Alternative TitlesJapanese: カウボーイビバップ
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 26
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Mar 4, 1998 to Apr 24, 1999
Duration:
25 min. per episode Rating:
R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
L represents licensing company
StatisticsScore: 8.841 (scored by 18647 users)
Ranked: #112
Popularity: #11
Members: 27,020
Favorites: 2,434 1 indicates a weighted score
My Info
Popular Tags
action adventure comedy drama sci-fi space |
SynopsisEnter a world in the distant future, where Bounty Hunters rule the galaxies. Spike and Jet, bounty hunting partners, set out on journeys in an ever struggling effort to win bounty rewards (money) to survive. While travelling, they meet up with other very interesting people. Could Faye, the beautiful and ridiculously poor gambler, Edward, the computer genius, and Ein, the engineered dog be a good addition to the group? Gun fights, martial arts and the episodic nature is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. |
Related AnimeAdaptation: Cowboy Bebop, Cowboy Bebop Shooting Star
Side story: Cowboy Bebop - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Summary: Cowboy Bebop Session XX: Mish-Mash Blues
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Recommendations
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similar climate... but SC is better ;)
In both there is one episode in which the characters get high ;]
Just read what the guys above me write.
There right^^
If you like Cowboy bebob then you will also like Samurai
Champloo for sure.
Same director, same story, same characters and very similar style.
Same Director, pretty much the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop,completely different world/story, their main similarity is...the awesomeness of the music, other than that, it's totally different.
Although set in opposing eras, both have a strong musical theme weaving through the engaging journey of a group of accidentally travellers (for Champloo) / bounty hunters (for Bebop). Both series may seem episodic but every one is highly enjoyable. Plus all the characters have fascinating deep/dark backstories.
Same type of feel when it comes to all the random stories, etc..
Same style, same director, same type of characters.
Spike -> Mugen (whimsical and wild)
Jin -> Jet (level headed)
Faye -> Fuu (charming but deadly)
Animes from the same directors. What Cowboy Bebop is to Jazz music is the same as Samurai Champloo to Hip Hop. Beautiful animation in both and very episodic.
Samurai Champloo is like Bebop taking place in the 'Edo-Era'. Both are made with the same style of animeation, and both have their own music themes, Bebop(Jazz/Blues), Champloo(DJ-Mixing/Rap.) Both are highly entertaining filled with action, drama, comedy, ect.. all in the right parts at the righ time. You can't like one without the other.
Created by the same guy, they have a similar feel in cast, dialogue, fighting styles, music, and artwork.
Not only is the director the same, but the artistic and character designs are very similar. The action scenes are very enjoyable as well, and have there fair share of funny moments as well as very serious ones. Chances are if you loved one or the other, you will easily get into the other one.
here are 2 good what i call 'old', 'classic' animes. cool stories and cool characters a must watch for any anime lover
Both were created and directed by Shinichirō Watanabe.
Same director, so a very similar style. EXCELENT!!!
The music is a big influence for both animes. Hip Hop and Jazz. Same director, completely diffrerent settings. But they match up very well. You can't watch one without the other.
has the same creator, and is a great follow up (new story). Not as great as the Cowboy Bebop but still head and shoulders above the rest.
Both anime include a group of odd characters, who eventually develope a relationship. The have the same writer and basically the same style. Samurai Champloo : Cowboy Bebop :: Hip-Hop : Jazz.
What the people above me said :D Adding to that; similar in storytelling, often episodic but in a good way.
Of course, Cowboy Bebop is very much related to Samurai Champloo. Both Spike and Mugen are very much alike, and it also has very many humorous/serious moments, exactly like Bebop.
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Similarities are overwhelming. Crude comedy, a bald leader of the group who used to be in the civil service, a hot girl with a bad attitude, a technical genius, and a ship hideaway. Also similar are the violent scenes, and guns, guns, guns.
Same gun-toting badassery, same motley-crew antics, same moments of, "holy crap, that's actually well-done characterization."
Black Lagoon is just a down to earth copy of the true classic Cowboy Bebop.
