Summary
The cyberpunk genreis known for being very well-received outside of Japan. Perhaps this is because it was originally an occidental literary movement, or maybe because its philosophical approaches and inquietude about technology, transhumanism, and identity never cease to amaze and interest worldwide. Whatever the case might be, it is a fact that this genre has an amazing collection of work, and a good number of beloved shows and films, both by fans and critics.
As a result, it’s easy to see why some people would want to seek out the bestcyberpunk animethey can get their hands on. After all, the last thing fans of the genre want to deal with is the reality that they’ve missed any of the masterpieces in the genre that have done a great job of highlighting the complex themes in this genre and how people survive in an urban dystopia where technology has taken over their lives.
Updated June 26, 2025, by Oluwatokiloba Folami:What counts as cyberpunk and what doesn’t is highly debated by fans, but many fans agree that the cyberpunk genre portrays a futuristic computer-based society, a dystopian world, and an authoritarian but shady corporation, alongside antiauthoritarian protagonists that dig into the corporation’s secrets and seek to expose, stop them, or both. Thinking along these lines, many cyberpunk shows have been portrayed, but few in recent times. While they remain old but gold gems, the world has far-left shows like Texhnolyze and Serial Experiments Lain, and a new generation of cyberpunk anime has been introduced. Shows like Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Maou 2099, and Dimension W are worth trying out for their cyberpunk elements incorporated into modern themes.
22Dimension W
MAL Rating: 7.18
After countless years of human development, a higher plane bearing a fourth-dimensional axis is discovered. Known as Dimension W, this higher plane was discovered to have an infinite amount of energy that only needs to be extracted. With the development of coils, this infinite power can be extracted, and a Hegemon soon monopolizes all the coils, at least the legal ones.
The illegal coils used for illegal purposes are left to bounty hunters known as collectors to confiscate. However, after two unlikely collectors join hands to track down illegal coils, they soon discover the dark truth and mode of operation behind New Tesla Energy, the hegemon that controls all ‘legal’ coils.
Pluto
The story ofPlutowas introduced in the Fall of 2023, and it portrayed unique themes that had fans of the cyberpunk genre excited.Plutotakes place in a world whereman and machine live alongsideeach other, but the balance is threatened to be broken after a series of elite and renowned hero robots are killed.
To investigate the case and prevent uprisings from taking place, Gesicht teams up with Atom, a state-of-the-art android that resembles a little boy, and together they investigate the shady dealings typical in cyberpunk shows as they realize that the murder of retired war heroes, be they humans or machines, could lead to bigger conflicts and much more consequences.
20Maou 2099
MAL Rating: 7.30
As a fresh ongoing anime series in Winter 2024,Maou 2099features a massive cyberpunk metropolis that is combined with magic. At the center of the show is Veltol, a Demon lord who was defeated five centuries ago, and awakens only to find that his former magical world has now merged with Earth and its people’s engineering. While he’s taken aback by the Cyberpunk world he finds himself in, Veltol is still determined to conquer all.
Most of the show’s themes of cyberpunk stem from its dystopian setting and its darker themes. The show takes a unique approach by combining cyberpunk, a genre known for itshighly technologically advanced world, alongside darker and more menacing societies with magic.
Airing in the spring of 2008,Kaibais not the most recent Cyberpunk anime, but its themes of memories being bought, sold, and altered make it an interesting watch. In this show, bodies are nothing but shells that can be abandoned and regained, and the concept of immortality feels closer and more possible than ever before.
Centered around its titular protagonist,Kaibaportrays a man whowakes up without memories, a grave hole in his body, and the picture of an unknown woman. To find out who he is, and what his past entails,Kaibamust explore the various planets in one big universe and get to the bottom of how he lost his memories.
Appleseedis set in the ironically-named city of Utopia, which is populated by humans and biodroids. For what it’s worth, the city seems relatively perfect for an urban settlement in the cyberpunk genre, but it doesn’t take long for the movie to reveal the tensions that are present beneath the surface. This tantalizing premise serves as the bedrock for whatAppleseedstrives to show to the viewer.
