What is Cyberpunk?
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a Japanese animated show with a total of 10 episodes and a run time of roughly four hours. The show itself is based on an American game series called Cyberpunk, which has been around since 1988, and still has modern titles and some tie-ins with the show, but none of the information is necessary to watch the show. The Cyberpunk world is a highly capitalist and technologically advanced future where lives are cheap, and death is a casual affair. The main focus of the world and of what we get to see from this show is cyberware that can alter your body and give you different kinds of powers. Our main character, David, finds his own and joins up with the edgerunners within the show, and we get to see his story play out.
The dystopia of Cyberpunk
Another aspect of the cyberware is the constant risk of undergoing cyberpsychosis. This is a state of insanity we see in individuals throughout the show when anyone gets too much cyberware, and their bodies can no longer handle the stress. After going into cyberpsychosis, the person will start to lash out, shooting at or trying to kill anyone around them, friend or foe, till they themselves are put down. Additionally, with the highly capitalist nature of this world, it is very hard to make something out of your life, as corporations hold all of the wealth and power.
Gender discussions
There is a wide variety of gender roles on both the male and female sides. With male characters like David, Faraday, Adam Smasher, and most importantly, Maine, who is David's mentor and father figure. Then the female characters like Kiwi, Rebecca, Lucy, and Dorio. This story is mostly about David and Lucy's relationship, and we get to follow them and learn a lot about them and their gender dynamics in this story and in this new Cyberpunk world.
Overall, I would think this to be a great pick to teach in a future class, as it is concise and focuses closely on its main characters and their roles in the group and in society. This story could most likely be talked about in two to three class periods with common access to it on Netflix or other online methods.
I've never seen Cyberpunk but want to get around to watching it because I've heard good things. The setting you describe sounds very dystopian with all the futuristic elements and cyberware. The idea of corporations holding a hefty amount of power is also something we see a lot in dystopias and would offer a lot to class discussions. I'm a little curious to know more about the gender aspect specifically because you mention a relationship between David and Lucy. Overall, I enjoyed your blog. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis definitely sounds different to other dystopian content I've seen before, and I like how you explain 'cyberpsychosis'. Your use of visual media is helpful, and I think you're right that this could be interesting to discuss in class-- I've never had a class use anything anime related before.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so interesting! I am fascinated by the idea of "cyberpsychosis." While it's a literal state of being in the show, it certainly seems like this idea could apply to our own society in a way. We've become so consumed by technology that it feels as though it's sucking us in and holding us there. We're also left at an ultimate disadvantage by the 1%, leaving us deserted to resorting to those kinds of reprieves. I love how you stayed true to your own interests with this blog! (maybe I'll add this to the list, if I ever get around to watching One Piece, lol)
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