Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough release due to the game's unacceptable number of bugs and performance issues, but thanks to continued post-launch support and other media, like the recently released series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the game, and wider IP are seeing a resurgence in popularity.
The anime has garnered a large fan base, and it's no secret why that is. Aside from the storyline, characters, and animation style, the anime has been praised for the fight scenes that are fast, violent, and fun to watch.
10
David Martinez VS. Katsuo Tanaka
The first episode of the series set the tone for the entire anime and provided viewers with a preview of what kind of fighting they could expect. This is also one fight that David lost and the one that helped push him toward getting more chrome.
Katsuo Tanaka is a stereotypical bully who believes David is lower than him due to social status. David can't keep up with the speed of Katsuo's attacks and is left with a bloody nose and plenty of bruises. Aside from Katsuo's technique and cyberware, his "battle cry" was more entertaining than threatening, and while this fight is short, it gives viewers a good look into what David is up against, starting from the lowest-ranking fighters to the top.
9
David Martinez VS. Katsuo Tanaka Round 2
Night City is one of the most stylish cyberpunk cities to be showcased in a game. Despite some of the run-down sections, the city is a sight to behold. The anime was able to capture this and was able to add more scenery by including an Arasaka school that David was later kicked out of.
Revenge can be sweet, and David was able to let out some steam by watching David punch Katsuo so hard that he's sent flying into the wall. The amusing scene of witnessing Katsuo cussing David out over breaking his nose is priceless, but it's also done well. The dramatic motions and Katsuo's ridiculous battle cry are complimented by seeing David get this small victory before going on to bigger and stronger opponents.
8 David Martinez And Rebecca Take On The Animals
There are a lot of gangs throughout Night City that vary in strength. Animals are one of the many gangs that are well known for their hand-to-hand combat and steroids, and David and Rebecca have a brief encounter with them.
This scene entertains viewers with comedic violence by having Rebecca shoot a gang member first in the head and then a few more times for good measure sending the gang member bouncing back several times before finally landing on the ground in an unrealistically funny way. While it was a hilarious scene, it also shows the emotional turmoil from past traumatic events that have begun to weigh heavily on his shoulders, leveling out the comedic violence with David's struggles.
7
First Cyberpsycho Encounter
There have been many improvements made to Cyberpunk 2077 since its launch. However, if there is one thing that put it back on the map, it is the story of David Martinez.
During his time as an Edgerunner, David saw many horrific things, such as Rebecca's brother getting shot in the head. The bloody display of brain matter and eyeballs and the horror in David's eyes laid the foundation for the emotional scene depicted by violence as Rebecca turns it up a notch and fights her teammates to kill the cyberpsycho. The raw emotion, fight to stay in control of a situation, and ultimately getting vengeance against the cyberpsycho were rolled up into this action-packed scene that would only last a few minutes and allowed fans to see Rebbecca completely unhinged.
6
David Martinez’s Braindance Experience
David Martinez has witnessed many people die. He's also killed plenty of people. But he never considered what death might feel like, and he got a small taste of that feeling because of the actions of Jimmy Kurosaki.
While this scene is not particularly long, the animation of the gory fight is top-notch. The action gives audiences an idea of what Norris saw and what acts he committed before the very beginning of the first episode. It hints at the possibility of David falling victim to cyberpsychosis, something he desperately wants to avoid. It was also a great way to lead into what would happen to Maine later on.
5
David Martinez, Rebecca, And Julio VS. Maelstrom Gang
Since the announcement of a new Cyberpunk game being in the works (currently only known as "Project Orion," fans of Cyberpunk 2077 have been discussing improvements they are hoping to see in the new game. One of the things many are hoping to see is the implants that David Martinez helped him throughout his time as an Edgerunner.
There have been plenty of moments where David and his crew have been outnumbered. One of these moments was when they went up against the Maelstroms. While this group isn't the biggest or deadliest, it was a great display of animation, entertainment, and providing plenty of bloodshed by showing scenes such as David putting Maine's Gorilla Arms to good use by making the head of Maelstrom gang member explode.
4
Cyberpsycho James Norris
One of the great things about Cyberpunk: Edegrunners is that it jumps right into the action. It starts things right off with a bang as a brutal fight is shown at the very beginning of the series, leaving viewers wanting more and wondering who the man at the start of the first episode is.
Before David is even introduced, James Norris is shown going on a murderous rampage. The scene is a bloodbath, each moment consumed by gunfire and death. The creators pulled no punches when it came to making this series intense and providing a fantastic introduction to an action-packed anime, and when it is shown in the game, it makes players want to jump in on said action.
3
Cyberpsycho Maine
A lot of great characters are introduced throughout the anime, such as the fan-favorite character Maine who had some of the best quotes in the series. However, like many great characters before him, he did not live very long.
Until now, audiences have only seen a person who is no longer in control of themselves due to cyberpsychosis. In this instance, viewers see it start taking control of Maine. It's not just a gory and violent scene, but emotional as it shows him dying in an explosion after giving David his Gorilla Arms and seeing himself as a child. It left a lasting impression and should have been a warning sign, one of the many David ignored that would lead to his downfall and leave fans heartbroken.
2 David Martinez VS. Militech
In both the game and the anime, it is said that no one in Night City can be trusted. In this case, Kiwi ended up being a prime example of this.
Revenge set David off to the point where he was teetering on the edge of losing his mind. The massacre matched, if not surpassed, Norris' and Maine's body count during their cyberpsychosis-fueled rampages. It had everything viewers loved, such as the carnage, the destruction of Miltitech forces, and David stepping into a cyberskeleton. However, audiences hear how using the cyberskeleton takes a tremendous toll on David's body and sanity, dropping massive hints that time is running out for poor David, leaving a sense of unease and the need to see it to the end.
1 David Martinez VS. Adam Smasher
Adam Smasher made a name for himself in the game as the massive, sadistic enemy that had more chrome on him than skin. So when he appeared in the anime, fans were excited to see what kind of action the anime had in store for them.
David and Adam's fight was a sight to behold, with an amazing display of animated cybernetic action, bloodshed, and, unfortunately, defeat. While David was able to hold his own for some time, Adam Smasher takes no prisoners and, to the fans' disappointment, ends the life of the iconic Edgerunner. The brutal scene was intense to watch, but it would ultimately leave fans heartbroken by seeing the tragic end for David Martinez and an end to a fantastic anime series.