Lot's of high energy action. The cast are pirates instead of bounty hunters.
I tried and tried to come up with reasons why these two animes are similar, but apparently I had a brain fart =/. But I still stick by my recommendation =P
Stylish and gritty violence. Both share a lot of gunfight.
The similarities between these two anime are not so apparent, however they do share quite a bit in common. Both shows are about a rag tag bunch of pirates (or bounty hunters, same thing, right?) who make their living dong dangerous things. Both shows are episodic in nature, and are very character driven. While not on the same par as Bebop, Black Lagoon is no slouch when it comes to character development, which is a bit of a surprise from a show whose immediate goal is to deliver as much blood, action, and gunplay as possible (which Bebop also has quite a bit of). Revy, BL's resident badass, has her own distinctive charm, much like Spike. While Bebop is easily the better show (well, it's better than most anime, so it's not really fair to compare), Black Lagoon is entertaining in its own right and is worth a look from Bebop fans.
both have some great gun fights,the dark backgrounds of the main characters
Pretty laid back, lots of fighting. All in all very similar to Bebop.
bounty hunting, guns, great characters
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Reviews
| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
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Dec 28, 200826 of 26 episodes seen 21 of 26 people found this review helpful Cowboy bebop is an extremely stylish classic that every anime fan should see. It excels in all aspects with fast-paced and engaging storytelling, memorable characters, and a soundtrack unlike any other. The show continues to draw more viewers into anime with its unique style each passing year. After watching just a few episodes of this series you’ll understand why.
Cowboy Bebop is set in the year 2071 and centers on the ragtag crew of the spaceship Bebop. A catastrophic even...t has made Earth’s surface uninhabitable and mankind has spread across the solar system to avoid extinction. With such a wide area to cover police forces can’t handle everything so the government has begun handing out bounties for the capture of fugitives. The cast of Bebop is one such team of bounty hunters crossing the solar system in search of new bounty heads hoping to scratch together enough of a reward to survive until tomorrow.
Many anime, especially sci-fi anime, fall into the trap of fleshing out the world a bit too much to the point where it becomes redundant. Bebop smoothly avoids that trap by simply dropping the viewer into the world and acting as if it had always been there.
Details about what exactly happened to Earth and how people live in this new frontier are gradually revealed as the series progresses rather then shoving it down the viewer’s throat from the get-go. It’s handled very much the same way as you’d explain the world to a child. You don’t tell the kid everything about the world from the minute they can understand what you’re saying, you just let them live their life and after awhile they pretty much understand how and why most things work without needing a lecture.
As the series progresses the pasts of the all the protagonists are revealed and we slowly see how the crime syndicates are making bounty hunters a necessity. The brilliant thing is none of this is heavy-handed, the show never has to explicitly tell you it’s explaining these things. The episodes end and you just realize you know it all, the tiny details strewn amongst all the little stories come together to create a cohesive and believable universe. The final episode ties up the package neatly and gives the viewer a feeling of fulfillment and closure, something that many anime fail to accomplish.
The series is episodic in nature, each episode tells a self-contained story that often has no bearing on the others. Many of the plots are taken straight from the pages of old pulp-fiction novels or classic American cop shows. The show relies on it's unique interpretation of these familiar cliché's to give it a fresh spin. There is very little "point" to the series than to entertain it's audience, which it consistently does.
The characters of Bebop include some of the most beloved in anime history. Each one of them has a unique outlook on life and their situation and while the show never gets philosophical about any of their motivations it’s easy to see through their actions exactly what keeps them going. Each one of them brings a lot to the table and the show never loses speed, as some anime suffer from, because one character is less interesting then another but they both need screen time.
The animation really brings the cast to life. From Spike’s deceptively awkward gait to Ed’s eccentric antics the animators really outdid themselves. The dub of Bebop is one of the best of any anime around, the dialogue is crisp and believable and awkwardly emphasized sentences are nowhere to be found. Anime dubbing has made significant strides over the years and it’s important to note that Bebop’s was one of the first to cause critics to question whether the Japanese cast always had to be superior.
