10 Cyberpunk Anime Classics Deserve Immediate Remakes

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The original cyberpunk series remains legendary, and its initial anime adaptations, particularly, hold a special place in many hearts. Interestingly, these animated versions have garnered more attention than the original manga. However, an upcoming remake appears to promise the most accurate adaptation so far. With this classic cyberpunk title being reimagined, there are numerous other anime that could benefit from a similar makeover.

1980s and 1990s saw an abundance of exceptional cyberpunk anime, along with many others that held immense promise. A reboot of these series could breathe new life into the cyberpunk genre within anime, while also bringing back some timeless classics. Even more exciting, a potential new manga from the same creator could be reimagined in animated form.

The 1980s saw the debut of the original “Akira” anime film, a groundbreaking event in the world of anime. Simultaneously, Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga was also released, but the two diverged significantly by their conclusion because the final three volumes of the manga were still unpublished at that time, preventing the movie from accurately adapting the entire comic book series.

Restaging “Akira” into an animation might fully animate the entire storyline, potentially surpassing the original animated version. Given the enduring impact of the initial release, a remake would undoubtedly attract a pre-existing fanbase. Crucially, it offers an opportunity to tap into the growing fascination with the cyberpunk genre and the recent surge in anime reboots, with the latter becoming more prevalent.

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Genocyber stands out among cyberpunk anime and manga due to their significant differences. The controversial OVA was released in 1994, a year after the manga ended. Although the manga concluded, it remained incomplete, which could account for the disjointed narrative of the animated version. It’s now mostly recognized for its intense violence, but this might alter with a remake.

A contemporary take on Genocyber might focus more on the grotesque body elements within its cyberpunk setting, which resonates with today’s audience who have developed an appreciation for such themes. Crucially, this reimagining could be a complete anime series (or a season of 12 episodes) that offers a comprehensive narrative, avoiding excessive shock value, and thereby enhancing the original story for modern viewers.

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It’s fair to say that among all cyberpunk animations, Serial Experiments Lain stands out for its bleak portrayal of the future. The main character is a girl who feels disconnected in her real-world life, often overlooked by those around her. However, when she ventures into The Wired – a digital world reminiscent of contemporary online games and social media – everything shifts dramatically. In this sense, the anime was truly visionary for its time.

A modern adaptation of “Serial Experiments Lain” could explore the eerie authenticity that the original anime now holds, as it has transcended into a phenomenon stranger than the fiction it once was in reality. This reimagining could serve either as a continuation or a faithful remake, offering insights on the elapsed years since the original’s release. One intriguing angle to delve into would be the ordinary suburban backdrop of the anime’s world, contrasting sharply with the high-tech, gritty cityscapes commonly found in cyberpunk anime.

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The 2001 anime film “Metropolis” was heavily influenced by various sources, primarily the manga works of Osamu Tezuka. This manga, in turn, was loosely based on multiple inspirations, one of which being Fritz Lang’s movie with the same name. The film portrays a world where androids and humans live uneasily together. Despite its somewhat adorable visual style, the narrative is actually quite dark and combines elements of noir and cyberpunk genres.

A potential reimagining of Metropolis could emulate the style of the Pluto anime (an animated adaptation based on a manga that was a gritty reinterpretation of Tezuka’s Astro Boy), delving even deeper and darker into its themes while accentuating the aesthetic charm. Both the anime and manga incorporated aspects of Japanese religion and Shintoism, so integrating these elements more extensively in a remake would enable a more elaborate portrayal of the narrative.

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In the 2010s, following the abandonment of a planned OVA adaptation, the Mardock Scramble anime movie trilogy emerged as an alternative retelling of the story from the Tow Ubukata novels. However, due to the shift in medium and each film being short, around an hour, some aspects were inevitably left unaddressed. Notably, these movies were produced by GoHands, a studio that has since gained notoriety for its frequently humorous animation quality.

A superior animation studio should take on a comprehensive anime adaptation of the cyberpunk revenge story, “Mardock Scramble”. Not only does it offer intense action sequences, but it also delves into profound philosophical concepts that would greatly benefit from being expanded over multiple anime seasons. Ideally, three seasons would be suitable, mirroring the number of movies and potentially accommodating the adaptation of the “Mardock Velocity” novels as well.

