Cyberpunk 2077 is again within the highlight after the debut of its good anime spin-off, Edgerunners. The present stands aside for its excellent high quality of manufacturing and wonderful storyline, which has seemingly reinvigorated within the cyberpunk style amongst online game lovers. In case you’re hungry for extra related content material after having watched the present then listed here are some suggestions.
Ghost within the Shell
![best cyberpunk anime like edgerunners](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ghost_in_the_shell_anime.jpg?resize=900%2C515)
If we’re speaking Japanese cyberpunk then Ghost within the Shell needs to be the final word expression of the style, and it’s a must-watch for Edgerunners followers. The 1995 film is brilliantly written and does an incredible job of capturing the gritty “excessive 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 often known as the Puppet Grasp. It’s a plot that options lots of cyberpunk’s main themes, together with transhumanism, augmentation, company warfare, and philosophical questions on self-identity in a technologically superior world.
The franchise continued with a film sequel known as Innocence, in addition to a TV sequence known as Standalone advanced. There additionally that live-action film the much less of which is claimed the higher… For our cash, the unique film is the most effective expression of the entire saga.
Akira
![best cyberpunk anime like edgerunners](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/akira1-2000-scaled.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
If Ghost within the Shell is the final word expression of Japanese cyberpunk then Akira is its founding father, and to say Edgerunners has been impressed by many points of its composition could be an understatement. Akira is extremely considered a seminal Japanese cyberpunk anime manufacturing whose reputation and acclaim basically paved the way in which for the nation’s movie business to achieve worldwide recognition.
The story is ready in a futuristic Neo Tokyo and follows the chief of a motorcycle gang, Shōtarō Kaneda, whose buddy, Tetsuo Shima, mysteriously good points telekinetic powers after he’s concerned in a crash with an Esper known as Akira.
These powers find yourself threatening a complete army base as they battle to comprise the risk, the identical which destroyed the unique Tokyo years earlier.
It’s a gripping plot with pacing that strikes at warp pace, making for an edge-of-your-seat sort of expertise. However Akira additionally serves as nice homework for anyone occupied with studying concerning the origins of the cyberpunk style, exploring lots of its key themes and usually oozing that darkish ambiance and tone that makes cyberpunk so intoxicating.
Oh, and in case you’ve been taking part in Cyberpunk 2077 then you definately may need seen that Akira’s bike design serves as inspiration for the superior Yaiba Kusanagi.
Cyber Metropolis Oedo 808
![](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Cyber-CIty-Main.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
Cyber Metropolis Oedo 808 is a cyberpunk anime gem that actually embodies the Nineteen Eighties imaginative and prescient of dystopian sci-fi with its long-haired anti-hero protagonists, synth-heavy OST, and gritty, mature writing. These tropes largely function a basis for Mike Pondsmith’s imaginative and prescient of the Cyberpunk 2020/2077 universe, and so that you’re positive to understand them in case you loved Edgerunners.
The story tells the story of three criminals who’re enlisted in combating crime in trade for decreased sentences. The plot is a reasonably critical affair total, which begins as a homicide thriller after which finally ends up exploring fascinating cyberpunk themes akin to transhumanism.
However you definitely wouldn’t name it “heavy” not solely are there some actually over-the-top motion scenes which might be totally entertaining but in addition a number of comedic moments which might be genuinely humorous– and never simply because the English dub is considerably tacky at instances (it’s additionally laden with profanity).
General, that is an action-heavy cyberpunk story stuffed with 80s attraction, from its punky aesthetic to its rocking guitar soundtrack. An actual must-watch for cyberpunk followers.
Akudama Drive
![best cyberpunk anime like edgerunners](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AkudamaDrive.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
In case you’re a fan of traditional retro cyberpunk anime then Akudama Drive is price a watch. It truly debuted in 2020, however it has all of the hallmarks and beloved tropes of the style’s greatest classics: it’s action-packed, over-the-top violent, and jam-packed stuffed with social critique and satire.
‘Akudama’ refers to a physique of fugitives who comprise the legal underbelly of the bustling metropolis of Kansai, the place a utopian facade hides darker secrets and techniques. They’ve for years been hotly pursued by the Kansai police, who we be taught in the course of the anime’s opening scenes have just lately caught the notorious Akudama “Cutthroat” and plan to execute them. The Akudama are despatched a mysterious message to free Cutthroat for a considerable amount of cash, setting into movement a sequence of occasions that look destined to finish in chaos.
Bubblegum Disaster
![](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/bubblegumcrisis.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
In Bubblegum Disaster’ futuristic dystopia, it’s ladies who run the world. Properly, no less than with regards to cleansing up 2040 Tokyo’s streets of rogue robots!
This late Nineteen Eighties, early Nineteen Nineties anime tells the story of the Knight Sabres, an all-female group of mercenaries who don highly effective exoskeletons that assist them sort out “boomer” associated crimes. No, we aren’t speaking about beating up previous people right here!
In Bubblegum Disaster, “boomers” are robots designed by the Megacorp Genom, that are supposed to assist mankind however can grow to be highly effective instruments of destruction within the fallacious fingers. That’s the place the Knight Sabres are available, a robust activity power of the AD Police.
Regardless of the title, Bubblegum Disaster is definitely a moderately darkish and gloomy anime that tackles highly effective themes akin to social inequality, company espionage, and political infighting.
