This contains spoilers for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, now streaming onNetflix.
Cyberpunk Edgerunners is an example of just how good an anime adaptation of a video game can be. The release of the anime was highly successful and brought a wider audience toCyberpunk 2077. The video game originally had a rough launch, but the developers have been working hard to make the overall game experience much better, and it looks like the work has paid off to a certain degree.
One of the most exciting updates toCyberpunk 2077, is the addition ofCyberpunk Edgerunnerseaster eggs from theanime, with players being able to find Rebecca’s shotgun close by to Arasaka tower. There’s also a side quest available now where players are rewarded with David’s iconic jacket, proving that the characters in the anime exist in the same universe as V.
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The Timeline Of Night City
Another piece of proof is the fact that a lot of the environments found in theCyberpunk Edgerunnersanime are recognizable fromCyberpunk 2077, allowing players to visit the famous spots shown in the anime. V can visit the same places thatLucy, Rebecca, and David went to, as well as Lucy’s apartment also being available in the game now.Cyberpunk Edgerunnerscan be seen as some sort of a prequel toCyberpunk 2077. With Rebecca’s discarded gun found by a bush and David’s jacket given to V by Falco, meaning all of the events inCyberpunk Edgerunnershappened before the main story ofCyberpunk 2077.
The main question here is, how long ago did all of this happen? The fact that David’s jacket and Rebecca’s shotgun both seem in pretty good condition means that the events ofCyberpunk Edgerunnersweren’t too long ago. This means that V existed alongside the characters in the same universe, but it doesn’t seem like they ever crossed paths. During the side quest with Falco, V acknowledges David’s existence by indicating that she knew about David and his crew due to their reputation aroundNight City.
The Revenge Arc
For those who have watchedCyberpunk Edgerunners, Adam Smasher is now the focal point of a ton of hate, and for good reason. Luckily, players fight him towards the end ofCyberpunk 2077, allowing fans of the anime to get their revenge for those saddening last few moments ofCyberpunk Edgerunners. This means that the events ofCyberpunk 2077clearly happen in the near future, with Adam Smasher still being alive and just as annoying.
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It’s theorized that the start ofCyberpunk Edgerunnersis in fact set in 2076, just a year beforeCyberpunk 2077. This would make sense due to the fact that Rebecca’s shotgun is still in the same area as where she was murdered byAdam Smasher, and how all of the environments that are found in both mediums are exactly the same.
Where Both Mediums Collide
While buildings and cities do change over the years, there aren’t really any distinguishable differences between those found in Night City in bothCyberpunk EdgerunnersandCyberpunk 2077. Fans of both the video game and the anime can walk around Night City as they spot the same locations and sights found inCyberpunk Edgerunners. For those who played the game after watching the anime adaptation, a neat little feature is that all of thesongsplayed inCyberpunk Edgerunnersare also inCyberpunk 2077. Yes, this means that players can listen to the poignant and catchy"I Really Want To Stay At Your House"while driving around Night City.
It’s not been confirmed yet whetherCD Projekt Redwill add moreeaster eggsintoCyberpunk 2077or not. With the current easter eggs being added in line with theCyberpunk Edgerunnersrelease, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a few more details were added in the coming months. These easter eggs could possibly provide a bit more proof as to where exactly the events ofCyberpunk Edgerunnerstake place along the timeline.
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