10 More Action-Packed Shows To Watch!
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a fantastic show with a charming cast and fun action bits. It’s based on the sci-fi first-person shooter game Cyberpunk 2077 and gave fans a new perspective on its world. While the anime didn’t flesh out most of its cast, it left fans with some traumatic and heartwarming scenarios that still resonate with them today. With the well-acclaimed anime studio, Studio Trigger, at the helm of its animation, this is a sci-fi anime you don’t want to miss.
Fear not if you’re having trouble finding anime similar to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners! We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
Additionally, for each anime we’ve reviewed, we’ve included a link that allows you to view our full thoughts about the series to see if it’s worth your time.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet your appetite when you’ve finished streaming Cyberpunk: Edgerunners!
Megalo Box
Similarities – Action & Characters
Megalo Box is an intruiging anime that merges sci-fi with boxing. It has a gritty art style and epic fights. Its protagonist Junk Dog comes from a similar background as David. Both characters are outcasts who aspire to be something great in life. Society never treated them right, resulting in them taking an initiative to further their progress.
Megalo Box features a world where underground fight rings are the norm. Fans find entertainment in the event of the same name. This event has people fighting each other using mechanical limbs called Gear. Unlike the others, Junk Dog chooses to fight people the old-fashioned way but gets his butt-kicked numerous times.
Joe’s passion for fighting reignites when he meets the Megalo Box champion, Yuri. Junk Dog takes on the alias Gearless Joe and plans to become the world’s greatest Megalo Boxer ever. With its jazzy soundtrack and encouraging dialogue, this boxing anime isn’t one you should skimp out on.
Devilman Crybaby
Similarities – Extreme Violence & Characters
Devilman Crybaby helped put Netflix on the map for anime fans. It offers a captivating story, a well-rounded cast, and a gruesome world full of explicit imagery and gore. While its art style may put people off, it does an excellent job of establishing the tone the series maintains from beginning to end.
Like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Devilman Crybaby carries a melancholic tone. Its protagonist Akira traverses a similar path to David. He adopts a power that allows him to compete against foes stronger than himself. This power feels more demonic than what David acquires in his show, but gives Akira formidable strength and alters his personality drastically.
This series features an astonishing line-up of side characters. The side characters receive some adequate development time and have personalities that’ll resonate with a larger audience. It’s important to keep in mind that this show doesn’t hold back on showcasing nudity and sexual scenery. If you’re okay with its gratuitous content, you’re in for a treat with this one.
You can read our thoughts on Devilman Crybaby in our full-season review here!
Akame Ga Kill
Similarities – Characters & Action
Akame Ga Kill is a violent anime that follows a group of assassins. Each character has a memorable personality and ability that helps them stand apart. The show offers some slice-of-life elements and lighthearted comedy. The show isn’t as raunchy as Cyberpunk: Edgerunners but there are bits of fanservice.
The fights contain epic animation and satisfying conclusions. Like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the side characters don’t receive too much screen time, making it challenging to form a strong attachment with them. Some characters that make it out fine, in the end, don’t receive much development either and feel one note.
That said, Akame Ga Kill’s bouts and visuals should hold your attention. If you’re okay with a show that has ounces of emotional scenery, epic clashes, and fun characters, check this out.
Ghost In The Shell (1995)
Similarities – Futuristic Setting & Action
This movie went on to influence a generation of creators. It contains solid animation, a gripping narrative, and an excellent cast of well-rounded characters. While this anime offers some stellar choreography and gun fights, many adore it for its thought-provoking elements. It delivers solid concepts revolving around human ideology and existence.
The anime’s well-paced, allowing viewers to take in the information with ease. It drip-feeds its intel and philosophies gradually, making it easy to digest the dialogue being shared from its cast. Despite being a film from the late 90s’, this one holds up extremely well. Cyberpunk: Edgerunner fans will adore this movie’s futuristic setting.
The characters’ designs blend in well, allowing them to feel lively and authentic. With a stellar mystery and occasional twists, Ghost in the Shell (1995) is a must-watch for those who adored the lore shared in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
Psycho-Pass
Similarities – Setting, Action, Tone
Psycho-Pass is another incredible series with excellent commentary on the dangers of technology. Its world is run under the Sibyl System, a structure that can pinpoint the likelihood of someone committing a heinous crime. Akane is a young woman with a desire to uphold the law and serves as the show’s protagonist.
