-teaser-clip/.186461. live.
    9. Web site: Blum. Jeremy. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime Reportedly Gets a Netflix Premiere Date. Comic Book Resources. August 18, 2022. August 18, 2022. August 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220819080953/https://www.cbr.com/cyberpunk-edgerunners-anime-release-date-netflix/. live.
    10. Web site: Trigger Reveals Cyberpunk Edgerunners Opening. Liu. Stephanie. Silicon Era. July 4, 2022. July 4, 2022. July 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220705005021/https://www.siliconera.com/trigger-reveals-cyberpunk-edgerunners-opening/. live.
    11. Web site: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Gets an Atmospheric Ending Theme Called "Let You Down". McMahon. Andrew. Twinfinite. September 12, 2022. September 12, 2022. September 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912165928/https://twinfinite.net/2022/09/cyberpunk-edgerunners-gets-an-atmospheric-ending-theme-called-let-you-down/. live.
    12. News: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners soundtrack – Every song in the Netflix anime series. September 29, 2022. Radio Times. September 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220929211341/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/cyberpunk-edgerunners-soundtrack-netflix/. live.
    13. News: 'Cyberpunk Edgerunners' review: Turning trash into treasure. Clark. Ryan. September 19, 2022. September 26, 2022. The Daily Beacon. September 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220923175440/https://www.utdailybeacon.com/arts_and_culture/reviews/cyberpunk-edgerunners-review-turning-trash-into-treasure/article_a2586518-3842-11ed-bf84-5f358590df0f.html. live .
    14. News: Fueled by Netflix and patches, 'Cyberpunk 2077' gets a 'second chance'. Park. Gene. September 23, 2022. September 26, 2022. The Washington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20220926152639/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/09/23/cyberpunk-2077-netflix-edgerunners/. September 26, 2022.
    15. Web site: Tammaro. Gianmaria. January 4, 2023. How Netflix's 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' Restored the Reputation of the Original Video Game. September 14, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter. October 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231003175501/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-edgerunners-video-game-cyberpunk-2077-1235287650/. live.
    16. Web site: Cyberpunk 2077 Crosses 20 Million Copies Sold As It Rides Edgerunners Wave. September 14, 2023. GameSpot. September 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220928191405/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cyberpunk-2077-crosses-20-million-copies-sold-as-it-rides-edgerunners-wave/1100-6507888/. live.
    17. News: Wilson. Jonathon. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 1 review – a psychedelic anime bucks the trend for video game adaptations. September 16, 2022. Ready Steady Cut. September 13, 2022. September 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220913194621/https://readysteadycut.com/2022/09/13/cyberpunk-edgerunners-season-1-review-a-psychedelic-anime-bucks-the-trend-for-video-game-adaptations/. live.
    18. News: Kim. Matt. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Review. September 16, 2022. IGN. September 14, 2022. December 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221205193932/https://www.ign.com/articles/cyberpunk-edgerunners-review. live.
    19. News: Campbell. Kambole. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners blows past Cyberpunk 2077 to be its own visually ecstatic ride. September 16, 2022. Polygon. September 13, 2022. September 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220915074609/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23349865/cyberpunk-edgerunners-netflix-review-2077. live.
    20. News: Ocasio. Joseph. Hideo Kojima Loves Cyberpunk: Edgerunners too. September 20, 2022. Twinfinite. September 20, 2022. September 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220921023349/https://twinfinite.net/2022/09/hideo-kojima-loves-cyberpunk-edgerunners-too/. live.
    21. Ostler. Anne-Marie. Edgerunners gets seal of approval from Cyberpunk's original creator. September 19, 2022. Games Radar. September 16, 2022. September 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173721/https://www.gamesradar.com/edgerunners-gets-seal-of-approval-from-cyberpunks-original-creator/. live.
    22. Web site: The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime was so popular it's invading the tabletop RPG next. Jody. MacGregor. November 9, 2022. November 9, 2022. PC Gamer. March 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230307101331/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-cyberpunk-edgerunners-anime-was-so-popular-its-invading-the-tabletop-rpg-next/. live.
    23. Web site: The Best Anime Series of 2022. December 6, 2022. IGN. July 31, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230313222238/https://www.ign.com/articles/best-anime-series-2022. March 13, 2023.
    24. Web site: Dinsdale. Ryan. The Game Awards 2022 Nominations Sees God of War: Ragnarok Leading With 10 Awards Nods. IGN. November 14, 2022. November 14, 2022. November 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221114175454/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2022-nominations-elden-ring-god-of-war-ragnarok. live.
    25. Web site: Pedersen. Erik. Annie Awards Nominations: 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' & 'Marcel The Shell' Lead Field. Deadline Hollywood. January 17, 2023. January 17, 2023. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117161140/https://deadline.com/2023/01/annie-awards-nominations-2023-list-1235224045/. live.
    26. Web site: Winners of the 9th Trending Awards. AniTrends. February 27, 2023. February 27, 2023. March 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230312092207/https://anitrendz.com/ata/winners/2023. live.
    27. Web site: Eisenbeis. Richard. All the Winners of the 7th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Anime News Network. March 4, 2023. March 4, 2023. March 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230304144919/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2023-03-04/all-the-winners-of-the-7th-annual-crunchyroll-anime-awards/.195535. live.
    28. Web site: Meilleur Anime. Japan Expo. June 27, 2023. July 8, 2024. fr. February 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224183039/https://www.japan-expo-paris.com/fr/menu/daruma_101865/info/meilleur-anime_13408.htm. live.
    29. Web site: Meilleure Réalisation. Japan Expo. June 27, 2023. July 8, 2024. fr. February 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224183042/https://www.japan-expo-paris.com/fr/menu/daruma_101865/info/meilleure-realisation_13405.htm. live.
    30. Web site: Meilleur Anime d'Action. Japan Expo. June 27, 2023. July 8, 2024. fr. February 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224183039/https://www.japan-expo-paris.com/fr/menu/daruma_101865/info/meilleur-anime-daction_13378.htm. live.
    31. Web site: Meilleure Bande Originale. Japan Expo. June 27, 2023. July 8, 2024. fr. February 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224183040/https://www.japan-expo-paris.com/fr/menu/daruma_101865/info/meilleure-bande-originale_13390.htm. live.
    32. Web site: Meilleur Opening. Japan Expo. June 27, 2023. July 8, 2024. fr. February 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224183035/https://www.japan-expo-paris.com/fr/menu/daruma_101865/info/meilleur-opening_13393.htm. live.
    33. Web site: ja:ニュータイプアニメアワード2022-2023結果発表、作品賞は「ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！」＆「劇場版ソードアート・オンライン」. https://gigazine.net/news/20231028-anime-award-ceremony-machiasobi27/. October 28, 2023. November 23, 2023. GIGAZINE. ja. January 17, 2024. https://archive.today/20240117190745/https://gigazine.net/news/20231028-anime-award-ceremony-machiasobi27/. live.
    34. Web site: Isaiah. Colbert. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2 Isn't Happening, Says CD Projekt Red. Kotaku. October 19, 2022. October 23, 2022. October 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221023040832/https://kotaku.com/cyberpunk-2077-anime-netflix-cd-projekt-red-season-2-1849678160. live.
    35. Web site: Bankhurst. Adam. Guilty Gear Strive to Add Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners in Season Pass 4. IGN. July 21, 2024. July 21, 2024.

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