CD PROJECT RED is teaming up with Studio Trigger and Netflix for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, an anime series set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077.
Due to premiere in 2022, Edgerunners is a 10-episode series about a street kid with everything to lose who decides to become an “edgerunner”—that is, an outlaw mercenary. Though it takes place in Night City, the same place as Cyberpunk 2020, Edgerunners is a standalone story with its own characters; according to director Imaishi Hiroyuki, the goal is to create something “that both Cyberpunk fans and those who are not familiar with the game can enjoy.”
Studio Trigger is best known for anime like Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia, and Promare. They’ve also done numerous collaborations with other creators across various mediums, including the (stunning) opening movie for Shantae and the Seven Sirens. For Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Imaishi is joined by assistant director Otsuka Masahiko, creative director Wakabayashi Hiromi, and character designers Yoshinari Yoh and Kaneko Yuto. The screenplay is being adapted by Otsuka and Usa Yoshiki, and Yamaoka Akira—of Silent Hill fame—is behind the soundtrack.
“I’ve always loved cyberpunk as a genre, but always found it difficult to create as an original work. This is why I’m very excited to be working with CD PROJECT RED on this project,” said Imaishi. “It won’t be easy to please both game and anime fans, but I love a challenge, and I’m looking forward to the production. We’ll do our best to meet and exceed expectations.”
CD PROJECT RED also recently shared a new trailer for Cyberpunk 2077. Titled “The Gig”, the video offers another look into the gritty, neon-drenched Night City and the beginnings of player character V’s journey into the world of cyber-enhanced mercenary outlaws.
Cyberpunk 2077 is due out November 19 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Google Stadia versions to follow. A free update will be made available at a later date to let PS4 and Xbox One players upgrade to the PS5 and Series X versions, respectively.