Animes Similar To Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – Cyberpunk: Edgerunners stands out as an exceptional show featuring a captivating cast and exhilarating action sequences. Inspired by the popular sci-fi first-person shooter game Cyberpunk 2077, the anime offers a fresh perspective on the game’s intricate world. Although the series doesn’t delve deeply into each character, it leaves an indelible mark on fans with its mix of traumatic and heartwarming scenarios that continue to resonate.
With the esteemed anime studio, Studio Trigger, spearheading the animation, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners promises a thrilling sci-fi experience that shouldn’t be overlooked.
In the futuristic Californian metropolis of Night City, dreams face inevitable demise. David Martinez, a teenager residing in the city’s slums, strives to fulfill his mother’s lifelong aspiration for him to ascend the ranks of Arasaka, the world’s leading security corporation. Despite attending the prestigious Arasaka Academy, David’s life takes a tragic turn when an encounter with a street gang leaves him shattered.
Amidst the ruins of his dreams, David discovers the Sandevistan cyberware—a prosthetic that bestows superhuman speed upon its wearer. Driven by rage, he integrates the device into his being, seeking revenge against those who wronged him. This vengeful act leads to his expulsion from the academy, crushing his aspirations and leaving him disillusioned about ever earning his mother’s pride. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners weaves a tale of resilience, revenge, and shattered dreams in the futuristic landscape of Night City.
If you’re looking for the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime, don’t worry; we’ll help you find it, and you’re in the right place. In this article, we have prepared for you 15 anime series that have adventures, storylines, experiences, and aspects similar to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. For more, let’s take a look at the following list, and have a nice day.
List Of Animes Similar To Cyberpunk Edgerunners
1. Akudama Drive (2020)
Explore the colorful metropolis of Kansai, where cybernetic screens illuminate neon landscapes, displaying what seems like a technological utopia. However, behind the brightly shining surface lies a ruthless criminal underworld populated by fugitives known as Akudama.
The Kansai police force begins the countdown to execute the infamous Cutthroat, an Akudama guilty of 999 murders. However, a mysterious message reaches the akudama elite, offering them a tempting offer to free Cutthroat. An invisible force orchestrates the meeting of these dangerous individuals, setting the stage for the bloodshed to come.
Both series share a cyberpunk setting, featuring intense violence and bold narrative choices. These similarities encompass worlds and themes, although Cyberpunk adopts a faster rhythm, whereas Akudama drives more deeply into its fictional elements.
2. Akame Ga Kill!
Night Raid, a secret assassination branch of the Revolutionary Army, against the repressive government of Prime Minister Honest. In a country drowning in poverty, conflict, and destruction, Night Raid targets those who stand in the way of the revolution’s progress. Tatsumi, a naive villager, joins the Night Raid to fight corruption and oppression, driven by their unwavering ideals.
Read also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Akame Ga Kill!
Edge Runners modernized the core of Akame Ga Kill! with parallel character development and a comparable plot. Similarities emerge in weapon design, suggesting inspiration may be present, making it a recognizable relationship for audiences familiar with both series.
3. Devilman: Crybaby (2018)
Demons need a living host, but a determined individual can become a devil by overcoming the demons that possess him. Akira Fudou, moved by Mercy, merges with the demon Amon to fight the demon threat. In a world of action, blood, and cruelty, Devilman: Crybaby and the Edgerunners share impactful music, an enthralling atmosphere, and an emotional ending.
For fans of action, cruelty, and emotional storytelling, Devilman: Crybaby and Edgerunners offers an immersive experience with great music, atmosphere, and direction. Browse Devilman for an immersive journey with thematic similarities to Edgerunners.
4. Ghost In The Shell (1995)
Set in technologically advanced Niihama City in the year 2029, Ghost in the Shell explores a world where cybernetics allows citizens to replace limbs with robotic parts. Major Motoko Kusanagi from Part 9 confronts the mysterious hacker Puppet Master, leading to an in-depth exploration of memory and identity.
Both Ghost in the Shell and Edgerunners belong to the cyberpunk genre, unfolding in futuristic cities with stunning visuals. While Ghost in the Shell dives into the philosophical aspects, Edgerunners explores the physical implications of a world where the boundaries between machines and humans are blurred.
5. Black Lagoon (2006)
Rokurou Okajima, a dedicated office clerk, finds himself plunged into the dangerous world of the Lagoon Company during failed business negotiations in Thailand. Held captive by this ruthless group of pirate mercenaries and abandoned by his mistress, Rokurou makes a bold choice—he joins his captors rather than seduce for his life.
