Review of Cyberpunk Edgunner

the Anime sensation of 2022 on Netflix

Summary of the story

Cyberpunk Edgerunner is an animated series that has been a big hit on Netflix this year. Based on the Cyberpunk 2077 universe, the series follows the adventures of David Martinez, a young man who must change his life after a near-death experience in a city where technology has taken over from humans. In an attempt to cope, David becomes an Edgerunner, a criminal who uses mechanical and technological tools to enhance his performance at the risk of frying his brain. The series was appreciated for its successful design and implementation in terms of pace and depth, as well as its basic but effective storyline. If you are a fan of manga or want to learn how to draw characters professionally, taking a drawing technique course or workshop might be a good idea. Cyberpunk Edgerunner is an excellent example of what you could learn and practice in such a course.

A success for Netflix

Cyberpunk Edgerunners is a Netflix original cartoon series that was inspired by the world of manga. It explores themes such as class struggle, power hierarchy and the use of technology. The hero, David Martinez, meets several eccentric personalities who become his new family. If you want to know more about the techniques used in the creation of this cartoon series, you can attend specialised courses or workshops or go to a drawing workshop where you can discover all the secrets of creating manga. However, it should be noted that this series can be shocking because of its violence and sexuality, and some of its themes can be treated in a rather banal way without taking any real risks.

This new Netflix manga series, Edgerunner, has been compared to Arcane, one of the platform's top hits. However, while Edgerunner's storyline is engaging, it could be more in-depth and the artwork and animation are not as good. Despite this, Edgerunner is still a good adaptation of a video game universe into a new story. According to some, a type of animation similar to Demon Slayer would have allowed the series to stand out more and become a reference of the genre. The series lasts only 10 episodes, making it a short-lived entertainment, but it has great narrative and visual potential and could continue for several more seasons.

How to learn to draw in the Edgerunner cyberpunk genre

To learn how to draw in the Cyberpunk Edgerunner genre, you can attend drawing courses or workshops specialising in manga or anime. You can also go to a drawing workshop that offers drawing courses in the Cyberpunk Edgerunner genre or any other manga genre. In these courses or workshops, you can learn the basic drawing techniques, as well as the specific tricks to create Cyberpunk Edgerunner-like characters and settings. You can also learn how to use drawing tools and animation software to improve your work. By taking these courses or workshops, you can improve your drawing skills and become a true artist in the Cyberpunk Edgerunner genre.

What about the animation of Cyberpunk Edgerunner?

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an animated series inspired by the manga genre, which was created with great attention to detail in illustration and animation technique. The studio Trigger, headed by the famous Hiroyuki Imaishi, who is considered an animation genius thanks to his iconic productions such as Neon Genesis Evangelion and Gurren Lagann, directed this project. Imaishi's visual genre is known for its dynamism and use of bright colours, but some of the animation sequences are a little dated and uneven. Despite this, the visual world of the series is rich and the colours are used harmoniously. If you are interested in animation and drawing, taking an internship or a course with an experienced teacher from our school could be an excellent opportunity to improve your skills and develop your own style.

An exceptional soundtrack

The soundtrack of Cyberpunk Edgerunner, typical of the world of Manga illustration, is energetic and has harsh sounds that reflect the brutality and coldness of the cyberpunk world. The music is in harmony with the general atmosphere of the story and helps to mark certain sequences in a memorable way. The soundtrack is a key element in the experience of watching the story and contributes to the immersion in the course of the plot.

Excellent financial results

CD Projekt's strong financial results in the last quarter were largely linked to the dramatic increase in sales of Cyberpunk 2077, with the manga-like artwork used in the animated series also certainly contributing to its success. The popularity of the Edgerunners animated series, which reached the top 10 of Netflix's top shows in 19 countries, contributed to this increase. The techniques used to create the manga-like anime series certainly played a role in its success. Satoru Honma, Country Manager for Japan at CD Projekt, has indicated that he would like to continue working with Japanese studios to produce more anime in the future, due to the good reception Edgerunners has received. In any case, these good financial results show that CD Projekt is on the right track to continue to grow and succeed in the ever-changing animation market.

Is a second season of Cyberpunk Edgrunner planned?

CD Projekt, the Polish studio behind Cyberpunk 2077, recently announced that more transmedia projects are being planned following the success of the animated series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners on Netflix. While nothing specific has been confirmed yet for a second season of Edgerunners, the studio has stated that it has an appetite to do more projects in linear animation or live action, such as manga or productions using cutting-edge techniques. When CD Projekt is ready, there will be more announcements about this.

Manga illustration classes at the Apolline school

Manga drawing courses have been very successful and the release of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners series on Netflix has only strengthened this. Many students are inspired by the series' visuals and want to learn how to draw their own characters professionally. The school's expert teachers teach students the basic techniques of manga drawing and the principles of visual storytelling to create dynamic and immersive stories. Young students are excited about the creative possibilities of this art form and are eager to apply their new skills to their own comic book projects in our various courses, workshops and internships.

How to become a Manga drawing pro, a Mangaka?

Here are some steps you can take to become a pro at drawing manga:

Learn the basics of drawing: It is important to master the basics of drawing, such as perspective, proportion and shape construction, before you start drawing manga. You can sign up for drawing classes or use online resources to help you learn these basic skills.
Study the manga genre, take classes: manga is characterised by its sharp lines, exaggerated eyes and dramatic facial expressions. To learn how to draw in this way, look at examples of manga and study how the authors use these stylistic elements. You can also try to reproduce the drawings of your favourite manga to familiarise yourself with the genre.
Create your own world: Once you have mastered the basics of manga drawing and understand the style, start developing your own world of characters and stories. Let your imagination run wild and be creative in designing your characters and their characteristics.
Practice, practice, practice: as with any skill, practice is the key to becoming a pro at drawing manga. Make time to draw every day and work on different projects to improve your skills. Drawing classes can be a great help
Get feedback and criticism: to improve your work, it is important to get feedback and criticism from people with experience in the field. You can ask friends, teachers or professionals or your fellow students to give feedback on your work and to give you advice on how to improve your skills.