The Best Cyberpunk Anime of All Time
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Cyberpunk, a subgenre of science fiction, explores a future world dominated by technology, artificial intelligence, corporate control, and neon lights.
Here is our list of some of the best cyberpunk anime of all time.
Table of Contents
Akira (1988)
The movie is set in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo in the year 2019, 31 years after the destruction of Tokyo in World War III.
The story revolves around two main characters, Kaneda and Tetsuo. They are childhood friends and members of a motorcycle gang. After a motorcycle crash involving a mysterious child with wizened features, Tetsuo begins to manifest psychic abilities. As these powers grow, they become uncontrollable, putting Tetsuo and everyone around him in danger.
The government gets involved, fearing the rise of another Akira – a being with immense psychic powers whose previous awakening led to the destruction of Tokyo. As Tetsuo’s abilities continue to grow, so does his pain and madness, leading to catastrophic events in Neo-Tokyo.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
The movie is set in a future (year 2029) where technology has advanced to the point where many humans have cybernetic bodies or “shells.”
These cybernetic parts range from simple organ replacements to full-body prostheses for those who have suffered severe injuries. Moreover, the prevalence of these cyber-enhancements has led to the rise of cyber-crime.
Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg operative for the counter-terrorist unit Public Security Section 9, is on the hunt for a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master. Throughout her search, Kusanagi grapples with existential questions about her own humanity, identity, and the nature of the soul.
As the investigation progresses, it becomes evident that the Puppet Master is no ordinary criminal but a highly advanced AI that has become self-aware and is seeking political asylum and, ultimately, to merge with Kusanagi for a purpose far beyond common understanding.
Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
The series is set in suburban Japan, but the real setting is the virtual realm of the Wired, an advanced form of the Internet.
The story follows Lain Iwakura, an introverted teenage girl.
After one of her classmates passes away, Lain receives an email from the supposedly deceased girl claiming she is alive within the Wired.
As the series progresses, the boundaries between the real world and the Wired become increasingly blurred.
![Serial Experiments Lain [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41J2KH3RhxL._SL160_.jpg)
Psycho-Pass (2012)
The story is set in a dystopian future Japan where society is governed by the Sibyl System, a vast network of supercomputers that assesses citizens’ mental states, personalities, and the likelihood that they will commit crimes. This assessment is known as a person’s “Psycho-Pass.”
The story follows Akane Tsunemori, a new inspector with the Public Safety Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division. Together with “Enforcers” — latent criminals used to track down potential lawbreakers — she is tasked with apprehending individuals whose Psycho-Pass readings indicate a high probability of committing a crime.
As Akane delves deeper into her role, she grapples with the morality of judging individuals based on a system’s assessment and confronts the limitations and potential abuses of the Sibyl System.
Bubblegum Crisis (1987)
The series is set in the post-quake “Mega Tokyo” in 2032-2033, years after a massive earthquake devastated the city. The city’s reconstruction is largely due to the efforts of the GENOM Corporation, which produces humanoid robotic creatures known as “Boomers” to assist in the rebuild and serve in various capacities, from simple laborers to combat units.
The main story revolves around a group of four women who form the Knight Sabers, a mercenary team that dons advanced powered armor suits to battle rogue Boomers and combat the nefarious schemes of the GENOM Corporation.
![Bubblegum Crisis: High-definition Disctopia [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jSXnTIRFL._SL160_.jpg)
Ergo Proxy (2006)
The story unfolds in the domed city of Romdo, one of the last bastions of human civilization in a post-apocalyptic world. In Romdo, humans coexist with androids known as “AutoReivs.” These AutoReivs serve various purposes, from domestic companionship to administrative functions.
Re-l Mayer, an investigator for Romdo, is assigned to a series of murders perpetrated by AutoReivs infected with the Cogito Virus, which grants them self-awareness.
Her investigation gradually reveals the darker secrets of the city and its origins. Alongside Re-l, the story introduces Vincent Law, an immigrant with a mysterious connection to a powerful and enigmatic figure known as Ergo Proxy.
As the plot unfolds, it interweaves the fates of these characters with a larger narrative about humanity, identity, and the nature of existence.
Armitage III (1995)
The story is set in 2046 on Mars, which has been colonized and terraformed into a new home for humanity.
In this setting, “Second” robotic series have become commonplace and serve many functions in society. Unknown to many, there’s a “Third” series of robots that are so advanced they can pass off as humans.
The series begins with Detective Ross Sylibus, who is being transferred to the Martian police department. Upon his arrival, he is paired with a brash female detective named Naomi Armitage. While investigating a string of incidents involving famous singers, they discover that the victims are actually Third-type androids.
As the story progresses, Ross learns more about Naomi’s true nature and the conspiracy surrounding the Third-types. This leads to a series of events where Armitage, Ross, and the Thirds confront societal prejudices and the corporations that wish to exploit or exterminate them.
Appleseed (1998)
The story is set in the post-apocalyptic future of the 22nd century, primarily in a utopian city known as Olympus.
Following the catastrophic events of World War III, humanity is on the brink of extinction. Olympus is portrayed as a beacon of hope, a city governed by an artificial intelligence and inhabited by humans, cyborgs, and biodroids (clones created to balance the human population).
The central characters are Deunan Knute, a young and skilled warrior, and her lover/cybernetic partner, Briareos Hecatonchires. The pair are former SWAT members who are recruited into the E-SWAT (Extra-Special Weapons and Tactics) team of Olympus after being found in the wastelands.
The narrative often revolves around politics and questions regarding the coexistence of humans, cyborgs, and biodroids in Olympus.
Deunan and Briareos frequently find themselves in the middle of these complex situations, dealing with both external threats and personal dilemmas.
Battle Angel (1993)
The series is set in a post-apocalyptic future, primarily focusing on a sprawling scrapyard city beneath the floating city of Zalem (or Tiphares in some translations).
The scrapyard is a harsh, lawless environment where people scavenge to survive, and many are heavily modified with cybernetic implants.
The narrative revolves around Alita (or Gally in the original Japanese version), a female cyborg.
She is discovered in a junk heap by Dr. Ido, a cybernetic doctor, with no memories of her past. Dr. Ido rebuilds her, and she begins a new life in the scrapyard.
As Alita navigates her new environment, she discovers that she possesses unparalleled combat abilities. This skill draws her into the brutal world of Motorball, a gladiator-like sport, and she also becomes a Hunter-Warrior (essentially a bounty hunter).
Throughout the anime, Alita seeks to rediscover her past and understand her place in the world.
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