My Cultural Diet

When it comes to cyberpunk anime, odds are that Akira and Ghost in the Shell are the first titles that come to most people’s minds (if not the only titles). But I humbly submit that Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s Cyber City Oedo 808 might actually be the most cyberpunk anime of all time, and perhaps even the most “’80s” anime of all time, as well. Other cyberpunk titles feature extreme dystopian cityscapes, souped up vehicles, cybernetic enhancements, and outlandish computer interfaces, but Cyber City Oedo 808 turns all of those tropes up to eleven with the help of Madhouse’s stylish animation and Rory McFarlane’s proto-synthwave soundtrack. And then for good measure, it throws in some ridiculously foul-mouthed anti-heroes (the swearing in the English dub is hilariously over-the-top), an annoying robotic companion, experimental military cyborgs with psychic powers, and finally, vampires. (Who also have psychic powers.) As with Kawajiri’s other titles (Wicked City, Ninja Scroll), Cyber City Oedo 808 is an exercise in style as substance. When that approach succeeds, it’s a lot of retro fun, and even strangely moving at times (particularly in its final episode). When that approach is less successful, however, the three-episode OVA can be a bit of a slog that struggles to rise above its many clichés.

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