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Below is our recommendation of what we consider the best anime adaptations like Cyberpunk Edgerunners. If viewers enjoyed the anime that was influenced by Cyberpunk 2077, they should check out these treasures for some much-needed action-packed fan service.
For many anime lovers, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners checks all the right boxes, but the series also does the original game’s well-deserved justice, keeping both fandoms largely happy in the process.
While Edgerunners is by no means the first RPG anime adaptation, not all efforts have been successful in bridging the gap between the two fields and surviving the blatantly commercial publicity stunts.
The following examples don’t exactly share Cyberpunk’s visual aesthetic or time period, but their dominance in the field of RPG-inspired anime adaptations makes them enjoyable to watch.
The studios involved made sure to preserve the authenticity of the original source material while still crafting a gripping and enjoyable story, demonstrating that good animation does not have manga roots.
10 best anime adaptations like Cyberpunk Edgerunners
The FATE Franchise
With seven successful seasons released since 2014, the FATE franchise is perhaps one of the most popular RPG adaptations. Although the gameplay has a more visual novel-like layout, it is still categorized as an RPG and maintains its ranking on our list.
Every season of Fate revolves around the Holy Grail War, in which fourteen Noble Masters compete for possession of the elusive object that grants wishes. They summon and command Servants, or reborn heroes, who are employed as pawns in battles against the opposing team. Each episode features a different cast of heroes and antagonists and may be read alone.
>>>Read more: Cyberpunk Edgerunners Western Video Game Anime Adaptations
Redline
Audiences immediately drew comparisons to the 2009 sci-fi action movie Redline as soon as Edgerunners made its Netflix debut. The movie, which is directed by Takeshi Koike, is best known for his work on the animated films Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine and the Animatrix short “World Record.”
It centers on Sweet JP, a street racer with a corkscrew pompadour who is determined to win the Redline Grand Prix, the deadliest racing competition in the galaxy.
Many viewers notice the similarity between David’s speed-induced grimace as he weaves precariously through oncoming traffic in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ third episode, “Smooth Criminal,” and JP’s clenched-jaw expression while racing to the finish line at the beginning of Koike’s film, the likeness between Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Redline is especially uncanny during the highway chase scene between David and a pair of Tyger Claw bike.
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Dota: Dragon’s Blood
When regarded objectively as an animated adaptation, Dota: Dragon’s Blood hasn’t been as successful in fan service as some of the other options mentioned, but few viewers can contest the series’ incredible level of entertainment.
With a hint of Game of Thrones, Studio Mir was able to develop a compelling story that stayed true to DOTA Lore while also introducing a number of fresh, original characters for the benefit of the series.
This tribute to DOTA 2 adopts a more “knights and dragons” style of tale, as suggested by the title, with Davion and Mirana serving as the main Heroes tasked with preventing Invoker and Terrorblade from wreaking havoc. There’s no better time than now, especially with three seasons still to enjoy!
Cyber City Oedo 808
Cyber City Oedo 808 is perhaps the anime on this list whose premise is most similar to Edgerunners. It also doesn’t hurt that Hideo Kojima, a self-described cinephile and the creator of Death Stranding and the Metal Gear series, has approved the analogy.
A group of criminals is forced to battle superpowered creatures and hackers in return for time off their prison sentences in this 1990 original video animation (OVA), which was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, who also created such legendary anime as Ninja Scroll and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.
Imagine The Suicide Squad with more glam rock-inspired hairstyles. It has had a significant influence on games like Ruiner and Huntdown.
Tekken: Bloodlines
Although the gameplay is more in line with arcade fighting simulations, the Tekken franchise is featured in “The King of Fighters: All-Star” mobile RPG, therefore it gets a free pass! Tekken blends ninjas and cyborgs in the most amazing way!
This particular Tekken-inspired story centers on the great Jin Kazama, who teams up with his abrasive and notorious grandfather, Heihachi Mishima, for some much-needed training while on an all-out war to exact revenge for the unfortunate murder of his mother.
If only things would go as planned, a huge Iron Fist Tournament is planned to entice the strongest fighters in the area (and Jin’s intended target)!
PROMARE
If you enjoyed Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, there is a significant possibility that you will enjoy Promare, which was directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi in the past. The film was written by Kazuki Nakashima, with whom Imaishi has worked on several major works, such as Kill la Kill and Gurren Lagann.
Promare is a crowd-pleasing anime spectacle jam-packed to the gills with explosive action, vibrant characters, and jaw-dropping set pieces. It is an unapologetic love letter to Imaishi’s most cartoonish, maximalist aesthetics and his aforementioned collaborations with Nakashima. Oh, and don’t forget about mecha with ridiculous names like Deus X Machina!
Castlevania
Castlevania is another outstanding RPG set in a different time period, and a fifth installment is soon to be released. Before Season 4 was even aired, Netflix and Powerhouse Animation Studios announced their intention to renew the series. Given Castlevania’s illustrious history, they are not likely to disappoint.
As they labor together to save the defenseless against Lord Dracula and his demonic army in a medieval world, a monster hunter, a learned magician, and a vampire hybrid create an odd alliance. But the real question is whether they can put their differences aside long enough to save the world.
Bubblegum Crisis
In the original eight-episode OVA Bubblegum Crisis, a team of all-female mercenaries known as the Knight Sabers fights to protect a futuristic Tokyo from the schemes of the evil mega-corporation Genom and its mutant cyborg monsters known as Boomers.
The classic 1980s cyberpunk cartoon Bubblegum Crisis is one of the best representations of the genre’s enduring impact from Walter Hill’s neo-noir rock opera Streets of Fire. You owe it to yourself to see Bubblegum Crisis if you like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. You won’t be sorry!
Persona
Persona explores the popular school motif that was present at the beginning of David’s journey while emphasizing robotics and technology, much like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners does, and is even situated in a contemporary environment. Yu Narukami, the lead character in Persona, believes that he must save the world after finding a hidden TV World and reawakening his latent skills.
The story effectively incorporates the daring new-age RPG battle system, which sees the Persona User’s psyche turned into a combat-ready physical incarnation. Each season celebrates a new category of myths, including historical heroes, Japanese and classical Greek deities, and more.
Arcane: League of Legends
While Arcane and the Edgerunners may look very similar, the MMORPG inspiration alters the plot and worldbuilding in a way that leans more toward steampunk than cyberpunk. However, few people could find issues with the gripping story and keen attention to detail, which pleased most League of Legends players everywhere.
The award-winning Arcane mostly (but not solely) focuses on Jinx and Vi’s sibling rivalry, which is greatly exacerbated when they gain supercharged supernatural abilities and cutting-edge weaponry. The girls must determine whether blood really is thicker than water when engaged in a conflict between Zaun and Piltover.
Conclusion
Edgerunners, a cyberpunk novel, has swept the Internet. The setting of Cyberpunk 2077 and Mike Pondsmith’s TTRPG serves as the inspiration for Studio Trigger and director Hiroyuki Imaishi’s most recent anime.
In addition to garnering praise from critics and anime fans alike as one of the best shows to debut this year, the 10-episode limited series also succeeded in reviving the game’s fan base in an astounding demonstration of post-launch synergy.
The public has spoken: more cyberpunk is desired. And while though the anime may have met its logical conclusion and Cyberpunk 2077’s first (and likely final) DLC expansion is still a ways off, we’ve searched through our databanks to compile a list of some of the best anime adaptations like Cyberpunk Edgerunners, both cyberpunk and not, to watch after Edgerunners.
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