Cyberpunk: Edgerunners review: A high-octane anime under the neon lights of Night City

The spinoff video-game adaption of Cyberpunk 2077 is an anomaly that has successfully overcome the much debated ‘curse of the video game adaptation’

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Story: Set in the dystopian world of Night City, the plot follows a young teenager named David, who is enrolled in a posh private school despite the financial constraints his mother endures. But when his mother is tragically killed in a car crash, he ends up having to fend for himself in the dangerous streets of Night City. He soon finds himself becoming part of a group of mercenaries or ‘edgerunners’ who work in the underbelly of Night City as ‘cyberware’ dealers.

Review: Video game adaptations have a chequered history when it comes to the faithful retelling of popular stories. Popular franchises such as Tomb Raider, Mortal Kombat, and Uncharted, despite their relative commercial success, have failed to replicate the quality of the sourced materials. And the infamous ‘curse of the video game adaptation’ became a popular subject of debate on cyberspace, long before Twitter and Facebook came to the fore. However, streaming giant Netflix appears to have found the right formula for adapting iconic video games.

While The Witcher would be the most obvious example, the hit series starring Henry Cavill was originally a series of dark fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. Coincidentally, The Witcher video games are developed by CD Project Red — the team behind Cyberpunk 2077 and the creators of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. However, it seems that Netflix may have actually found a way to break the proverbial ‘curse’. The series adaptation of Konami’s Castlevania and the League of Legends series adaptation Arcane have truly revolutionised video game adaptations. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is another feather on Netflix’s cap, even though it may not be as profound as the aforementioned titles, it makes for a compelling watch.

Bringing Night City to life for the series may not have been the most challenging aspect for creator Mike Pondsmith. Unlike most anime, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners were afforded the luxury of taking inspiration for its neon-lit city from acclaimed films such as Blade Runner, and Minority Report, anime such as Ghost in the Shell, and obviously the game itself, Cyberpunk 2077— which features one of the largest and carefully curated open-world maps in gaming history. But time and again most video game adaptations have failed to utilise the resources available to them to their full potential. The reason why Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and the other animated shows such as Castlevania and Arcane found success is because the creators did not tinker with an already beloved story like Uncharted, instead it built a completely new story inspired by the lore of their source materials.

At its core Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a tragic tale of trauma, addiction, and class segregation. The story does rely on the usual anime template of a team of misfits and a complex love story, but it is executed with gravitas. The protagonist, David, and his inner conflict, and Lucy, his girlfriend and her quest for inner peace are central to the narrative. How these characters and their relationship evolve over the course of the 10-episode is the glue that holds the story together. It also features some great supporting characters such as Maine, Dorio, Rebecca, Kiwi, and Faraday, who also have vital parts to play in the story.

Almost every episode has its self-contained story, despite the presence of a more significant overarching plot. The action and violence are brutal, as one would expect from a spin-off to Cyberpunk 2077, and it certainly adds to the quality of the show. The finale in particular is packed with action, drama, and emotion, and it is easily its best episode. Only a handful of TV shows have managed to pull off a successful finale, and considering how the season ended it is unlikely the series will return for another season with the same characters.

Verdict: Netflix has delivered yet another compelling animated series with thought-provoking themes. The video game Cyberpunk 2077 witnessed a significant spike in active players since the series premiered. It has also become the most successful game in Steam's history, 22 months after the game's release, and immediately after the series was released. It is truly a testament to the show’s undeniable qualities.

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