In a crazy new video, Netflix introduces us to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ six title protagonists — David, Maine, Dorio, Kiwi, Pilar, and Rebecca. The anime, which isn’t set to premiere until September, expands on the Cyberpunk universe with a new independent story set in Night City.
While I don’t usually have great hopes for Netflix anime, Edgerunners is an exception. It’s the work of Studio Trigger, the team behind Kill la Kill and the co-creator of Gurren Lagann. These are two of the most well-known and famous anime shows.
Studio Trigger’s vivid and vibrant art style shines through in the teaser, and I’m hopeful it will offer a more unique twist on CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 setting, which my colleague Adi Robertson characterises as “too vast to get truly crazy.” (After all, this is the same studio that came up with talking, superpowered apparel.)
Viewers are exposed to characters such as David, Maine, Dorio, Kiwi, Pilar, Rebecca, and Lucy, with more to follow. Because the trailer was edited by Studio Trigger, expect to be visually and auditorily overloaded with three minutes of quick action, conversation, and a hearty dash of futuristic colour.
Hiroyuki Imaishi (Gurren Lagann, Kill la Kill, Promare) is directing the series, with Hiromi Wakabayashi as creative director (Kill la Kill). Character designs are by Yoh Yoshinari (Little Witch Academia, BNA: Brand New Animal), while an original score written for the Netflix anime is by Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill series).
The series will include ten episodes, each lasting 30 minutes — a bit disappointing if the series is as binge-worthy as it appears. A Cyberpunk anime adds to Netflix’s increasing catalogue of animated shows based on video games, including Castlevania, Dota: Dragon’s Blood, Arcane, The Cuphead Show, and the upcoming Tekken: Bloodline.
