Cyberpunk Edgerunners Ran Through My Soul

[@asclor9052]

"look mom, I'm on top of the arasaka tower" Hits harder than a truck

[@zacharyjones9921]

Don't go to the cemetery in game😭

[@-DA-ONE-]

​@@zacharyjones9921i made that mistake fucking depressed bro 🤧

[@andrewmurdoch3636]

Dear god that was a kick in the emotional nuts

[@juanbanda5126]

Wait what am I missing? What's at the cemetery?

[@bbbb9073]

@@juanbanda5126 Lucy left messages for everyone at the cemetery that you can read

[@Druology]

Lucy is not the only one who survived, Falco lived to tell their tale to V.

[@stalinsoulz7872]

Also he was the one who made the "David Martinez" drink for his honor

[@WinterFrostx]

Falco actually got the best ending Lucy on the other hand did achieve her "dream" but it was no longer her dream, her new dream became "going anywhere with David", and then he died, Lucy in a sense lost her moon

[@GenericProtagonist7]

@@WinterFrostx Still nothing to envy, he's reclusive and trying to bury his and the crews past, I doubt he's having a fun time.

[@WinterFrostx]

@@GenericProtagonist7 Don't think you understood the point, he had the BEST ending out of everyone else =/= he had a great ending.

[@therealcap8598]

And this comment was the one I was looking for to throw me back into the game. I need to see any and all references to David's crew in 2077

[@LebBew]

I think the true tragedy is that in the end, David could not escape the mentality he inherited from his mother. His mother died right after having made him aware of the sacrifice she was making to keep him in school, but this ended up having him idealize self sacrifice, and fulfilling other peoples dreams. The trauma made him unable to have ambitions of his own, and when he fell in love with Lucy, he projected this ideal and attempted to fulfill her dream, regardless of the consequences to himself. Meanwhile, Lucy had the trauma of running away and letting her friends die, so she was attempting to save David from the source of her trauma, namely Arasaka. The cruel irony is that the biggest threat to David was not actually arasaka, but rather himself and his crumbling psyche, and Lucy was no longer dreaming of going to the Moon, but rather going anywhere with David. So in the end David sacrificed himself to fullfill a dream Lucy no longer cared about, while Lucy was to busy trying to secretly save him from arakawa that she could not be there for him when he needed emotional support. David then turned to "chroming up" as a way to combat the stress he was feeling, since this had been the way he had coped with his mothers death. Its like a greek tragedy on steroids.

[@12simslim]

Perfectly said 🙌🏾

[@penutbutter4172]

Awesome interpretation!

[@MrJameel242]

Facts😢

[@bobatea6781]

Brilliant analysis!!!!

[@alvinchang7135]

I love your analysis of the story!

[@RosaDFreeman]

This had only 10 episodes and had better character and world building than a whole lot of multiple season series.

[@JackpotTripleSeven]

Because is short = less work

[@navdeepsp]

@@JackpotTripleSeven hell nah trigger killed it with the world building, i didnt even play cyberpunk till after i watched edgerunners and trigger got the world setup for new people well

[@DaelajoshLp]

@@JackpotTripleSevenmakes no sense the longer the show the more money you make, cyberpunk has perfect pacing though

[@azurewrathlord8595]

@@DaelajoshLp that's because it wans't made for the money, it was made for personal a liking, someone who only wanted to express how good a story can be without the need for millions of episode to try and make it popular

[@kirodragon12]

Edgerunner is another example of how important communication is in an relationship. The sacrifices made between David and Lucy for each other; yet, were ironically doing something the other didn't believe in anymore

[@uchihadonaru469]

Bro........

[@Mythowars]

This show will give you some of the hardest gut punches ever

[@GuY-ExE]

​@@Mythowarsso i am not watchin it yet

[@Mythowars]

@@GuY-ExE how come? Fantastic show my man.

[@Morgan-ws1ng]

@@Mythowarsincredible show. Just watched it all in a day on a rewatch

[@mookiestewart3776]

Lucy was also acting cold after ep 2 because she felt herself really starting to have feelings for him and didn’t want to get attached and have him die on her. It’s very clear that she was VERY attracted to him even early on in the show

[@MrDecessus]

I think he just like her where young and left in the wind. David without the crew would not have made it to far in his world. Smart but a putz at the same time. She got hooked from the start.

[@TheFloorGeneral100]

She was acting cold because she was ashamed. She says so in the show because David thought she was lying about her dream to get him set up when she wasn’t.

[@kibblevert]

You can tell the minute she meets him. Shes impressed by his Sandevistan and takes her time when determining if hes a threat on the subway. Good point!

[@mateovargas1468]

who told you that?

[@dogestranding5047]

She’s gonna have to find another 17 year old

[@vert2552]

My fav moment of the show was when David killed Adam Smacher, joined Lucy on the moon and Rebecca before that confessed her feelings not expecting anything, just to put it finally out, and later we saw both of them being happy on the moon and calling Rebecca how are stuff going for her and rest of the crew in Night City Yes, that was best moment

[@sean8363]

I definitely remember this very happy ending to the show

[@KaelKnight]

I agree this was the the only way it could be everything else is just fan fiction for those that think you can't have a happy ending in night city

[@蘿安娜]

@@KaelKnight actually, as was made remembered in one cyberpunk fb group, nope, wrong, you can - river has a happy ending any way it turns out, also that old prick eurodyne does, claire, rogue also get what they want & need in the end, panam gets back with nomads and roams free and happy, in one ending judy is VERY happy too, so no, you totally can have happy endings

[@蘿安娜]

i agree choom, that moment when they were enjoying that trip to the moon together and working together again was great

[@UmarWazir]

I 'member too. Good times that definitely transpired. Yes.

[@jonathanrobinson319]

If Made in abyss is punch in the guts, Cyberpunk edgerunners was a telegraph punch, I knew it was coming, but it still hit hard.

[@ginkage5863]

I wanted to blast my friend that told me Made in Abyss is for children, then told me that the cyberpunk anime is like the game that's buggy...

[@Azure-ex6dg]

@@ginkage5863 Oh, by the way, the bugs aren’t so much of a problem anymore. It’s had many updates, and is now playable - hell, it’s good even.

