Enter a darker, more intense world of *Edge*.
On September 30, an advance screening of the first episode of “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2” (hereinafter “Edgerunners 2”) was held. This series delves even deeper into the cruelty of Night City than its predecessor, “Edgerunners.”
In this article, we’ll share the unique charms of Night City as seen in *Edge Runners 2* without any spoilers, while also covering the on-stage greetings that took place after the screening, featuring director Kai Igarashi, screenwriter Masahiko Otsuka,Momoka Terasawa (playing Roman), Kentaro Tone (playing Week), and producer Satoru Honma (CDPR) that took place after the screening.
A “Dry” and “Wet” Tone Different from the Prequel
In Episode 1 of *Edge Runners 2*, I definitely felt a strong difference from the previous series. Many readers may have already sensed this from the teaser trailer and the changes in the key staff, but the impression I had immediately after watching Episode 1 was one of “dryness.”
In the previous series, *Edgerunners*, I feel the drama—which I’d describe as “wet”—emphasized the emotions and humanity of characters like David, Lucy, and Rebecca, contrasting them with the cruelty of Night City.
Of course, the characters’ stories continue to unfold in Episode 1 of *Edgerunners 2*, but what’s emphasized even more is the parched, ruthless, and cruel nature of Night City itself.The characters, who are tossed about by Night City—a city that runs on gold, chrome, and human blood—without even understanding why, are depicted through the lens of the protagonist, Roman’s, camera. What will be taken from them by Night City, and what will they leave behind? My anticipation is already building.
Conversely, another notable feature is that the gore is depicted with greater detail and a more visceral, “wet” quality.The gore in the previous installment was more exhilarating and pop-style, similar to what Director Imaishi had previously depicted in works like *Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt*. In comparison, the gore in *Edge Runners 2* retains the exhilaration of the action while being more grotesque and grim.
Personally, I was deeply struck not only by the visual grimness but also by the heart-wrenching performances of the voice cast. Their portrayal of screams—whether in terror or madness—effectively conveys the sheer horror of the situation, and for some viewers, this may be even more distressing than the visuals themselves.
Furthermore, the action sequences directed by Director Kai Igarashi represent another point of difference from the previous installment. In the first film, the action scenes were characterized by Director Imaishi’s flamboyant visual style, meticulously brought to life through the impeccably precise line art of Chief Animation Director Akira Yoshinari.
The action sequences in *Edge Runners 2* are more aggressive—one might even call them experimental. There are scenes with more freeze frames and high-contrast, crisp visuals than in the previous installment, making them look incredibly cool at first glance. I felt that, even among anime released in 2026, this series stands out as something quite unique.
As a side note, the characters’ “cuteness” is another appealing aspect.Of course, the four main characters depicted in the teaser visuals possess an exquisite sense of humanity, but the supporting characters are also brought to life with charming direction. One supporting character who personally left a strong impression on me was “Jesse,” the BD editor who was announced recently. I can’t go into detail to avoid spoilers, but she might be a character that particularly resonates with some fans.
A Stage Greeting Offering a Glimpse Behind the Scenes
During the stage greeting, producer Satoru Honma—who returned from the previous installment—delved deep into the behind-the-scenes story of *Edge Runners 2* with director Kai Igarashi and three other panelists.
According to Mr. Honma, there were initially no plans for a sequel to *Edge Runners* at all.He explained that planning began just before the previous film was released. Director Igarashi, who was chosen for the project, recalled the moment: “When I heard about it from Mr. Imaishi [Hiroyuki Imaishi, director of the previous film], I was completely caught off guard.”
Additionally, according to Mr. Honma, the decision to hire guitarist Tsuneo Imahori to compose the soundtrack for this film was made because “Director Igarashi really pushed for it.” The soundtrack already exudes a unique emotional atmosphere as early as the first episode, so the musical direction is definitely worth paying attention to.
According to screenwriter Masahiko Otsuka, CDPR requested that the series be “an ensemble drama like *Pulp Fiction* or *Léon*.” “It was more difficult than conventional anime works, but at the same time, it was a challenge worth taking on,” he reflected.
Momoka Terasawa, who plays Roman, candidly expressed her feelings toward the character, saying, “Please, don’t die!” She sent words of encouragement to Roman, who is trying to survive as a child in the unforgiving city of Night City.
Kentaro Tone, who plays Week, revealed that he actually played *Cyberpunk 2077* before recording. While noting just how dangerous Night City is, he seemed nervous about portraying Week, a character whose cyberpsycho-like traits were already evident in the trailer.
He also commented on the atmosphere on set. “It was a serious story, which is exactly why the voice recording was so intimidating,” he reflected, adding with a laugh, “I can’t tell if Koki Uchiyama (who plays D) is really in character or just being himself (laughs).”
Finally, the four panelists shared their thoughts. Terazawa remarked, “Playing the lead role was incredibly stressful,” but added, “Now that I’ve finished filming, I’m filled with a sense of exhilaration. I can’t wait to immerse myself in the world of *Edge Runner*.”
Tone praised Terazawa, saying, “His performance was truly amazing,” and added, “I’m still really into *Cyberpunk 2077*, so I think I might try using some of the weapons that appeared in the drama,” showing he’s eager to return to Night City.
Mr. Otsuka remarked with a laugh, “Episode 1 is just the very tip of the iceberg—isn’t it a bit cruel to show us only this much?” He then stoked fans’ anticipation by adding, “Compared to the previous installment, the staff is younger, and in response to that, the drama’s intensity keeps rising.”
Finally, Director Igarashi commented, “Although this is my directorial debut, I believe it’s truly precious to be able to release this work right now, in this era—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” We can’t wait to see how the series turns out.
“Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2” is scheduled to stream on Netflix starting October 20.
