Classic And Ground-Breaking, Cowboy Bebop Is Still One Of The Best Anime
Read Time:6 Minute, 7 Second
Three, two, one, let’s jam.
More than two decades after it first aired, Cowboy Bebop still tops many lists of the all-time best anime. Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, the series is credited with bringing anime to many new Western audiences, particularly in the US, and is celebrated for its complex character development, phenomenal soundtrack, and genre-defying narrative.
Cowboy Bebop manages to be both a classic anime and a groundbreaking show. Its unique Western/ sci-fi setting with noir themes has influenced many other series and movies, including Joss Whedon’s Firefly (2002) and Shinichirō Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo (2004). The 26-episode series takes place in 2071 and follows a group of bounty hunters aboard a spaceship called the Bebop. Our five main characters – Spike, Jet, Faye Valentine, and Ein – make up the ragtag crew pursuing criminals across the galaxy.
Each crew member brings their own unique charm and complexity. Spike Spiegel is a bounty hunter with a criminal past involving the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate. His cool demeanor and unmatched martial arts skills make him a strong protagonist, but his dark and troubled past is never far behind him. His conflict with Vicious, a member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate, is a major arc throughout the series, especially towards its finale.
Jet Black, the ship’s owner, acts as a father figure to the group, bringing a sense of stability amidst the chaos. A former officer of the Inter-Solar System Police (ISSP), he now captains the Bebop. Jet’s relationship with his fellow bounty hunters, particularly Spike and Faye, is an important part of their character development.
Then there’s Faye Valentine, a former bounty who joins the Bebop despite Spike and Jet’s reservations. Her complex background and deep-seated trust issues make her a fascinating character to follow. Faye’s relationship with the rest of the crew evolves slowly, showcasing Watanabe’s skillful handling of her character growth. Ed, the eccentric young hacker, and Ein, the super-intelligent corgi, round out the crew and bring humor to the series. That’s not to say that they’re purely there for comedic relief: both characters have pasts that make for emotional viewing and have fans empathizing with them in those touching moments.
The Bebop itself almost feels like a character in its own right. From its worn-out interiors to its slightly creaky maneuvers, the Bebop becomes a familiar and comforting presence throughout the series. It serves as the backdrop for the crew’s adventures and adds a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time that never truly existed.
Watanabe seamlessly weaves character development with the classic elements of science fiction, film noir, and Western-style action to create a fascinating, well-paced story. Each episode has a standalone plot and allows the show to mix action and comedy with emotion and drama to create a rich compelling narrative. Throughout the series, underlying arcs thread through the events to bring the show to its emotional and fitting conclusion.
The artwork and music of Cowboy Bebop are more reasons why it holds such a special place in fan’s hearts. The animation style is stunning, with gritty but vibrant visuals that perfectly capture the essence of the futuristic world. The attention to detail in the backgrounds and character designs is truly remarkable and adds an extra layer of depth.
And let’s not forget about the music. Cowboy Bebop‘s soundtrack is nothing short of exceptional. Composed by Yoko Kanno, it effortlessly blends jazz, blues, and rock elements, creating a distinct and unforgettable atmosphere. The opening theme, “Tank,” is iconic and instantly recognizable to any fan. The music sets the tone for each episode, evoking a wide range of emotions that further enhance the storytelling.
After the anime’s 26-episode run, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, known in Japan as Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, was released in 2001. The animated movie is set between episodes 22 and 23 and has the same animation style, music, and voice acting as the series. While some fans felt the plot was weaker than in many of the regular episodes, overall fans enjoyed the additional glimpse into the world of Cowboy Bebop.
In 2021, Netflix released a live-action Cowboy Bebop adaptation. We’ve spoken before about the hazards of adapting stories in different media, especially for animated shows. Unfortunately, the live-action Cowboy Bebop series failed to meet even fans’ lowest expectations. The Netflix show was stilted and unnatural, despite a good cast and a decent budget. Events happened out of order, which affected character arcs and was irritating to fans of the anime. Most frustratingly, where Spike’s backstory played a secondary part in the anime’s early episodes, allowing a slow reveal that added drama and tension, the Netflix adaptation made his past part of every episode, losing the important tension.
Ever since the show ended, fans have been crying out for a sequel. Unfortunately for those fans, Shinichirō Watanabe holds firm on his decision not to continue the iconic show. He says that he “would’ve done it if it felt right.” And while we would love to see our beloved characters again, we all know how it feels to get a sequel that doesn’t match up to the original. It’s possible that part of the reason Cowboy Bebop remains one of the best anime is because it ended so perfectly.
Even without a sequel, the Bebop universe lives on. It is the setting for Watanabe’s 2019 anime, Carole & Tuesday, and fans were delighted with the many Cowboy Bebop Easter eggs dotted throughout the show. And while Watanabe’s newest anime, Lazarus, premiering on Adult Swim in 2025, is not set in the same universe, it sounds like it will have lots for Cowboy Bebop fans to enjoy. From what we’ve seen, the sci-fi action series will feature a jazzy soundtrack, morally dubious characters, and smooth martial arts sequences – a winning combination in Watanabe’s previous work.
With its beloved characters, gripping narrative, stunning visuals, and incredible soundtrack, it’s easy to see why fans love Cowboy Bebop. Despite lasting only 26 episodes and a movie, the series balances the classic anime feel with a unique setting and style. It remains a ground-breaking show that has influenced and inspired countless other anime, movies, and TV series. And while we would love to see more of our space cowboys, it’s hard to imagine anything matching up to Cowboy Bebop. We have to trust that Watanabe will only continue their story if it feels right. Until then – see you space cowboy.
Have you seen Cowboy Bebop? What do you think is the best anime of all time? Let us know in the comments section. And don’t forget to sign up to our email list to get Finds of the Week and our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, delivered straight to your inbox.
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