Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is the Perfect Dystopian Tragedy
This article contains major spoilers for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. One of the most popular shows on Netflix right now is Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the brand-new sci-fi anime from Studio Trigger. True to its name, the series borrows plenty of familiar tropes from other famous works in the cyberpunk genre — however, it’s still resonated deeply with countless fans due to its engaging characters and the dramatic, heartbreaking story that unfolds around them.
Edgerunners was created as a tie-in to the 2020 video game Cyberpunk 2077, but it’s already managed to escape the shadow of the game that inspired it. It’s become a phenomenon unto itself due to how expertly it brings life to the dystopian world of Night City and the various characters who inhabit it. Of course, the story that unfolds in this world is certainly not for the faint of heart — but it’s that very sense of tragedy that makes Edgerunners so impactful.
How Cyberpunk Edgerunners Improves 2077's Depiction of Night City
The story of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners centers around David Martinez, an ordinary teenager in the futuristic metropolis of Night City. Despite growing up in a poor neighborhood, David nevertheless attends the prestigious Arasaka Academy thanks to the hard work of his mother Gloria, who dreams of seeing her son rise out of poverty and achieve a better life for himself. However, mother and son are struck by tragedy when they’re caught in a random firefight. And when the paramedics arrive, they promptly abandon the Martinez family after learning they don’t have insurance, leaving Gloria to die with David helpless to save her. Right away, Edgerunners offers an unflinching depiction of how cruel and unfair life in Night City is.
After his mother’s death, David is
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