- Arasaka Academy in game terms: A fictional anime school from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, not a playable Cyberpunk 2077 location
- Crossover tributes: Cyberpunk 2077 added David Martinez memorials and Edgerunners-themed content after the anime aired
- Lore link: The Academy is run under Arasaka Corporation influence, the same megacorp central to 2077's story
- Best viewing order: Watch Edgerunners first, then spot the callbacks while playing 2077
- New content: Edgerunners 2 premieres on Netflix on October 20, 2026
What Arasaka Academy in Game Terms Really Means
When fans search for "Arasaka Academy in game," they are usually looking for one of two things: whether the elite school from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners exists as a visitable location in Cyberpunk 2077, or how the anime's story connects to the game's world. The short answer is that Arasaka Academy is an anime-original institution. It was created for the 2022 Studio Trigger series as the school David Martinez attends, and it is not a marked, enterable fast-travel point in Cyberpunk 2077.
However, the connection between the anime and the game is far deeper than a simple cameo. Edgerunners is explicitly set in the same Night City as Cyberpunk 2077, roughly one year before the events of the game. The art team at Trigger recreated recognizable locations from the game — including David's Megabuilding H4 apartment in Heywood and the Afterlife bar — while adding the Academy as a new story-driven location that fits the established world.
Arasaka Academy is a fictional school from the anime, not a game level or district. If you see claims of an "Arasaka Academy mission" in Cyberpunk 2077, they refer to Edgerunners crossover content, not the school itself.
The table below breaks down how the Academy's depiction in the anime maps onto the game's world:
| Element | In Edgerunners (Anime) | In Cyberpunk 2077 (Game) |
|---|---|---|
| Arasaka Academy campus | Fully shown, central to Episodes 1-2 | Not a visitable location |
| Megabuilding H4, Heywood | David's home, key scenes | Exists in-game, explorable district |
| Afterlife bar | Crew hangout | Iconic in-game bar, has David-related tribute |
| Arasaka Corporation | Owns the Academy, employs Adam Smasher | Main antagonist faction of the story |
| David Martinez | Protagonist | Referenced via crossover content and Easter eggs |
Arasaka Academy and the Arasaka Corporation
Understanding Arasaka Academy means understanding the corporation behind it. Founded in Tokyo in the early 20th century by Sasai Arasaka and later led by Kei and then Yorinobu Arasaka, the corporation spans security services, banking, manufacturing, and cybertechnology. By 2077 it is one of the most powerful megacorporations in the world, with its iconic Tokyo headquarters and major operations in Night City.
Corporate Pipeline
The Academy funnels promising students toward corporate careers. A scholarship seat — like David's — is a rare shot at upward mobility in a city where status is usually fixed at birth.
Elite Culture
Wealthy classmates such as Katsuo Tanaka flaunt corporate-family privileges, mocking David's secondhand gear. Arasaka loyalty is bought as much as taught.
The Shadow Above
Arasaka's presence looms over the whole series — from the Academy itself to Adam Smasher, the cyborg enforcer who ultimately hunts David at Arasaka Tower.
Edgerunners takes place roughly a year before Cyberpunk 2077's main story. David's fate is already history by the time V arrives in Night City, which is why in-game characters speak of past edgerunners in legend-like terms.
The Academy's role in the broader lore can be summarized as follows:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Arasaka Corporation influence |
| Purpose | Elite education pipeline into corpo careers |
| Notable student | David Martinez (scholarship) |
| Notable rival | Katsuo Tanaka (corporate family) |
| Symbolic role | Class stratification and false promise of mobility |
| In-game status | Anime-only location; referenced through lore and tributes |
How to Experience the Academy Story in Game Order
If you want the fullest "Arasaka Academy in game" experience, follow this sequence to connect the anime, the game, and the upcoming sequel.
Watch Edgerunners Episodes 1-2
The Academy dominates these episodes: David's daily life, Katsuo's bullying, Gloria's fatal accident, David's rooftop fight, and his expulsion. This is where nearly all Academy content lives.
