After much hype and little performance, the failure of the game Cyberpunk 2077 might be the first thing that comes to mind when people associate the word cyberpunk. However, the history of the movement goes far beyond a game that didn't succeed. And manga and anime are part of that history. Therefore, in this article we will talk a little about what cyberpunk is and which anime best represent the subgenre.
What is cyberpunk?
First, it's necessary to define what cyberpunk actually is. Although some claim that Frankenstein is the first cyberpunk work, the term was only first used in 1983, in a short story by the writer Bruce Bethke. The word is a combination 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, cyberpunk works depict a technological future where humans and machines practically merge. Furthermore, the stories are usually set in metropolises controlled by large corporations. Meanwhile, many live in poverty and marginalization. Thus, social issues are discussed within a high-techthat 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 had its heyday, the movement still serves as inspiration today. But the greatest works are still the oldest ones.
The best cyberpunk anime
Japanese pop culture has many great names that represent 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, that is 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. Even though it is relatively old, the work is so relevant that the manga is still sold in Brazil today. In 2017, the publisher JBC began publishing Akira, complete in 6 volumes.
In 1988, Akira received a feature-length anime film adaptation, also directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Many attribute the boom anime Kaneda and Tetsuo, almost 40 years after World War III. One day, Tetsuo accidentally runs over a mysterious child. Following this event, the boy gains strange powers. Government agents then capture Tetsuo and take him to a secret location where they conduct experiments on supernatural children.
The plot about the government's experiments with children with telekinetic powers is reminiscent of Stranger Things. The character Eleven resembles Tetsuo in many ways, and the team responsible for the series certainly based it on Akira. Even rapper Kanye West has declared himself a fan of the anime. The music video for "Stronger" is heavily inspired by the film and features several visual references. For example, the motorcycles used by Kaneda and Tetsuo's gang are also in the video.
The technology discussed in cyberpunk 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 their vibrant nightlife and neon signs, are common to almost all cyberpunk works, and Akira is no different. 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 always present in discussions about cyberpunk anime is Ghost in the Shell. Like Akira, Ghost in the Shell also began as a manga 's work Masamune Shirow 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 didn't appear in the previous manga. Masamune Shirow also wrote and illustrated both works.
The anime was released in 1995 as a film. It was directed by Mamoru Oshii, one of the biggest names in animated cinema. The film was a success and is, for many, one of the greatest anime 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 crimes of the Puppet Master. The villain is a hacker responsible for various cybercrimes. Besides plenty of action, the film also raises philosophical and existential 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 works well with this. It is no coincidence that the work has inspired many other works, such as Matrix. In addition, this success has 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 the list, Serial Experiments Lain is – pardon the pun – the most experimental work mentioned here. This is because the narrative doesn't follow a very clear cause-and-effect order, and it uses many unusual resources. In this sense, the story is told as a kind of puzzle to be assembled by the audience. However, those who enjoy complex and experimental narratives will not be disappointed.
In general, the anime tells the story of Lain. After the death of one of her classmates, Lain receives an email from that same girl. She says that, in fact, she didn't die, but is in 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 also dealing with hackers and the mysteries of the Wired.
Like Ghost in the Shell, Serial Experiments Lain also deals with philosophical and existential questions. Lain becomes so involved with the Wired that it becomes impossible to distinguish what is real and what is virtual. And this happens not only with the character, but also with the narrative, which does not separate reality and virtuality. Furthermore, Lain goes through an identity conflict, since her persona Wired
Despite being an anime from 1998, the discussions in Serial Experiments Lain remain very relevant today. With technology present in practically 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 profiles, photos, and comments on the internet really represent who we are in reality?
The anime can be watched on Funimation.