‘When People Are Sad, I’m a Bit Happy’: Producer of Netflix’s Biggest Sci-Fi Anime Promises Even Darker Series

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Bartosz Sztybor, the creator behind Netflix’s most popular sci-fi anime, recently shared insights on why he chose a melancholic storyline for the show, hinting that future installments may delve deeper into gloomier and more sorrowful themes.

Sztybor posted a video from his Cyberpunk: Edgerunners panel at Anime Expo on his account (previously Twitter), and in it, he playfully confessed that his aim was to “get the whole world feeling down” with the anime. During this panel, which included voice actors Emi Lo (as Lucy) and Zach Aguilar (as David Martinez), the showrunner discussed the emphasis on human narratives within the dystopian setting of Cyberpunk. Sztybor stated, “Human stories are crucial for CD Projekt Red. We developed Cyberpunk 2077, and we’ve always wanted to craft character-driven stories, so that was important.” Additionally, Sztybor mentioned that as a company from Poland and being Polish himself, there is a certain sadness in Poland, “so I just wanted to make the whole world feel the same way.” When asked if he ever thought about writing a happy story, Sztybor responded bluntly, “No. Since people are sad, then I’m a bit content,” before jokingly saying that he thrives on the sadness of others.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 Anime Promises a Darker Standalone Series

The assembly presented information, revealing that the show will consist of ten episodes, forming an independent series apart from the original one. Although it takes place in the same universe as Season 1, it does not carry on the initial narrative. The panel warned viewers to refrain from excessive anticipation before frankly announcing, “David is deceased.” The upcoming season, characterized by its darker and more melancholic tone, will be led by a new, energetic crew.

Kai Ikarashi, responsible for directing episode six of the initial season, is taking on the director position in the upcoming series. Meanwhile, Sztybor will assume roles as writer, producer, and showrunner. An official trailer was unveiled; however, its graphic content made it unsuitable for the primary panel, so it was presented at a separate mature-audience Trigger panel instead.

In 2022, the groundbreaking anime series “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,” now streaming on Netflix, held viewers spellbound by its portrayal of a gritty, futuristic landscape dominated by body modification and extreme violence. Our protagonist, David, is driven to become an Edgerunner, a tech-savvy mercenary, in order to survive in this harsh world. The show chronicles his struggles as he navigates the treacherous streets of Night City, develops feelings for the netrunner Lucy, and faces the brutal repercussions of his decisions.

The inaugural season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, produced by Netflix and Studio Trigger, was met with overwhelming critical acclaim. This groundbreaking anime boasts a flawless 100% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and its audience approval is almost as impressive, standing at an outstanding 95% positive feedback. Additionally, it was named Anime of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony.

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2025-07-07 00:53