When the first season of Altered Carbon dropped on Netflix back in 2018, it quickly became one of my favorite cyberpunk offerings out there, especially for a television series. You just do not get a lot of options for cyberpunk television shows, despite the genre’s popularity in mediums like video games and literature. Still, the first season of Altered Carbon is a great watch, with a fun noir vibe, an intriguing mystery at its center, and all the morally questionable tech you could ask for.
The second season isn’t nearly as good, but I still found some joy in it. Anthony Mackie does his best to take over for Joel Kinnaman, but the writing never really rises up to match the effort he’s bringing. But that first season has remained one of my most-rewatched sci-fi thrillers with great pacing, and it works surprisingly well as a stand-alone story. And yet, recently, I’ve found that another cyberpunk show has sort of dethroned it when it comes to greatness, and it’s one I never would have expected.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is everything I could have ever wanted from the genre
It might even have a better story than the game
Despite all of its flaws when it came out, Cyberpunk 2077 is probably one of my most-played games in the last decade or so. There’s just something about living in the world of Night City that brings me comfort, even when the narrative is anything but that. It might be surprising then that the announcement of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners did not immediately excite me. I’m not much of an anime fan, and my immediate thought was that it was a wasted opportunity to bring another live-action cyberpunk story to the screen.
All of those preconceived complaints disappeared after watching the first episode of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. David Martinez (Zach Aguilar) is an immediately fascinating protagonist, and a sense of tragedy follows him nearly everywhere. Which is exactly what you want from a genre like this. And the animation? Breathtakingly gorgeous. I was a fool to ever wish for something live-action instead. I’ve watched Cyberpunk: Edgerunners twice now (it’s a heavy show), and it is a beautifully tragic tale that represents the best of sci-fi.
Non-anime fans will absolutely find something to love here
Seriously, don’t let that hold you back
Like I said above, I’m not a huge anime fan overall. Sure, there have been some high-concept anime that blew my mind, but overall, it’s just not something I gravitate toward. So when I say that it will still hook you if you’re not an anime fan, you can take that to the proverbial bank. Much in the same way that Arcane is completely accessible even if you’ve never played a second of League of Legends, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is designed for fans of science fiction fans, not anime genre enthusiasts.
And there’s no filler here, either. It is ten episodes of pure, devastating carnage, with interesting characters and thrilling action sequences. David’s story fuels the whole thing, yes, but there are plenty of other characters to fall in love with as well. Altered Carbon may be more fun, but Cyberpunk: Edgerunners will have you circulating through every emotion imaginable.
A great second season could cement it as one of the best sci-fi shows around
I really hope they stick the landing
While the first season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is very much a standalone experience, and for good reason, a second season was announced earlier in 2025. It, too, will be standalone, presumably focusing on a new cast of characters, and I can’t wait to dive back in. Part of me is worried that it won’t measure up to the misadventures of David as he navigates a dark underbelly of crime and injustice, but I already made the mistake of underestimating this creative team once before. It won’t happen again.
I truly believe that another season centered around Night City’s criminal element could produce something truly special. Not only will it prove that the first season wasn’t just a flash in the pan, but it’ll elevate Cyberpunk: Edgerunners into a whole new territory of acclaim. It could just turn into one of the best cyberpunk sci-fi shows around. Maybe that will eventually lead to live-action shows or films set in this world, but even if it keeps me company until a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 drops, that will be enough too.
Seriously, we need more cyberpunk media in this world
While Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is great at capturing the tragedy of the genre, and Altered Carbon is a fun little noir detective romp, we really need more cyberpunk entries. Sure, Blade Runner 2049 was absolutely brilliant and a great example of what the genre can be on the big screen, but I just wish the genre attracted a fraction of the attention from audiences that something like superhero films does. Maybe someday.
If you’re looking for other sci-fi shows to get lost in, check out 3 Body Problem on Netflix, which is one of the smartest sci-fi shows on the service.
