Cowboy Bebop (Anime)

Greetings anime fans from around the globe. Today’s review is my 1000th post about my favorite anime and also my all-time favorite show. A groundbreaking sci-fi western that pushed anime to another level. It follows the adventures of a bounty hunter named, Spike Spiegel. A former member of a crime syndicate leaves the criminal underworld resulting something tragic happened. He becomes a bounty hunter working with former cop, Jet to capture a bounty for money. They meet con woman, Faye Valentine, quirky hacker, Ed and adopt a dog with human intelligence, Ein. As the series progresses, they get to know each other while they hunt down targets.

Cowboy Bebop officially aired in 2001 (same year Samauri Jack aired) on Adult Swim. It received critical acclaim from critics, anime enthusiasts and viewers. Like Dragon Ball Z, Gundam Wing & Sailor Moon, Cowboy Bebop introduced a whole new audience to anime. Toonami introduced me to the aforementioned three. I had fond memories racing my way back home to watch the latest episode eating and drinking Oreo’s and Capri-Sun. Twenty Years Later, Netflix produced a live-action version of Cowboy Bebop. starring John Cho. I’ve yet to see it. It was cancelled after ten episodes leaving no resolution. YIKES!

Anway, Shinichiro Watanabe’s upcoming anime series, “Lazarus” will air on Adult Swim’s Toonami block. As of late 2023, no release date has been announced. My guess, sometime around 2024.

Today’s review contains no SPOILERS. I’m giving some of you a chance to see this masterpiece.

The Entire Series

Positive: The Main English Cast including Steve Blum, Beau Billingslea, Wendee Lee & Melissa Fahn all did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances.

Animation’s hand drawn format remains timeless bringing character models, lighting, fluid movement and environmental locations to life.

Shinichiro Watanabe did an awesome job as a showrunner mapping out all 26 episodes.

Action Sequences are filled with kinetic close quarters combat, aerial dogfights and guns-a-blazing.

Humor has some funny moments with The Crew’s interactions with each other, snarky one-liners and Ed’s zany antics.

Chemistry with Spike, Jet, Faye & Ed serves as highlight. Their unique personalities and backstories make us care about ’em. Spike’s my all-time favorite character.

Yoko Kanno orchestrated an unforgettable soundtrack. Although I’m not a big jazz fan, the tracks are awesome.

Opening Theme titled, “Tank” is without a doubt, the best opening to a show ever created. Admit it, you can’t skip it.

The show is influenced by the film noir genre, “The Dollars Trilogy,” John Woo, Bruce Lee & “Blade Runner.” Cowboy Bebop’s best described as the love child of Quentin Tarantino & Ridley Scott.

Episodes or Sessions are named after a song. “Eureka Seven” also named some episodes after songs.

Primary Themes are Loneliness, Existence & Purpose. Each one’s handled maturely.

Negative: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. It gets an Extra Point per episode.

Session #1 – Asteroid Blues

Spike & Jet hunt down an outlaw couple who are based on Antonio Banderas & Salma Hayek’s characters from “Desperado.”

Spike wears a poncho like Clint Eastwood.

The outlaw couple smuggle vials of drugs.

Session #2 – Stray Dog Strut

After an unsuccessful mission, Spike looks for a potential bounty.

Jet adopts an enhanced dog named, Ein.

A chase scene ensues.

Session # 3 – Honky Tonk Women

Spike meets a deadly woman named, Faye Valentine. She’s looking for a chip containing important intel.

Spike & Jet gamble at a space casino.

An instrumental track, “Piano Black” kinda reminds me of OutKast’s “My Favorite Things.” This is before their double album “Speakerboxx/The Love Below” came out in 2003.

Third episode’s title is named after a Rolling Stones song.

Jet mentioned he used to have a job before he became a bounty hunter.

Session #4 – Gateway Shuffle

Spike & Jet hunt down an eco-terrorist worth a lot of money.

Faye picks up a briefcase containing an artifact.

A virus serves as a plot point.

Spike pulls a clever trick.

Session #5 – Ballad Of Fallen Angels

As Spike searches for a bounty worth a big prize, he encounters Vicious. A ruthless enemy from his past.