[@ginkage5863]

@@Azure-ex6dg that's good to know I'll try it when I get out of the hospital 😍👍

[@AfroMonk]

Dark souls of anime

[@gypsylips1950]

Knowed..?

[@michaelkenwell9146]

"So I sat down with my dinner and decided to go for it, and I DIDN'T MOVE FROM MY SPOT FOR 3 HOURS!" Can totally relate, I binged the whole series in the course of an afternoon, GREAT ANIME!

[@Man-jp5yi]

same

[@hanniesung3595]

Same! One of those great decisions

[@celeryman1650]

SAME, I did that yesterday

[@mrmarch22]

i almost forgot to eat brooo + the crying after seeing the ending. i really really cant take this kinda heart breaking anime 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@breadthgaming]

In my opinion, the saddest thing about the ending (sadder than all the deaths) is the fact that Lucy is alone and probably feels guilty as hell. She was trying so hard to save David that she ironically ended up being the biggest factor in arasaka being able to lure him out. She distanced herself, got captured, got David wrapped up in a whole mess without ever being able to talk to him and clear her name. Imagine having to live with that guilt. I really felt for her in that ending scene on the moon, where she realizes that David is no longer there. You can tell she blames herself for everything. In the end, David failed to realize that her dream wasn't the moon anymore, it was a life of peace with him. Be it on the moon, or wherever. She just wanted him to be there. Imagine how she felt when falco said "if I turn around now David will have died for nothing" and when falco told her David apologized for not being able to go to the moon with her. Her entire being probably broke in that moment and the guilt probably started to kick in as she was fully taking in what was being said to her. I feel like if she communicated with David, and talked to him sooner, she could've gotten him off the cyberware that ultimately ended up giving him cyberpsychosis and they could've laid low, got enough money and potentially left. Truly one of the most tragic stories.

[@LiamHo-m6l]

you re-awoke my crippling depression. Thanks.

[@breadthgaming]

@@LiamHo-m6l you re-woke mine because your reply brough me back to read this😭😭

[@breadthgaming]

@@LiamHo-m6l you re-awoke mine with your reply. It brought me back and I read this all over again😭😭😭

[@uLeif]

@@breadthgamingstoooop

[@alexrasev8494]

@@breadthgaming Lets do it all again then, here comes the pain train.

[@DawnApon]

Holy shit. David's obssession with others' dreams for himself is a byproduct of his extreme level of empathy. Which is also the thing that determines your resistance to cyberpsychosis.

[@dryfox11]

Mf detective over here

[@evelinodavidarevalo1692]

Sell that deet to Arasaka 🤣💯

[@RozKounelakion]

Empathy is the thing that determines cyberpsychosis resistance? So Adam Smasher is technically the biggest sweetheart in the world?

[@erenzu]

@@RozKounelakion Not only empathy is needed, also being able to keep a good mental state despite what you're living.

[@yabangeedamat1907]

@@RozKounelakion Mike Pondsmith, creator of the Cyberpunk universe (and of Adam Smasher) refers to Adam as a 'high-functioning cyberpsycho'. That's why he's so brutal and cruel - but still somehow lucid

[@jenningsmoberly8777]

The crazy part about THE song is I would skip it all the time, but now when I hear it on the car radio I let it play to pay my respects to David and Lucy. Crazy how a show could make me love a song that I didn’t care for before.

[@javiernegron2633]

fuckin makes me cry just hearing it man

[@magnusludicarum1140]

Yoo, crazy how an immersive story can change ur perception of things... take twinkle twinkle as another example. Anyone that's played dead space knows what I'm talking bout, still gives me chills.

[@ALittleLateLotusBlossom]

On ja; mad love for the lore of the gang within the game's world now. Such a masterfully well done show

[@Griefex]

I jammed to the song happily before now it won't be the same

[@ryleighmatthewcabardo6489]

same lmao didn`t really like the song before the ending but now every time i hear it just makes me pause for a moment

[@darkwolf5869]

I think there's an unspoken rule, in certain worlds of fiction that can't have a happy endings. Night City feels like one of them.

[@rosaryenjoyer739]

the only happy ending is leaving Night City

[@n0madd]

@@rosaryenjoyer739 This is why this ending is overall positive. NC always wins, so the fact that most characters lived and died on their own terms and Lucy even managed to escape its grasp is actually incredible and somewhat uplifting.

[@Raist474]

It's not limited to Night City or even the world of Cyberpunk 2077. It's a hallmark of the entire cyberpunk genre.

[@Summer_Sausage]

Same with the Witcher to a lesser extent

[@FatalFist]

But it does have a happy ending. David keeps his promise about getting Lucy to where she wanted to go.

[@TodaysRemedy]

I'm a grown man in my 40s, and I fucking sobbed like a baby on the final episode. As a musician, I am awed how the director picked the songs for the anime. It doesn't 'work' when you think about it (say, like using a retro song from the 90s for a futuristic anime), but it came out fantastic. This anime to me is a project full of courage, being different, edgy.

[@xRØNIN-MUSICx]

Late to the party and just finished it this morning. To paraphrase Keanu, “breathtaking”.

[@xxthabestxx1]

I’m glad there’s other people so emotionally attached to this show. RIP my guy Maine

[@2mfours]

rip all of em mannn

[@JoicSeth]

Rip Maine, David, Pilar, Dorio and Becca it truly feels like they were real people

[@namenone577]

I had to stop watching cuz my heart rate was to high after maines death, took me two days to recuperate, and then I finished it.

[@Batlafication]

I still don't get how I could get so attached to characters so fast

[@johndough5192]

You’re RIP a fictional character, lmfao

[@sovereignw]

The best part about this show is that no matter how much i want a season 2 it wouldn't even make sense, everything just ended, it was a good and sad experience.

[@yabangeedamat1907]

They could make a season 2 with new characters, make them fall in love with them again, just to crush our souls once more.

[@RandomBrownGuyfromNY]

Maybe a prequel for the game, like season 2 has Jackie Wells as the main character and his story before he met V?

