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Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has taken the Web by storm. The newest anime by Studio Set off and director Hiroyuki Imaishi is predicated on the universe of Cyberpunk 2077 and Mike Pondsmith’s TTRPG. The ten-episode restricted sequence has not solely gained the hearts of critics and anime followers alike as among the best sequence to premiere this 12 months, but in addition managed to reinvigorate the sport’s fan base in a powerful show of post-launch synergy.
The folks have spoken: They need extra cyberpunk. And whereas the anime itself could have reached its pure conclusion, and the primary (and presumably final) DLC growth for Cyberpunk 2077 remains to be fairly a methods away, we’ve scoured our databanks to deliver you a listing of a number of the finest anime, each cyberpunk and never, to observe after Edgerunners. And sure — we all know Ghost within the Shell (streaming on Roku) and Akira (streaming on Hulu and Crunchyroll) are the common go-tos relating to all issues cyberpunk anime, however very like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners itself, we’re venturing off the crushed path and blazing our personal with this listing.
Redline
Picture: Madhouse/Redline Companions
Quickly after Edgerunners premiered on Netflix, audiences instantly drew comparisons to the 2009 sci-fi motion drama Redline. Directed by Takeshi Koike, recognized for his work on such anime as Lupin the Third: The Lady Known as Fujiko Mine and the Animatrix quick “World Document,” the movie follows Candy JP, a daredevil road racer with a corkscrew pompadour hellbent on taking residence gold within the galaxy’s deadliest racing occasion: the Redline Grand Prix.
The likeness between Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Redline is particularly uncanny through the freeway chase scene between David and a pair of Tyger Claw biker murderer within the former’s third episode, “Clean Prison,” with many viewers noticing the similarity between David’s speed-induced grimace as he weaves precariously via oncoming visitors and JP’s clenched-jaw expression whereas racing to complete line originally of Koike’s movie.
Redline is offered to stream on Plex and free of charge for Vudu, Tubi, and Freevee for adverts.
Cyber Metropolis Oedo 808
Picture: Madhouse/Diskotek Media
Of all of the anime featured on this listing, Cyber Metropolis Oedo 808 is arguably the closest to Edgerunners’ premise. It additionally actually does not damage that the comparability has been endorsed by none apart from Hideo Kojima, avowed cinephile and creator of Demise Stranding and the Metallic Gear sequence.
After watching “Cyberpunk Edgerunners,” I wished to observe “Cyber Metropolis OEDO 808” by my favourite director Kawajiri, so I purchased the worldwide BD model. pic.twitter.com/p7tSMr8MKK— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 22, 2022
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, who made such basic anime as Ninja Scroll and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, this 1990 unique video animation (OVA — belief me, you’re going to be listening to quite a bit about these on this listing) follows a trio of legal compelled to combat superpowered monsters and hackers in trade for time without work their jail sentences. Suppose The Suicide Squad, solely with extra glam rock hairdos. A outstanding affect on video games like Ruiner and Huntdown, the three-episode restricted sequence has an particularly wealthy historical past within the U.Okay. anime scene and stays a beloved touchstone for followers of each the cyberpunk style and Kawajiri’s work.
Cyber Metropolis Oedo 808 is offered to stream on Retrocrush.
Promare
Picture: Studio Set off/GKIDS
For those who liked Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, there’s probability you’ll love (or already love) Promare, Hiroyuki Imaishi’s earlier directorial work. Written by Kazuki Nakashima, with whom Imaishi has collaborated with on a number of main works, like Kill la Kill and Gurren Lagann, the movie follows Galo Thymos, a hotblooded member of the elite firefighting mecha group Burning Rescue who should save town of Promepolis — and your entire world — from the specter of a cataclysmic occasion involving a brand new species of pyrokinetic people often called the Burnish.
An unabashed love letter to Imaishi’s most cartoonish, maximalist sensibilities and his aforementioned collaborations with Nakashima, Promare is a crowd-pleasing anime spectacle packed to the seams with explosive motion, colourful characters, and breathtaking set-pieces. Oh, and absurdly named mecha, like Deus X Machina— can’t neglect about that!
Promare is offered to stream on HBO Max.
