Cyberpunk arose as a hard-hitting alternative to sci-fi movies that largely sugarcoated the future for us. In contrast to the utopian worlds depicted in traditional science fiction novels, cyberpunk depicts a dystopian fictitious and futuristic society in which technological progress do not always equate to improved quality of life. It delves into sci-fi concepts such as cyborgs, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.
Cyberpunk had an effect on anime, and there were several classic cyberpunk anime back in the day. The major protagonists in these stories would be social misfits who were cynical and frequently aggressive anti-heroic.
Aside from the action-packed plot, these anime also posed philosophical concerns about the feasibility of excessive reliance on technology. Where to draw the boundary between humanity and artificial intelligence was a thought-provoking question! We have 10 incredible cyberpunk anime in this video that are a must-see for all sci-fi lovers!
Parasite Dolls
Are you familiar with the Bubblegum Crisis anime series? It was about a gang of female mercenaries tasked with solving crimes involving renegade robots. In the Bubblegum Crisis world, Parasite Dolls follows a covert police team tasked with investigating crimes involving humanoid robots known as Boomers.
Officer Buzz is one of the main guys in the team, and he has a Boomer as his partner in the missions. Another officer, Michaelson comes to terms with the conflicting lines between human nature and the robotic one. In a collapsing world order, they work together to the best of their abilities to restore some balance.
Despite the fact that the tale is set in the Bubblegum Crisis universe, you do not need to have seen the anime to understand it. This OVA has a wide scope and frequently tackles mature topics such as human sexuality in the age of androids.
There are images of necrophilia and other unpleasant actions, and the graphic violence and gore are typically on the extreme side. Those seeking for a compelling plot will like the old-school, hand-drawn cyberpunk animation. The soundtrack is a kind of underground EDM, and it is just perfect for the theme of this show.
The animation is quite decent, and Parasite Dolls is just three episodes of sheer entertainment. The only thing that bugged us was that Parasite Dolls tried too hard to replicate the success of some popular cyberpunk films. But, those who have watched and loved popular hits like Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell will appreciate the efforts on this one.
CYBER CITY OEDO 808
Computerized crime is on the rise in a futuristic Japanese society, and the cyber police don’t appear to have enough personnel to manage the turmoil. As a result, they hire several hardened criminals who have committed technological crimes, three of them are our protagonists.
In the hope of reduced jail-time, they set out to work for the law. However, if they are unable to complete their assigned missions on time, an explosive collar around their neck would detonate. The race against time begins!
Despite the fact that this anime series is from the 1990s, it has an 80s vibe to it. The loud rock music contributes to the hardcore vibe, and it’s a super-cool cyberpunk action. The characters are a little over-the-top, and these prisoners are full of brash one-liners and attitude!
Sengoku, one of the inmates, is a surly and foul-mouthed guy who is a lot of fun to watch. This OVA is separated into three parts that deal with the story of each member and their mission. There are some plot holes in the first episode, but the makers soon come to terms with the storyline, and the progression of the series is very enjoyable.
Considering the times, the animation is top-notch, and at times things get violent as hell. There is never a dull moment in this cyberpunk anime, and for the best experience, we would recommend the UK dubbed version if you can get your hands on it.
Mardock Scramble
In the futuristic world of Mardock City, a prostitute called Rune is taken in by Shell Septinos, a legendary gambler. Shell, on the other hand, attempts to assassinate Rune and survives an explosion.
Dr. Easter manages to transform her into a cyborg who is trained with advanced technology to defend herself against the rogue elements. Shell repeatedly tries to kill her off so that she cannot testify against him, but this time she is more than an equal match!
An OVA anime series was announced at first, but it never materialised. However, the plot was compelling enough that an anime version was in the works within a few years. It became a successful film trilogy, but The First Compression, the first instalment, was maybe the finest.
The material of Mardock Scramble is not for the faint of heart, since it contains violent images of violence and gore. It quickly develops into a nasty vengeance narrative that will appeal to all anime enthusiasts. It deals with a compelling subject matter and makes things interesting with some deep cyberpunk questions! To make things lighter, you have the adorable glowing yellow mouse that cuddles with the protagonist.
