Cyberpunk 2077 is back in the spotlight after the debut of its brilliant anime spin-off, Edgerunners. The show stands apart for its superb quality of production and excellent storyline, which has seemingly reinvigorated interested in the cyberpunk genre amongst video game enthusiasts. If you’re hungry for more similar content after having watched the show then here are some recommendations.
Ghost in the Shell
If we’re talking Japanese cyberpunk then Ghost in the Shell has to be the ultimate expression of the genre, and it’s a must-watch for Edgerunners fans. The 1995 movie is brilliantly written and does a great job of capturing the gritty “high tech, low life” ambiance that’s so quintessentially cyberpunk.
The story takes place in Tokyo 2029 and follows a cyborg public-security agent who hunts a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master. It’s a plot that features many of cyberpunk’s major themes, including transhumanism, augmentation, corporate warfare, and philosophical questions about self-identity in a technologically advanced world.
The franchise continued with a movie sequel called Innocence, as well as a TV series called Standalone complex. There also that live-action movie the less of which is said the better… For our money, the original movie is the best expression of the whole saga.
Akira
If Ghost in the Shell is the ultimate expression of Japanese cyberpunk then Akira is its founding father, and to say Edgerunners has been inspired by many aspects of its composition would be an understatement. Akira is highly regarded as a seminal Japanese cyberpunk anime production whose popularity and acclaim essentially paved the way for the country’s film industry to gain international recognition.
The story is set in a futuristic Neo Tokyo and follows the leader of a bike gang, Shōtarō Kaneda, whose friend, Tetsuo Shima, mysteriously gains telekinetic powers after he’s involved in a crash with an Esper called Akira.
Those powers end up threatening an entire military base as they struggle to contain the threat, the same which destroyed the original Tokyo years earlier.
It’s a gripping plot with pacing that moves at warp speed, making for an edge-of-your-seat type of experience. But Akira also serves as great homework for anybody interested in learning about the origins of the cyberpunk genre, exploring many of its key themes and generally oozing that dark ambiance and tone that makes cyberpunk so intoxicating.
Oh, and if you’ve been playing Cyberpunk 2077 then you might have noticed that Akira’s bike design serves as inspiration for the awesome Yaiba Kusanagi.
Cyber City Oedo 808
Cyber City Oedo 808 is a cyberpunk anime gem that really embodies the 1980s vision of dystopian sci-fi with its long-haired anti-hero protagonists, synth-heavy OST, and gritty, mature writing. These tropes largely serve as a foundation for Mike Pondsmith’s vision of the Cyberpunk 2020/2077 universe, and so you’re sure to appreciate them if you enjoyed Edgerunners.
The story tells the tale of three criminals who are enlisted in fighting crime in exchange for reduced sentences. The plot is a fairly serious affair overall, which starts as a murder mystery and then ends up exploring interesting cyberpunk themes such as transhumanism.
But you certainly wouldn’t call it “heavy” not only are there some really over-the-top action scenes that are thoroughly entertaining but also a few comedic moments that are genuinely funny– and not just because the English dub is somewhat cheesy at times (it’s also laden with profanity).
Overall, this is an action-heavy cyberpunk story full of 80s charm, from its punky aesthetic to its rocking guitar soundtrack. A real must-watch for cyberpunk fans.
Akudama Drive
If you’re a fan of classic retro cyberpunk anime then Akudama Drive is worth a watch. It actually debuted in 2020, but it has all the hallmarks and beloved tropes of the genre’s biggest classics: it’s action-packed, over-the-top violent, and jam-packed full of social critique and satire.
‘Akudama’ refers to a body of fugitives who comprise the criminal underbelly of the bustling metropolis of Kansai, where a utopian facade hides darker secrets. They have for years been hotly pursued by the Kansai police, who we learn during the anime’s opening scenes have recently caught the infamous Akudama “Cutthroat” and plan to execute them. The Akudama are sent a mysterious message to free Cutthroat for a substantial amount of money, setting into motion a sequence of events that look destined to end in chaos.
Bubblegum Crisis
In Bubblegum Crisis’ futuristic dystopia, it’s girls who run the world. Well, at least when it comes to cleaning up 2040 Tokyo’s streets of rogue robots!