[@jadonlimoges1830]

Make it a prequel that shows how the crew came together

[@losofr]

they could do a season 2 with a new david and crush us again

[@nyuszicsib]

I would be 100% ok with a brand new story. We don't need the same characters. Night City has a TON of potential and the writers would tell us so much more interesting story. They can make a police story, a detective-noir story, a Trauma Team story, 4th Corporal War story etc. So, SO many potential. I really hope that in the future we will get a new anime/movie/TV show. The Cyberpunk game sequel is announced so they can make other stuff when that game comes out. Let's hope!

[@lenerdchirch9161]

Lucy smiling at the end mixed with "I really want to stay at your house" hits so hard. That is the point where i just broke and started crying.

[@yabangeedamat1907]

The moment that broke me was when David finally rescues Lucy and tries to run away activating the sandevistan, right then THE music starts... I knew right then things would end bad and broke down crying

[@Usha-q2o]

"I'm a good guy, maybe I'll spare Adam Smasher" Watches Edgerunners* *"MERCY WAS NEVER AN OPTION"*

[@ShutupKvn]

I feel like he could’ve won over Smasher if he didnt go insane, lose all his friends and if Lucy was there and if he didnt touch that skeleton

[@justinwiggins1856]

Killing Adam is the correct option, and Smasher would agree. If he had to live through mercy, he'd rather die. Smasher lore from the TTRPG is awesome, and "The New Man" fanfic is even better.

[@C_A_I_N_N]

I swear someone else pointed it out but the emotional gut punch of the show was so telegraphed we knew it was coming from minute 1 but stayed there and watched it hit us like doc did with the meta in red vs blue.....

[@yabangeedamat1907]

I knew it was coming way before even watching it. I saw some non-spoiler reviews, saw thumbnail reaction with people crying their eyes out, and listened to THAT music - scrolled down to people saying how much it triggered their emotional trauma. I wondered if the anime was all that or people were just faking it for views and likes and wanted to check it out. Then I watched it. And it broke me into pieces I haven't been able to put together yet.

[@thomashe1254]

Going way back, as early as 2020, there were FB and reddit posts asking "Who's David Martinez? Why's there a cocktail named after him in Afterlife?" So yeah, at least some people went in knowing EXACTLY how David's story was going to end.

[@andrewwilson4459]

I don't normally cry, but the ending of this anime had me in tears. Then the depression that comes with finishing a fantastic anime but lasted a few days because I kept wishing there'd be more. They really hit it out of the park with this one. Also "I really want to stay at your house" hits different in game now too.

[@stalinsoulz7872]

Playing it sometimes made me wonder how come I hadn't got series self crashes yet?.....like it's like a taboo song atp when driving

[@god8348]

Yeah, the thought of bearing all the memories of people you loved and achieving the things you talked about with them, but now you are by yourself and no matter who you meet afterwards in life, they will never fill that void.

[@davidflaro7217]

right im still crying over here after watching the anime i had to go back and replay the game and get my revenge for certain characters 😢

[@jeremyrawdon4675]

@@davidflaro7217 when she said that he’s the type of person to get burned saving others, I knew I was gonna be in for a tough ending.

[@MurCurieux]

That song instantly makes we go to Lucy's apartment and stare at the rocket and cry.

[@nicesandwich2451]

This show was truly something no one could have ever predicted it to be.

[@Zoroasterisk]

Could have*

[@nicesandwich2451]

@@Zoroasterisk Thanks.

[@jayelit]

Sorry it was predictable. We all know David will die as a legend

[@hemireborn6450]

you never think that It'd end like that when you first started watching it

[@This_is_ash]

Unless you already know the Easter 3ggs from the game. Some viewers figured out from davids drink in the after life while others figured it out since the introduction of Adam Smasher

[@-frippu--3926]

everytime i drive my car and the song comes on i start to tear up god damn this anime hit me hard

[@johndough5192]

Knock it off

[@sylvex7]

@@johndough5192oooo lookie here, we got a tough guy

[@johndough5192]

@@sylvex7 lmfao what does tough have anything to do with what I said? You make no sense.

[@hyrulehollowtitan9657]

I think that you should get away Another way to feel what you didn't want yourself to know And let yourself go You know you didn't lose your self-control Let's start at the rainbow Turn away Another way to be where you didn't want yourself to go And let yourself go Is that a compromise?

[@kali2499]

@@hyrulehollowtitan9657 ARGH!!!! WHY ARE YOU TORTURING ME

[@basantatamang2249]

I don't have guts to rewatch cyberpunk 2077 edgerunners again, it just hit different man.

[@JJH_98]

I just rewatched it today. Thats why im here. Its been two years since release, which is crazy. And people still cant comprehend what happened. We all wanted more. But we only got what Night City left us.

[@militarysimulationclub6922]

I interpreted the theme very differently, I interpreted it as being unable to escape the cycles that led to your upbringing and perpetuating that cycle onto others. You see that in how David literally sees himself and others as other people in his past. Even Lucy ends up repeating her past, running away from her past and letting her friends die, unable to stop it. It's also about the inevitability of this cycle; once you've put the pieces together around episode 6, you know what's going to happen and there's nothing that can halt the sheer momentum that is the self perpetuating misery of night city. If you know the lore of the city, you know David's fate was sealed far before he had a choice in the matter. David's path may have looked like a string of bad luck, but in truth the game was rigged from the start.

[@itslogikz3828]

The doc also says something in episode 5-6 that David has basically become a legend for the next dreamer

[@jaydensumner2259]

Benny..?

[@GainingDespair]

Loved it Best possible ending is one which leaves you wanting more, worst possible ending is one so dragged out the audience is indifferent.

[@Kogabro]

This show got me into cyberpunk 2077. I NEED MORE.

[@dakudor]

Agreed. The end made me very upset; I'd rather that than a total lack of emotional draw from a show. Shit was fantastic.

[@Lawlz4Dayzz]

Theres a middle ground where you're emotionally fullfilled. Its Balance just as everything is

[@brianl8481]

Edgerunners vs Simpsons.

[@roboworgen]

I like how the first time we see them all walking around together is the last time we seem them together as in the literal next damn scene someone dies.