The music and atmosphere of Bebop are arguable why the show is so beloved in the first place. Set to jazz, folk, blues, and in one instance metal, music Bebop’s soundtrack is unlike any other anime. The music fits the scenes perfectly as well, while an intense dogfight and a trumpet solo wouldn’t seem like a natural fit when you see it in action you become a believer instantly. The noir setting adds so much to the story and blends perfectly with Yoko Kanno’s soundtrack. As a result, episodes are called "sessions" and many titles are musically-influenced as well, either borrowing from a song title or reflecting what kind of music you'll hear in the session. Like an album, each has its own story to tell, as well its own rhythm.
The crew’s daily struggles are constant but never too overbearing to the viewer. The cast of Bebop handles it in an off-hand way like a college student realizing they’re on a shoestring budget but not letting it get them down. The bills provide a motivation for the characters and a necessary sense of urgency to the hunt without crushing you with a bleak feeling. From the brilliant opening theme to the bittersweet closing credits Bebop touts by far the most unique atmosphere of any serious anime.
In closing, Cowboy Bebop accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. It meshes the seemingly opposite themes of science-fiction and noir and brings it all together with an amazing but equally curious soundtrack. Bebop is considered one of the finest anime series ever produced with good reason, it excels at everything and never lets up at any point. The show can be enjoyed both as individual episodes and as a whole. Bebop stands as one of the best examples of how anime can produce an experience equal to anything Hollywood can provide and in some cases do things that a live-action show could never accomplish.
Highly recommended to everyone regardless of whether you are a huge anime fan or someone who simply enjoys good television. read more
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| Overall |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
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Aug 24, 200826 of 26 episodes seen 57 of 78 people found this review helpful People who know me know that I'm not a fan of episodic anime series unless they're either one season (12-14 episodes) long or a slice of life series. Why? They have a tendency to get boring, or repetitive. But all rules and preferences have exceptions. You know what? Cowboy Bebop is that exception.
The story is set in a space western setting - a genre and setting I'm loving more and more for each show I watch that falls under the genre. We follow two bounty hunters, Spike and Jet,... who own a ship called the Bebop. They travel the Solar system, chasing wanted criminals to earn money. Along the way, they also pick up two women; the debt-laden Faye Valentine and the playful kid and computer genius Edward (yes, Ed’s a girl).
Each episode brings about a new bounty which they chase after, and while that doesn't sound too exciting to watch 26 episodes in a row, you'll end up loving the show. All the different events makes for a certain degree of unpredictability, and you'll sometimes wonder how things will end. However, that alone is not enough to give the story the rating I've given it. So why have I given that rating? Let's continue...
One of the things that elevate the show a bit above the rest is the manner in which the main cast's pasts are explored. It's not like one flashback episode and you understand everything about how they are today. In one episode you might get one piece, and then the next one in another episode, and it's not until the final three episodes of the show that everything falls in place. This way of executing it makes you want to watch another episode, so that you can find out more about the characters (some may say that this falls in under "Character", but the manner in which the pasts are explored are more "Story" than "Character", IMO). Now, that's so far a 9 for the story. Why did it deserve a 10?
The answer is easy: the way they executed many scenes in the show. The contrasts which you get to see between, music, the setting of scenes and what's really happening just gives the story that extra edge deserving of a perfect score.
The characters are all really good and interesting fellows. Though they every now and then reminded me of characters from other shows, they preserved that originality which gave a feel that they were, if not completely, then at least a little bit more real than most characters out there. The way their pasts intertwine with the future and how everything ends with them confronting and settling open ends from their pasts is also something that's impressive to watch. I don't really have anything more to say than "perfect".
The animation is, for a 90s anime, stunningly good. The detail put into backgrounds and surroundings is really good, and I also love how good lighting effects and shading are at times. All of Ed’s strange movements are animated really nicely too. If there's something negative, it's the somewhat dull coloring (compared to today's standards), as well as poor effects when traveling in hyperspace.
