Cyberpunk: EdgeRunners (Review)

My introduction to the Cyberpunk franchise was CD Projekt Red's game. So it's not something I've ever been hugely invested in. That said, Studio Trigger has always been a studio that does great with its animation and visuals, so I figured I would check this out. And the short version is it was worth the watch.

Following around a kid who ends up in possession of a very high-tech spine implant, some pretty dark turns in the story push him to get it installed. And it turns out David has a high tolerance for cybernetics. The more a person gets implants, the more at risk they are of Cyber Psychosis. The idea is the less human the body becomes, the less human the mind becomes. He ends up in a group of Edgerunners and helps them take on jobs as he tries to figure out what it is in life he wants.

The obvious thing to bring up is the outstanding visual design. It's a great showcase of using a lot of bright colors while still having a world that feels dark and bleak. All the neon lights, parties, and flashy lifestyles don't look appealing at all against the dirt, garbage, and sleazy-looking people wherever you go. It's not that one can't have fun or live a good life, but even just from a visual standpoint, you realize how hard it is.

These themes are furthered by some really sad ends to certain characters. I won't spoil who, but just having hopes and dreams in this world isn't enough to rise, it's a world that forces you to become inhuman to make anything of yourself, both physically in terms of tech and morally. It does a lot to sell the show's theme of giving up one's humanity. Judging this show just by its themes and visuals, I would say it was fantastic.

At the same time the longer the show went on, the less invested I was becoming. While the cast of characters is good, none of them feel all that great. Relationships between characters can feel rushed, and it's kind of hard to get that invested as a result. In a month or so, I'm not going to remember a whole lot about these characters beyond the visuals. While I like the themes of the show, not getting that invested in the characters does kind of make the themes fall a little flat.

In the end, Edgerunners is an absolute treat to watch visually. It's exciting, has a lot of gruesome action, and has a fantastic setting. But if you go in wanting something more than that, I don't think you're going to walk away with much to sink your teeth into. That said, I am fine with a show that is just there to be pretty for the eyes, so while the story itself started to let me down I still found myself enjoying the ride.