12 Shows Like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners You Should Watch Next

Despite not receiving much fanfare prior to its release on Netflix, "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" has quickly established itself as one of the biggest hits of the streamer's 2022 catalog. Animated by Studio Trigger, best known for the anime series "Kill la Kill," the show explores the "Cyberpunk" universe created by roleplaying game designer Mike Pondsmith and more recently popularized in the video game "Cyberpunk 2077."

Like the original tabletop RPG and the video game from CD Projekt Red, "Edgerunners" explores the fictitious urban dystopia of Night City, a cyberized metropolis where the leaders are corrupt, the police can't be trusted, and dangerous corporations rule the streets. The animated series primarily follows David Martinez, a young man whose life is thrown into chaos following a violent incident. Distraught and desperate, he turns to crime, eventually getting in deep with some of Night City's biggest and most dangerous players.

"Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" is arguably more style than substance, but that only speaks to just how effective the style is. The cybertronic world of Night City and its augmented inhabitants are brought to life in stunning, gorgeous, and occasionally grotesque ways by the artists at Studio Trigger, creating an experience that's sure to leave viewers wanting more. If you've already run through the 10 episodes of Season 1, here are some great shows like "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" that you should check out next.

It seems wrong to talk about cyberpunk anime and not bring up "Ghost in the Shell." The 1995 film — based on the manga by Masamune Shirow — is one of the most influential entries in the entire genre. While it wasn't the first story to center on concepts like cybernetic augmentation and neural interfacing, it certainly helped popularize many of the aesthetic, thematic, and narrative ideas that have since become part and parcel of cyberpunk.

For those who want to dig a little deeper into the dense neo-noir atmosphere of "Ghost in the Shell" — the influence of which can be clearly felt in "Edgerunners" — the early-2000s spinoff series "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" is a great place to start. Equal parts cyberpunk odyssey and gritty police procedural, the show follows a team of cyber-crime investigators as they cross tech and wits with a wide range of foes. While there are some big-picture narrative arcs in the show's two seasons, much of the series is spent on more episodic pursuits. "Stand Alone Complex" is largely a show about the neon-tinged world of "Ghost in the Shell" and less about particular characters. If you're a fan of the cyberpunk flair of "Edgerunners," that might be right up your alley.

At 52 episodes, "Stand Alone Complex" will keep you busy for a while. And if you've never seen the original "Ghost in the Shell," which is undoubtedly one of the best anime films of all time, make sure to check it out as well.

These days, the lines between cyberpunk, steampunk, and fantasy can get a little blurry. Netflix's "Arcane" is a show that strives to blend them even further, meshing elements of each subgenre to create a world that feels both intimately familiar and strikingly unique. Like "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners," "Arcane" is based on a video game — the international sensation "League of Legends." However, you don't need to have played the game to fully enjoy the show's gritty and stylish story.

Set in the city of Piltover, "Arcane" primarily follows two sisters — Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder, aka Jinx (Ella Purnell) — as they struggle to survive in the crime-ridden undercity. While Piltover's elite grow richer thanks to technological advancements that mix science with magic, the undercity languishes under the tyrannical fist of drug lord and political extremist Silco (Jason Spisak). Sparks of rebellion form in various corners of the city, and rising tension forces fighters from all walks of life to choose their sides.

Simply in terms of its tropes, "Arcane" could be a palette-swapped version of "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners." From the urban class divide and the street-rat narrative to the illicit technologies at the core of it all, the two shows clearly have a lot in common. However, the most compelling link between the two is arguably their visuals. Like "Edgerunners," Arcane is aesthetically staggering, doing things in the realm of animation that few shows have even attempted. For the look alone, it's worth a watch.

In the modern age of big-budget sci-fi and fantasy shows, it's surprising that there aren't more live-action prestige projects set in the cyberpunk genre. Traditional science fiction series like "The Expanse" and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" are commonplace, as are high fantasy epics like "House of the Dragon" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." But if you go looking for a cyberpunk series with those same levels of Hollywood-caliber effects and design, there sadly aren't too many options.

Fortunately, the live-action cyberpunk shelves aren't totally bare. Netflix's "Altered Carbon" brings the neon-lit world of Richard K. Morgan's novel to life, telling the story of a future where human consciousness can be transferred between bodies. As a result, the rich can essentially buy themselves eternal life. The show follows Takeshi Kovacs (played by Joel Kinnaman in Season 1 and Anthony Mackie in Season 2), a former rebel who gets resuscitated by a tycoon for nefarious purposes that slowly unravel. As Takeshi tries to solve the mystery of his own death, he's pulled progressively deeper into a world of corruption, intrigue, and danger.

"Altered Carbon" isn't perfect, but it's one of the best live-action cyberpunk shows on the market. The visuals are rich, the worldbuilding is enthralling, and there are some truly great performances to keep you engaged. And if animation is more your speed, you can check out the spin-off film "Altered Carbon: Resleeved" as well.