At the center of this story is Deunan Knute, an important figure from the war who will play a key role in the events to come. Some people may argue thatAppleseedisn’t all that in-depth and takes a more superficial look at the genre, but viewers willing to ignore this legitimate criticism will love whatAppleseedbrings to the cyberpunk table.
Most people know thatAlita: Battle Angelis a manga that was adapted into a full live-action film that was a surprise hit, with many fans loving the action despite the uncanny look of the main character. However, what most people aren’t aware of is that this manga was also adapted into a 2-OVA anime that’s pretty decent in its own right.
While the truncated plot makes it harder to get invested in the series and its characters, this OVA is still a fine introduction toAlita: Battle Angel. It wouldn’t be surprising to assume that most people wouldn’t mind reading the manga or watching the movie after seeing this OVA, which is perfectly serviceable for its time.
16Cyber City Oedo 808
MAL Rating: 7.18/10
In a cyberpunk society rife with crime, the only way to catch criminals is to employ people who understand how the minds of these villains work. This makes it easy to see why the Cyber Police in this series use incarcerated criminals, promising a reduced sentence if they help out in capturing other lawbreakers in the act. This ensures that the people who walk the straight and narrow aren’t caught in the crossfire.
Of course, the Cyber Police has a contingency plan in place if these criminal helpers try to run away on the job. They’re fitted with an explosive collar that is triggered if they get too clever and try to escape. It’s a savage way to keep the forced help in check, making for a tantalizing cyberpunk premise that makesCyber City Oedo 808a fun series to get into.
15The Animatrix
MAL Rating: 7.30/10
The Matrixwas one of the most ambitious sci-fi projects of its era, with the first movie becoming an instant classic. While attempts to build up on this film’s success didn’t bear as much fruit as expected, it was clear that this universe was rich and full of many amazing stories that would be a blast to uncover. This idea led to the release ofThe Animatrix, a collection of short stories in a feature-length film with varying animation styles that are pretty engaging in their own way.
The Animatrixwas a glimpse into the vast potential left behind byThe Matrix, and it’s a shame that this void hasn’t been filled since. Still, fans ofThe Matrixwho haven’t seen this amazing animated movie yet are missing out on something special, with this compilation doing a better job of conveying whatThe Matrixis all about than the three sequels ever did.
14Mardock Scramble
MAL Rating: 7.42/10
Mardock Scrambleis a unique story that focuses on a sex worker whose life changes after meeting a person who makes her wildest dreams come true. However, in a world where no one has all their wishes come true without any strings attached, Rune Balot decides to check out the background of the casino manager who helped her achieve this dream.
This triggers a series of events that leads to Shell coldly murdering Rune, leaving her to die. Thankfully, a new program adopted by the police lets them reconstruct Rune with synthetic fiber, reviving her as a cyborg. The desire for revenge overwhelms her, and she does everything in her power to take down the casino manager who helped her rise from the ashes only to murder her once he’d gained her trust.
13Akudama Drive
MAL Rating: 7.59/10
This is another show that came out not too long ago but was able to capture the public’s attention.Akudama Driveexcelled at changing the tone with plot twists wonderfully executed for a show just 12 episodes long. It is set in a futuristic Japan that has been torn to pieces by a brutal Civil War that even left a big nuclear wasteland. Inside the authoritarian regime of Kansai, the most dangerous criminals are known as “Akudama.” A group of them got together for a mysterious job offered by an anonymous contractor that involves freeing a death row prisoner. However, the job will become much more than that.
Akudama Drivereflects influence fromthe 80s and 90s Hollywood, chiefly from films likeReservoir DogsandBlade Runner. The world-building and the use of cyberpunk themes as a cultural critique of a police state make it a fresh and satisfying work, although the characters lack some depth. It is available to watch on Hulu and Funimation in the US.
