Cowboy Bebop

Crime is timeless. By the year 2071, humanity has expanded across the galaxy, filling the surface of other planets with settlements like those on Earth. These new societies are plagued by murder, drug use, and theft, and intergalactic outlaws are hunted by a growing number of tough bounty hunters.

Spike Spiegel and Jet Black pursue criminals throughout space to make a humble living. Beneath his goofy and aloof demeanor, Spike is haunted by the weight of his violent past. Meanwhile, Jet manages his own troubled memories while taking care of Spike and the Bebop, their ship. The duo is joined by the beautiful con artist Faye Valentine, odd child Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, and Ein, a bioengineered Welsh Corgi.

While developing bonds and working to catch a colorful cast of criminals, the Bebop crew's lives are disrupted by a menace from Spike's past. As a rival's maniacal plot continues to unravel, Spike must choose between life with his newfound family or revenge for his old wounds.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Edit

Background

When Cowboy Bebop first aired in spring of 1998 on TV Tokyo, only episodes 2, 3, 7-15, and 18 were broadcast, it was concluded with a recap special known as Yose Atsume Blues. This was due to anime censorship having increased following the big controversies over Evangelion, as a result most of the series was pulled from the air due to violent content. Satellite channel WOWOW picked up the series in the fall of that year and aired it in its entirety uncensored. Cowboy Bebop was not a ratings hit in Japan, but sold over 19,000 DVD units in the initial release run, and 81,000 overall. Protagonist Spike Spiegel won Best Male Character, and Megumi Hayashibara won Best Voice Actor for her role as Faye Valentine in the 1999 and 2000 Anime Grand Prix, respectively.

Cowboy Bebop's biggest influence has been in the United States, where it premiered on Adult Swim in 2001 with many reruns since. The show's heavy Western influence struck a chord with American viewers, where it became a "gateway drug" to anime aimed at adult audiences.

Episode Videos

Edit

Related Anime

Adaptation:	Cowboy Bebop, Shooting Star Bebop: Cowboy Bebop
Side story:	Cowboy Bebop: Tengoku no Tobira, Cowboy Bebop: Ein no Natsuyasumi
Summary:	Cowboy Bebop: Yose Atsume Blues

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Spiegel, Spike

Main

Yamadera, Kouichi
Japanese

Valentine, Faye

Main

Hayashibara, Megumi
Japanese

Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, Edward

Main

Tada, Aoi
Japanese

Black, Jet

Main

Ishizuka, Unshou
Japanese

Ein

Supporting

Yamadera, Kouichi
Japanese

Vicious

Supporting

Wakamoto, Norio
Japanese

Eckener, Grencia Mars Elijah Guo

Supporting

Horiuchi, Kenyuu
Japanese

Julia

Supporting

Takashima, Gara
Japanese

Von de Oniyate, Andy

Supporting

Ebara, Masashi
Japanese

Mad Pierrot

Supporting

Ginga, Banjou
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Cook, Justin

Producer, Director

Maseba, Yutaka

Producer

Minami, Masahiko

Producer

Watanabe, Shinichirou

Director, Episode Director, Script, Storyboard

Edit

Opening Theme

"Tank!" by The Seatbelts (eps 1-25)

Edit

Ending Theme

	1: "The Real Folk Blues" by The Seatbelts feat. Mai Yamane (eps 1-12, 14-25)
	2: "Space Lion" by The Seatbelts (eps 13)
	3: "Blue" by The Seatbelts feat. Mai Yamane (eps 26)

Reviews

Aug 24, 2008

TheLlama

Recommended

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 =)

Open

Gift

Jun 15, 2011

xm0123

Mixed Feelings

Cowboy Bebop was originally an anime series created by Shinichiro Watanabe in 1998. It consists of 26 episodes, a mini-sode, and a theatrical movie. It was released in America in 2001, and is one of the few anime franchises to be more successful in North America than in its native Japan. I have seen the 26 tv episodes and the movie. I already know what a lot of you are doing right now after glancing at the numerical score I gave; you're hitting up the comment box on my profile and writing these exact words:

"Fuck you! Cowboy Bebop is a classic! You're not allowed to ...

Open

Gift

Dec 24, 2014

Play2X

Not Recommended

I think its quite saddening that I don't have anything better to do than writing a review. On christmas! However, this really needs to be done at some point, and while other people are eating cookies, I'll do this one: Cowboy Bebop Review Mk II. New and improved, rated by my new guidelines!

First of all, yes, I still dislike Cowboy Bebop, and even without rereading it I still remember the opening phrase from my first review. I'll refrain from it this time though, because at some point I stopped caring about whether I like that particular anime or not, I just want to give a ...

Open

Gift

More stacks

Interest Stacks

Noir Anime

by sasurai_mushin

24 Entries · 72 Restacks

Cultural References and Memes

by Cestlavie_

50 Entries · 616 Restacks

Anti Escapist Anime

by ecliptyk

27 Entries · 185 Restacks

More recommendations

Recommendations

View All

More news

Recent News

North American Anime & Manga Releases for October

Here are the North American anime, manga, and light novel releases for October. Week 1: October 3 - 9 Anime Releases Cowboy Bebop Complete Series Blu-ray [SteelBook ...read more

Oct 10, 2023 6:34 AM by Aiimee | Discuss (1 comment)

North American Anime & Manga Releases for April

Here are the North American anime, manga, and light novel releases for April. Week 1: April 4 - 10 Anime Releases Cowboy Bebop Complete Series Blu-ray Cowboy Bebop C...read more

Apr 3, 2023 12:28 PM by Aiimee | Discuss (3 comments)

More discussions

Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Cowboy Bebop Episode 23 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) RoadLord - Oct 24, 2007	143 replies	by Anurag469 »» Yesterday, 8:57 AM
Poll: Cowboy Bebop Episode 26 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Metty - May 14, 2008	622 replies	by TeeDeeHeeHee »» Apr 17, 11:57 AM
Poll: Cowboy Bebop Episode 21 Discussion ( 1 2 ) samurai_tom - Jul 16, 2009	88 replies	by Coletty »» Apr 15, 1:26 PM
Poll: Cowboy Bebop Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) ManU-Alchemist - Jun 14, 2008	109 replies	by wallus81 »» Apr 13, 11:26 PM
Poll: Cowboy Bebop Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) ManU-Alchemist - Jun 14, 2008	122 replies	by wallus81 »» Apr 13, 10:54 PM

Recent Featured Articles

Good Vibrations: The Undervalued Artistry of an Anime’s Soundscape

Sometimes we get so caught up in the visual spectacle of anime that we completely forget about the equally important sounds that come alongside it.

by MAL_Articles

68,236 views

Spoiler

Cowboy Bebop: Meaning Behind the Madness

Perhaps one of the most iconic anime titles of all time, Cowboy Bebop has enchanted audiences everywhere for decades. But why has it been such an enduring success? Here is a fresh take on the truth behind Bebop’s allure.

by MAL_Articles

28,132 views

Spoiler

Cowboy Bebop

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Episode Videos

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Related Anime

Characters & Voice Actors

Spiegel, Spike

Valentine, Faye

Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, Edward

Black, Jet

Ein

Vicious

Eckener, Grencia Mars Elijah Guo

Julia

Von de Oniyate, Andy

Mad Pierrot

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Cowboy Bebop

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Episode Videos

Visit MALxJapan MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Related Anime

Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-