[@Tempestan]

David's downfall, IMHO, was he clung unto the past in a very unhealthy way. Trying to live up to Maine's and his mother's dreams and also Lucy's old dream set his path. He never formed his own and failed to realize that Lucy changed her dream from going to the Moon to living out her life with him. There is more to it than that but I feel that it is the greater part.

[@cheetahda1o763]

That's pretty fucking sad but also true

[@syphe101]

Good input. Well thought out.

[@jeremyrawdon4675]

For as quick as this show was, there was MANY layers. Characters felt deep even with us having little to know backstory on them. Everything past episode 6 was like ripping off an old bandaid.

[@thewallpersonified3152]

In the end, it couldn't really be helped anyway. Lucy put a target on her back by going after all those arasaka people. Unfortunately, this is just the way it had to be.

[@jeremyrawdon4675]

@@thewallpersonified3152 doesn’t make the ending any less painful. when they were free falling together, and the moon scene at the end , an anime hasn’t thrown me into a depression like this since I want to eat your pancreas.

[@shadowdemon8597]

I think the length was intentionally kept short because in retrospect the little time we had with the characters really just emphasized the emotional attachment to the anime and in turn really makes us want to explore what more these characters could have had for us to witness

[@Aurrs]

just finished the show today, binge all 10 episodes in 1 sitting, the way i tell if a show is good is how empty it makes u feel when ur done, how big of a hole it leaves in my heart after i completely finish it, and so far this show has left one of the biggest holes in my heart in a long time, its easily in my top 5 out of 600+ animes ive watched and also broke into my list of animes thats made me actually cry, i also played the game and 100% it the day before i binged edgerunners, i wanted to get fully immersed into the world of cyberpunk before i tackled the anime, this is prob the most ive done to hype myself up for an anime and it paid off tremendously

[@leonardocook4444]

I was watching with my girl. At the end she was basically crying it was so tough not to join her. We went for a walk looking at the moon. When I got back I got in the shower curled up and let it all out.

[@eloraandkhan3288]

Bro same. Except I started crying first and that made my wife cry

[@ramsesiv5342]

@@eloraandkhan3288 doooood same experience. we cried, played some cyberpunk, then heard the song and cried again :(

[@youngboihex4654]

I didn’t but feel it in my soul

[@ashleec5760]

Hopefully someday you'll feel comfortable enough not to hide in the shower and really let it out with her. Men are 100% allowed to feel the same feelings. We are all human. But I am glad that you did let yourself have that cry and get it out. It helps. Holding it in just makes matters worse. My husband and I also cried, not sobbing but definitely some tears. And I've now been playing Cyberpunk2077 again all week. We both loved the game and equally loved the show.

[@Marbeary]

You forgot Falco Lived and will message you in the game and told V that you were looking for David Martinez but they went dark and stayed away from the limelight of night city. But also say that both V and David have something in common a nice little touch from the game.

[@klaykid117]

This! I can't believe he forgot best boy Falco

[@paulsparks771]

Off to the net to find this quest.

[@culinarymercenary5831]

That V and David "have something in common"; is a compliment, but mostly a warning.

[@HateMachinist]

The writing team at CDPR was always good. And whatever they are paid, its probably less than they deserve. That their blunt realism should merge so well with Triggers vivid colours and over-the-top wacky style, I don't think anyone could imagine. But I don't think I have ever seen two opposites compliment each other so well before. Everything just clicked. Also, Becca best girl.

[@CharuzuAutomatonArtificer]

I agree with that point heavily, TRIGGER and Cyberpunk seems like they were made for each other

[@vert2552]

Well... they wanted to remove Rebecca from the show but Trigger insisted on keeping her and they followed their advice

[@HateMachinist]

@@vert2552 i heard. It was mainly in doubt that loli-characters would fit in with that universe and setting, but agreed in hindsight she was a good addition.

[@dripsnake44]

@@HateMachinist She isn’t even much of a loli anyways, she’s just short. She’s 5 feet tall, which is only 4 inches below average for a 20 year woman in the U.S. currently.

[@foodomanthemagnificent2650]

I don't see how a loli could not exist in Night City. In a world where you can customize yourself to basically look however you want why wouldn't they exist? Hell in the TTRPG, I've heard they have cyberware that makes you look like a fantasy character. So I'm sure there would be people who would modify themselves to look like a loli. Also, Lucy is best girl😇

[@emilforsstrom2499]

I just finished the show, and I have never cried this much over one show. The show sucked me in, I was hooked and I casually expected ep 10 to be a cliffhanger as usual, and instead, I witnessed the most perfect ending to a story I have ever seen.

[@TacticalDimples]

One small detail that I like about this show is how the dialogue between David and Lucy becomes more “robotic” towards the end before Lucy gets captured. It feels like those one-word “ok” text messages you get from your soon-to-be ex-girlfriend/boyfriend.

[@Augmenti8323]

it kinda feels like david loses his feelings the more he becomes a cyberpsycho

[@yamazaki752]

I really appreciate you explaining the bits that Mike Pondsmith talked about - those details that originate from the TTRPG are often missed by the fans entirely because, well, most folks aren't going to read thru books of a niche hobby made back in the 80s, nor do folks realize that Mike Pondsmith is still around to comment on the anime. Makes me wonder if he had a hand in the writing some...

[@Caralast]

Worth noting that Cyberpunk Red, is an updated version of the game from the late 80s. It advances the overall plot up to 2040ish, and it simplifies many of the more complex systems while expanding on others such as hacking. The starter kit is $30 USD and is absolutely worth a try.

[@captinelf2745]

Yeah and I think that's sad because the roleplaying game has some really good lore in it. Some small niche things but others, really big. Like the fact that night city got reformed entirely

[@Dj2xP]

How could you forget about our boy Falco, he also made it out.

[@kyon813]

The 'stache couldn't be Smashed.

[@Battery-acid2]

Falco was a pretty decent character in my opinion

[@dante22723]

Final episode was hard to watch. But somehow I managed to not cry until that damn final scene on the moon happened. Even thinking about it makes me wanna cry

[@brianl8481]

“We’re having a moment here! Fuck you!”

