Cyberpunk: Edgerunners did the impossible: made a video game adaptation that’s genuinely great. Studio Trigger brought their signature style to Night City, creating a tragedy that stands alone from its source material.
The Premise
David Martinez is a poor kid in corporate-dominated Night City. When tragedy strikes his family, he installs military-grade cyberware and falls into mercenary life with a crew of edgerunners. The path leads only to glory or death—usually both.
Studio Trigger Excellence
Trigger’s animation style—dynamic, explosive, stylish—fits cyberpunk perfectly. The action sequences pop with energy. The color palette captures Night City’s neon-drenched aesthetic. This is the studio at their best.
Emotional Weight
Edgerunners is ultimately a tragedy. The setting’s nihilism—that everyone dies young and burning out is the best death—creates inevitable momentum toward doom. Knowing this doesn’t diminish impact; it enhances it.
Lucy
The romance between David and Lucy provides emotional core. Her dream of reaching the moon, his determination to help her—these simple desires become devastating against Night City’s reality.
The Soundtrack
“I Really Want to Stay at Your House” became synonymous with emotional devastation. The entire OST captures cyberpunk melancholy perfectly.
Verdict
10/10 – Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is complete, devastating, and beautiful. It revived interest in its source game and stands as one of the best anime of 2022. Essential viewing regardless of gaming background.