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Edge Runners - Netflix
Watched Netflix Edge Runners and really enjoyed it. Similar series/movies out there? Never really been into anime and it just never grabbed my attention. But the stylistic approach and soundtrack for Edge Runners sucked me in somehow. TIA
If the cyberpunk ethos was part of the draw, check out Ghost in the Shell. I enjoyed the movies quite a bit, and the anime Stand Alone Complex was quite good, as well.
My guy, you're dramatically underselling Stand Alone Complex imo, it is some of the best anime made.
It’s up there on my list with Evangelion. Amazing show in general, and Arise was awesome too.
Akira would probably be the biggest one that will be mentioned. A classic anime movie.
Just the fact that it was 100% hand-drawn is mindblowing.
And the soundtrack, I can't count the times I've listened to it and it still gives me the chills in a good way.
I'm not a huge anime guy myself either. That said, check out "'Arcane' (on Netflix). It's based on the League of Legends game. I have never played the game but found the anime really well done and enjoyable. I watched it after Edge Runners which also pulled me in in basically the same way as you. I also watched the Castlevania anime which was decent.
Maybe I just like anime based on video games...
Arcane was a wonder and a work of love. They spent so damn much money on it just to make it perfect, because they knew anything less wouldn't be enough.
I just hope they give us more and manage to keep the quality up.
A few off the top of my head:
Clarification : it's an anthology collection of short movies made by prominent animator at the time. The one I remember on top of my head is Shinichiro Watanabe (of Cowboy Bebop fame) and Squaresoft (of Final Fantasy fame; probably the remnant of the Spirits Within project ?).
IMO it's hit or miss but it's more hit than miss.
World Record from The Animatrix is one of my favorite short films. So good.
The weird thing about anime is that what the show is about doesn't correlate with how much it'll grab you :D
My favourite anime of all time was about a kid learning to play Go with the help of the spirit of an ancient Go master. Doesn't sound like much but it works.
I've watched anime about baking bread, high-school tennis and the requisite list of "kid is really good at fighting and gets better through adversity" -animes like Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, Bleach etc.
If you liked Edgerunners, Trigun might work for you
The film Promare is also from Studio Trigger, the animation team that made Edgerunners.
For another cyberpunk action series, try Akudama Drive.
As much as I love anime, I always struggle to find time to watch and enjoy it. As a result, I tend to be picky about my choices. Much like you the vibe that comes with the cyberpunk genre is something I love. That being said, a few people mentioned some movies/series that I vouch for as well.
Arcane (on Netflix): a labor of love by every artist involved. I don't binge-watch things, but this was the exception. The soundtrack absolutely slaps, and the story is riveting. I say all of this as someone who had never touched League of Legends. Technically more Magi-punk that cyberpunk, but lots of crossover.
Ghost in the Shell The quintessential (at least IMO) Cyberpunk anime. Highly recommend the original movie from the 90s, as well as "Stand Alone Complex" I also enjoyed the 1 season series (SAC_2045) that was released on Netflix as well.
Animatrix It's been a while since I watched this one, so i don't remember the specifics, but I loved the art style and the themes.
Samurai Champloo Doesn't fit the cyberpunk vibe at all, but I recommend this one because you mentioned the soundtrack of Edgerunners really was a draw for you. The stark contrast of the two main characters is wonderful. The hip hop vibe carries through the whole series, and is just a fun watch.
Cowboy Bepop (the anime, not so much the Netflix live action) is similar to Samurai Champloo, except with a Jazz soundtrack.
Definitely agree. loved the anime Cowboy Bebop. Episodes don't leave you with the warm and fuzzies, but that's something to be aware of going into it.