When Cyberpunk 2077 stumbled out of the gate in late 2020, few could have predicted the franchise's remarkable second act. CD Projekt RED's open-world RPG has since been patched into the game it was always meant to be, earning a reputation as a modern classic and even scoring a celebrated expansion with Phantom Liberty, which brought Idris Elba into the neon-soaked streets of Night City. But a major part of that redemption arc belongs to the anime spinoff, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which first premiered on Netflix in 2022 and quickly became a fan favorite.
Now, the long-awaited second season has finally dropped, and it's already making waves. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 launched on Tuesday, October 20, and the response has been electric. Critics have given it an 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences have chimed in with a solid 63% — a slight dip, but still respectable for a follow-up to a beloved original. More tellingly, the series has rocketed to the #2 spot on Netflix's global chart, trailing only the Josh Hartnett thriller Below. In the U.S., it's even stronger, claiming the #1 overall position and pushing aside From, which recently made the jump from MGM+.
This early momentum is a testament to the show's staying power. The original Edgerunners told a tragic, standalone story set years before the events of the game, following David Martinez, a street-smart kid who loses everything and dives into Night City's criminal underbelly. With Studio Trigger's stunning animation and a narrative steeped in cyberpsychosis, corporate warfare, and doomed romance, it was hailed as one of the best video game adaptations ever made. It even inspired an in-game update that added items like David's jacket and Rebecca's shotgun, keeping the connection between the two worlds alive.
Season 2 shifts focus to a fresh ensemble cast, all navigating the same brutal metropolis. The new season is described as "a raw chronicle of redemption and revenge," weaving together the stories of several characters across ten episodes. There's Weak, a former Night City legend searching for purpose without cybernetic enhancements; D, a netrunner out to avenge his clan who stumbles into dangerous corporate secrets; Talia, hardened by her time with the violent Maelstrom gang; and Roman, a young cinematographer trying to capture the city's raw truth. The creative team has also evolved, with Kai Ikarashi stepping in as director and Kanno Ichigo as lead character designer, while Bartosz Sztybor returns as showrunner and writer.
CD Projekt RED is clearly capitalizing on the show's success. A new update for Cyberpunk 2077 has been teased, designed to deepen the ties between the game and the anime. It's a smart move, given how much the franchise has leaned on Edgerunners to expand its lore and attract new players. The anime's popularity has also sparked crossover interest in other projects, like the Bass Reeves anime makeover on Netflix, which borrows the cyberpunk aesthetic for a historical figure.
For fans of the genre, Edgerunners 2 is a must-watch. It delivers the same high-octane action, emotional depth, and visual flair that made the first season a standout. And with its strong debut, it's likely to remain a fixture on Netflix's top charts for weeks to come. If you're looking for more anime to binge, check out our list of supernatural court thrillers or see how other franchises are faring on streaming.
As Night City continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has cemented its place as a cornerstone of the franchise. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, Season 2 is a thrilling ride that shouldn't be missed. Stream it now on Netflix.
