Is Cyberpunk anime worth watching? Yes, absolutely.

Hey friend! If you enjoy thrilling, mature animated shows and movies with sci-fi dystopian settings, then I highly recommend giving cyberpunk anime a try.

In my opinion as an anime expert who has seen all the major series, cyberpunk anime is totally worth your time. The best new shows like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and classics like Ghost in the Shell offer stunning futuristic worlds, thought-provoking themes, compelling characters, and pulse-pounding animation sequences you won‘t find anywhere else.

Below I‘ll provide more details on why I think cyberpunk anime is so worth watching, give data on the genre‘s popularity, highlight the must-see series, and provide watching recommendations tailored specifically to your interests. Let‘s dive in!

Why you should give cyberpunk anime a chance

I know the dystopian settings and mature content of cyberpunk anime may not appeal to some anime fans. But in my opinion, the genre offers a set of compelling benefits you can‘t find in many other anime styles:

• Thrilling, violent action – Cyberpunk series deliver some of the most jaw-dropping, intense action and combat animation you‘ll see in anime. If you want fight scenes that will get your heart racing, cyberpunk is a great bet.

• Thought-provoking sci-fi – More than just style, cyberpunk explores impactful themes around technology, humanity, and society. The philosophies will stick with you.

• Relatable human stories – Underneath the neon lights, advanced tech, and action are human stories of found family, identity, and perseverance. The characters connect.

• Incredible worldbuilding – Cyberpunk creators build impressively detailed worlds with intricate lore behind megacorporations, technologies, history, and lingo.

• Visual marvels – From the iconic hand-drawn visuals of Akira to 3D CG in Edgerunners, cyberpunk anime represents the pinnacle of the medium‘s visual potential.

If you‘re open to an animated experience outside the mainstream battle shonen and slice of life genres, cyberpunk offers something exhilarating and impactful. Now let‘s look at why it‘s booming in popularity.

The cyberpunk anime boom, by the numbers

Cyberpunk has gone from niche sci-fi sub-genre to global anime phenomenon in just a few short years. Here are some key data points that quantify cyberpunk‘s amazing popularity boom:

• 8x growth in Google searches for "cyberpunk anime" in the past 5 years (trends.google.com)

• #4 Netflix debut – Cyberpunk: Edgerunners reached #4 on Netflix‘s global Top 10 lists in its launch week (flixpatrol.com)

• 50+ country charts – Edgerunners hit Netflix‘s top 10 lists in over 50 different countries (netflixjunkie.com), bringing cyberpunk anime worldwide

• 92% critics score – Edgerunners has a rare 92% critic average rating on Rotten Tomatoes (rottentomatoes.com)

• 127% game boost – Cyberpunk 2077 game sales spiked 127% following Edgerunners, showing the anime‘s impact (gamedeveloper.com)

The mainstream worldwide success of recent series demonstrates cyberpunk anime‘s surging popularity. Now let‘s spotlight some of the hit shows driving this momentum.

Must-see series in the cyberpunk anime explosion

While classics like Akira and Ghost in the Shell laid the foundation, recent cyberpunk anime smashes like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Bubble have propelled the genre to new heights. Here are the biggest hits you should add to your watchlist:

1. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)

Acclaimed studio Trigger‘s Edgerunners is the hottest new cyberpunk series, delivering thrilling animated action and a gripping original story perfect for both anime fans and gamers who played Cyberpunk 2077. Set in the vibrant Night City and following street kid David‘s rise as an implant-enhanced "edgerunner" mercenary, it‘s a must-watch rollercoaster that left fans begging for more.

2. Bubble (2022 film)

The new film Bubble may not have Edgerunners‘ polished storytelling, but its gorgeous visuals and unique dystopian Tokyo setting earned it global buzz. Wit Studio flexes their animation talents with beautiful character designs, bubbly particle effects, and imaginative backgrounds. The whimsical fantasy/sci-fi mashup is worth watching just to marvel at the visual splendor.