The relationship Rune shares with this fluffy mouse is quite endearing, and you will soon find yourself caring for them. The pacing is sometimes on the slower side, but like someone wise once said, you have to wait patiently for the best!
Memories (1995)
The film Memories is an anime anthology that includes three separate short films that mostly focus on the science fiction genre. Magnetic Rose tells the storey of two engineers who are flying through space when they receive a mysterious distress call. As inexplicable hallucinations take control, they will soon have to fight for their sanity.
Stink Bomb tells the story of a lab technician who mistakenly consumes pills that turn him into a killing machine. The next story, titled Cannon Fodder, is about a fortress city known for its stock of cannons. A young boy dreams of being in charge of the artillery and defending his homeland!
Memories is an excellent illustration of the brilliance of animation that can be produced with good directing and tempo. Katsuhiro Otomo, the guy praised for the visual spectacular, Akira, wrote all three storylines.
Although not all of the storylines correspond to the genre, it is a criminally underestimated cyberpunk anime. It’s a visual treat because of the smooth and intricate animation. The well-orchestrated music, which adds appeal to the narrative, is equally enjoyable. Magnetic Rose, in particular, is one of our favorites, and the spine-chilling atmosphere in this will keep you on the edge of your seats.
It has the legendary Satoshi Kon to handle the art direction, and as expected, he does a terrific job with it. Stink Bomb is more comical in nature, while Cannon Fodder is a well-documented criticism of certain cultures and elements that are prevalent in our society. Overall, it is an enjoyable combination and a hidden-gem for the hardened anime fans out there!
The Animatrix
The Matrix universe is a fantastic realm that most of you are familiar with. The Animatrix was a collection of animated short films set in the Matrix universe that were released and grouped together as The Animatrix. As we know, the Matrix idea is full of potential, and The Animatrix reaps on the possibilities with nine intriguing stories.
The Wachowskis, the creators of the Matrix series, came up with the concept for such a project. They worked with several of the anime filmmakers who had influenced their idea, and the Wachowskis wrote four portions of The Animatrix.
The Matrix precursor stories as well as the parallel storylines were presented in this series of nine short films. It sheds some light on the back-story of the Matrix universe, including the original war between man and machines that started things off! The ideas were brilliantly interpreted, and the strong script helped the cause.
It is anime at its finest, and you will observe excellence on both imaginative and visual levels. If you have been smitten by the Matrix universe, we can bet our life that you will be engrossed in the engaging storytelling of the Animatrix!
BLACK MAGIC M-66
A pair of defective combat androids were among the delicate cargo carried by an army helicopter. These murderous robots were on the loose when the chopper crashed, and the granddaughter of its inventor became their unwitting victim.
The city becomes a battleground as the army is unleashed to reign in these deadly bots. However, the only hope for the little girl is a freelance reporter who might be the only one capable of saving her!
For most Western audiences, this anime film will appear to be a cartoon version of Terminator! The story’s inflated storylines and unexpected turns don’t always make sense, but it’s tremendously entertaining. There are several jaw-dropping battle moments with killer robots, which are among the finest sci-fi fighting scenes ever seen.
You’d be impressed by the spunky journalist, and the anime’s character growth is commendable. The plot contains certain flaws that may have been avoided. For instance, we would have liked to see some logic behind why the combat bots chose their maker’s granddaughter as their target! The only other problem is that it is a bit too short with a runtime of only 48 minutes.
You have to ignore some cheesy bits in the story, and when one of the characters makes a rather dumb choice, you do need to turn a blind eye! However, if you can sit through such minor flaws, you have a fast and action-packed anime that is perfect for some adrenaline rush!
Megalo Box
Megalo Boxing is a vicious and deadly type of boxing in which the fighters wear a metal frame to increase the lethality of their strikes. Junk Dog is a seasoned fighter, although he usually participates in pre-arranged battles with his instructor.
