Cyberpunk: Edgerunners [Season 1 Episodes 1-10]

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – A Raw, Emotional Banger That Sticks With You

Let’s cut straight to the chase: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners isn’t just another anime. It’s a gut punch wrapped in neon, a story that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go—even after the credits roll. Produced by Studio Trigger (the geniuses behind Kill la Kill and Promare) and set in CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 universe, this 10-episode miniseries dropped on Netflix in September 2022 and immediately blew up. And yeah, it’s easy to see why.

First off, let’s get the basics right. The show takes place in Night City, that gritty, futuristic hellhole where corporations rule, cybernetic enhancements are as common as street food, and survival means making choices you’ll regret. We follow David Martinez, a kid from the slums who loses everything and dives headfirst into the world of edgerunners—mercenaries who live fast, die young, and take on the worst jobs for cash. But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just about action. It’s about David’s bond with Lucy, a mysterious netrunner with a dream of escaping to the moon, and how their crew of misfits becomes a family… until the city chews them up.

Now, let’s talk about what fans are actually saying. Over on MyAnimeList, the reactions are all over the place—but in the best way. Some are screaming, “WHY are they making a sequel to this trash?!” (chill, it’s a standalone, not a sequel), while others are begging for more: “I’m in for more emotional damage,” one user wrote. “I never expected another season… What a pleasant surprise.” And honestly? Same. The first season was a closed story—most of the cast dies (no spoilers, but yeah, it’s brutal)—so the idea of a new chapter with fresh faces? That’s exciting. Night City’s a big place; there are a million stories to tell.

But let’s get real: the hate is just noise. One user called it “mid,” but c’mon—Edgerunners has heart. The characters feel human, even with all their chrome. Lucy’s obsession with the moon? David’s need to prove himself? It’s relatable. And the animation? Studio Trigger went all out. The fight scenes are fluid, the neon-lit streets pop, and the cyberware—oh, the cyberware—is gloriously over-the-top. This isn’t just eye candy; it’s style with substance.

Here’s the thing: Edgerunners isn’t perfect. Some fans think the pacing is too fast, that we don’t get enough time with the side characters. But that’s part of the charm. Night City doesn’t wait for anyone. The show hits you with one emotional beat after another—David’s mom’s death, Lucy’s secret, the crew’s final job—and by the end, you’re a mess. As one fan put it, “This entire franchise has been one emotional rollercoaster and here for more.”

And let’s not forget the game connection. Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky start, but Edgerunners breathed new life into it. The anime references the game’s lore—Night City’s gangs, the corpo greed, the fear of “cyberpsychosis”—but you don’t need to play the game to love the show. It stands on its own.

So, who’s this for? If you’re into stories about underdogs fighting the system, if you love animation that’s bold and unapologetic, if you don’t mind crying a little (or a lot), then Edgerunners is for you. It’s not for everyone—some will call it “trash,” others will say it’s “mid”—but those people are missing the point. This show isn’t about being perfect. It’s about feeling something.

In the end, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. It’s about chasing dreams in a world that wants to crush you, about finding family in the unlikeliest places, and about the cost of being an edgerunner: live fast, die young, leave a neon corpse.

So grab your chrome, turn up the synthwave, and dive in. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you about the emotional damage.

Final Verdict: 9/10. A must-watch for anyone who loves anime with teeth.

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P.S. If you’re waiting for Lucy to come back in the next season? Same. Fingers crossed.