Let’s get proper into it: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a extremely, actually good present. Judged alone, it is one of many hardest-hitting anime we have watched in fairly a while, however put it alongside Cyberpunk 2077, and it is a close to excellent companion piece. This is not some half-arsed online game adaptation scrapped collectively by individuals who do not actually care — it is a full-on celebration of the core themes and hyperviolent motion that defines Cyberpunk as a property.
Set in the exact same Night City as CD Projekt Red’s open world RPG, the present follows a troubled younger man named David Martinez. He’s caught in a rut, already a part of the rat race, being put by training by his well-meaning mom. But as is the case with nearly every thing that occurs in Night City, a single bloody incident kickstarts a series of occasions that spiral past the attain of a standard individual.
Edgerunners is ten episodes lengthy, and issues transfer rapidly. It’s a dense and detailed anime, a feast for the mind in addition to the eyes. It additionally has a heavy give attention to the idea of cyberpsychosis — the violent psychological breakdown that usually happens when somebody replaces an excessive amount of of their natural physique with equipment. It’s an idea that performs a task in 2077 as properly, but it surely’s explored to a a lot better diploma right here, performing because the morbid, however fascinating central pillar of the plot.
Said plot twists and turns by nearly each 25-minute episode. The present’s usually electrical pacing implies that you are by no means allowed to dwell on a selected story beat for too lengthy, which provides an unapologetically brutal tone to proceedings. Night City merely would not give a rattling about any of those characters — and that is the true horror of Cyberpunk. Watching David’s struggles unfold is genuinely gripping at instances.
Edgerunners is rated 15, but it surely revels in depictions of utmost, bordering on absurd, violence. The opening scene of the primary episode is a good indication of what to anticipate, as a cyberpsycho turns tens of law enforcement officials into paste. The present begins precisely because it means to go on — and the motion solely will get extra engrossing because the collection introduces a vibrant forged of brilliantly designed characters.
Speaking of which, David and his eventual allies cannot actually be thought of the ‘good guys’. Like any Night City mercenaries seeking to make a reputation for themselves on the streets, they’re on the beck and name of morally bankrupt bigshots. It’s a nightmarish setup, however that makes the story all of the extra participating; you are rooting for David in spite of everything he is been by, however you already know that he is getting ready to promoting his soul.
It’s not simply the themes of Cyberpunk that Edgerunners captures so properly — it is also the look. Supremely gifted Japanese outfit Studio Trigger (Kill la Kill, Darling within the Franxx, and lots of extra) has crafted a neon-soaked thrill journey right here. From the instantly recognisable character designs to the explosive use of color — and the many direct environmental references to Cyberpunk 2077 — it is a pleasure to behold. A bit busy for some, maybe, in the way in which that the animation conveys velocity and moments of bloodshed, however once more, it is laborious to argue in opposition to it being an ideal exaggeration of the supply materials.
And it isn’t like there aren’t slower moments — generally on the expense of present’s pacing. Animation ain’t low cost, and so that you’re certain to note when the course screeches to a halt, and also you’re left taking a look at a nonetheless shot as characters converse. Some of those scenes can linger only a contact too lengthy, and so they begin leaning into awkward territory — however typically talking, all is forgiven when the following gunfight rolls round.
Our solely actual criticism may be aimed toward two later episodes, each of which really feel exceedingly gradual in comparison with the chaos of earlier outings. The present’s momentum comes dangerously near being stopped useless throughout these exposition dumps, however there’s simply sufficient character-based intrigue to maintain you watching. And, in fact, these episodes are finally increase to what’s one hell of a finale.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a triumph — and a testomony to what may be finished with online game variations when the folks concerned are so carefully tied to the supply materials. Studio Trigger’s usually wonderful animation model brings Night City and its insane inhabitants to life like by no means earlier than, and brutal, gripping story beats punctuate the present’s eye-popping tempo. An absolute must-watch should you’re a Cyberpunk 2077 fan, however even should you aren’t, Edgerunners stands by itself as a improbable, emotional rollercoaster of an anime.
Have you given Cyberpunk: Edgerunners a watch? What did you suppose? Have your individual say in our ballot, after which plan one other journey to Night City within the feedback part under.
