Usually, anime adaptations are mostly based on manga and light novels, while not being original projects themselves. Every now and then an anime comes out that is actually based on a game franchise. Usually, these anime are based on Japanese game franchises (such as the Persona anime adaptations) or they are based on popular mobile games (such as the upcoming Genshin impact animation). However, sometimes anime projects get their inspiration from the west, which is the case for Cyberpunk: Edge Runners.
Cyberpunk: Edge Runners is a Netflix original anime based on the cyberpunk franchise, coming out less than two years after the highly controversial video game’s release Cyberpunk 2077. Despite the negative reputation surrounding the cyberpunk series of years after the game’s terrible launch, edge runners became a huge success, rekindling interest in the game and sparking a new wave of attention for the franchise. The success of Cyberpunk: Edge Runners is in-depth, and a big sign that more western video game franchises could be getting interested in making their own anime adaptations.
How Cyberpunk: Edgerunners achieved its success
Cyberpunk: Edge Runners has a unique story that is not connected to the game, so the writers are not limited by the storyline of the game. The series is the story of David Martinez, a troubled boy who loses his mother in a car accident. In a fit of rage, he installs a Sandevistan implant and joins a group of edgerunners who make a living in the underworld, including the sexy and mysterious Lucy, the dashing but reliable boss Maine, and the gun-carrying foul-mouthed Rebecca. While life is fun, it’s not without its problems, and David is constantly reminded that his implants will one day spell an early death for him.
The legendary Studio Trigger was used to create the series, a good choice given their previous work on Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Killed La Killedboth high-octane and lively animated shows known for being totally off the wall. edge runners has an incredibly well-developed cast of characters, and the story’s fast-paced and action-heavy scenes fit well with Trigger’s design philosophy. This combination of Trigger’s animation and Cyberpunk 2077‘s aesthetic results in an incredible show that absolutely blows all expectations out of the water. Cyberpunk: Edge Runners was eventually released in full on Netflix and the rest is history.
How the Show’s Success Affected the Game
Cyberpunk 2077 released at the end of the year 2020, and its launch was a huge disaster. Bugs and glitches made the game unplayable for many and CD Projekt Red’s reputation was in tatters. The situation was so bad that Sony was forced to refund everyone who bought the game on PS4. Since then, CD Projekt Red has made significant efforts to refurbish the game, and today the game is in much better shape than it was at launch. Nevertheless, the sea of bad press and memories of the launch has caused many potential players to leave the game, showing how devastating a bad launch can be.
However, that all changed with the release of Cyberpunk: Edge Runnerswhich immediately convinced many who were on the fence or burned by the game’s launch to give the game another chance. Cyberpunk 2077 has seen a massive revival of players since the release of the anime, and many were surprised by the changes that have been made to the game since then. If the sole purpose of Cyberpunk: Edge Runners was to rekindle interest and attention for the video game franchise, only on that front it certainly succeeded.
Other anime customization options
Cyberpunk: Edge Runners isn’t the first time Western video game franchises have flirted with animated adaptations. While not created by a Japanese animation company, Riot Games teamed up with Netflix to create an animated series based on the League of Legends franchise known as Arcane. Arcane was a huge hit, and while League of Legends was always a popular franchise that didn’t need the publicity, a show that highlighted some of its vibrant cast of characters certainly didn’t hurt.
Not everyone is a big gamer, and animated adaptations can be a great way for franchises to reach new audiences and renew interest in their games. Cyberpunk 2077 proved it with edge runners, and there’s no reason another franchise couldn’t see the same effects. While not every video game franchise would translate well into an anime adaptation, a franchise like overwatch could translate well to the anime aesthetic. Despite a sequel coming soon, the game hasn’t gained the fame its reputation once forced.
An anime adaptation focused on the characters of overwatch can similarly arouse interest in the game that edge runners pretended to Cyberpunk 2077. Of course, there’s no rule that says franchises should struggle to consider an anime adaptation, and the success of edge runners and Arcane may encourage other franchises to experiment with the concept.
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