Advanced technology and cybernetic enhancements dominate society. The anime explores the dark and gritty world of Night City. Love and loss, beginning and end, legacy and identity are all a part of this visually stunning and action-packed experience that captures the essence of the cyberpunk genre.

* This anime, while mostly aesthetically pleasing, contains a fair amount of gore/blood, profanity, and some nudity. If that's not for you then you probably do not want to consider watching. *

Plot
This anime will not fail to shock you. The story follows David, a young street kid who becomes an edgerunner, a mercenary taking on dangerous missions in Night City. Do you have a choice when you're flat broke and everything costs money including your washing machine? Paramedics leave you to die if you have no insurance, cyberpsychos, people who've gone crazy because of the extreme amounts of cybernetic implants they have, pop up everywhere. It's nearly impossible to get a good paying job at one of the mega-corporations without attending their expensive schools, which is why David's broke in the first place. You can't even attend class without the latest software updates (which of course cost money). Despite the difficulties of life in the city, he perseveres and pushes forward. Joining a crew of criminals David navigates the world of corporate power struggles, cybernetic advancements, and the consequences of a society obsessed with technology in order to chase his dreams. But are his dreams really his own?

Characters
The characters are a highlight of the series, well everything is really, but they give it that emotional oomf. David, the protagonist, is a relatable character you can't help but sympathize with, and displays growth and resilience throughout the story to the point where he's unrecognizable from that kid in the beginning. The supporting cast is diverse and colorful, each with their own motivations. It's the relationships between the characters through which the story is told, adding depth and emotional investment. Whether it's the edgerunners, corpo suits, or everyday citizens of Night City, the characters bring a sense of authenticity to the cyberpunk world.

Visuals
Visually, it's a feast for the eyes. Even people who hate the show (I don't think they exist) have to admit that everything from animation, to color, to design is a masterpiece. Studio Trigger's distinctive animation style shines through, combining bold colors, intricate details, and fluid motion. The cyberpunk aesthetic is masterfully executed, with neon cityscapes and futuristic technology just creates an incredibly unique atmosphere. Every single shot is beautiful, I have dozens in my archive. Everywhere you look, you just can't help but be drawn in. The action sequences are intense and visually dynamic, immersing the viewer in the dark and gritty atmosphere of Night City. The character designs are memorable and the city life almost forcefully immerses you with the world building.

Audio
The audio design complements the visual experience, accentuating the immersion into the cyberpunk world. The soundtrack features a mix of electronic and industrial music, which perfectly captures the futuristic and dystopian vibe. Every time from then on when you hear a song featured in the track you can't help but be transported back to night city. The sound effects are impactful, utilizing the high-tech weaponry, cybernetic enhancements, and bustling city sounds. The voice acting, both in the original Japanese and the English dub, is top-tier, and it's actually one of the few anime where the English is better than the Japanese. Regardless, talented actors of both languages bring to life the characters with their emotional performances.

Bingeability
Ratings of the show are overwhelmingly positive. Fans of the Cyberpunk 2077 game appreciated the additional lore and backstory but you don't need any knowledge of the game to fully enjoy it. The animation style and visual aesthetics were praised for their captivating and immersive quality. Some viewers found the story to be somewhat cliche, (I disagree) but the engaging characters and intense action sequences kept them invested. When I mention "bingeability" I'm refering to the anime making you want to watch more of it, and this one certainly does. I almost never rewatch a show because I'd rather move on to something new, and the story gets stale after the first experience. That's not true of this anime at all and I have rewatched it once and probably again in the future.

Enjoyment
This is my biased personal opinion, regardless of the other (slightly) more objective aspects. I'm a sucker for romance and good action, and this anime delivered on both with a little tragedy mixed in. I'm also a fan of the cyberpunk aesthetic, so regardless I would have liked this anime no matter how good it was. However, it delivered above and beyond in every attribute, enhancing its already amazing qualities. I can confidently say that any fan of an overlapping genre would also enjoy this show.