I think my issue with how Edgerunners did it was how it showed it both stylistically and in effect as like a separate, discrete thing taking over while the person inside got locked into a dream world. It’s not someone just reacting violently to a stressful situation and then spiraling from that into a standoff or rampage, it’s shown like something alien and mechanical is invading their minds/bodies. Like it literally gets portrayed as replacing their eyes in a way that’s stylish but at the same time othering in a way that’s a bit off. And yes, one could metaphorically describe a violent outburst like that as something inhuman taking control, but that’s obviously problematic for a number of reasons from obviating agency and responsibility to fundamentally othering anger and pain.

I think this is culturally japanese clashing with culturally western. It’s extremely common in anime to use imagery to depict a mental state of being in a metaphorical way rather than a real way. For example a nuclear explosion happening when someone stubs their toe. I think you should chalk these up to artistry.

I think you’re right that they could spell it out clearer, but again this is something that the japanese just seem to regularly do. Like, not treating audiences like idiots that won’t get it. Or just accepting that some won’t get it and being ok with it. From our perspective wanting it to be more influential on people that’s annoying but from their artistic perspective I suspect they consider it a win to have all the layers that you could discuss and analyse about it, or debate, as we’re doing now.