At face value, the gothic horror fantasy genre might not seem like it has a lot in common with cyberpunk. While the latter centers on technology and envisions where humanity might go in the future, the former is more about the supernatural and turns its eyes to the past. Despite those apparent differences, however, Netflix's "Castlevania" has a lot in common with "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners," and not just because they're both on the same platform and based on video games.

Though its world is one of vampires and swords instead of hackers and guns, "Castlevania" shares a lot of its aesthetic DNA with "Edgerunners." Both series are bloody and brutal, with a heightened focus on shock value and style in their animation. Narratively, they're also quite similar. "Castlevania" follows the trio of monster hunter Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), mage Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso), and dhampir Alucard (James Callis) in their battle against Dracula, who sets out to wipe humanity off the face of the Earth after his human wife is burned at the stake by religious leaders.

Like Night City, the 15th-century Wallachia shown in the series is a place of desperation — one where people must fight to survive and where very few can be trusted. Much of "Castlevania" is spent following the villains, so there's plenty of moral greyness as well. It's stark, stylish, and incredibly well-written. If you want a show like "Edgerunners" but a change in genre, this is the show for you.

When you think of the biggest cyberpunk franchises, you probably don't think of "Star Wars." Though it may be the most famous name in all of sci-fi, "Star Wars" falls pretty neatly into the realm of space opera. It's a story about space battles, intergalactic wizards, and family-friendly adventure, not the dark and gritty disillusionment that drives series like "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners." However, the Disney+ "Star Wars" series "Andor" flips that script from its very first scene.

Set several years before the events of the original film, "Andor" follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a rebel agent first introduced in 2016's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." While not exactly cyberpunk in its look, the show has a lot more grime and edge to it than any "Star Wars" story since the old books and video games of the '90s and early 2000s. Like "Edgerunners," "Andor" shows the effects of tyranny and corporatized rule on regular people. It's a story about the desperation that drives people to do extreme things, grounding the fantasy of "Star Wars" in a world that feels much more lived-in and mature.

Political corruption. Guerrilla warfare. Cyber espionage. These are the subjects that drive the action in "Andor." It feels distinct from the rest of the franchise, and for that reason, it doesn't even require much prior "Star Wars" familiarity to enjoy. If you watch just one "Disney+ "Star Wars" series, it should be this one.

"The Legend of Korra" isn't cyberpunk, and it's certainly less violent than "Edgerunners," but it still has a lot that fans of the Netflix show will love. The sequel series to the critically-acclaimed "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Korra" throws its predecessor's fantasy world into the future. A lot of the show focuses on how technological advancements impact life in a world where spirituality and supernatural abilities are the driving force.

Korra is the Avatar, a constantly-reincarnating being with the unique power to "bend" all four elements. But in an era with cars, airships, and mecha suits, she struggles to find her place as the world's spiritual leader. Just as "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" takes place in the dense world of Night City, "The Legend of Korra" Season 1 is set almost entirely within Republic City, an international hub of innovation and progress. Unfortunately, it's also a place seeded with political upheaval, inequality, and dangerous triads who run the streets.

While the later seasons of "Korra" move away from Republic City, the central theme of turmoil in an age of innovation remains at the forefront of the story. And if you like the visual flair and stylish action of "Edgerunners," you'll love the stunning animation from Studio Mir in "Korra." The frequent martial arts battles are a highpoint, but the story and characters are excellent as well. And while you should watch "Avatar" simply because it's so good, you don't need to have seen it to enjoy "Korra."

If you're a fan of gritty science fiction and anime, there's a good chance that you've already watched all 26 episodes of "Cowboy Bebop." After all, it's one of the most acclaimed and influential anime series of the modern era. If you haven't watched the show, however, and you liked what you saw in "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners," now's the perfect time to check it out.

It may not have all the neon trappings of traditional cyberpunk, but "Cowboy Bebop" clearly takes cues from neo-noir classics like "Blade Runner." A true space Western, the series follows the crew of the titular ship, the Bebop, made up of bounty hunter Spike Spiegel, pilot Jet Black, con woman Faye Valentine, young hacker Radical Edward, and ship dog Ein. Together, they journey through a dismal galactic future while also dealing with their complicated pasts. The universe of "Cowboy Bebop" is one where crime syndicates reign supreme, inequality among the masses is rampant, and the only person you can really trust is yourself, so it should be clear why the show is a great next watch after finishing "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners."

It's not just the world of "Cowboy Bebop" that makes it so compelling; it's the way that world is presented. The now-iconic jazz soundtrack drenches every scummy planet and dilapidated space station with sexy allure, and the Wild West inspiration is evident in every dirty saloon. "Edgerunners" may impress with its cinematic stylings, but "Cowboy Bebop" paved the way — it's one of the best anime shows of all time.