Spike fights Vicious and his henchmen.

A montage of flashbacks expands Spike’s background.

Session #6 – Sympathy For the Devil

A stone serves as a plot point.

Jet reunites with an old friend.

A little boy plays a big role. He has an understandable backstory.

Spike gives somebody an “instant kill.”

Sixth episode’s title is obviously named after a Rolling Stones song.

Session #7 – Heavy Metal Queen

Faye and a hungover Spike look for a bomber with a dragon tattoo.

A muscular female space trucker assists the Crew. She’s also into heavy metal.

Spike’s dangerous escape is clever.

Session #8 – Walts For Venus

Spike teaches a meek individual the art of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do.

The Crew hunt down gangsters carrying valuable plants.

Three suspects are named after Huey, Duey & Louie from “DuckTales.”

Session #9 – Jamming With Edward

The Crew meet a hyperactive hacker named, Ed.

Jet describing Ed’s false background is funny as heck.

One shot pays homage to “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Even an A.I. is similar to Hal 9000.

The Crew attempt to destroy the A.I. using satellites with frickin’ laser beams.

Session #10 – Ganymede Elegy

Jet reunites with an old flame. We learn about his personal life.

Spike searches for a potential bounty.

A chase scene ensues.

Session #11 – Toys In the Attic

Spike investigates a mysterious entity roaming around the ship.

This episode pays homage to “Alien,” John Carpenter’s “The Thing” & 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Sessions #12-13 – Jupiter Jazz

Vicious factors in this two-parter session. We learn about his background.

Spike has an epic fight scene with Vicious.

13th session ends with an instrumental track titled, “Space Lion.” It gave me chills.

Session #14 – Bohemian Rhapsody

The Crew investigate a satellite. They stumble upon its inhabitants.

Fourteenth episode’s title is obviously named after a Queen song.

Session #15 – My Funny Valantine

Faye looks back at her mysterious past. She was once acquainted with a man.

Session #16 – Black Dog Serenade

This episode focuses on Jet. He a has score to settle with a convict who damaged his arm.

A Plot Twist is revealed.

Session #17 – Mushroom Samba

Lacking provisions, Ed & Ein search for food. During their travels, they encounter two bounty hunters looking for a target.

This episode is crazier and nuttier with Ed as the main focus. She’s pretty useful without relying on Spike.

Session #18 – Speak Like a Child

Spike & Jet go on a treasure hunt for an obsolete artifact.

There’s a big reveal near the end.

Session #19 – Wild Horses

On Earth, Spike goes to a repair shop to fix his ship.

Meanwhile, Faye & Jet encounter space pirates.

Nineteenth episode’s named after a Rolling Stones song.

Session #20 – Pierrot Le Fou

Spike battles a crazed killer at an amusement park.

The killer’s a cross between Joker & Penguin.

Session #21 – Boogie Woogie Feng Shui

Jet’s given a request to help an old friend.

Session #22 – Cowboy Funk

The Crew hunt down a bomber whose M.O. is using teddy bears for bombs. They’re not alone. A lone bounty hunter wants him.

An instrumental track pays homage to Ennio Morricone music. Most notably, The Dollars Trilogy.

Session #23 – Brain Scratch

The Crew search for a religious cult.

The Bounty Hunting show, “Big Shot” makes an announcement.

Session #24 – Hard Luck Woman

Twenty-fourth episode’s title is named after a KISS song.

Ed’s real name is reveled. Her background makes sense.

A sad moment towards the end. It’ll make you cry.

Sessions #25-26 – The Real Folk Blues

The two-parter concludes the series on a high note. BANG! You hear that J.J. Abrams & David Chase? This is how you end a show.

Session 25 contains a big reveal.

Spike’s final battle is emotionally intense. Let me tell ya, all heck breaks loose.

Without giving anything away, it’s up to the audience to decide the outcome of the Ending.

The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!

Cowboy Bebop remains as my all-time favorite show. The series raises the bar in anime. If you wanna enter the anime realm, watch the OG series on Hulu or Crunchyroll. Heck, buy it on Blu-Ray. You’ll thank me later. What’s your all-time favorite TV show? Please leave a comment.

See you space cowboy. BANG!