Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness – A Prequel to the Phenomenal Anime
Introduction
In the wake of the critically acclaimed anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, CD Projekt Red and Trigger have joined forces once again to bring forth a prequel manga that delves into the origins of beloved characters from the show. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness, set to be released in English courtesy of Dark Horse this summer, follows the exploits of fan-favorite character Rebecca and her brother Pilar before the events of the anime.
Interview with Manga Writer Bartosz Sztybor
In an exclusive interview with io9, manga writer Bartosz Sztybor provides insights into the creation of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness and what fans can expect from future Edgerunners stories.
The Genesis of the Manga
The idea to revisit Cyberpunk: Edgerunners as a manga stemmed from the desire to further explore the rich universe of Cyberpunk 2077. Sztybor explains, "Our idea for the whole franchise is to show that this is a big, authentic, and believable world and you can achieve that through complex characters and grounded stories."
Choosing Rebecca as the Focus
Rebecca’s popularity among fans heavily influenced the decision to make her the central character of the manga. "She seemed the best idea, but I already knew that it shouldn’t be just about her," says Sztybor. "As one of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ themes is parent-child relationships, we needed to add Becca’s brother Pilar to the story and explain how their childhood traumas made them who they are."
The Collision of Genres
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness aims to blend elements of dark comedy and cyberpunk tragedy. Sztybor describes it as a "sitcom with a cyberpunk twist," combining slapstick humor with the brutality that is synonymous with the Cyberpunk universe. He adds, "It’s still a character-driven tale with a complex story, so—as always with CDPR—it’s a tale about morality and shades of gray."
The Development Process
The manga has been in development for almost two years, with each chapter spanning 40 pages. Sztybor emphasizes the collaborative nature of the process, involving editors from both CD Projekt Red and Kadokawa. Asano, the artist behind the manga, has played a crucial role in bringing the story to life.
The Future of the Edgerunners Universe
Whether the manga will become an ongoing series depends on its reception. Sztybor states, "If the readers will demand more, then I’m ready. I could write stories about Becca forever!"
CD Projekt Red remains committed to exploring the Edgerunners universe regardless of the manga’s success. "If there is a good story to tell about someone from that universe, we will do everything to tell it," says Sztybor.
Conclusion
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Madness promises to expand on the captivating cast of characters from the critically acclaimed anime. With its blend of dark comedy and cyberpunk tragedy, the manga is set to deliver a fresh perspective on the beloved Edgerunners universe.
