"When you see videos like these, what's the first word that comes to your mind?"
I believe most people would immediately think of cyberpunk style. But what exactly is cyberpunk? Is it just a style that makes everything look cool? What kind of world does cyberpunk depict? These are questions many people may have considered but never really thought about deeply. So today, let’s take a systematic look at cyberpunk.
In 1983, Bruce Bethke's short story "Cyberpunk" first introduced the term to the public. A year later, in 1984, William Gibson's sci-fi novel Neuromancer hit the shelves, marking the first work to truly construct the cyberpunk worldview. In the dystopian society of Neuromancer, large multinational corporations dominate the world, and social order is controlled by these corporations that possess core technologies.
In this highly automated world, people have transformed from producers into consumers. Many individuals experience a sense of displacement because they have lost their true individuality. The complete worldview in Neuromancer gives cyberpunk its clear definition and is considered one of the most important works in the genre's history. From this point on, the term cyberpunk began to be more widely accepted and used across various forms of art.
But here’s something to note: Blade Runner was released in 1982, a year before the term cyberpunk even existed. At the time of its release, the public had no concept of cyberpunk. Additionally, Ridley Scott's film did not perform well at the box office initially. The futuristic concepts, including advanced machines and bioengineered humans, were ahead of their time and not well received.
Of course, it’s important to mention the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, which was published in 1968. This novel is often considered the precursor to the cyberpunk style. Despite its early publication, it was largely ignored for nearly two decades until it was adapted into Blade Runner in the 1980s, after which it gained much more attention.
Let’s pause here for a moment. I’m sure many of you are still unsure about what cyberpunk really means. Let’s break it down. The word cyberpunk can be divided into two parts: "cyber" and "punk."
- Cyber comes from "cybernetics," a field that deals with the study of machines, life, and systems control and communication.
- Punk refers to the music subculture from the 1970s that later evolved into a broader cultural movement, with a strong emphasis on dystopian themes.
To put it simply, the primary characteristic of cyberpunk is: high technology, low life.
Key Features of a Cyberpunk World
So, what are the typical features of a cyberpunk world?
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Highly Developed Network and Technology
This is one of the most essential elements of any cyberpunk work. Unlike other sci-fi genres that imagine leaps in aerospace technology, cyberpunk focuses on the development of Earth-based technologies. There’s no space travel like in Star Wars; instead, humans can access cyberspace—a digital world for entertainment and information. This concept of cyberspace was first introduced in Neuromancer and has become a standard element in cyberpunk. -
Artificial Intelligence, Bioengineering, and Body Augmentation
In a cyberpunk world, technology has reached the point where humans can replace or augment their physical bodies with mechanical prosthetics. Artificial intelligence has become so advanced that humanoid robots can think independently. This theme is often explored in cyberpunk works, such as Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell, questioning the boundaries between artificial and natural life. -
Capitalism and Corporate Monopoly
With the rapid development of technology, companies that control these innovations monopolize almost every industry. In many cyberpunk stories, governments have little to no power, and society is ruled by tech giants. This has led to significant income inequality, which gives rise to one of the core features of cyberpunk: the slums. -
The Slums: A Reflection of Extreme Social Inequality
As large corporations monopolize wealth, the gap between the rich and the poor widens. The wealthy live in automated, luxury high-rise buildings, while the poor are confined to dilapidated slums. The population in these slums is often diverse and out of control, creating a chaotic society that even advanced information technology can't manage. This stark contrast between high-tech and low life gives cyberpunk its inherent dystopian nature. -
A Dark, Gritty Aesthetic
Cyberpunk visuals typically feature dark, moody tones and heavy use of neon lights, as well as Asian cultural influences such as Japanese geishas, ramen, Chinese characters, and neon signs. These elements borrow heavily from scenes in cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and other urban landscapes.
The Influence of Cyberpunk Today
Now, cyberpunk has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. We can see cyberpunk elements in many cities, especially in places like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Chongqing.
Additionally, in the world of art, Spanish illustrator Josan Gonzalez stands out with his cyberpunk-themed book The Future is Now, featuring strong influences from works like Ghost in the Shell, The Fifth Element, and Otomo Katsuhiro's art. His cyberpunk illustrations depict chaotic, noisy future cities filled with advanced cybernetic humans and criminals on the run.
In the gaming world, Cyberpunk 2077 has become a very popular game, and just watching the trailer gets people excited. The game has received widespread acclaim for its world-building and story.
