Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Dreams are doomed to die in Night City, a futuristic Californian metropolis. As a teenager living in the city's slums, David Martinez is trying to fulfill his mother's lifelong wish for him to reach the top of Arasaka, the world's leading security corporation. To this end, he attends the prestigious Arasaka Academy while his mother works tirelessly to keep their family afloat.

When an incident with a street gang leaves David's life in tatters, he stumbles upon Sandevistan cyberware—a prosthetic that grants its wearer superhuman speed. Fueled by rage, David implants the device in his back, using it to exact revenge on one of his tormentors. This gets him expelled from the academy, shattering his hopes of ever making his mother proud.

After witnessing David's newfound abilities, the beautiful data thief Lucyna "Lucy" Kushinada offers to team up with him, handing him a ticket to salvation. However, associating with Lucy introduces David to the world of Edgerunners—cyborg criminals who will break any law for money. Edgerunners often lose their lives, if the cyberware does not break their minds first; but in his fight for survival inside a corrupt system, David is ready to risk it all.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Lucy Main

Yuuki, Aoi Japanese

Martinez, David Main

KENN Japanese

Rebecca Supporting

Kurosawa, Tomoyo Japanese

Maine Supporting

Touchi, Hiroki Japanese

Smasher, Adam Supporting

Misono, Yukihiro Japanese

Falco Supporting

Kase, Yasuyuki Japanese

Kiwi Supporting

Honda, Takako Japanese

Martinez, Gloria Supporting

Hino, Yurika Japanese

Ripperdoc Supporting

Tsuda, Kenjirou Japanese

Dorio Supporting

Kaiden, Michiko Japanese

Tsutsumi, Naoko Producer

Imaishi, Hiroyuki Director, Storyboard, 2nd Key Animation, Animation Director

Urakari, Hiroki Sound Director

Yoneyama, Mai Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation

Reviews

Feb 27, 2026

Tea-O

Recommended

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is simply a masterpiece — an absolute gem.

In just 12 episodes, the anime manages to transport viewers into a completely different universe with a style rarely seen in anime. Whether through its storytelling, visual design, animation, or world-building, it constantly breaks traditional codes.

Similar in spirit to Akudama Drive — even though the stories are completely different — it’s the kind of anime that only needs a few minutes to fully immerse you. Once it starts, you stay hooked for all 10 episodes, completely disconnected from reality.

Character development isn’t extremely deep in terms of detail, but the writing is strong enough for viewers to ... quickly understand motivations, stakes, and social dynamics. You grow attached to the characters very quickly… and the anime doesn’t hesitate to emotionally destroy you through impactful deaths, harsh situations, and unexpected twists.

It’s intense, gripping, and emotionally powerful.

The only real criticism might be its short length, which sometimes prevents deeper exploration of certain elements. However, this is also one of its greatest strengths: the story remains dense, dynamic, and emotionally packed without unnecessary filler.

Like many outstanding anime, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners tackles strong social themes such as drug use, performance enhancement, human augmentation, social pressure, economic inequality, and technological dehumanization — topics rarely explored with such effectiveness.

The narrative also stands out because victory is never guaranteed. Even with a central protagonist, events don’t follow a traditional heroic structure. Deaths are not merely stylistic — they carry real emotional weight, making everything else even more impactful.

Honestly, an incredible surprise and a 1000% recommendation.

Favorite character: Lucy.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Tea-O (9)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Mar 6, 2026

Icebaetz

Mixed Feelings

Honestly, I struggled to finish the 10-episode anime at times; for some reason, it didn't draw me in.
Sure, they did a good job depicting that world, from the artwork to the technological devices used. But unlike other anime I enjoyed, it didn't make me want to immediately watch the next episode.

I think it's because I could guess the ending deep down. But on the other hand, for some reason, the ending was the best part of the anime. At least it made me feel like it was worth my time, like I didn't watch it for nothing. If you have free time and nothing ... else to watch, you can give it a try.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Icebaetz (6)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Jan 13, 2026

AnimeEnjoyer433

Not Recommended

Funny

This is the kind of show that makes people think "WTF DID I JUST WATCH?".

Pros :

- Similar to black lagoon and kill la kill (They have the same vibe)

Cons :

- Animation makes it feel like watching a cartoon
- The pace is too fast
... - Character development is shallow

Now the main problem for this anime is that the pace is too fast. It feels like the studio just want this anime to done ASAP. There's just not an element that makes people want to actually root for the character because, again, everything that happens is WAY TOO FAST. It also feels like the studio, or maybe the purpose of the story, wants to show something that's cool. Like "Hey, I got this body of a cyborg. Cool, right?", or "Hey, I killed bunch of people with this machine. It's so cool, right?". But then what? Nothing

Gore? They censored it and they're not even trying to make it at least a little bit intimidating. Like they just showed that someone died, and that's it. The only genre that's actually match with this anime is action and sci-fi.

Honestly, Black lagoon, compared to this show, is 10x better. Hell, kill la kill is also better than this. This anime is WAY TOO OVERHYPE. If you people want to see something cooler than this, watch Black lagoon, Kill la kill, and Samurai Champloo. Their fight scenes are way cooler than this overhype anime.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by AnimeEnjoyer433 (17)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

MUST Listen to OPs/EDs/Soundtracks

by ImWalrus

48 Entries · 89 Restacks

Hiroyuki Imaishi Directed Anime Watchlist

by TheCoolGuy82

16 Entries · 40 Restacks

A Taste Of Everything New You Missed From 2022 Anime

by Theannoy3rd1

46 Entries · 205 Restacks

North American Anime & Manga Releases for October

Here are the North American anime, manga, and light novel releases for September. Week 1: October 6 - 13 Anime Releases Odd Taxi Blu-ray Ookami to Koushinryou: Merch...read more

Oct 2, 2025 12:39 PM by Aiimee | Discuss (2 comments)

'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' Sequel in Production

The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners panel at Anime Expo 2025 announced on Friday that a sequel is currently in production. The panel also revealed the main staff and teaser v...read more

Jul 5, 2025 9:57 AM by Naitik7897 | Discuss (27 comments)

	Poll: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Episode 10 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) MegamiRem - Sep 13, 2022	1,124 replies	by Ragix »» Mar 24, 12:30 AM
	Poll: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 ) Fishb0i - Sep 13, 2022	186 replies	by WatermelonBucket »» Mar 15, 4:33 PM
	Poll: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) erniii - Sep 12, 2022	243 replies	by neXion_88 »» Mar 4, 11:15 AM
	Poll: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Episode 9 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Pre_Yum - Sep 13, 2022	110 replies	by Happy_Doro »» Feb 10, 4:14 PM
	Poll: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Episode 8 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Pre_Yum - Sep 13, 2022	109 replies	by Happy_Doro »» Feb 10, 3:50 PM