[@philliam111]

Oh yeah I'm glad I was alone because I was wiping them Tears😂

[@copycruel]

I have grown tolerant towards sad scenes and deaths, but the final moment where Lucy recalls the old David and her first moment of joy with him... that was the one scene that made me cry. She just is living aimlessly just to fulfill David's last wish. They probably would have had such an amazing life if they quit before becoming more involved with Faraday.

[@nacho4333]

@@copycruel BRO FRR, I didnt cry through the whole series, but when Lucy remembered David smiling, GOD DAMN BRO I STARTED CRYING HARDD

[@kalesturtz1510]

The feelings I have on this man. It feels like everyone died for nothing but the ache that everyone did what made them happy until the end makes me feel so conflicted and the final seen with Lucy imaging David had me in tears seeing him happily accepting death a few minuets earlier

[@DDxRaptor]

Edgerunners hit especially hard for me, not only because of the tragic love story between David & Lucy, but even more because of David's messed up relationship with women he cares about or loves. I went through more or less identical shit considering my upbringing with a sole mum who projected her life goals onto me and manipulated me to make those dreams come true. For me, being a highly emotional and empathetic guy, I was genuinely concerned about the needs of others while not caring about myself. When my mum disappeared from my life, I projected this kind of behaviour on other people (mainly girls I was friends or in love with) while fading into severe depression. This changed in late '21 while in therapy when I finally realized that not caring about my own dreams, future and most importantly my mental health will be a future death sentence, if not changed for the better. But watching this show also made me realize how far I've come from ending like David. Always remember, before you care about helping others, you should take care of yourself first.

[@lukewafe9064]

This show hit everyone directly where it hurts, I finished it 2 days ago and still feel empty from the emotions that this throws at you. There was no bad characters and everyone’s story was written amazingly just our little Loli Rebecca coulda made it to the end. It’s just a shame David never realised that Lucy’s dream changed, her dream became him, he was her moon, and all she wanted was him to survive the city with her

[@wdethan]

I rewatched the show, and it's more noticeable the 2nd time.

[@yabangeedamat1907]

So true. The name of the last episode, "My moon, my man" leaves it stark clear that David was her moon.

[@TaJaToT]

Regarding Lucy and Rebecca as love interests, it's clear that the internet has a favorite. But in reality, they're two completely different viewpoints, but both with unending love for David. I think most people become attached to the love interest that they see themselves in, not necessarily the one they would want to be with. Most people see Rebecca as "best girl" not because they would choose the girl that is constantly trying to win their love, but because they see themselves in her. Feeling a deep love for someone that is unwavering, but you'll never feel it reciprocated. Rebecca spent every chance she had to try to get closer to David, she tried to spend more time with him and understand how he was feeling. But no matter what, he just doesn't show her that same love. That's why people like Rebecca; they want to take the girl like that and love her back to let her know it's all going to be okay, because that's the feeling they also want for themselves. Lucy is a completely different person. She's not constantly trying to win David's heart. She's instead doing everything she can, sacrificing herself in the process just to save David. She learned what Tanaka wanted David for, which was a person to test the full cyberskeleton on. Lucy knew this would make David become a cyberpsycho, ultimately leading to his death all for Arasaka's gain. So Lucy is the path of self-sacrifice; distancing herself from her friends and even from the person she loves just to save him. She didn't care if Arasaka would eventually catch up to her, as long as David would be safe. The people who think Lucy is "best girl" relate to her on the level of self-sacrifice. The willingness to do whatever it takes to make sure nothing bad happens to the one you love, even if it means putting your life on the line every single day. (This is why I'm on Team Lucy. Haters gonna hate.) Then there's the matter of where each character ended up which adds to each character imo. Rebecca died, but it truly was a sacrifice that just made sense. She could see that David was going cyberpsycho and that he was going to sacrifice himself. She didn't want to be in a world without him, so she went out with a bang with him. What better way to show someone you love them? Lucy also didn't want to be in a world without David, but David sacrificed himself so that Lucy could realize her dream. Lucy didn't go to the moon because it was her dream, she went to the moon because it was David's dream for her to go. If she didn't go, it would mean David's sacrifice was in vain and her living would have been for nothing. But on the flip side, her existence on the moon is tragic because she shared her dream with David. In doing so, her dream would only be complete if David was there with her. So she has to live every day on the moon without the person she loves just so that David's sacrifice meant something. She smiles at the end, but it's a smile that feels sad. It's as if her life will no longer be complete but she has to keep going for him.

[@LinhNguyen-zg9kn]

Great analysis bro. This shit was bitterbitter, i have seen the sweet part absolutely nowhere lol. Lucy could give two fucks about moon if david was taking her to mars

[@Blueknight1220]

This show had me bawling into my pillows. Today I heard "I Really Wanna Be At Your House" in a music livestream that my professor was playing, its hard to explain your topic when you're crying

[@chip4015]

Bro I feel you so hard I watched it 2 weeks ago and I still cry when it comes up on Spotify 🤣🤣😭😭

[@dylanherron3963]

So, I finally took the plunge into this world, about a month ago. Saw a lot of people talking about Phantom Liberty and how the 2.0 update REVOLUTIONIZED the game. Thought, "Ya know, it might be time to give this world a try. It's been years since that crappy launch." I got fucking BROKEN, chooms. It's arguably one of the best stories that have ever been told in modern AAA gaming. The endings (all of them) are gut punches that lead to laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. I cried a bunch, at moments throughout the game. 146 hours into my first playthru, and I just finished Edgerunners 3 days ago. It's all I can think about. The game might have broken me, but the show shattered the pieces. It has left such a hole of self-reflection that I took it as a sign to get back into therapy. The parallels of love and sacrifice that this show exemplifies is... harrowing, if you live a solitary, depressed lifestyle. I wouldn't take back the time I've spent in this universe for the world. It's one of the most beautiful series of stories. Guys, if you find yourself sobbing like a child that just left a "scary" themed ride, while you're driving to work, take inventory of yourself. You may just be reckoning with much more than "post-series depression." The show/game may have just brought your concerns to the surface.

