Netflix's Cyberpunk: Edgerunners returns with second season on October 20

Netflix has dropped the first teaser trailer for the second season of "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners," confirming the new episodes will begin streaming on October 20. The show remains a joint production between game developer CD Projekt Red and animation studio Trigger, but this time it follows a completely new group of mercenaries struggling to survive in the violence-driven Night City.

According to Netflix, the new season is described as "a raw chronicle of redemption and revenge in a city that thrives on violence," and has been designed as a standalone story that doesn't require familiarity with the first season.

Returning talent behind the camera

Per Anime News Network, the 10-episode season will be directed by Kai Ikarashi, who worked as a storyboard artist and animation director on the original series. He'll be joined by several season-one veterans, including producer and showrunner Bartosz Sztybor, returning writer Masahiko Otsuka, and lead character designer Ichigo Kanno.

The teaser doesn't reveal much about the plot, but it introduces the new cast — edgerunners, netrunners, and at least one child carrying a movie camera — who will feature in the season. It also showcases what Netflix calls the show's "reimagined animation style," which appears grittier than Trigger's original take.

A boost for the game

Beyond earning strong critical praise, "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" has helped revive interest in CD Projekt Red's once-troubled open-world game. Following the first season's release, "Cyberpunk 2077" saw a major surge in popularity on Steam, and the studio is already developing a sequel to the game.