When Cyberpunk: Edgerunners hit screens, it became an instant cult favorite—thanks to its gritty neon aesthetic, tragic underdog story, and emotional gut punches. Blending high-stakes action with nuanced character arcs, it explores the dangerous allure of power, the price of ambition, and the fragility of human connections in a world that eats the weak alive.
While mainstream titles like Akira or Ghost in the Shell dominate discussions, many lesser-known gems tread the same thematic ground—blending unique animation styles, morally complex characters, and narratives that refuse to play by the rules. Here are 15 underrated anime series that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners fans shouldn’t miss.
1. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: Funimation, RetroCrush
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.7
- Studio: Madhouse (Death Note, Paranoia Agent)
- Awards: None, but widely acclaimed as a cult classic.
Plot: In the crumbling underground city of Lux, factions fight for control as cybernetic body modification becomes both weapon and curse. A mute fighter named Ichise is unwillingly drawn into the city’s slow descent into oblivion.
Similarities: Like Edgerunners, Texhnolyze thrives on bleak atmospheres, transhumanist themes, and a protagonist caught in forces larger than themselves—blurring the line between survival and surrender.
2. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 7.9
- Studio: Manglobe (Samurai Champloo)
Plot: In a domed city where humans and androids coexist, inspector Re-l Mayer investigates a string of murders tied to mysterious beings called “Proxies.”
Similarities: Both series weave noir detective elements with cyberpunk existentialism, focusing on identity, freedom, and the consequences of technological dependency.
3. Blame! (2017) – Movie Adaptation of Manga
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 1 movie (106 minutes)
- MAL Rating: 6.8
- Studio: Polygon Pictures
Plot: In a far-future megastructure controlled by rogue AI, a lone wanderer named Killy searches for the genetic key to humanity’s survival.
Similarities: Both share massive industrial dystopias, protagonists navigating oppressive systems, and a grim tone underscored by visual spectacle.
4. No Guns Life (2019)
- Streaming: Hulu, Funimation
- Episodes: 24 (2 seasons)
- MAL Rating: 7.0
- Studio: Madhouse
Plot: Ex-soldier Juzo Inui, whose head has been replaced with a giant revolver, works as a Resolver—taking odd jobs in a city where augmented humans face discrimination.
Similarities: Like Edgerunners, it fuses noir storytelling with cybernetic body modification and moral ambiguity, centering on flawed but likable antiheroes.
5. Gasaraki (1998)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Episodes: 25
- MAL Rating: 7.2
- Studio: Sunrise (Gundam franchise)
Plot: Combining mecha warfare with political conspiracy, a gifted pilot becomes entangled in a mysterious ritual tied to ancient forces and corporate militarism.
Similarities: Themes of corporate control, advanced combat tech, and the personal cost of power parallel Edgerunners’ critique of power structures.
6. A.I.C.O. Incarnation (2018)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.6
- Studio: Bones (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Plot: A high school girl learns she may be an artificial being, triggering a journey into a quarantined danger zone to reclaim her true self.
Similarities: Shared DNA in body-identity crises, corporate conspiracies, and emotional revelations that force the hero to question their humanity.
7. Megalo Box (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 7.8
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
Plot: In a future where boxing is enhanced with mechanical gear, an underground fighter named Joe rises from obscurity to challenge the elite.
Similarities: The underdog grit, oppressive social hierarchy, and cyber-enhanced sports give this a similar adrenaline-fueled yet tragic edge as Edgerunners.
8. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song (2021)
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 8.4
- Studio: Wit Studio (Attack on Titan S1–3)
Plot: A singing AI embarks on a century-long mission to prevent a future war between humans and machines.
Similarities: Like Edgerunners, it pairs intense action with deeply emotional storytelling, using an AI protagonist to explore human connection and sacrifice.
9. Gibiate (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 4.8
- Studio: Studio Elle
Plot: In a post-apocalyptic Japan overrun by mutant creatures, a samurai and ninja from the past join forces with survivors to find a cure.
Similarities: The desperate fight against a crumbling world and fusion of sci-fi tech with personal tragedy echo Edgerunners’ survivalist themes.
10. Speed Grapher (2005)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.3
- Studio: Gonzo
Plot: A former war photographer gains the ability to destroy anything he photographs, leading him into a conspiracy involving a secret elite society.
Similarities: A protagonist with unusual abilities, corruption of the powerful, and the blurred line between survival and morality all mirror Edgerunners.
11. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix
- Episodes: 12 + movie sequels
- MAL Rating: 7.2
- Studio: Wit Studio
Plot: In a steampunk-like world plagued by zombie-like creatures, survivors travel in armored trains, relying on hybrid warriors to protect them.
Similarities: Combines relentless action, stylish visuals, and a hero fighting against inevitable decay—resonating with Edgerunners’ sense of urgency.
12. Black Lagoon (2006)
- Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24 (2 seasons)
- MAL Rating: 8.0
- Studio: Madhouse
Plot: A Japanese businessman is kidnapped by mercenaries and becomes part of their crew, diving into the underworld of Southeast Asia.
Similarities: Criminal networks, morally gray choices, and high-stakes missions with found-family dynamics echo the Edgerunners crew.
13. C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control (2011)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 7.2
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
Plot: A broke college student is drawn into a mysterious realm where money and futures are gambled in surreal battles.
Similarities: Both explore the personal cost of chasing opportunity in corrupt systems, with surreal yet high-stakes consequences.
14. Kaiba (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 8.1
- Studio: Madhouse
Plot: In a world where memories can be transferred between bodies, a young man journeys to uncover his past in a society divided by wealth.
Similarities: Striking art style hides a heartbreaking story about identity, inequality, and love—mirroring Edgerunners’ bittersweet core.
15. Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet (2016)
- Streaming: Funimation, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 5 + movie
- MAL Rating: 7.5
- Studio: David Production (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Plot: A scavenger in a ruined city meets a malfunctioning robot girl who still dreams of showing the stars.
Similarities: Both combine apocalyptic backdrops with fragile yet profound human-AI relationships that linger long after the credits roll.
Why These Anime Work for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Fans
What made Cyberpunk: Edgerunners resonate was its willingness to embrace raw humanity beneath layers of tech, grit, and chaos. These 15 underrated titles share that DNA—whether it’s through flawed but determined protagonists, worlds shaped by the corrupt and powerful, or emotionally charged narratives that challenge genre expectations. Each one offers a fresh yet familiar hit of the adrenaline, melancholy, and moral complexity that Edgerunners fans crave.