[@LogicAndCompassion]

Completely agree with everything you said. I've had similar issues, and the anime put me into a deep state of contemplation. Nothing bad, just so many interesting themes. Addiction and restraint. Hopelessness and pride. What do you live for? What would you die for? The dangers around replacing one negative cycle with another. I think the Cyberpunk universe is a metaphor for gang life and growing up surrounded by crime and filth. You feel oppressed from every direction, and you don't know how to make your life better. You join a gang, because you don't feel safe. You rob, steal and kill because you have nothing. You are stuck on this self destructive path because you don't know any better. It seems like the world has cheated you out of any other life. Everything else seems impossible.

[@dylanherron3963]

@@LogicAndCompassion Man, the fact that you could see the trainwreck of conflicting goals between Lucy/David happening before your eyes, coupled with the gangs growing concern with David's modifications, they told him many things that resemble what my loved ones told me when I was hopelessly addicted to drugs. The catharsis, man. The guilt and LONGING that this show brought to the surface wasn't by choice, but it definitely made me certain that I have things I could talk about with my former therapist. Really appreciate your input. This universe, these stories, is like, something I NEED to talk about right now. I needed to know other people feel this way.

[@emanuelsousa991]

Cried for 3 days after this show. Could see myself in it just relationship’s ive had or the sudo father figure so much emotion in 10 episodes. Great vid man.

[@ZZ-qu7bq]

Loved how you explain the root cause of cyberphychosis, basically it's the fear and stress of living on the edge in a broken society, cyberwares just accelerate the process. What makes it even more tragic and depressing is, David's cyberphychosis is pretty much inevitable even if he made different choices, as long as he is the leader of the team and he wants to make better life for his team and himself, he has to be strong to survive, he has to install more powerful implants and kill more people on the street, that's also the reason both David and Maine refuse to downgrade their gears. Cyberphycosis is avoidable or even reversible for the rich and cold blood killing machines like Adam Smasher, but for normal people like David and Maine, their fate is decided the moment they get on the path of being Edgerunners.

[@brianl8481]

Sometimes, “time to chrome the fuck up” is a death sentence.

[@drogenfeld]

it's so sad. And what makes it worse is that after thinking about it endlessly, you realize just how badly everything was set on destruction from the start. How every mistake any of the characters made just doubled down on their misfortune. This fate was avoidable at so many different instances, they may not have gotten rich or achieved any dreams, but the characters would've survived instead of running into the Arasaka death traps along the way. I was most disappointed by the fact that Kiwi not only fulfilled her own prophecy of "never trust anyone" but also fell victim to it herself, and by simply doing that she ultimately doomed the others. If she hadn't done that, it might still have ended okay. What also hit you in the face was how direly Lucy wanted to shield David from Arasaka and their netrunners after the data extraction job, so much that David lost himself to a Cyberware addiction and his mental decline lead to small episodes of cyberpsychosis and him even believing she just doesn't want to be with him anymore because she spent all her time netdiving and hunting Netrunners.

[@ligma286]

I cried I cried for a day straight as a grown man who never cries and now it’s stuck in my head

[@pinkraven4402]

Yeah, I've just finished it and cannot calm down

[@arashfatehi9971]

Same bro

[@user-mv7ho8ts7z]

Grown men like us gotta have a backbone, cant let anybody see you cry g, id rather kms than cry as a grown man

[@temm3z771]

Wow this made me appreciate David's character more and realize how deep this story really was.

[@remuvs]

The saddest part is that the Maine/Martinez crew are all just part of the system in the end, despite David being "special"; the normal people of Night City always lose while mega corporations like Arasaka continue to grow and procure more power. The only way to beat Night Cut It raises the question of "is becoming a legend of a city actively trying to keep you down worth it?". David had Rebecca, Lucy and Falco is his corner, they could have escaped but David's crusade to fulfil Maine's dream was ultimately their downfall and cut off what could have been a happy ending for all four, like the Panam ending in 2077.

[@___-xf5dj]

+

[@CharuzuAutomatonArtificer]

So glad this series hit such wonderful acclaim.... Proof that stories with a bleak endings deserve more attention.

[@karldalgas6769]

Rebecca: "Were having a moment here you asshole!" This shit made me tear up.

[@gedofgont3138]

I just want to hear people talk about and praise the show, you coulda said anything, but good job. If you played the game enough, you recognize a near-ceaseless showcase of locations from it. Some of them are super mundane, like a particular stretch near a corner in a random district. An incredibly special show. 10 out of 10.

[@Esmisterr]

Thank you for this video , really struck a cord with me. Fully explained the emotions I felt

[@Corusame]

This show was so good but gut wrenching. Every character was perfectly written in their own way. When I feel sad thinking about the show I think of Rebecca's ride or die life and how she always fights for those she cares about. Such a great character.

[@jeremycase3047]

Funniest part of the whole thing is that her actual dream was to protect him.

[@jadonlimoges1830]

I was kind of surprised that she didn't take off her helmet in the last scene to be honest

[@jeremycase3047]

@@jadonlimoges1830 that shit scared me to be honest. I hear that in the game, she moved out of the city.

[@michaelharvent7221]

Lucy wasn't the only one surviving. The driver survived as well. He helped Lucy escape.

[@IAmTheeGamingGonzo]

I think he’s talking about the crew before David took over

[@balantor]

@@IAmTheeGamingGonzo Falko was there from start, but he mostly was just driver and they don't show he much before. In first "party" we can see him there, also he punch Maine when he hit Kiwi

[@sean8363]

Falco is the biggest hero of the show imo. He made good on David’s last wish/request, getting Lucy out of the area and safe.

[@Crispifordthe3rd515]

One thing I found super cool is that David and Lucy NEVER say "I love you" to each other. Yet even still, there love is incredibly believable. This show is too amazing

[@stalinsoulz7872]

There relationship is the meaning of actions speak louder than words, they never say I love you and cuddle, but literally goes to proper relationship with both physical and communication contact and support each other without words but by actions. They're literally the most realistic relationship at the same time most unhealthy cause of David pushing his limits for everyone else. Like Icarus flying to the sun but Lucy the sun came down for him but he still flew for her and fell down tragically

[@restless8638]

@@stalinsoulz7872 the problem is there was no communication, if they were straight with each other from the beggining all this could be avoided and it makes me so fucking sad and depressed

[@spinnenente]

I think you hit the nail on the head. Edgerunners is a love story at heart and that is why it hits different than most anime i've watched in recent years. The adult themes and the ever present death (from ep 1) just amplify the feeling. The most impressive thing to me is that i havent had the void in many years now and for a short show to trigger it again is just absolutely exceptional.