Now part of the Lagoon Company, Rokurou must adapt to life in Roanapur, a city steeped in corruption and crime. Amidst this lawless landscape, he faces not only the challenge of his new crime partner but also clashes with Revy, a brave sniper.
Read also: 17 Best Animes Similar To Black Lagoon
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners feels like a modern version of Black Lagoon. Both have the same premise, with the protagonist joining a group engaged in less legal activities. Both series are parallel in their use of assertive language. Although Black Lagoon is episodic and less bloody than Edgerunners, the two feature different settings. If you enjoyed Edgerunners, Black Lagoon is your next choice.
6. Darling In The FranXX (2018)
In the distant future, humanity will be beset by giant creatures called Klaxosaurs, forcing the remaining humans to seek refuge in giant fortress cities called plantations. The children raised here are trained to pilot the FranXX, a giant mecha indispensable for fighting Klaxosaurs, in pairs of boys and girls.
Raised with the sole purpose of piloting these machines, these children know nothing about the outside world and can only prove their existence by defending their race. Hiro, an aspiring FranXX pilot, loses his motivation and confidence after failing an aptitude test. Skipping his class graduation ceremony, Hiro runs into a forest lake, where he meets a mysterious girl with two horns growing from her head. He introduces himself by his code name, Zero Two, which is known to belong to a famous FranXX pilot known as Partner Killer.
Aside from both being in a ‘human-experiencing-bad-circumstances’ future setting, this is basically VIBE’s recommendation. Much like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Darling in the Family centers on themes of growing up, maturity, choosing the ‘bad’ path, and the romantic element that complements it all. Cyberpunk is superior, but I still haven’t forgiven the FranXX ending.
7. Psycho-Pass (2012)
Justice and its enforcement have changed. In the 22nd century, Japan implemented the Sibyl System, an objective way to determine the degree of threat to each citizen by examining their psycho-pass and observing their mental state for signs of criminal intent. Inspectors execute the law by subjecting, often with deadly force, anyone harboring the slightest hint of malicious intent; with them is the enforcer, an inspector who has become a latent criminal, granted relative freedom in exchange for carrying out the inspector’s dirty work.
Into this world comes Akane Tsunemori, a young woman with a sincere desire to uphold justice. However, as he works alongside veteran enforcer Shinya Kougami, he soon learns that Sibyl’s system judgment is not as good as his fellow inspectors assume.
Similar to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, both series take place in a futuristic dystopia where characters must navigate a world ruled by a hidden evil and have incredible themes and messages. Both run well and have very entertaining storylines, with high-stakes, thought-provoking plots. They are some of my favorite anime I have ever watched.
8. Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Evil is eternal. In 2071, humanity expanded throughout the galaxy, populating the surfaces of other planets with Earth-like settlements. This new society is plagued by murder, drug abuse, and theft, and intergalactic criminals are hunted by a large number of tough bounty hunters.
Spike Spiegel and Jet Black chase villains across space for a living. Behind Spike’s careless and indifferent attitude, he is haunted by his violent past. Meanwhile, Jet manages difficult memories while guarding Spike and Bebop, their ship. The duo is joined by beautiful con artist Faye Valentine, Edward Wong Hau’s strange son Pepelu Tivrusky IV, and Ein, a Welsh Corgi produced through genetic engineering.
Read also: 18 Best Animes Similar To Cowboy Bebop
As a hard sci-fi anime, Cyberpunk is actually a more edgy and dark version of Cowboy Bebop. Both shows are inspired and reimagined from western sci-fi classics to show how evil and dangerous the ever-changing world of technology can become for humanity. Expect an engaging narrative, with the protagonist navigating a world tainted by cynicism and a lack of integrity, criticism of the corporate mentality, as well as a good combination of action and light slice-of-life elements in these two anime.
9. Redline (2009)
In the thrilling event known as the Redline, held every five years, the racers face the ultimate challenge with only one rule—no rules. A daring racer named JP, eager to compete, qualifies for the Redline and prepares to fight against talented racers, including starlet Sonoshee McLaren.
This year’s Redline takes a dangerous direction as it is held on the dangerous planet Roboworld. Despite the potential risks from the trigger-happy military and dodgy criminals, the racers welcome this additional challenge. JP, depending on the speed of his vehicle, prepares to grab first place in his biggest race.
The visual aesthetics, art style, and character designs in Redline are reminiscent of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Both series have a similar construction with an Americanized feel, and their stories develop in a standard intro/middle/conclusion format. This predictability can be an advantage, offering constant development towards the goal, leaving behind the typical anime formula, and improving the overall viewing experience.
