Fans of the popular anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners have some exciting developments to look forward to as the franchise expands with the announcement of both a new prequel manga, titled Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Madness, and the upcoming physical Blu-ray release of the series. These additions promise to enrich the dystopian universe of Night City for viewers and collectors alike.
The new prequel manga Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Madness was unexpectedly announced on December 13, 2024, with its first chapter already available for readers. Written by Bartosz Sztybor, who served as the comic and animation narrative head at CD Projekt Red, and illustrated by Anasan, the manga's storyline revolves around the sibling duo, Rebecca and Pilar. The siblings, beloved characters from the original anime, find themselves trying to make names for themselves as edgerunners before joining David Martinez's crew.
Rebecca and Pilar’s story occurs before they become part of David's narrative, showcasing their earlier adventures. The official synopsis describes how “before they joined David’s crew, the pair grew up wreaking havoc,” hinting at their dynamic personalities and the perilous environment of Night City. For fans wanting to dig deep, the first chapter can currently be found on the Comic Alive+ platform, and it’s promised to be available monthly, with the English version distributed by Dark Horse expected to release the complete volume sometime in 2025.
Along with the manga, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is set to make its Blu-ray debut, with plans for distribution planned across various global territories. While specific release dates have yet to be confirmed, fans can anticipate acquiring physical copies of this acclaimed series, which initially aired on Netflix back in 2022. Regions such as Japan, the USA, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand will see the release, filling an important gap for those who prefer physical media.
Since its release, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has garnered significant praise, currently boasting a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences applauding it for its high-quality animation and engaging storytelling. With over 48 million hours of watchtime on Netflix, the show has become one of the outstanding adaptations of video game narratives, bringing the world of Cyberpunk 2077 to life through its ten-episode arc.
Despite its success, there have yet to be plans for a second anime season; fans have expressed their desire for more content. Studio Trigger, the animation powerhouse behind the series, noted previously it had no intent of producing another season. Instead, releasing the prequel manga seems like the perfect strategy to keep the fans engaged with fresh content.
The Blu-ray announcement and manga launch are considered ideal ways to keep the excitement buzzing for edgerunners. With the popularity of the series resulting from the solid character development and vibrant setting, viewers are eager to explore more from the Cyberpunk universe, particularly stories stemming from fan-favorite characters like Rebecca.
CD Projekt Red has revealed intentions to continue exploring the Cyberpunk franchise with new projects, igniting hopes for more announcements and potential stories set within the captivating world of Night City. Alongside the prequel manga, these projects exemplify the franchise’s commitment to its fans and the thriving community surrounding it.
For many fans, the prospect of the Cyberpunk Edgerunners manga is thrilling. Not only does it promise to unravel more background on the beloved characters, but its release takes place alongside other exciting developments within the franchise, capturing the attention of anime enthusiasts worldwide.
While the future direction remains uncertain, the anticipated launch of the Blu-ray version provides fans with the opportunity to own the complete series, allowing them to navigate David's journeys alongside friends Rebecca and Lucy once again. The combination of all these elements indicates a promising year for the franchise.
With the manga serving to narrate untold stories and the Blu-ray allowing fans to relive the original epic saga, 2025 looks to be significantly impactful for fans of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The response to Rebecca and Pilar’s new adventures holds the potential to expand the beloved universe, ensuring nostalgia for those who have embraced David's story and excitement for future explorations of this beautifully crafted world.