[@KingKori_2x]

I still haven't recovered...its been almost a year and I STILL.HAVE NOT. RECOVERED.

[@guccii_daddyy]

Yep same. Won’t seem to go away smh

[@Pr0digy47]

So I actually really liked cyberpunk 2077 when it came out mainly because I had zero expectations I had never heard of the game until like a month before it came out. Never even really saw any trailers expect for 1 or 2. My game was playable and I just kind of ignored all the glitches and bugs. So this anime had me so happy after I decided to watch it. It stayed so accurate to source material which if you played the game just makes it so special. The story the characters were great. I didn’t understand the pacing initially and that was my biggest complaint cuz it went by too fast. Over all I loved it. Also Rebecca is the real wifu 😫. P.S. if your a Rebecca fan i already know you’d pick rem over Emilia.

[@itsakc4707]

Yeah the game was so good i’m glad I waited till now to play it without all of the glitches i’ve heard about.

[@JamesReborn2023]

I played it when I first came out then shelved it then came back after updates. I was actually on a Sandevistan Samurai play through with high blades/ninjutsu skills when I heard about the show coming out. I was late to the news bc it hit Netflix about a week later and I binged it… it was amazing but damn they know how to bring a man to tears 😭. Never beat the game, still playing it now, I just won’t go past the point of no return until the map is completely cleared of objectives. Curse my tendencies 😩

[@volka2199]

I played day 1 after pre order and it ran ok on pc and I enjoyed it. I actually don't know how but I didn't have a single major glitch. Maybe only minor ones while driving iirc. I think after some patches improving quality and after seeing edgerunners I'll enjoy it even more upon returning soon. I have a new perspective on the world and that influences gameplay for me a lot.

[@yiqiaowang336]

pacing had to be fast cause I sense there is a budget issue. CDPR probably didn't invest a lot money into this. I believe at least 2-3 more episodes should be there. Either way this is still a master piece on how a video game adaption should be done. I wish other studio and Hollywood would take notes, but those arrogant elites most likely doesn't gives a shit.

[@dontwanttoshowmyfullname2931]

Just take all of those hot chics

[@nemtudom5074]

Honestly, i think the reason i didnt cry at the end was because i took it peacemeal. I limited myself to one episode a day, and occasionally more than one day between episodes, because i knew it was short, and i wanted to enjoy it, and saviour it, not just go through it like im in a game of hungry hungry hippos. This had the added side effect of me being able to stabilize my thoughts and emotions between episodes, i think. I imagine that if one were to binge it, as the episodes go their mental stability would probably go down and be more and more prone to wilder and stronger emotions

[@shaantitus1538]

I did the opposite. Binge watched the whole thing without a break. And it beat the shit out of me.

[@keuschkacey]

I watched it over three days. Still hit hard in the end even if the conclusion was somewhat predictable. Will update if the depressed feeling kicks in... but for now I'm just motivated.

[@samarthshukla9869]

I was also taking breaks while watching upto eps5 and i was not able to feel very bad for the crew but afterwards I binged the rest of the eps and then you know what happened

[@willvr375]

as somebody who binge-watched the show in one sitting last night, yeah pretty much (i bawled my eyes out for an hour and i still feel empty inside)

[@nemtudom5074]

@@willvr375 I rewatched the show recently, with the dub this time, and this pretty much. Fucking hell.

[@jaden8684]

This show put me into a mental abyss. It also gave me an unavoidable love for, “I really wanna stay at your house”, And “Let you down” So now I have them on repeat, Further imprisoning me in this void with constant reminders of this very tragic story I love so much.

[@chip4015]

Exactly!

[@razemaz3]

You've still got it? Cause if yes then ill be damned if that happens to me, even tho ik everything now in the anime im kind of in a mental depression of sadness

[@ethanlucero554]

Watching this vid made me relive my depression of all the characters deaths

[@mohammedzaid6634]

OMG! This will help me get through this empty feeling after watching Cyberpunk Edgerunners. man, I am so depressed right now! great video! Thank you so much for this therapeutic video!

[@scpfoundation9604]

Im just really easy to make cry, rebecca dying due to david’s crazy plan as well as david not going to the moon with lucy got me bawling my eyes out.

[@randomdude8877]

It is truly a rollercoaster show of emotions unlike many.

[@Danihacs]

Ending was an absolute pain, but I also think if it was a complete happy ending: and don't get me wrong; I wanted a happy ending. But since the ending was pain.. I think it'll live in my brain rent-free longer than any other show I've watched recently. GGs for the anime producers.. I am just so empty and sad about David X Lucy...... 😭💀

[@kingofspadesssk]

One year later and this show still gives me a rollercoaster of emotions. Beautiful show

[@MikeSun-qk9wi]

there is no living legdent in the night city certainly means alot. emotion hits more than a truck

[@PandoraNR]

“How did this show make me go into an extinential crisis? I have no Idea.” Had me dead from laughter 💀💀💀💀

[@x3AnimeFanXD]

14:45 this literally threw me into a fit of cry laughing- I looked insane probably to my poor cat xD

[@Ahdbfbfbeh]

This was the best show of my life emotions I never felt before David and Lucy were beautiful

[@RoguePlank]

The twist that really got me was right at the start in Lucy's brain dance on the moon when it suddenly stops with YOU FELL OVER THE EDGE, PUNK.

[@gibbyc9293]

Lucy dies at the end there. It’s heavily implied that she drove out far enough that her oxygen supply wouldn’t last for the trip back.

[@theoneeasyreg680]

15:00 correction, Falco was alive as well, you even come into contact with him in Cyberpunk 2077. Also Falco was the one who drove Lucy away from the scene so it'd make sense that he survived as well.

