Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is one of the rare beauties of Netflix that stands on a 100% critics score and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The anime itself, although only a limited series, has a fan base just as strong as that of long-running animes. The series had a lot of obstacles to overcome, such as the game’s delay in release, considering the fact that the anime was to be based on Cyberpunk 2077.
Another big problem was that the screenwriter, Bartosz Sztybor, was a first-time anime writer. However, he had a lot of writing credits to back him up, making the series a new experience rather than a gamble. Not only were they teaming up with Netflix, but they were also teaming up with Studio Trigger. There were a lot of differences, those that created divided visions that needed to form a path before execution.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Wanted to Mix Two Worlds
Speaking with Anime Corner, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners screenwriter and producer Bartosz Sztybor talked about what it was like working with Netflix and Studio Trigger. The entire experience was new in many ways, including the conflict of interest that arose because of their different cultures and experiences. On top of that, there was a goal that needed deep understanding.
The writing process was really hard because there were definitely some creative differences during the first couple of months that both sides needed to adjust to. We wanted to create something different than all the anime that were made before, our goal was to mix anime visuals and narration with a storytelling approach you know from live-action premium TV shows like Breaking Bad, The Wire, or The Sopranos.
He proposed the idea that it wasn’t necessarily an anime like all those that came before it while also keeping in mind the elements of an anime. There is a wild difference between live-action projects and those that are in the world of anime. Animation has always given more liberty to things live-action cannot.
As such, Sztybor took into consideration shows like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and The Wire. The goal was to make something that gave out the feelings of such shows but in anime format.
Divided Visions but One Goal
Bartosz Sztybor talked about how it was important for two parties who were working together to also have the same vision. Their ideas were much different considering the fact that they were from different countries. This made their cultures and experiences different, and, in turn, changed their approaches. However, there was a mutual understanding of the fact that one couldn’t rely on discourse to let a project successfully come to life.
It was hard to find the balance, for us and for Trigger as well, because — firstly — we were trying to create something fresh and — secondly — we were two companies from different countries with totally different cultures and experiences. That’s why we had to learn from and about each other, build trust, and start speaking the same creative language.
The moment they tried to find a middle ground, the pandemic struck, leaving them stranded. However, with the determination to make a successful anime, they decided to do whatever they could. What came to an understanding was that there were themes both sides saw fitting.
These themes became the driving force of a path that was finally unified. With patience and understanding of one another, they came up with the perfect way to execute the idea that later became Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is available to watch on Netflix.