There aren’t too lots of the light-hearted scenes you discover in different anime sequence. There’s not even the age-old anime custom of getting the characters go to a seaside or one thing related. To be honest, the sequence is barely eight episodes lengthy, so there wasn’t a lot time for frolicking on the seaside! There’s, nevertheless, a 26-part reboot that was made within the late Nineteen Nineties and is certainly additionally price a watch.
Blame!
![](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/blame_anime.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
Blame! is a a lot darker cyberpunk story than Edgerunners, going down in a grim post-apocalyptic dystopia that reminds us of the Matrix in some ways. In a desolate metropolis overrun by machines, Zuru units out on an expedition to seek out meals however her staff by chance triggers the town’s AI protection program known as the Safeguard. They’re attacked and nearly overrun by machines earlier than a mysterious man named Killy arrives and exterminates the hostile items.
Named Killy, the person explains he’s from hundreds of ranges beneath the town and is seeking people possessing the Web Terminal Genes, the particular trait able to shutting down Safeguard as soon as and for all. Zuru is hesitant at first however ultimately joins Killy in a plight to attempt to rescue mankind from extinction.
A.D Police Information
![best cyberpunk anime like edgerunners](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/image-asset.jpeg?resize=999%2C634)
For many who actually dug Bubblegum Disaster, AD Police Information is a wonderful spin-off that’s set throughout the similar universe and is completely price trying out.
This brief sequence serves as a prequel to Bubblegum Disaster and follows detective Leon McKnickles proper on the very begin of his profession. It has a really neo-noir really feel to the writing and aesthetic.
Sadly, this gritty, hardcore cyberpunk sequence solely ran for 3 episodes earlier than its manufacturing got here to a sudden halt after a authorized battle between Artmic and Youmex.
It’s such a disgrace, too, as a result of AD Police Information had enormous potential to grow to be one of many all-time nice cyberpunk animes. Its environment and design are actually top-notch and one thing that followers of equally mature anime akin to Edgerunners will actually recognize.
The Animatrix
![cyberpunk anime](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tyDZ2YA.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
The one western anime on our record, The Animatrix is a nine-part sequence of brief episodes that function a prequel to The Matrix and element the unique conflict between humankind and machines. Even in case you aren’t an enormous fan of The Matrix, belief us once we say it is a must-watch anime sequence.
4 of the 9 animated brief tales had been launched on The Matrix’s official web site, whereas the total assortment was included as a part of the DVD Matrix film trilogy in 2003, however they had been by no means actually given a correct highlight.
Certainly, it’s shocking how few individuals have truly seen or heard of The Animatrix, which is a pity contemplating it’s arguably higher than any of the Matrix films! Put this in your record of ones to look at after ending Edgerunners, for positive.
Battle Angel Alita
![best cyberpunk anime like edgerunners](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/battle-angel-alita-featured.jpg?resize=1000%2C563)
Battle Angel Alita is a two-part Nineteen Nineties anime film primarily based on a preferred manga sequence.
The story takes place 300 years after Earth was devastated by a catastrophic conflict often known as “The Fall.” On this grim future, society is split between those that dwell within the dirty Scrapyard Metropolis and the elite who dwell above them in a floating metropolis known as Zalem.
After taking place throughout “Gally’s” physique on a scrapheap, the Cyberdoctor Daisuke Ido rebuilds her and turns into her surrogate father. Gally has no reminiscence of her previous however quickly shows exceptional combating abilities. She begins working as a bounty hunter and meets a younger man named Yugo, who she then tries to assist attain Zalem.
Battle Angel Alita is one in every of Japan’s hottest cyberpunk manga sequence, and due to this fact a lot was anticipated of the anime when it launched in 1993.
Whereas some purists didn’t like all of the adjustments made out of the unique manga, it’s total a really strong manufacturing with nice art work and music.
Definitely, the story lacks a little bit of polish and feels slightly incomplete in some points, however it’s nonetheless an anime we’d extremely advocate for these desirous to immerse themselves within the cyberpunk style.
Texhnolyze
![best cyberpunk anime like edgerunners](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/texhnolyze_940-492.jpg?resize=940%2C492)
Texhnolyze ignores the standard cyberpunk pastiche for one thing that’s unique and strange however each bit as atmospheric. In reality, it takes place in maybe essentially the most scary dystopia of any cyberpunk anime, with a darkish plot that lives lengthy within the reminiscence after its credit roll.
The story is ready in a man-made underground metropolis known as Lux, which has grow to be dilapidated after years of disrepair. “The Metropolis,” because it’s identified, is referred to by its residents nearly as if it has a thoughts of its personal, with three main factions making an attempt to regulate it and make it their very own.
Nonetheless, the principle plot truly follows a younger prizefighter named Ichise who loses two limbs after an altercation and is pressured to bear experimental surgical procedure to interchange them.
This, in flip, makes him so highly effective that one of many metropolis’s three factions employs his providers as a safety element.
Later, he then meets a mysterious lady named Ran who one way or the other is ready to see visions of the longer term. The pair all of a sudden understand that Lux is heading towards a conflict that may destroy the whole inhabitants, they usually’re the one ones who can cease it.
For many who are occupied with exploring thought-provoking themes, akin to human extinction, human morality, and nihilism, Texhnolyze will probably be very interesting certainly.