After much hype and poor performance, the failure of Cyberpunk 2077 might be the first thing someone associates with the word cyberpunk. However, the history of the movement goes far beyond a failed game manga and anime are part of that story. Therefore, in this article, we'll discuss what cyberpunk is and which anime best represent the subgenre .
What is cyberpunk?
First, it's important to understand what cyberpunk actually is. Although some claim that Frankenstein is the first cyberpunk work, the term was only used for the first time in 1983, in a short story by writer Bruce Bethke. The word is a portmanteau of "cyber," which alludes to technology, and "punk," which refers to the rebelliousness and aggressiveness of the punk movement.
Some consider cyberpunk a subgenre of science fiction, but its strength suggests it may be more than that. Generally speaking, cyberpunk works depict a technological future in which humans and machines practically merge . Furthermore, the stories are often set in metropolises controlled by large corporations. Meanwhile, many live in poverty and marginalization. Thus, social issues are discussed within a high-tech , which attempts to predict the possible consequences of technological development for humanity .
Cyberpunk can be seen in film, television, music, games , fashion, and, of course, anime and manga. Although it has already reached its peak, the movement still serves as inspiration today. However, the greatest works are still the oldest.
The best cyberpunk anime
Japanese pop culture has a wealth of notable names representing the movement. In one way or another, they all embody cyberpunk characteristics. In this context, several of these works have inspired—and continue to inspire—many artists, directors, and screenwriters. But perhaps we can say that, among cyberpunk anime, the most acclaimed and influential is Akira . Therefore, it's the first name on our list:
1. Akira
Although the film is more popular, Akira began as a manga by Katsuhiro Otomo . The seinen magazine Young Magazine published the title between 1982 and 1990. Although relatively old, the work is so relevant that the manga is still sold in Brazil today. In 2017, JBC began publishing Akira, a complete six-volume series.
In 1988, Akira was made into a feature-length anime film, also directed by Katsuhiro Otomo . Many attribute Akira's success to the boom in the West. The film follows a biker gang, including Kaneda and Tetsuo , nearly 40 years after World War III. One day, Tetsuo runs over a mysterious child. After this event, the boy gains strange powers. Government agents capture Tetsuo and take him to a secret location, where they conduct experiments on supernatural children.
The plot about government experiments on children with telekinetic powers even reminds us of Stranger Things. The character Eleven resembles Tetsuo in many ways, and the team behind the series certainly drew inspiration from Akira. Even rapper Kanye West has declared himself a fan of the anime. The music video for the song "Stronger" is heavily inspired by the film and features several visual references. For example, we have the motorcycles used by Kaneda and Tetsuo's gang, which are also featured in the video.
The technology cyberpunk speaks to is present in Akira, as is the representation of marginality . But visually, it's also possible to identify characteristics of the movement. Large metropolises, with bustling nightlife and neon signs, are common to almost all cyberpunk works, and Akira is no exception. However, this backdrop serves to address even deeper issues , present throughout the film.
The anime is on Netflix .
2. Ghost in the Shell
Another name that's always present in discussions about cyberpunk anime is Ghost in the Shell. Like Akira, Ghost in the Shell also began as a Young Magazine manga Masamune Shirow 's work between 1989 and 1991. However, unlike Akira, Ghost in the Shell spawned two other manga series. Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface serves as a continuation of the original series, while Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human Error Processor features stories that weren't included in the previous manga. Masamune Shirow also wrote and illustrated both works.
The anime was released in 1995 as a film. Directed by Mamoru Oshii , one of the biggest names in animation, the film was a success and is, for many, one of the greatest animes in pop culture. Therefore, it couldn't be left out of this list.
The anime tells the story of Major Motoko Kusanagi. Motoko is an extremely skilled cyborg tasked with solving the Puppet Master's crimes. The villain is a hacker responsible for numerous cybercrimes. Besides the action, the film also poses philosophical and existentialist questions. After all, how human can a robot be? And how robotic can a human be?
The boundaries—or lack thereof—between humans and machines are, in fact, one of the main points of cyberpunk, and the anime plays with this well. It's no wonder the series inspired many other works , such as The Matrix. Furthermore, its success led to the production of several other anime films and series. The latest release was Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 , whose second season will premiere on Netflix next Monday (23).
The 1995 film is also available on Netflix , while the manga is published in Brazil by JBC .
3. Serial Experiments Lain
The only anime series on this list, Serial Experiments Lain is—pardon the pun—the most experimental of the works mentioned here. This is because the narrative doesn't follow a clear order of cause and effect, and it also uses many unusual devices. In this sense, the story is told as a kind of puzzle for the audience to piece together. However, those who enjoy complex and experimental narratives won't be disappointed.
Broadly speaking, the anime tells the story of Lain. After the death of one of her classmates, Lain receives an email from that same girl. She tells her that she's not actually dead, but is on the Wired, a virtual network very similar to the internet . As she learns more about this network, Lain begins to unravel the secrets of Tachibana Labs, a large technology corporation. Lain does all this while still dealing with hackers and the mysteries of the Wired.
Like Ghost in the Shell, Serial Experiments Lain also explores philosophical and existential questions . Lain becomes so entangled in the Wired that it becomes impossible to distinguish what is real and what is virtual . This doesn't just happen to the character, but also to the narrative, which doesn't separate reality from virtuality. Furthermore, Lain experiences an identity conflict , as her persona is completely different from who she is outside of the network.
Despite being a 1998 anime, the themes of Serial Experiments Lain remain very relevant today . With technology present in virtually everything around us, it's also difficult to distinguish where the real world ends and the virtual world begins. And we can still reflect: do our online profiles, photos, and comments truly represent who we really are?
The anime can be seen on Funimation .