When Akane uncovers the system’s possible shortcomings, she vows to prove to the world its potential dangers. Like David’s endeavors, Akane’s quest won’t be simple. She’ll encounter many obstacles and enemies aiming to protect the Sibyl System from danger. This anime contains solid twists and features tense moments that’ll get under your skin.
Its action scenes are on par with what you’d find in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Psycho-Pass isn’t as raunchy as Edgerunners though. However, the show offers some compelling mysteries worth pondering. If you’re looking for a cybernetic-themed show that tackles themes regarding justice and corruptive governments, check this one out.
Cowboy Bebop
Similarities – Setting & Adventure
Cowboy Bebop is an incredible sci-fi series. It has well-written characters who get into all types of mischief. Like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Cowboy Bebop contains exhilarating action scenes, mature themes, and a jazzy soundtrack. The action scenes contain superb choreography and will get your heart pumping.
The show doesn’t contain any disturbing imagery or gruesome visuals like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The show’s cast has more depth and the show drip-feeds more information about them as it progresses. There are several slice-of-life moments sprinkled in this show to make makes things feel more relaxing and refreshing.
With a great atmosphere and incredible setting, Cowboy Bebop’s a must-watch.
Akira
Similarities – Setting & Action
Akira is a highly praised spectacle for the human eye. It influenced many directors, creators, and theater-goers with its sharp visuals, entertaining action scenes, and futuristic world. Unfortunately, the anime doesn’t explore its cast as heavily as its manga counterpart. However, the screen time they’re given in the anime is enough to appease most audiences.
On that note, Akira contains disturbing visuals of death and body horror. Like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, your mind will melt at the gruesome sights inserted in it. The show’s protagonist displays similar emotions that David does in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. To some extent, both characters are a part of gangs and handle missions around that career.
If you’re looking for an epic thrill ride with beautiful and gory visuals, check out Akira.
FLCL
Similarities – Animation & Action
FLCL is a wacky adventure series with a nonsensical plot. The story takes many turns that will boggle many people’s minds allowing them to form different interpretations and experiences. Like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, this show harbors excellent visuals, excellent camera techniques, and beautiful animation.
This series plays with its sci-fi theme a lot. Many cast members will endure situations involving fighting robots and saving the world from impending doom. Both protagonists dream of a better life for themselves and have their lives changed by a mysterious female. These anime dabble into romance, but Cyberpunk: Edgerunners leans into its moreso than FLCL.
That said, FLCL offers funnier humor. If you’re looking for a show with a zany atmosphere, check this out.
Black Lagoon
Similarities – Themes, Characters, Action
Black Lagoon is another anime revolving around gangs, crime, and action. It harbors a fun narrative, epic gun battles, and well-rounded characters. In it, we follow Rokurou, a salaryman who gets captured by a pirate syndicate called the Lagoon Company. His managers refuse to pay for Rokurou’s safe return, forcing him to join his captors on crazy crime sprees and fights with other syndicates.
Like David, Rokurou will join a unit of criminals who aren’t as evil as you think. He’ll be partnered up with a mysterious female with a dark past. The female in question’s named Revy and she has a more bombastic attitude and rowdy personality than Lucy. Both girls have excellent skills compared to their male partners.
Fans will adore seeing Rokurou and Revy’s partnership grow over time. Furthermore, Black Lagoon gives its viewers a taste of what it’s like to be a criminal on the run. If you’re looking for another rowdy group of well-trained individuals to follow, check out Black Lagoon.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Similarities – Art Style, Action, Setting
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (Gurren Lagann) is a stylized sci-fi anime. It contains breathtaking animation, incredible characters, and contains great humor from slapstick to jokes. It doesn’t feature as much mature imagery as Cyberpunk: Edgerunners though. However, the anime does feature some romantic tension between specific cast members that’s hard to ignore.
Our story centers around two boys named Kamina and Simon. They stumble upon a robot called Lagann while traversing their underground home. They fix the machine and use it to reach the surface world. This world’s run by an evil tyrant named Lord Genome. After meeting a girl named Yoko, Kamina and Simon vow to defeat Genome and his minions to bring peace to the surface world.
This anime contains excellent robot and human fights. Many of its main players receive excellent development and depth. It’s hard to come by characters who aren’t appealing. Viewers will appreciate the show’s downer moments as this pushes our characters forward in their lives. If you’re looking for a sci-fi anime with great depth, check out Gurren Lagann.
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
Loved the show. With stunning animation, a thrilling plot, and a pulsating soundtrack, it’s a must-watch for cyberpunk enthusiasts. The characters’ depth and captivating interactions add an authentic touch. Pretty sad with the character’s death tho.