Night City’s dystopian sprawl will once again come to life in animated form, as a new 10-episode anime series, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, has been officially announced for production and will stream on Netflix. This revelation builds upon the immense critical and popular success of the original Cyberpunk: Edgerunners miniseries, which captivated audiences in 2022. The new series is confirmed to be a standalone story set within the expansive universe of Cyberpunk 2077, promising fresh narratives of redemption and revenge.
The Phenomenal Success of the Original Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
The first Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a 10-episode original net animation (ONA) miniseries, premiered on Netflix in September 2022. Based on CD Projekt Red’s video game Cyberpunk 2077, the series quickly garnered widespread critical acclaim for its characters, dynamic animation, and compelling world-building. It achieved a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% audience score, with many hailing it as an “outright masterpiece” and a testament to successful video game adaptations.
Animated by the renowned Japanese studio Trigger, known for works like Kill la Kill and Promare, Edgerunners delivered a visceral and visually spectacular portrayal of Night City. The series tells the tragic story of David Martinez, a street kid who, after a personal tragedy, transforms into an “edgerunner” or “cyberpunk”—a high-tech mercenary navigating the city’s perilous underworld. His journey, intertwined with the enigmatic netrunner Lucy, explored themes of corporate greed, human augmentation, and the high cost of ambition in a society obsessed with technology.
The anime’s impact extended beyond critical praise; it significantly boosted interest and sales for the Cyberpunk 2077 game, which had a rocky launch in 2020. This demonstrated the power of well-executed animated adaptations in revitalizing and expanding the reach of game franchises.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2: A New Chapter in Night City
The announcement of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 signals a continued collaboration between CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger, promising to maintain the high standard set by its predecessor. While the original series was initially planned as a standalone work, the overwhelming positive reception clearly paved the way for further exploration of this universe.
The new series will once again consist of 10 episodes and present a completely standalone narrative, separate from David Martinez’s story. This approach allows the creative team to introduce new characters and plotlines without being constrained by the previous season’s conclusion, while still retaining the rich backdrop of Night City. Kai Ikarashi, who previously worked on the first Edgerunners as a storyboard artist and animator, will make his directorial debut with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2. Returning talents include Hugo Award-winning writer Bartosz Sztybor as showrunner, story writer, and producer, and Ichigo Kanno as the lead character designer, with Masahiko Otsuka also returning as a scriptwriter.
This shift to a standalone sequel aligns with a growing trend in video game adaptations, where successful animated series often serve to deepen lore and expand the universe rather than directly continuing a specific character’s journey.
The Enduring Allure of Night City
The Cyberpunk universe, originally created by Mike Pondsmith as a tabletop RPG, provides an incredibly fertile ground for storytelling. Night City itself is a character—a sprawling metropolis plagued by corruption, cybernetic addiction, and intense corporate warfare. This setting allows for diverse narratives that explore the extremes of human ambition, the impact of advanced technology on society, and the struggle for survival in a brutal, capitalistic world.
The distinct visual style of Studio Trigger, characterized by its frenetic action, vibrant colors, and exaggerated character designs, proved to be an ideal match for the chaotic and neon-drenched aesthetic of Night City. The combination of visceral action sequences, emotional depth, and a compelling soundtrack contributed to an immersive experience that resonated deeply with both fans of the game and newcomers to the franchise.
Anticipation and Franchise Expansion
The announcement of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 has ignited considerable excitement among anime enthusiasts and fans of the Cyberpunk franchise. It solidifies the position of Edgerunners as a significant animated property and a prime example of how video game adaptations can succeed when handled with care and artistic vision. Beyond the new anime, the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners universe is also expanding with a prequel manga series titled Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness, focusing on fan-favorite characters Rebecca and Pilar. Additionally, a Blu-ray Disc set of the original series is slated for release in October 2025, further catering to the dedicated fanbase.
The continued investment in animated projects by CD Projekt Red, following the success of Edgerunners, underscores a strategic approach to broadening the Cyberpunk IP’s reach across various media, cementing its status as a cornerstone of modern dystopian storytelling.
