CultureAugust 23, 2026

cyberpunk

SY-ber-punk

Definition

A subgenre of science fiction set in a technologically advanced, often dystopian future characterized by the prevalence of artificial intelligence, cybernetics, and societal decay.

Etymology

The word was coined in the early 1980s by writer Bruce Bethke, combining 'cybernetic'—referring to the science of communications and control systems—with 'punk,' reflecting the genre's rebellious and countercultural roots.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe specific anime series like 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' and 'Ghost in the Shell,' which feature high-tech, gritty urban environments where humanity struggles against corporate or systemic control.

10 Greatest Sci-Fi Anime Series of the 21st Century, Ranked

Read the full article ↗

Comic Book Resources

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