However, when he is challenged to fight a veteran fighter in Megalonia, a prestigious mecha boxing championship, he trains hard to improve his skills. Will it be enough to get the better of the mighty challenger?
Megalo Box is a contemporary masterwork with flawless animation, stunning design, and an unforgettable soundtrack. We were blown away by the stunning scenery and character designs in this anime series, which had its own distinct graphic style. The premise isn’t very unique, but the presentation will leave you dumbfounded.
The intriguing storey will keep you captivated from the first episode forward, and despite all of the battles, there are some sad moments as well. The vibe is comparable to the likes of Cowboy Bepop, and such old-school influences work their magic on this terrific anime series. The fight choreography is perfect, and the good work from the voice actors adds the necessary realism to the series.
We loved the character developments in particular, and the inspirational, moving storyline always had our attention. It is a must-watch for all the fans of old-school cyberpunk anime and is totally worth your time!
BLAME!
Human civilisation has progressed to the point that an ultimate net-based form has gained control of the globe. However, when the systems fail and a squad of bloodthirsty robots begins hunting them down, this futuristic society is in for a harsh awakening.
Faced with the threat of extinction, a group of survivors desperately try to stay clear of these killer bots. All hope seems to die down until they meet a strange man named Killy. Is he a chance for humanity to revive itself?
Blame is a huge sensation in the manga industry, and viewers aren’t always happy with the anime adaptation. For starters, the anime lacks the rich character development of the protagonist that is one of the manga’s strengths! We also had higher hopes for the Megastructure and the futuristic world’s portrayal.
Now that we’ve covered the drawbacks, it’s time to focus on the positive aspects, of which there are plenty! The story is pretty intriguing as you see the struggles of a race that is pushed to the brink of extinction.
You have advanced, high-quality animation work, and the character designs are spot on! This anime will capture your attention right from the opening sequence and will keep you engrossed till the action-packed final fight. Blame is regarded as the best work of Nihei, and you simply cannot afford to miss out on the anime version!
Patlabor 2
Patlabors are basically police officers that work for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and are in charge of maintaining law and order. Taking place three years after the events of the first section of the anime, this chapter picks up three years later.
New Labors are being tested, and Noa Izumi, from the first part, is in charge of these. When some suspicious events point to a militant takeover of Tokyo, the system breaks down into absolute chaos. Can they influence the arrest of those responsible and contain the situation?
Patlabor 2 will fulfil your appetite for exciting politico-military thrillers. The creative storey depicts world politics in a sardonic light, and it sometimes feels like a weird CNN broadcast! The symbolism is abundant, and the strange cityscapes will transport you to the world of Blade Runner.
Keiji Kawai’s eerie orchestral soundtrack raises the mood of this tense political thriller. The screenplay is worthy of Hollywood, and there are some intelligent dialogues that will strike a chord with mature minds. The animation quality will leave a lasting impression on your mind. The skillful direction by Mamoru Oshii leaves no stone unturned in making this a thought-provoking experience, and seldom will you come across such a smartly composed anime!
Megazone 23
Shougo Yahagi was a happy-go-lucky young man with a strong passion for motorbikes. He is surrounded by cool motorcycles, strong rock music, and J-pop idols. People are being watched by a computer programme dressed as a pop idol, but Shougo seems unconcerned by the complexity of life.
His life takes a sea change when a friend shows him the details of a top-secret project. This involves some advanced motorcycles that can be transformed into a robot, and Shougo manages to escape with the mean machine. He soon finds out that the society they live in might not be what it seemed like!
Megazone 23 may be divided into four sections, each of which is directed by a different person. There is some variation in tone and quality as a result of this, but nothing severe enough to cause you to lose interest in what you’re seeing. The plot is intriguing, and the presentation makes it much more so.
It isn’t the simplest anime to follow and will require your whole attention while watching. Even though this is one of the earliest OVAs, we loved the facial designs of the characters and the thoughtful color palette on offer. The soundtracks are marvelous, and the 80s and 90s J-pop will be heaven for your eardrums. It is one of the forgotten anime gems that will be an enriching experience even today!