5 anime to watch after Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an anime that left many speechless.

Somewhere between the wreckage and the bloodshed was a tragic story that captivated thousands of anime fans. Never have they ever seen something so electrifying yet so soul-crushing; something so exhilarating but heartbreaking. Undoubtedly, there aren’t enough words in the English dictionary to describe the unique experience this anime gave us. Though it’s safe to say that we will never see an anime as unique as this one, we, thankfully, have a few anime titles that come close to the magic of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Anime like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Whether you enjoyed the 2022 Netflix series because of its cyber-filled aesthetics or its epic fight scenes that left your hairs raised, we’re sure there’s an anime out that is a perfect recommendation for you and your anime needs.

Without further ado, here are 5 anime we believe are perfect to watch after Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Ergo Proxy (2006)

Episode Count: 23

Where to stream: Hulu + Crunchyroll

If you loved Cyberpunk: Edgerunners because of its futuristic aesthetics, then we’re sure you’re going to love Ergo Proxy even more.

Ergo Proxy is set in a time when humans and androids co-exist. Initially, cohabitation was harmonious, but when a virus outbreak causes the androids to become disobedient and violent, it becomes evidently clear that humanity may have toyed with something that they weren’t yet able to comprehend. With androids gaining consciousness and humans on the verge of extinction, the remaining survivors must uncover secrets that will aid in their fight to survive.

Technology going haywire and the unlimited power of the human spirit are things both Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Ergo Proxy share. Perhaps you’ll find even more similarities along the way.

Kiznaiver (2016)

Episode Count: 12

Where to stream: Crunchyroll

Of course, with how great of a job the production studio did on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, we had to give Studio Trigger its much-deserved props by suggesting yet another one of their anime titles—Kiznaiver. Though this anime doesn’t include all the cyberpunk technology you’ve grown to love, it does have a very intriguing story at the center of it all.

The 2016 anime follows the life of Katsuhira Agata, a young boy whose sense of pain, both emotional and physical, has left his body. Because of this odd development, Katsuhira was often the victim of bullying. But on one fateful day, his life is forever changed when he and a group of students are forced to be a part of an experiment that requires them to feel one another’s pain.

Some might say Katsuhira Agata is a lot like David Alexander. Some might disagree. However, one thing that we know these protagonists share is their tenacity, for they both are willing to sacrifice everything to get the girl that is way out of their league.

Plastic Memories (2015)

Episode Count: 13

Where to stream: Hulu + Crunchyroll

The heartbreak at the end of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners mimics that of Plastic Memories to a T, as both these anime series serve as a reminder that all good things must come to an end.

Plastic Memories journeys Tsukasa Mizugaki’s life as he falls in love with his humanoid partner, Isla. But, unfortunately for him, Isla is a Giftia, meaning she only has a limited amount of years to live normally before she eventually loses her memories and has to be eradicated before she becomes extremely violent. Despite knowing that this relationship will only end in tragedy, Tsukasa remains by Isla’s side until the somber day when she will no longer remember the person standing in front of her.

Tsukasa Mizugaki is a lot like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners‘ Lucy in that both characters understand the fate that awaits the love of their lives but choose to pursue the relationship anyway. Unquestionably, these characters’ relationships give a whole new definition to ill-fated lovers.

Promare (2019)

Episode Count: N/A

Where to stream: HBO Max

If you prefer to watch a cyberpunk title, then look no further than the 2019 film Promare!

Set in a post-apocalyptic society where humans have developed supernatural pyrokinetic abilities, the Burning Rescue team must give it all they got to take down the Burnish, a group of uber-strong humans who seem to be up to no good. But, amid their mission to take down these ne’er-do-wells, they become aware of another apocalyptic threat that is lying dormant underneath their society. Now, they must combine forces to attempt to understand how to prevent yet another catastrophe from wiping their society from the face of the Earth.

This anime is perfect to watch after Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, as it not only belongs to the cyberpunk genre but is yet another product of Studio Trigger.

Psycho-Pass (2012)

Episode Count: 41

Where to stream: Hulu + Crunchyroll

Looking for another anime that depicts the disasters that can follow when humans believe that technology is the answer? Then we believe Psycho-Pass is perfect for you.

In this society, the only way to stop crime before it starts is to depend on the Sibyl System, a system detectives use to discern which humans have mental states that will make them upstanding citizens and which humans have minds that will drive them to commit heinous crimes. The system was considered perfect in every way; that is until Akane Tsunemori discovers that there are gray areas in the human mind that the Sibyl System may not be capable of capturing.

Depending on computers and algorithms to light the path of humanity’s future is a mistake characters in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Psycho-Pass made. But sadly, only one of these anime series shows what happens when that mistake is realized too late.

Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to see a second installment of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners in the near future. Perhaps not. Either way, we hope that you’re glad to have been able to experience this powerful anime. We especially hope you find that same feeling you felt when you first watched the Netflix original series in all of these equally stunning anime titles.