Finish the Full Series
Episodes 3-10 follow David into Maine's crew and toward the tragic finale against Adam Smasher at Arasaka Tower — the corporation behind his old school.
Play Cyberpunk 2077 and Visit Heywood
Walk Megabuilding H4's surroundings and the Afterlife. The districts Trigger recreated feel instantly familiar after the anime.
Hunt the Crossover Content
After the anime's release, CD PROJEKT RED added in-game tributes to David Martinez. Keep an eye out for references tied to the Edgerunners cast while exploring.
Prepare for Edgerunners 2
The sequel, Edgerunners 2, premieres on Netflix on October 20, 2026 — check the official Cyberpunk: Edgerunners page for the latest news.
Anime first, game second. Players who watch Edgerunners before playing 2077 consistently report a stronger emotional connection to Night City's locations and legends.
Academy Relevance Across All 10 Episodes
The Academy appears heavily in the opening arc and fades as David descends into the mercenary underworld. Use this table to locate every school-related beat:
| Episode | Academy Relevance | Key Academy Content |
|---|---|---|
| Ep 1 — Let You Down | High | Daily school life, Katsuo's bullying, Gloria's accident, Sandevistan reveal |
| Ep 2 — Like A Boy | High | Rooftop fight with Katsuo, David's expulsion, Lucy's entrance |
| Ep 3 — Smooth Criminal | Low | Academy left behind; mercenary training begins |
| Ep 4 — Lucky You | None | Crew gigs and cyberware upgrades take over |
| Ep 5-10 | None | Escalating danger, David leads the crew, Arasaka Tower finale |
If you only care about Arasaka Academy scenes, Episodes 1 and 2 cover roughly 90% of the school's screen time in the entire series.
Academy-Focused Watchlist Goals:
- Watch Episode 1 for full Academy daily life
- Watch Episode 2 for the expulsion arc
- Note Gloria's sacrifice as the story's catalyst
- Track Arasaka's shadow from school to tower finale
- Mark Edgerunners 2 premiere: October 20, 2026
Key Characters Around the Academy
The Academy arc is driven by a small, tightly written cast. Each figure embodies a different face of Night City's class war, and several connect directly to in-game lore:
| Character | Role | Japanese VA | English VA |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Martinez | Academy student turned edgerunner | Gen Sato | Zach Aguilar |
| Gloria Martinez | David's mother, EMT funding tuition | Yumi Uchiyama | Gloria Garayua |
| Lucy | Netrunner, David's love interest | Aoi Yuki | Emi Lo |
| Maine | Crew leader | Kenn | William C. Stephens |
| Adam Smasher | Arasaka's cyborg enforcer | Kazuhiro Yamaji | Doug Cockle |
Notably, Adam Smasher appears in both the anime and Cyberpunk 2077 itself, making him one of the strongest living bridges between the Academy's corporate world and the game's story.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners features parallel Japanese and English casts. The dual-language production earned the series the Game Award for Best Adaptation in 2022 and helped spark a massive resurgence in Cyberpunk 2077's player base.
FAQ
Q: Can you visit Arasaka Academy in Cyberpunk 2077?
No. Arasaka Academy is an anime-original location created for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Cyberpunk 2077 does not include the school as an enterable or marked location, though it added Edgerunners crossover tributes and David Martinez references after the anime's release.
Q: What does Arasaka Academy in game searches usually refer to?
Most searchers are looking for either the school's connection to Cyberpunk 2077 lore or the Edgerunners crossover content in the game. The Academy itself only appears in the anime's Episodes 1 and 2.
Q: Is Edgerunners connected to Cyberpunk 2077's story?
Yes. Edgerunners is set in the same Night City roughly one year before Cyberpunk 2077's main story, and features shared locations, factions like Arasaka, and characters including Adam Smasher.
Q: Will there be more Edgerunners content?
Yes. Edgerunners 2 is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 20, 2026. Follow the official Cyberpunk: Edgerunners page and the r/edgerunners community for updates.