Bubblegum Disaster
Picture: Artmic, AIC/AnimEigo
The unique eight-episode OVA Bubblegum Disaster follows the Knight Sabers, an all-female group of mercenaries clad in powered exoskeletons who defend a futuristic Tokyo from the machinations of the evil mega-corporation Genom and their mutant cyborg monstrosities often called Boomers. Oh, and did I point out that one of many Knight Sabers is a musician who sings in a band known as Priss and the Replicants? Sure, that’s exactly a reference to what you assume it’s.
Bubblegum Disaster is an important work within the canon of ’80s cyberpunk anime and some of the seen examples of the lasting affect of Walter Hill’s neo-noir rock musical Streets of Fireplace on the style. For those who liked Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, you owe it to your self to put aside time to observe Bubblegum Disaster. You gained’t remorse it!
Bubblegum Disaster is offered to stream on Retrocrush.
Megazone 23
Picture: AIC, Artland, Tatsunoko/AnimEigo
Megazone 23 shouldn’t be solely an beautiful enduring instance of ’80s cyberpunk anime, however it additionally stands the check of time as a breakout hit whose success galvanized the Japanese residence video market’s embrace of the OVA format.
The three-episode sequence follows Shogo Yahagi, a younger road child who mistakenly comes into the possession of a authorities prototype motorbike. Ruthlessly pursued by authorities brokers trying to procure the bike, Shogo plans to reveal its existence on a dwell TV present starring a well-liked singing idol. Whereas doing so, he uncovers a horrible secret— it’s the twenty fourth century, his whole life is a lie, and what stays of humanity is imprisoned aboard a number of colossal spaceships known as “Megazones” fleeing a now-dead Earth.
Co-directed by Noboru Ishiguro of Area Battleship Yamato and Tremendous Dimension Fortress Macross fame, legendary results animator Ichiro Itano, and future Appleseed and Blade Runner: Black Lotus director Shinji Aramaki, Megazone 23 is an epic in each sense of the phrase, spanning a number of centuries and a number of other protagonists who combat throughout the expanse of house and our on-line world on behalf of humanity’s future.
As if all of that weren’t sufficient causes to observe Megazone 23, it’s additionally a serious affect on 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, considered one of Polygon’s favourite video games of 2020.
Megazone 23 is offered to stream on Retrocrush.
Armitage III
Picture: AIC/Crunchyroll
Armitage III is quite a bit like Blade Runner, solely as an alternative of a narrative a couple of taciturn mercenary detective discovering love in a hopeless place, it’s a feminine Martian android cop in crimson leather-based booty shorts with a killer proper hook.
Directed by Hiroyuki Ochi and co-written by Chiaki J. Konaka (Serial Experiments Lain, Digimon Tamers, The Massive O), the four-episode OVA follows Armitage and her new companion, detective Ross Sylibus, as they examine the unlawful manufacturing of a mysterious class of androids passing as people. Their search lands them within the sights of René D’anclaude, a brutal android serial killer with a shocking, if convoluted, connection to Armitage’s personal previous.
The miniseries is peak ’90s cyberpunk, with sprawling neon-lit cities, ample gore and motion, and tons of tacky easy jazz. For those who’re in a position to observe down a duplicate of Armitage III: Poly-Matrix, the feature-length reedited model of the sequence, you’ll be handled to a number of English dub performances by the likes of Elizabeth Berkley, Kiefer Sutherland, and even Bryan Cranston. Sure — that Bryan Cranston!
Armitage III is offered to stream on Funimation.
Akudama Drive
Picture: Pierrot, Too Kyo Video games/Crunchyroll
Created by Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka and produced by studio Pierrot and Too Kyo Video games, Akudama Drive follows the story of a younger lady in a dystopian future the place the Japanese area of Kansai has grow to be a vassal state of Kanto. After being arrested on a minor cost, she finds herself inadvertently pulled into an elaborate heist conspiracy orchestrated by a mysterious employer and a staff of ruthless mercenary criminals often called Akudama. For those who like over-the-top motion, eccentric characters, and an unpredictably poignant story that’ll sneak up behind you earlier than tugging at your heartstrings, then Akudama Drive is the right anime to chase the excessive of watching Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
Akudama Drive is offered to stream on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
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