The soundtrack is also astounding! The music used for the show is so incredibly varied, and while keeping mostly to the more jazzy tunes, the soundtrack visits so many genres that it's hard to not like at least a few pieces. What I also loved is the way the music was used not only as a medium to go with and amplify the mood, but also as a contrast to what's happening in several scenes. All in all, it's really amazing. Don't have anything to say against voice acting and other sound effects either.
All in all Cowboy Bebop is an anime that’s in the top tier on the greatness scale, and a show I believe every anime fan should give a try.
To 'Not Helpful' voters (and you 'Helpful' voters too): Feedback greatly appreciated =)
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| Overall |
10 |
| Story |
10 |
| Animation |
10 |
| Sound |
10 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
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Jun 3, 200726 of 26 episodes seen 48 of 69 people found this review helpful Story, Character, and Enjoyment: 10/10 Drama Llama?
Cowboy Bebop is probably the most amazing anime I have had the privilege of watching. Even now, seven years after watching it for the first time I am having difficulty putting it into words. What is so unique about it is how the episodes don't link together, but instead mainly focus on a character or two. Director Shinichiro Watanabe did such an amazing job flushing out the characters whether the current episode shows them living their ...day-by-day life in the present, or delving into a certain characters unique past it really makes the Cowboy Bebop universe seem tangible. Unfortunately this is also Cowboy Bebop's downfall. Not because it's bad, but because so many people pass this by thinking it has no story. To those that think this is the case I encourage you to go back, and watch the whole thing. Not only does this anime give you the most amazing character development it manages to weave in a story along the way right under your nose. Until the last two episodes hit, then you will understand what it was all about. When it was all said and done for me my first time through, and the series came to an end, I felt like I had just witnessed my best friend get run over by a bus. Most people probably think that sounds terrible, but it takes something truly great to yank that much emotion out of you.
Animation: 10/10 Keepin' it real.
CB's animation is truly something to behold. It matches very well with the character development in making the whole series seem tangible. Character proportions are well regulated, and maintained through the whole thing. Which is very important to me in an anime. It does a much better job then huge block buster animes being released now, e.g. Naruto/Bleach.
When you speak about animation of CB you definitely have to speak of the action sequences. The gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat are superb. Spike constantly gets injured also making it seem much more realistic, and interesting. The best part though about them is there is hardly any bullshit talking interrupting the action. I don't know about you, but I hate when two characters stop in the middle of a fight to drink some tea, and have a ten minute conversation, emo flash-back included. I could go on and on, but then what would be the point of you watching it.
Sound: 10/10 The hills are alive...
Tank! is absolutely the only anime music I will ever have included in my play-list. Which says a lot, because normally when I start an episode of something fresh off the torrents I pretty much skip past the opening theme. That being said, CB is deeply rooted in Jazz music, but it all sounds beautiful when played side by side with the anime. I've never been much a musician, but I do know what I enjoy, and what I don't enjoy. It all sounds excellent, and I'm not a big jazz fan at all. Not to mention Yoko Kanno mentioned to slap some Pink Floyd into episode 20, Perriot le Fou. Don't believe me? Go pop in Dark Side of the Moon, and skip to track 2.
Overall Cowboy Bebop is one big tribute to many cultures. Whether it be John Woo style gun fights, the Indian sitting in his tee-pee with his playstation, 1337 haxxors, or the Japanese's immense fear of dieing. There is a lot that Cowboy Bebop parodies while still managing to keep itself original. I'm tired of all the dime-a-dozen anime characters. E.g. the clumsy yet dormant super powerful main character, or the silent bad ass who's family died, and is in all reality an emo kid screaming out for attention. I've seen both these character types a hundred times over. This is why I idolize Cowboy Bebop, and truly believe that it is the best anime of all time.
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Opening Theme"Tank!" by The Seatbelts
Ending Theme#1: "The Real Folk Blues" by The Seatbelts feat. Mai Yamane (eps 1-12, 14-25)
#2: "Space Lion" by The Seatbelts (ep 13)
#3: "Blue" by The Seatbelts feat. Mai Yamane (ep 26)
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