In 2026, I did what any responsible adult does: I rewatched Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and sobbed into a bowl of synth-noodles. This anime still slaps harder than a cyberpsycho with a projectile launch system and a grudge. Night City remains a neon nightmare where body modification, corporate espionage, and terrible life choices are basically a personality type. And the cast? Oh boy. They are a beautiful, broken, chrome-plated disaster. So I ranked them from least likely to survive a Monday to please protect my heart. Spoiler: nobody is okay. Nobody.
Quick note: this ranking is highly scientific. I used a complex algorithm of gut feelings, tragic backstories, and how many times I yelled at my screen. I also rewatched in 2026, so yes, the emotional damage is fresh. Here is the ranking. Try not to get attached. You will fail.
10. Pilar — The Crude Techie Who Learned Cyberpsychos Have No Chill
Pilar is the comical, crude techie who rolled with Maine and his crew alongside his sister Rebecca. He had the energy of a guy who would steal your fries and then explain why it was technically a social experiment. Then he taunted a cyberpsycho. The cyberpsycho responded with a Projectile Launch System shot to the head. Pilar's skull was severely damaged. He rocked a Militech M-10AF Lexington and monovision, which gave him that visored look and enhanced vision. His death added a sharp dose of tragedy to the series. Lesson learned: do not heckle a man whose skull is basically a gun turret.
9. Rebecca — The Manic Solo With a Heart of Chrome
Rebecca is a loyal, sharp-tongued solo with an extreme, unpredictable nature. She displays manic glee in fights like a gremlin who found a rocket launcher. Despite her wild persona, she deeply cares for Maine's crew, especially newcomer David Martinez. She also has romantic feelings for him, which leads to tension and sarcastic remarks about David's girlfriend, Lucy. During an attack at Corpo Plaza, Rebecca expresses relief that Lucy is safe for David's sake. That selfless affection hits hard. Then Adam Smasher crushes her shortly afterward. Rebecca deserved better. I said what I said. Adam Smasher can step on a Lego.
8. Gloria Martinez — The EMT Mom Who Deserved a Vacation
Gloria Martinez is David's mother and an Emergency Medical Technician who worked long hours to provide for her son. She even sold valuable cyberware salvaged from corpses. One such item was a military-grade Sandevistan. Before she could hand it over, an incident involving David led to a tragic turn. Gloria and David ended up in the crossfire of a gang attack, resulting in a car crash. Gloria received treatment from a low-end surgeon but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Gloria is the reason I cannot hear the phrase just one more job without crying. She deserved a spa day, not Night City.
7. Doc — The Black-Market Ripperdoc With Zero Ethics and Great Deals
Doc is a surgeon who also works as a black-market ripperdoc selling illicit items like braindances, software, and drugs. His opportunistic and hedonistic nature affects David Martinez significantly. Doc exposes David to extreme braindances, including a violent episode featuring a military veteran. To save money, David uses Doc's services to get a bootleg school update for Arasaka Academy. The update turns out to be corrupted, causing trouble at school. This stresses Gloria and puts David's enrollment at risk. Doc is the guy who sells you a slightly used liver and then charges you for the bag. Yet without him, the plot would be a lot shorter and a lot less traumatic.
6. Faraday — The Corporate Fixer Who Thought He Was Playing 4D Chess
Faraday is a prominent character serving as a corporate fixer for Militech. He conducts espionage against rival corporation Arasaka and employs a crew of edgerunners, including his protege David Martinez. Faraday sees himself as a master manipulator, but he is vulnerable to larger corporate maneuvers. He assists Arasaka in tracking down Lucyna Kushinada and stealing a prototype exoskeleton. Unknown to David, Faraday orchestrates Lucy's abduction. That is cunning and ruthless, yes, but also very middle-manager-in-a-trench-coat. He is the kind of guy who schedules a betrayal during a quarterly review. Still, his story underscores the treacherous power dynamics in Night City.
5. Dorio — The Veteran Edgerunner Who Could Bench-Press Your Car
Dorio is Maine's trusted right-hand and a veteran edgerunner. She possesses both physical strength and skill. Despite her tough exterior, she has a softer side that she reveals only to those she trusts. Dorio is proficient in combat, wielding weapons such as the Unity, Overture, and HJSH-18 Masamune. She also has gorilla arm implants that enhance her melee damage. With each melee attack, she accumulates charges to unleash powerful strikes. Dorio adds depth and prowess to the crew. She is the friend who helps you move, then helps you hide the body. Metaphorically. Mostly.
4. Maine — The Big Guy With Bigger Cyberware and Even Bigger Problems
Maine is a former military soldier turned veteran edgerunner. He aspires to achieve great success in Night City with his crew. Seeking cyberware enhancements, Maine strikes a deal with Gloria Martinez. However, Gloria becomes a victim of gang violence. Lucy informs Maine that his stolen Sandevistan has been spotted on David Martinez, leading to a confrontation. Still upset over losing access to the Sandevistan, Maine initially rejects David's offer to work off his debt. Eventually, Maine allows David to join his crew, and they attempt a heist. Maine is what happens when you max out strength and charisma but forget to invest in emotional stability. I love him. I fear him. I want him to take a nap.
3. Kiwi — The Snarky Netrunner With a Detachable Jaw and a Knife
Kiwi is a main character and later antagonist. She is a snarky netrunner with a detachable cybernetic jaw mask. Director Hiroyuki Imaishi's favorite character, Kiwi is a key member of Maine's mercenary crew and acts as a mentor to Lucy. She wields the Unity weapon, a sought-after .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Its popularity in Night City stems from its simplicity, cost-effective materials, high fire rate, and 12-round magazine capacity. Kiwi also loves to ride the Kusanagi CT-3X motorcycle manufactured by Yaiba. Kiwi is the cool aunt who teaches you to hack the planet and also to never trust anyone, including her. Especially her.
2. Lucy — The Moon Dreamer Who Stole My Whole Heart
Lucyna Lucy Kushinada is the mysterious and second most important character. As a netrunner from Night City, Lucy's quiet demeanor misrepresents her readiness to kill if messed with. She views Night City as a prison and dreams of escaping to the Moon. Lucy eventually meets Kiwi, who mentors her and introduces her to Maine and his edgerunner crew. Lucy is visually striking, with dyed hair and light red makeup. Her style is a mix of Kitsch and Neomilitarism, with a cropped white jacket and a black netrunner unitard. Lucy is the reason I have a moon poster and trust issues. She is also the reason I think running away to the Moon is a valid retirement plan.
1. David Martinez — The Edgerunner Who Ran Out of Time and Sanity
David Martinez is the central character of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, navigating the dangerous underbelly of Night City. Engaged in business with the black-market ripperdoc Doc, David's life is filled with high-risk decisions. Exposed to extreme cyberpsychosis and braindances, he grapples with violent, graphic realities. In an attempt to economize, he procures a bootleg school update for Arasaka Academy. Its corruption results in serious repercussions and potential expulsion. David's story encapsulates the harsh realities of living on the edge in a dystopian future marked by technology, crime, and stark societal contrasts. David is a walking cautionary tale with a tragic haircut and a Sandevistan. I love him. I want him to go to therapy. I know he will not.
Final thoughts: In 2026, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners remains a masterpiece that hits like a freight train made of neon and regret. It even beat Attack on Titan for Anime of the Year, and I still have not recovered. Night City always wins. But the edgerunners? They burn bright enough to matter. And then they make me cry into my noodles. If you have not watched it, fix that. If you have, rewatch it and suffer beautifully with me. Just maybe keep a box of tissues and a therapist on standby. 🎮🌃💔