Cowboy Bebop, Spy x Family Recommendations
Even though Spy x Family have less of a cultural influence and take a more slice of life aproach compared to Cowboy Bebop, both are about characters you grow to love over the course of the series, characters with their own personal issues brought together by the circunstances and who forge strong bonds with each other while living their everyday lives together. If you like that aspect in one of the series, there is a chance that you may like the other too.
Cowboy Bebop and SpyxFamily
*Loose spoilers for the two*
Both are quite similar in terms of pacing and content. Once you accept the idea that the plot is loosely based throughout each show, you will see the more lighthearted slice-of-life-ish elements. Though the plots and theme of each anime are different they each share a healthy mix of exciting action scenes with wholesome moments of a found family put together.
To get the elephant out of the room, yes Cowboy Bebop is a much more grittier anime that explores space and of course the lovely bebop/jazz musical influences. SpyxFamily, on the other hand, explores the everyday struggles of
a dysfunctional family as each member hides their true colors.
Through both anime, each character finds their voice and reasoning to stay together even if they don't really want to admit it. Whereas each character's past in Cowboy Bebop keeps the Bebop Crew from staying together as one big happy family, the Forgers have a chance to achieve what they couldn't do. With SpyxFamily still ongoing, hopefully, the found family can address their present situations and double lives to keep and value what they all have together.
Cowboy Bebop's storytelling is pretty much silly filler episodes with only 1-2 episodes exploring each member. However, with Spike being the main focus, we see how his obvious patterns impact his every move through each rewatch. Similarly, SpyxFamily comes off as a silly slice of life with slow pacing, especially when it comes to Loid's story. It's easy to get caught up in the hopes that the more serious plots must be resolved somehow, someway, eventually?!? But, once you get caught up in the lives of the found families, that all goes away as you focus on the heart of their familial love.
Cowboy Bebop - Character Roles
.Spike, Julia, and Faye - The love triangle that never was - Though Spike could've moved on and created a healthy relationship with everyone on the Bebop, he still clung to Julia. Sometimes the one that got away was never meant to be but realistically the dude had options. Though she is annoying and arrogant at times, Faye was always there with Spike. When she had nowhere else to turn to, she always had a home at the Bebop which helped her overcome many of her worries regarding her identity and belonging. Though Faye was reliant on Spike, he couldn't allow the same for himself. He purposefully kept Faye at arm's length to settle his past. Though his actions were 'saddening', his pull towards Julia prevailed in the end
.Ed and Ein - finding a sense of belonging and supporting the Bebop - Ed has always been optimistic and playful, so to find a similar soul and forever friend in her animal sidekick, Ein, helps both characters find security and belonging within themselves. When Ed realized it was the right time to go, Ein kept by her side and chose her above everyone else. It was easy for the two to see what was happening around them, so Ein took the initiative to wander all through space with someone who would unconditionally love and stay with them. Though the Bebop crew would come to an end, these two found belonging together
Jett - the mom of the Bebop - Leaving behind his job and partner, all Jett had was the Bebop and his friend Spike. Though skeptical at first glance, he seemed to welcome and appreciate each new member of the Bebop as they first boarded. It was through the dysfunctional family dynamic and dire or silly situations that brought them closer. Even after all of their adventures came to a close, Jett had to prepare for the loss, the coming and going of the crew as he knew what it was like to lose before. Losing his job as a cop and his partner seemed to foreshadow and prepare him for another big loss ahead of him. This became more apparent when speaking with Spike for the last time before running off to end the syndicate alone.
SpyxFamily - Character Roles
.Loid, Yor, and Fiona - Another awkward love triangle - similar to Spike, Loid suppresses his feelings but not just romantically. He does so to not compromise his missions for the greater good of world peace. Though he is working towards something positively productive, Loid and Yor have natural chemistry. By allowing himself to create a family, even though it's a guise, he's slowly warming up to the idea of allowing himself to have love in his life. Though their dynamic is strained because of this "fake family" there are times when both Loid and Yor slip up with concealing their feelings. Whether it be fidgeting or blushing, that connection is obvious. However, the addition of Fiona on Loid's mission compromises their potential romance as she strides to be the only one for Loid romantically. Though the anime and manga are still ongoing, there is so much to speculate on what will become of them.
.Anya and Bond - finding a sense of belonging and supporting the Forgers - Again another pairing quite similar to the Bebop Crew. Anya and Bond and Ed and Ein have this beautiful human-to-animal relationship. Something sweet and loving came from a dire bombing situation. Anya was able to save Bond, former bomb dog and test subject, from working with the bad guys who most likely abuse those poor dogs. Bond in return, used his skills as a bomb dog and precognition/foresight abilities to save Anya from the threat of terrorists. They both bonded, pun intended, over their special abilities and worked together to de-escalate a bad situation that might have killed Loid if they weren't careful. After fighting to adopt Bond, the two have become inseparable. As of now, they actively play together and work towards assisting Yor and Loid with everyday problems.
I recommend both of these shows as long as you realize that you should take your time to enjoy the world and characters before taking the plot too seriously. I hope to see SpyxFamily do what Cowboy Bebop couldn't in regards to successfully building and maintaining a found family. Each family deserves the best considering how much they have fought to stay together and actively engage in each other's livelihoods day to day.
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