Waifu Wednesday: Rebecca (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners)

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Lilia Hellal
May 10, 2023
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While I have previously covered Cyberpunk: Edgerunners before here on Rice Digital it never did sit right with me that I only ever highlighted one character; specifically main girl Lucy. She is the heart of the show, but for once, I am also part of a majority along with the passionate supporters of Rebecca – the actual best girl of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and a character who is far too side-lined for her own good. Here’s to her!

Spoilers ahead.

Who is Rebecca?

For how little screen time Rebecca has in the series, she certainly leaves her mark. It’s pretty hard to miss her really despite her being so tiny – she’s a firecracker for sure, and she will always remind you of that. As the firearms specialist of Maine’s crew she is always down for any excuse to use said weaponry, regardless of the situation or cause.

She is quick to fan the flames of any potential shoot out and is evidently having an absolute blast whenever a threat becomes a reality. Her loyalty to the family she finds in Maine’s crew has a hand in her becoming a forever companion to David in the long run, and with that she leaves a lasting legacy to all those touched by her volatile but entertainingly wholesome self beyond the screen.

Why we love her

Rebecca is a mouthy one, but there’s a significant reason for her nature. It’s quite obvious with the early death of her brother, Pilar, that she uses her fiery disposition as a barrier to mask her emotions and better defend herself with against the rough world of Night City. She is continuously worried about the wellbeing and mental health of those closest to her, regardless of what actually comes out of her mouth.

This is evident through the sheer amount of angry remarks she makes about Pilar’s death which are obvious excuses and attempts to undermine the pain she is in. Even before this, she is frequently seen flirting with David, uplifting and building him up whenever he is in a slump. She is a force to be reckoned with, and is always there for her comrades. She’s not just dependable when a gun is in her hand; her heart is always in the right place.

Why you will love her

We particularly see how dependable she is when she attempts to calm down David during his cyber psychosis episode, where his mind is completely broken. She sounds exhausted as she speaks in the calmest manner we have ever heard from her at this point. This is especially notable when we consider her unrequited feelings for David; she ultimately lets him go for his own sake by not only allowing him and imploring him to rescue Lucy, but going alongside him on that suicide mission.

Rebecca was loyal to the very end, and this defining trait of hers is why she ultimately loses her life in a world that was always unforgiving and ruthless. Her character is gone (more like obliterated) in the blink of an eye, but her nasty exit lends itself to the lasting melancholic feeling of the show’s ending in the long run. Her happy-go-lucky attitude was a blessing for the group she found a family in, and this is especially touching when we contemplate the origins hinted at by her tattoos, colour scheme and general attitude; it looks very much as if she was an ex-member of the Mox, a gang consisting of mostly sex workers.

Even at her eventual demise, she chose to face Adam Smasher, of all possible opponents, head-on, and was completely unfazed in the face of absolute defeat. She may be gone, but she will never be forgotten for her bravery, loyalty and for being overall far too undervalued. She’s a gem.

For more on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, check out our review on it as well as the show itself that is currently still available on Netflix.

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