3. Akira (1988 film)

No list would be complete without the hugely influential 1988 Akira film, which introduced cyberpunk anime to the mainstream and inspired creators for decades. The iconic hand-drawn animation and apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo setting retain their visual impact 34+ years later. Akira is landmark sci-fi storytelling that holds up brilliantly.

4. Ghost in the Shell (1995 film)

Similarly, the 1995 Ghost in the Shell film is revered for taking a more philosophical, introspective approach to cyberpunk. It focuses on heady themes of transhumanism and self-identity through the story of a cyborg public agent. Ghost in the Shell perfectly balances cerebral ideas with stunning mature animation.

Upcoming series bringing fresh cyberpunk style

Beyond those smash hits, the cyberpunk hype train keeps rolling in 2024 and beyond with exciting upcoming anime projects on the horizon:

• Cyberpunk: Blackout (2023 film) – Made by Studio Trigger, this anime movie is set between seasons 1 and 2 of Edgerunners and focuses on new characters Python and Lucy. The brief teaser oozes style.

• Nona Grace (2024) – Anime series from Wit Studio (Bubble) about weaponized androids. Early info promises a dystopian sci-fi tale matching Bubble‘s cyberpunk style.

• Synduality (2024) – Mecha anime from A-1 Pictures set in a dystopian cyberpunk world with giant robots battling amid corporate wars. Could be this year‘s breakout mecha hit.

• Solitaire (2023 film) – An original cyberpunk anime film collaboration between top studios Anima and Studio 4°C focusing on two hackers uncovering virtual reality conspiracies. The high-concept psychological premise has serious potential.

With studios rushing to capitalize on the cyberpunk hype, the genre‘s anime future looks very bright. Next I‘ll recommend the perfect series based on your interests.

Cyberpunk anime recommendations tailored to your tastes

I know it can be daunting to pick what classic and new cyberpunk anime to watch with so many acclaimed options out there. To make it easier, here are my top recommendations based on different interests and tastes:

If you love intense, bloody action:

• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – Edgerunners delivers some of the most thrilling, fluidly animated cyberpunk action out there. The dynamic fight scenes will leave your jaw on the floor.

• Akira – Though released in 1988, Akira‘s film animation and apocalyptic action set pieces still look incredible. It set the bar for mature action anime.

If you want thought-provoking philosophy and themes:

• Ghost in the Shell (1995) – Amazing blend of exciting cyberpunk action with deeper themes of technology‘s ethical dilemmas and what constitutes humanity/identity.

• Serial Experiments Lain – More avant-garde and artsy, Lain will bend your mind with surreal horror imagery and existential questions on reality and consciousness in a connected world.

If you love gorgeous, cutting-edge animation:

• Bubble – Though flawed narratively, Bubble‘s visual splendor and inventive aesthetic make it a must-watch for anime animation fans. The backgrounds are stunning.

• Akira – The hand-drawn detail still looks incredible over 30 years later. Its fluid, realistic character movements were revelatory in 1988 anime.

If you‘re new to cyberpunk and anime overall:

• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – Despite some gore, Edgerunners is very accessible to those new to cyberpunk with minimal lore prerequisites. It‘s a great intro to the energy of the genre.

• Cowboy Bebop – This beloved 1998 space western anime contains lighter cyberpunk elements in its setting and style. It‘s a smooth anime entry point.

If you enjoy retro 80s/90s animation and style:

• Akira – Akira basically defined the cyberpunk anime style of the 80s. Its gritty neon-bathed Tokyo cityscapes are iconic.

• Bubblegum Crisis – While lesser-known, this 1987 direct-to-video anime exemplifies the punk-inspired aesthetics of 80s cyberpunk.

No matter your taste, there‘s an amazing cyberpunk anime out there for you, my friend. Edgerunners, Akira, Ghost in the Shell – these are absolute must-watches. And with so many promising new series on the horizon, it‘s a great time to dive headfirst into the incredible worlds of cyberpunk anime. Give the genre a chance, and prepare to have your mind blown!

Let me know if you want any other cyberpunk anime recommendations – I‘d be happy to provide more tailored suggestions. I‘m always down to chat anime. Enjoy the dystopian futures my friend!