Notable Cyberpunk Films and Anime
Cyberpunk Style: A Journey Through Its Most Iconic Works
In this blog, I will explore a few representative works that define the cyberpunk genre. The first, of course, is the pioneer of cyberpunk, Ridley Scott's film Blade Runner (1982). This iconic movie, with its neon lights, Asian-style streets, cold color tones, omnipresent networks and advertisements, and the blurred line between replicants and humans, cemented its place as a definitive cyberpunk work. The visual style of Blade Runner has been widely influential, inspiring numerous films that followed. At the same time, the film delves into the philosophical question, "What does it mean to be human?"—a theme that many cyberpunk works continue to explore. The 2017 sequel, Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve, expands on the original's style while offering a deeper, more introspective exploration of the genre. With Roger Deakins' cinematography adding a visually stunning layer, it successfully continues the legacy of its predecessor.
Tron (1982) and Its Impact
In the same year, another significant cyberpunk work emerged: Tron. It tells the story of a group of people trapped in the virtual world of the Tron game. Although its special effects might appear outdated today, they were groundbreaking for the 1980s. Tron paved the way for future technological explorations in film. If you're interested, the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy, offers an exciting continuation of the story with modern effects and a compelling soundtrack.
The Matrix and Virtual Reality
Another monumental cyberpunk film is The Matrix series, which took cyberpunk to a new extreme by proposing that our world is a complete simulation. What if we are all just electronic signals, nothing more than zeros and ones? The Matrix not only presents a fascinating and mind-bending view of the future but also explores the evolution of humanity in the age of machines. Even 20 years later, the visual effects, groundbreaking action sequences, and larger-than-life world-building still leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Modern Cyberpunk Films and TV Shows
As film technology progressed, cyberpunk visuals and themes became more extreme. One standout is Ready Player One (2018), directed by Steven Spielberg. The film portrays a world in despair, where people turn to the virtual reality of "The Oasis" as their last hope. The movie's action-packed scenes and futuristic world-building provide an exciting and immersive experience.
Another more recent film, Alita: Battle Angel (2019), directed by Robert Rodriguez and based on the Japanese manga GUNNM, brings cyberpunk to life with incredible special effects. The dystopian steel city and the exploration of human-machine integration add to the film's deeply immersive experience.
Iconic Cyberpunk Anime
Two anime films are essential in understanding cyberpunk: AKIRA (1988) and Ghost in the Shell (1995). AKIRA, directed by Otomo Katsuhiro, is widely regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. Set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, the story centers around the devastating consequences of the "AKIRA" project. Unlike other cyberpunk films, AKIRA uses bright colors and surreal visuals,making the film visually vibrant while maintaining its dark cyberpunk undertones.
Ghost in the Shell, directed by Oshii Mamoru, is another cornerstone of the genre. The film examines the merging of human consciousness with artificial intelligence and poses one of the most profound questions in cyberpunk: "What is the soul?" The 2017 live-action adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson remains faithful to the anime's core, but many fans argue that it lacked the essence and depth of the original.
Other Notable Cyberpunk Works
In addition to the films mentioned, there are several other works that embody cyberpunk themes, including Twelve Monkeys, RoboCop, Dark City, The Fifth Element, The Zero Theorem, Minority Report, In Time, and Total Recall. These films also explore the intersection of humanity, technology, and dystopian futures.
What other iconic films do you think represent the cyberpunk genre?
Feel free to discuss in the comments section.
In fact, the most thought-provoking aspect of cyberpunk works for audiences is the exploration of humanity. What makes someone truly human?
When the body is replaced by layers of mechanical parts, does this mechanical skeleton still belong to us? And after the body has been replaced by machines, is the soul still intact?
Moreover, cyberpunk delves into the class relations between humans and bioengineered replicants, created by human technology. Do replicants possess souls? How should humans interact with them?
These questions give cyberpunk works their deep value.
Personally, I believe that as technology advances and society evolves, a variety of new issues will emerge, challenging human concepts. Extreme social structures in cyberpunk serve as a reflection on our current society; advanced medical technology raises questions about life and the soul; and sophisticated networks prompt discussions on the blurring lines between the virtual and the real.
These are the things that cyberpunk works urge audiences to contemplate.
In today’s world, rapid advancements in internet technology, the rapid development of AI and VR, and the arrival of the 5G era are all signs that cyberpunk is not just science fiction—it’s becoming our reality.
By the time you've read this article, I believe you now have a deeper understanding of "cyberpunk." Of course, this is just the information I’ve gathered based on my own knowledge, and if anyone has more insights or research, feel free to share them in the comments section.
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See you next time!
