10 Sci-Fi Shows to Binge While Waiting for More Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

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Cyberpunk has been a powerful subcategory within science fiction for many years, but the Netflix original series “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” exceeded all our predictions. Based on the popular video game franchise, this show drew in numerous new fans of the genre. Even people who had never played the game found themselves captivated by the thrilling storyline. As you might imagine, we’re all excited for more stories set in the “Edgerunners” universe, and luckily, Netflix is planning to deliver on that anticipation, even if it takes some time. In the meantime, why not explore these science fiction shows while you wait?

The animated series “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” was visually captivating and emotionally engrossing, quickly winning our hearts and minds and refusing to let go. Fortunately, science fiction has been churning out high-quality content for quite some time, so there’s no shortage of other shows to keep us entertained. While not every series on the list will delve into cyberpunk themes, we don’t want to oversaturate ourselves with that style before the new show premieres, to avoid potential aesthetic fatigue.

1) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

The animated series, titled “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex,” is a must-watch due to its exceptional quality. It’s set in the year 2030 and centers around Public Security Section 9, a law enforcement unit specializing in cybercrime and terrorism investigations. Given the nature of these tasks, it’s safe to say that their work is more challenging than it might seem at first glance.

The animated series “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” comprised of 52 episodes, and it sparked several films and remakes, including a live-action adaptation. This indicates how deeply fans appreciated this material. Originating from Masamune Shirow’s manga named “Ghost in the Shell,” the series was skillfully directed by Kenji Kamiyama.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is available to stream on Tubi, Hulu, and Sling TV.

2) Love, Death & Robots

Love, Death & Robots is a pioneering Netflix series that caters to fans of science fiction across various expertise levels. It’s an animated collection where each episode delves into distinct subjects or stories. However, there’s a unique twist: every episode must center around one of the three core themes – love, death, or robots. Consequently, spectators will encounter diverse, genre-blending narratives as different creative minds blend comedy, horror, sci-fi, or fantasy into the storyline.

Title “Love, Death & Robots” was brought to life by Tim Miller, providing an opportunity for numerous creative minds to share their narratives (and demonstrate their artistic skills). Although many storylines stand alone, a recurring trio of robots can be spotted in several episodes.

Love, Death & Robots is available to stream on Netflix.

3) Altered Carbon

If you’re searching for an engaging live-action cyberpunk drama, then you might want to check out Altered Carbon. It’s adapted from Richard K. Morgan’s book of the same title. The story is set in a future where individuals can switch their consciousness between bodies. As expected, it begins with a murder mystery, with Takeshi Kovacs as the main investigator. This series doesn’t pull its punches and tackles both the pros and cons of technology head-on.

The sci-fi series “Altered Carbon” currently consists of two seasons, with the possibility of additional seasons if Netflix decides to renew it. Notable stars in the show include Joel Kinnaman, James Purefoy, Martha Higareda, Chris Conner, Dichen Lachman, Ato Essandoh, and a host of other skilled actors.

Altered Carbon is available to stream on Netflix.

4) Black Mirror

The critically acclaimed anthology series “Black Mirror,” created by Charlie Brooker, explores chilling near-future dystopian scenarios that resonate with many themes found in “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.” Each episode offers a unique take on different scenarios or technologies, ensuring a mix of thrill and chill for every viewer.

The television series, “Black Mirror,” is often praised as one of the top science fiction shows during its era. Spanning over seven seasons, it boasted a large and varied cast due to its anthology structure.

Black Mirror is available to stream on Netflix.

5) Cowboy Bebop

The space Western anime series “Cowboy Bebop” is another beloved title, characterized by a unique blend of neo-noir elements. Despite sounding unusual, it’s a fitting description that effectively portrays this extraordinary show. The narrative revolves around an eclectic group of bounty hunters, who journey together on the renowned spaceship called “Bebop.” Each character has their quirks and backstories, making them an intriguing addition to the crew’s storyline. Much like “Edgerunners,” fans find themselves captivated by the many engaging aspects of this series. The show is known for its thought-provoking themes such as existential struggles, loneliness, and human nature, which it tackles fearlessly.

