ANIME REVIEW: CYBERPUNK -EDGERUNNERS

4/5

Edge Of Glory.

10 Episodes. Starring: Kenn, Aoi Yūki, Hiroki Tōchi, Michiko Kaiden, Takako Honda, Wataru Takagi & Tomoyo Kurosawa. Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi. 

Running through dripping neon like city time lapses, 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' rides with 'Akira' inspirations and blades from 2049. But this is 2077 (almost) for the 2022 video game adapted anime, hot off the heels of Tekken's 'Bloodline' and the CGI of the second season of 'Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045' (you can see some skyscraper, staring into the city abyss, descent inspiration here). As Netflix makes anime big business (they've just gone 'Entergalactic' with 'Man On The Moon' Kid Cudi for the rapper's new animated verse). And why not, in this 'Bubble' year, 'Drifting Away'? Anime is an actual art form. Just like the video game world. 'Cyberpunk' has already given us a lifelike Keanu Reeves and now (although he's not here), they give us a top ten series that jumps off the pages of a graphic novel. WOAH! 

Jarring your senses, this Polish-Japanese cyberpunk anime web series from Studio Trigger's Hiroyuki Imaishi, with its finger on the button, doesn't let up. And that's a good thing. Bringing to life the elements of the cyberpunk genre itself that totally recalls amazing artwork you've pinned and purchased in a hope that one day you'd walk these rain and sleaze soaked streets until you saw a billboard beacon in big city blinding lights. Set in Mike Pondsmith's universe with CD Projekt Red, 'Runners' will catch your eyes like the scrambling Shibuya skyline from the moment its bright yellow title cards appear, backed by 'This Fire' of Franz Ferdinand of all bands for a stellar soundtrack (just check the compelling closing credits of Dawid Podsiadło's 'Let You Down' that won't have you pressing 'Next Episode'...yet). Fluorescent like the jacket of our lead character, looking like he's working construction in this epic world-building in New City. 

KENN is so big in Japan, the singer and 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' voice actor only needs one name, like Beyoncé. And he leads a cast of Rafal Jaki characters featuring Aoi Yūki, Hiroki Tōchi, Michiko Kaiden, Takako Honda, Wataru Takagi and Tomoyo Kurosawa. 'Elysium' hardwired with enough metal for a Major fight as Japanese highways romanticized by Murakami set the stage for some incredible set-pieces. Running in his own Bullet-Time that sees him flash before your eyes. But it's the 'My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected' of 'Fire Force' Aoi Yūki's love of Lucy, in the sky with more than diamonds that really netruns and steals the show. A Scarlet Johansson wig rivalling new anime icon that won't be lost in translation in a cool cast of characters that take cues from everyone from 'Ghost In The Shell's' Batou, to Harley Quinn. 

Corruption and crime bleed through this cybernetic dystopia like puddles of neon. But still, there is hope that illuminates. All composed creatively by Akira Yamaoka for this anime running for 'Akira' acclaim with a soundtrack as sonic as a SEGA hedgehog in Akihabara. Sure, you can't keep up with that red moped, but this cold play is all yellow now. Taking you out like Franz Ferdinand to a brave new world you previously had control of, first-person. I really want to stay at this house, like Rosa Walton's oft-used, sought-after song, and we sure hope a second series is in booted-up season. The wild ride runners in this mod dream of flying to the moon, like Sinatra. But stealing away and playing amongst the city streets makes this 'Cyberpunk' a star. Do you feel lucky? TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Running: 'Entergalactic', 'Tekken: Bloodline', 'Ghost In The Shell: SAC_2045'.