Reviews

Let's start off with a false dichotomy, the show in question is often criticized for its preference of style over substance, a complaint that demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of art and is as insubstantial as it is hypocritical. On the other hand Bebop is praised endlessly for its technical aspects relating to presentation (animation, sfx, voice acting, etc), often coupled with some sort of attribution of a more profound message about these sort of vague, vacuous, mostly unreal emotions and hang-ups; a general lack of will to "move on" or an inability to "be an adult", to "grow up", and other assorted unimportant cliches to be found among all the stylish action and dialogue.

Let it be said that Cowboy Bebop is not necessarily particularly original, but it never strikes you as trying to be. Essentially, the reason you should watch this, if you have any interest, is that it's cool, it excites the eyes and ears, and is not without its own flavor of emotional engagement. Bebop has prodigiously choreographed furious flights of fists and feet, charmingly cheesy dialogue, if you've got the right disposition for it, an entertaining, resonating cast that despite the pulp-like world they inhabit, feel realistic and believable, arguably more references and homages than it ought to, and a mostly pleasing soundtrack that at its best properly surprises when it matters to back it all up.

Despite whatever previous intentions one may be unaware of, Cowboy Bebop isn't really about anything other than being around for the ride these characters are on, a dramatic spectacle of a trip to be sure. By the end of it you're left with a strong feeling of shared experience, which should be expected of any character driven piece of fiction, but Bebop excels at this, which is probably why it stuck with so many people for as long as it did.