Cowboy Bebop” is frequently hailed as one of the greatest anime productions ever made, and it seems unlikely that this accolade will be challenged in the near future. Its enduring popularity has even led to a feature film and a live-action remake being produced.

Cowboy Bebop is available to stream on Crunchyroll, Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video.

6) Fringe

The intriguing science-fiction series, “Fringe,” captivated fans rapidly due to its blend of FBI investigations, cutting-edge science, and fantastical elements. Essentially, it combines the structure of a detective drama with intense sci-fi and fantasy aspects, offering viewers an engaging enigma and storyline. The narrative commences when Agent Olivia Dunham is assigned to the Fringe Unit of the FBI, where she teams up with a scientist who appears to be mad in order to forecast technological failures and otherworldly dangers that could potentially harm humanity.

As a loyal fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the captivating journey that “Fringe” took us on for an incredible five seasons. Even though it could have easily continued, its talented cast, which included Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Blair Brown, and others, brought each episode to life with their stellar performances.

Fringe is available to rent through YouTube, Apple TV, and Prime Video.

7) Severance

Severance” is a relatively new show on Apple TV+, depicting a corporate world transformed into a dystopia. It’s a suspenseful sci-fi series centered around Lumon Industries, a company that has developed an extraordinary procedure to split their employees into two separate identities – their work selves (“Innies”) and their personal selves (“Outies”). The narrative focuses on four characters: Mark, Dylan, Helly, and Irving, who are struggling against the confines of their Innie lives with significant consequences.

The series titled “Severance” offers a chilling exploration of corporate dominance that goes beyond bounds. This captivating sci-fi thriller promises to grip viewers and keep them hooked. In its stellar cast, you’ll find Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, John Turturro, and a host of other talented actors.

Severance is available to stream on Apple TV+.

8) Russian Doll

This Netflix production features essential science fiction components like time loops and immerses two characters in challenging circumstances, compelling them to navigate their way out independently. There’s a touch of humor incorporated along the way, giving it a distinctive overall flavor. Imagine a mix between “Groundhog Day” and endless cycles of frustration for the characters, with forced interactions at the core.

The narrative centers around Nadia, a woman trapped in a time loop surrounding her 36th birthday party. Each cycle ends with her demise, only to start anew. Later on, she encounters another character experiencing the same predicament but with a different time loop as the focal point.

At the moment, two instalments of “Russian Doll” have been released, as the show garnered significant praise from critics. The cast includes Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Ashley, Charlie Barnett, and Chloë Sevigny.

Russian Doll is available to stream on Netflix.

9) Station Eleven

The TV series Station Eleven, streaming on HBO Max, derives from Emily St. John Mandel’s novel bearing the same title. Its narrative might resonate with familiarity as it unfolds in a world devastated by a pandemic. The globe has been largely overrun by a flu-like illness, and whatever remains of humankind is struggling to regroup. In the subsequent years, a band of survivors find themselves connected to a menacing cult, which paves the way for unforeseen turns and surprises.

Station Eleven offers an incredibly dreamlike experience, though its pandemic-centered plot may resonate deeply. The show is captivating from start to end, with Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, David Wilmot, Nabhaan Rizwan, and a host of others gracing the screen.

Station Eleven is available to stream on HBO Max.

10) Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040

Towards the end, let me introduce you to “Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040”. This is a revamped cyberpunk anime from the year 1998, but don’t be deterred by its age. It’s actually a remake of the initial “Bubblegum Crisis”, offering some intriguing new elements and surprises. In this future setting, most laborious tasks are handled by robots known as Boomers, until they begin to fail catastrophically with increased frequency. This growing issue has led the Knight Sabers to launch a fresh inquiry into the underlying causes.

In the animated series Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, the main emphasis is on a team of characters known as the Knight Sabers. This group consists of Priscilla S. Asagiri, voiced by Yu Asakawa/Christine Auten; Linna Yamazaki, voiced by Rio Natsuki/Kelly Manison; Sylia Stingray, voiced by Satsuki Yukino/Laura Chapman; and Nene Romanova, voiced by Hiroko Konishi/Hilary Haag.

Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2025-08-23 02:13