Despite sharing the same name as a well-known character from Dragon Ball, Goku Midnight Eye is an entirely distinct entity. Originating as a cyberpunk manga in the late 1980s, it consisted of three volumes. As the decade drew to a close, an anime OVA adaptation was released, which is what it’s primarily recognized for, whether positively or negatively. Its distinctive features are hinting at a reappearance in a remake.

In contrast to its stern appearance, Goku Midnight Eye incorporates some of the most outlandish aspects found in cyberpunk anime. For instance, it features over-the-top “romantic” moments and cyborg dancers who transform into motorcycles. The series teeters on self-parody, yet its absurdity could fit perfectly in today’s world of humorous viral content shared across social media platforms.

The manga titled “Appleseed” bore a strong resemblance to Masamune Shirow’s “Ghost in the Shell,” featuring themes such as a police force comprising of cyborgs and mecha combat, albeit with an emphasis on creating a utopian society rather than delving into the darker aspects prevalent in “Ghost in the Shell.” Over the years, it spawned several anime movies and was later adapted into CGI anime. Regrettably, a proposed 2005 anime adaptation did not materialize as planned.

Back in the day, I found myself captivated by “Appleseed XIII”, but it seemed to fly under the radar for many fans and received a mixed response from those who watched it. Now, with over a decade having passed since its release, I believe it’s high time for a fresh take on this classic series.

Imagine a new anime adaptation of “Appleseed” that serves as a companion piece to the upcoming version, offering a unique perspective while still maintaining the essence of the original. This reimagined utopia might be portrayed with a more somber tone, drawing inspiration from the darker, humorous take on Major Motoko Kusanagi in the “Ghost in the Shell” remake. It’s an exciting prospect that I eagerly await!

Originating as an Original Video Animation (OVA) in the 1980s, “Bubblegum Crisis” rose to prominence among cyberpunk and franchise titans. The narrative revolves around a squad of female police officers battling against the menace of cyborg “Boomers”, set against a backdrop of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo marked by social inequalities and environmental disasters. The popularity of the anime led to offshoots like “AD Police“, exploring the intricate bureaucracy that characterizes Japanese society.

Redoing “Bubblegum Crisis” could maintain the original anime’s excitement while placing a significant focus on plot depth and character growth. The themes of special inequality and bureaucratic hurdles could be accentuated even further, as we delve deeper into the concept of Japan being largely governed by external powers due to a past catastrophe. These ideas might not have resonated as much with viewers in the 1980s, but in light of recent events like the 2011 tsunami and earthquake in Japan, they could now be more timely and relevant.

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The franchise encompassing “Battle Angel Alita,” a popular yet somewhat enigmatic cyberpunk manga and anime series, finds itself in an unusual state due to its animated counterpart. Although the manga enjoyed immense popularity, the anime was initially presented as an OVA (Original Video Animation), serving more as a trial than a complete production. Despite fan enthusiasm for further installments and increased interest following the successful live-action version, no full-fledged anime adaptation has been produced to date.

A fresh adaptation of the “Battle Angel Alita” anime series could generate significant interest, especially considering the upcoming buzz surrounding the “Ghost in the Shell” remake. The fact that the manga remains popular in Western markets indicates a dedicated fanbase. With the anticipation of telling the full story in an animated format, such a reboot would undoubtedly boost ratings and potentially achieve streaming success.

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Ghost in the Shell is indeed impressive, but it doesn’t quite take the top spot. Armitage III, like Ghost in the Shell, explored similar themes, yet it delved deeper into unique ones that were particularly fitting for the genre. Unlike Major Motoko Kusanagi, its protagonist had a different storyline, making her more vulnerable and reflective of the societal implications of androids and cyborgs within the OVA’s narrative.

Similar to many cyberpunk series from the 1980s and 1990s, such as Armitage III, there were certain narrative and runtime problems, and the animation was less vibrant for its time, particularly for an anime of that type. A remake could expand upon the story, characters, and themes from a contemporary viewpoint, with a focus on elements that were only hinted at in the original. Additionally, improved animation would contribute to making it the definitive rendition of the Armitage III saga.

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2025-04-18 16:23