10. Dead Leaves (2004)
After waking up with no clothes or memories, Retro and Pandy embark on a life of thrill-seeking and violence. Their wild action and carefree personalities make them the perfect pair to wreak havoc. After an accidental mistake, they end up in Dead Leaves, a high-security prison on the Moon, and learn that the prisoners are clones of a genetic mutation experiment. Escaping from their cells, Retro and Pandy lead an escape from the prison with the other prisoners, armed mutants, ready to cause chaos.
Sharing the same director and similar sci-fi/cyberpunk themes, both Dead Leaves and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners feature fast-paced, brain-pumping action with stylish visuals. Edgy animation, art style, and vibrant female characters contribute to the similarities between the two.
11. Akira (1988)
Set in 1988 Japan, Akira develops after an explosion caused by a boy with psychic powers triggers World War III. In Neo-Tokyo in 2019, gang conflicts escalated. Shoutarou Kaneda, the leader of the Capsules, faces chaos when his best friend, Tetsuo Shima, develops a mysterious ability. The government sought to control Tetsuo’s power to prevent another major disaster.
Although Cyberpunk: Edgerunners draws inspiration from Western cyberpunk video games, it shares thematic similarities with Akira. Both feature characters in gangs influenced by the Japanese punk subculture, providing a fresh distinction from detective-centered cyberpunk anime.
12. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song (2021)
In a future where a highly evolved AI aims to annihilate humanity, Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song uncovers a desperate attempt to change destiny. Set a hundred years ago, Vivy, the first autonomous AI, seeks to spread happiness through its voice. When an advanced AI from the future enlists Vivy’s help to prevent a devastating war, Vivy embarks on a hundred-year journey to rewrite history.
Although Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song is not a punk show, it shares a future setting with challenges associated with the cyber world. Both series have emotional intensity, especially towards the end, and offer insightful commentary on life. The narrative focuses on the future, and similar nuances make the two match the viewer comparably.
13. Guilty Crown (2011)
On December 24, 2029, famously dubbed Lost Christmas, the Apocalypse Virus wreaked havoc in Japan, causing death and chaos. To restore order, the United Nations deployed GHQ, assuming control and eliminating political autonomy. A decade later, Japan remains under GHQ’s rule, and a resistance group named Funeral Parlor, led by Gai Tsutsugami, aims to free the nation.
They plan to steal the Void Genome, a vial that falls into the hands of internet vocalist Inori Yuzuriha. Pursued by GHQ’s Anti-Bodies forces, she seeks refuge in a warehouse and encounters Shuu Ouma, a socially awkward high school student.
Both set in the future, combining action and romance, and following mercenary-like groups, Guilty Crown and Cyberpunk share similar themes and a captivating soundtrack. While less gory and flashy than Cyberpunk, Guilty Crown is a compelling watch, especially for those experiencing withdrawals from the cyberpunk genre. Though not as polished, it offers a great viewing experience, with Inori resembling Lucy.
14. Chainsaw Man (2022)
Denji’s teenage life takes an unexpected turn when he is burdened by his deadbeat father’s debts. Left with only his chainsaw devil pet, Pochita, Denji slays devils to repay the yakuza. A betrayal leads to Denji’s death, but an old contract allows Pochita to merge with him, granting the devil powers.
Read also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Chainsaw Man
Recruited by elite devil hunter Makima, Denji must obey her commands. Driven by dreams of a better life, Denji uses his newfound abilities to navigate a world filled with chaos and conflict.
Both Chainsaw Man and Cyberpunk feature reluctant protagonists, a dynamic between a younger male and an older female, and intense, chaotic action. These series explore grim, gritty urban dystopias with themes of social disparity, extreme poverty, and non-melodramatic suffering. The main characters, both ESTP personalities, face tragic lives in corrupt societies.
15. Great Pretender (2020)
Makoto Edamame Edamura turns to a life of crime—pickpocketing and scams—after a series of unfortunate events. Swindling a tourist, he discovers he’s been tricked and is pursued by the police. Encountering the tourist, con man Laurent Thierry, Makoto challenges him to determine Japan’s greatest swindler. They embark on a competition targeting the biggest West Coast mafia boss.
Edamame (the Great Pretender) and David (the Cyberpunk) grapple with finding purpose in a society that rejects them. Their encounters with con men and the cyberpunk world change everything, introducing danger, money, and thrills. While both series explore the enticing world of crime, Cyberpunk’s violent nature contrasts with The Great Pretender’s focus on the inner turmoil of its characters.
So, those are some selected anime recommendations similar to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners that you might be able to watch. Thank you very much for reading this article, and see you in the next article. Enjoy watching, and have a nice day.