With modern technology continuing to advance at such a rapid rate, you don't need to journey that far into the future to find riveting stories of hackers and mega-corporations. "Mr. Robot" is a show that knows that well, as it explores an only-mildly-fictionalized version of the real world where battles are fought in cyberspace. The show follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cybersecurity engineer who's drafted into a cell of anarchist hackers and tasked with taking down a powerful company with vile intentions. Of course, things aren't exactly what they seem, neither with the mystery man who recruits Elliot — the eponymous "Mr. Robot" (Christian Slater) — nor with the sinister E Corp.

"Mr. Robot" may lack the aesthetic impact of the cyberpunk genre, but its story of hackers, digital secrets, and corporate control is ripped straight from the same stuff as "Edgerunners." Malek and Slater are particularly great, but the whole cast is compelling to watch, especially as the mystery of the show's cyber world begins to unveil itself. If your eyes are tired from all the neon lights of traditional cyberpunk, then the Emmy Award-winning "Mr. Robot" should be a refreshing change of pace.

Is HBO's "Westworld" cyberpunk? It's hard to say. It's sci-fi for sure — a story that deals with A.I. autonomy, the danger of corporatized power, and what it means to be human. Regardless, it's a show in which fans of "Edgerunners" will find a lot to love.

Based on the 1973 film from famed sci-fi novelist Michael Crichton, "Westworld" begins its tale with a typical theme park — a recreation of the Wild West in which rich guests can live out their darkest fantasies with a cast of humanoid androids called Hosts. If you've ever seen or read an A.I. story before, you can probably guess what happens from there. As the "Westworld" timeline moves forward, the story expands well beyond the boundaries of the park, showing more of the outside world and the larger implications of such advanced technology on humankind.

What responsibilities come with new technology? How far is too far? And where is the line between machine and human when digital consciousness develops so complexly? These are the questions at the heart of "Westworld" — questions that many great cyberpunk stories have grappled with over the years. The HBO series addresses them deftly, with a star-studded cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, and Aaron Paul. The production values are everything you'd expect from an HBO drama, and the narrative will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is arguably one of the most important films in Hollywood history. While not well-received at the time, it quickly became a cult classic and spawned countless imitators, popularizing the idea of humanoid androids and the neon-lit, smog-filled metropolises that now litter other sci-fi stories. Given how huge cyberpunk has been in the world of animation, and anime in particular, it's only fitting that we'd eventually get a proper series set in the "Blade Runner" universe. "Blade Runner: Black Lotus" is that series.

Produced by Adult Swim and anime platform Crunchyroll, "Black Lotus" takes viewers back to the cyber dystopia of replicants and crime seen in the films. While it's not quite as original as its namesake, deferring to a number of well-worn tropes, the visuals, tone, and familiarity of the show should be more than enough to keep fans entertained. The story follows a replicant named Elle who embarks on a quest for vengeance after suffering a bout of amnesia.

Whether you're a diehard fan of the original movie or just a lover of cyberpunk in general, "Blade Runner: Black Lotus" is worth a try. Any excuse to return to the world Scott crafted in 1982 is a good one, and "Black Lotus" is occasionally great.

Looking for something outside the cyberpunk genre that still has the animated appeal and bite of "Edgerunners?" You might want to give "Invincible" a try.

Based on the Image Comics series from "The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman, "Invincible" is a script-flip of the traditional comic book superhero story. Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) is the son of Omni-Man (J. K. Simmons), a Superman-esque figure from another planet, and his human wife Debbie (Sandra Oh). As Mark comes of age and begins to develop superpowers of his own, he becomes Invincible, Earth's newest protector. But as Mark soon learns, being a hero isn't all capes and parades, and the life that looked so shiny from afar reveals itself to be much more complicated.

So much of what makes "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" great is also part and parcel of "Invincible." The animation is superb, the action is brutal and jaw-dropping, and the scripts delicately balance cynicism and sincerity to create a world that feels both magical and terrifying. For those who love comic books as much as science fiction, "Invincible" is practically required viewing.

If pure cyberpunk anime is what you seek, look no further than the 2003 series "Texhnolyze." Set in the dystopic subterranean metropolis of Lux, the show tells the story of various people caught in a battle for the city's soul. As you might expect from the genre, Lux plays home to various groups all vying for power and wealth. These include rebel cells, corrupt corporate crime lords, and street rats fighting for a piece of the action. Violence is rampant but resources are scarce, leaving the regular people of the city to battle over the scraps.

At the center of the story is Ichise, a prize fighter whose career is cut short when a violent encounter leaves him missing two limbs. Thanks to the intervention of a fellow citizen conducting experiments on cybernetic augmentation, Ichise rises again as a cyborg and sets out to make his home a safer place. Of course, that puts him at odds with a number of dangerous groups, but it wouldn't be cyberpunk if the odds weren't stacked against our hero. A gritty, visceral, and unexpectedly moving anime, "Texhnolyze" is a great example of cyberpunk done right. And at just 22 episodes, it's a quick and easy watch after you finish up "Edgerunners."