[@marioc647]

This show truly surprised me. Never thought they could capture night city and have good characters in 10 episodes but they delivered and I like many are thankful for this. Thank you

[@x_Bl4ckw4tch_x]

This show really hit me so hard I couldn't even sleep the night I watched all 10 episodes. It made me feel terrible and sad but also joyfull for watching such a loving story

[@slippedpoo2]

i cried like a fucking baby when it ended really shows how life can progress and hit like a train

[@emeraldpasser]

Damn, shouldn't have watched this during my lunch break. Cried and ruined my makeup and all😭 What a great interpretation of this amazing, amazing show...

[@Frozengimbap]

I think what makes the show/universe so intriguing (to me at least) is that it’s almost a perfect parody to life. The show really hit me hard. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve lost people very close to me recently. But there were times when I really connected with some of the characters. Although it was a badass show, it was very sad at times.

[@Flyingredcactus]

I am not an anime fan, but this show hits me hard. I feel you when you talked about an empty void after finishing the last episod... Also, the song "I really want to stay at your house" gets a total new melancolic vibe to me now.

[@kniffol]

I think that these kind of shows will lead to more possible hight quality video game adaptation. As we seen before, Arcane really helped boost the League of Legends player-base after the show aired, and now you see the EXACT same thing with CyberPunk. People have started to call it the Arcane effect. Where a video game adaptation done well can revive a franchise. I am hoping we get more amazing animated adaptations like these 2! It also makes you excited to visit these games again and enjoy them to the fullest with all that extra world building.

[@surr3ald3sign]

This and arcane are (and i will actually die on this hill) the 2 best anime ever created, they are both absolute masterwork, the characters and setting are vivid, real and relatable while also being unique and different. The emotions and eprsonality of the characters are deep and powerful. And the ending is beautifully written to use every ounce of emotion throughout the show to compound together and make the pain and depression you feel afterward so much more intense. I wish i could watch them both for the first time again

[@arsies_]

Arcane aint an anime bud

[@surr3ald3sign]

@@arsies_ shut up, they arent cartoons either they are much closer in style to anime and there are several other shows known as anime that are not japanese made

[@evanmiller4502]

Arcane ain't an anime, but yes it is a 10/10

[@ItalianCat1]

It’s simple, really. David just has the sandwvistan requirement at reflexes 2

[@tcgreatwolf]

Yeah this is how you tell a good story with lots of emotions in it and all while remaining cyberpunk. I was so freaking attached to some of the characters. (Mainly Rebecca)

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

15:57 That's the thing; we all wish we had more time when it's up

[@Mad_Dog58]

I RARELY rewatch animes but i've watched Edgerunners 3 or 4 times easily EDIT: I think it's a good thing how short the show is and it's also a big part of what makes it so gut wrenching

[@Nidhsa]

Media that will destroy you emotionally: Edgerunners Outer Wilds Omori Your Lie in April I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

[@genr86]

great video, and the story so well written. didnt expect that

[@jeremiahkivi4256]

Lmao I've never seen any bugs like that. At most, I had a crash when opening the map and photo mode at the same time but hitting M and N key at the same time accidentally. I also was hoping that David would boast to Katsuo after killing his father. Like "Condolences on your father's passing. Want to know what his last words were? He begged for his life and cried like the feeble and weak garbage that he was. I'm guessing the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree."

[@IgnatiousRainwater]

Now that I've watched the whole, show, everything just seems like it was all a dream; that feeling of waking up from a deep state of dreaming, just to realize 10 seconds later that it wasn't real. I've had this happen to me. The dream felt like it was the highest point in my entire life, I was so happy, and I believe it was one of the happiest moments in my life (no joke). The world I was in felt so wicked and astonishing that when I woke, I have never ever in my life wanted to go back in a dream so bad, for a good 30 seconds I wish I could have abandoned this life and go back. I have never in my life wanted to go back to something so breathtaking. I was left on a cliffhanger; the dream was like a story of its own and I was the main character, falling in love with someone. It's like the dream created real memories, making me sad when I look back on those times. This entire show fits this exact description, gosh when can I have this feeling again? Thank you for all the people who put their time and lives into this show :)

[@TheNorthie]

Edgerunners captures that feeling that 2077 also had. Nobody wins aside from Night City and the Corpos. You either die or you leave Night City forever.

[@anope9053]

exactly; the only way to win in the world of 2077 is to never play night city's game. the thing im worried about is seeing our world turn into night city's

[@060steve]

Didn’t even have time to process or recover from Rebecca’s death 😢

[@alexmora8841]

I think edgerunners is a cautionary tale of where life goes in night city, no matter who you think you are. The show gave me such a fear and respect for night city because it’s like a neon tomb, where your dreams and aspirations don’t matter, and your death matters even less. Night city seems like the TRUE antagonist of cyberpunk. Such a beautiful illusion. David had no inherent value in night city all the way up until his death, which was no exception. Only remembered by an alcoholic drink named after him. Truly a black hole on earth.

[@Morning_Star_Productions]

I’m glad that since edgerunners came out, they finally fixed the bugs and it’s finally playable

[@PlzDuntCensorME]

Still a crap ton of bugs, but they have fixed like 50% of the bugs.

[@dryfox11]

@@PlzDuntCensorME Yeah, I actually just bought it and the one I’m noticing most is every time I exit a car, i phase through the seats and for some reason get stood up at the rear side passenger door even though I was driving lmao

[@IvanTre]

@@dryfox11 why drive a car, bikes fit in more spaces and I bet the game has hoverbikes. Just put a missile pod on those and you're golden..

[@j.k.1239]

It was always a great game held back by technical issues.

[@timpyfrog]

This show convinced me to play through 2077. I finished it in like 3 days. And every time I Really Want to Stay at Your House came on, I just stopped whatever I was doing, and just listened.

[@harvey9508]

i played halfway through the story a few months ago and now after watching this show i feel like i need to replay the whole game again to really feel it

[@ragingnovice2712]

small bit, pretty sure Falco survived

[@ZeronicKiba]

Yeah wow he totally did. Kinda bungled there. My bad haha. But my point about Lucy still stands I hope.

[@anto8585]

The song still hunts me down to this day and every time i hear it I recall all the sadness that i though i had left after months of healing.

[@sanbetski]

awesome breakdown to the reason for my post binge breakdown of this fantastic show!