From Akira to Animatrix, anime that nailed the Cyberpunk genre

Dive deeper in the world of futuristic nightmares and technological Wonders and cyberpunk with these suggestions.

We all have imagined ourselves living in a dystopian world at least once. Thinking about the possibilities of the future, the options seem endless and that thought gave rise to a really important genre of Japanese animation. The cyberpunk genre of animation combines elements of science fiction and human dilemma to create a futuristic world where advanced technology and societal decay go hand in hand. This sounds really cool but we don’t get to see many thought provoking pieces in this genre in modern animation. But the ones that we have are never going out of heads for their thrilling storylines. The genre has produced some of the most iconic and influential anime titles, such as Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and Cowboy Bebop, Paprika which have inspired countless other works.

These kinds of stories often feature a dystopian world, where society is controlled by powerful corporations, and the line between humans and machines have been blurred. These shows often present a rhetorical question for their audience and that’s what makes them so captivating. Layered with the themes of rebellion, corruption, and the struggle for survival in a harsh, technologically-advanced world, such storylines never fail to make us think. With exploring complex themes, it offers viewers a glimpse into a dark, yet mesmerizing future. There is a common feeling and moral dilemma that we all go through after watching these shows which is a testament of excellent storytelling.