Netflix and CD Projekt Red Announce New Anime Set in Cyberpunk Universe

Netflix, in collaboration with CD Projekt Red, is developing a new anime set in the Cyberpunk universe, expanding the world of *Cyberpunk: Edgerunners* with a fresh storyline and new characters.
SummaryNetflix has announced a new anime project set in the Cyberpunk universe, developed in collaboration with CD Projekt Red. This comes after the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which debuted in September 2022. Although fans hoped for a sequel, the new project will not continue David’s story, as Studio Trigger has no plans for a follow-up. Instead, the anime will likely feature a new storyline with different characters. Given the success of Edgerunners, with 47.75 million hours of watch time and critical acclaim, the new series faces high expectations to maintain the quality and popularity of its predecessor.

A New Chapter in the Cyberpunk Universe: Netflix’s Latest Venture

The story surrounding Netflix’s latest announcement continues to unfold, so stay tuned for more updates as they become available. Fans of the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise have reason to celebrate as Netflix confirms the development of a new anime set within the Cyberpunk universe, marking the franchise’s return after two years. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which debuted in September 2022, left fans yearning for more, and this new project in collaboration with CD Projekt Red aims to further explore the vast Cyberpunk world.

Netflix and CD Projekt Red Team Up for a New Cyberpunk Adventure

During Netflix’s Geeked Week event, the streaming giant unveiled its latest animation endeavor in partnership with CD Projekt Red, situated in the captivating Cyberpunk universe. While specific details remain sparse, a teaser video was released on YouTube and various social media channels, hinting at “a return to Night City.”

Netflix Unveils an Expansion of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Universe

The Prospect of a Sequel: What to Expect

Despite Cyberpunk: Edgerunners being conceived as a limited series, its overwhelming popularity has inspired Netflix and CD Projekt Red to expand the universe with this new animation project. However, fans hoping for a direct sequel may be disappointed, as David’s narrative has reached its conclusion, and Studio Trigger, the original animation studio, has announced no plans for a follow-up.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' Creator Gets Manga Serialized On Shonen Jump

Instead, the forthcoming Cyberpunk anime is likely to introduce an entirely new storyline, focusing on a fresh cast of characters. The animation studio responsible for this project has not been disclosed, but fans are hopeful that it will maintain the high-quality animation that contributed to the success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

The Unavoidable Return of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Although the announcement of a new anime caught fans by surprise, the success of the original series made the franchise’s return inevitable. Netflix has been riding a wave of success with its animated projects, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was a significant breakthrough, garnering 47.75 million hours of viewing time.

The series received widespread critical acclaim, and opting for a fresh narrative with new characters, rather than a direct sequel, appears to be the wisest decision for Netflix. This approach preserves the integrity of the original series’ remarkable ending, while still allowing for new stories within the expansive Cyberpunk world. Nevertheless, the new anime faces the challenge of living up to its predecessor’s legacy, and only time will reveal if Netflix can honor the brilliance of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Source: Netflix/YouTube

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

    David Martinez (Kenichiro Ohashi) is a streetwise kid living in the slums of Night City in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. To survive, David becomes an edgerunner, also known as cyberpunk, taking on mercenary jobs outside the system. Together with a group of new and veteran edgerunners, David will shoot for the moon to escape the underbelly of the increasingly cyber-obsessed city. Unfortunately, the law isn't the only group that the edgerunners will have to contend with, as other heavily cyber-augmented humans will pose an even more significant threat. 

    Cast
    Aoi Yuki, Kenichiro Ohashi, Kenjiro Tsuda, Kazuhiko Inoue, Tomoyo Kurosawa
    Release Date
    September 13, 2022
    Franchise(s)
    Cyberpunk
    Writers
    Mike Pondsmith, Yoshiki Usa, Masahiko Otsuka