Cowboy Bebop 

The futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.

Creator:

Hajime Yatate

Stars:

Kôichi Yamadera, Unshô Ishizuka, Megumi Hayashibara

Top Rated TV #35 | See the Top Rated TV as rated by our users.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Kôichi Yamadera	...	Spike Spiegel 26 episodes, 1998-1999
Unshô Ishizuka	...	Jet Black 26 episodes, 1998-1999
Steve Blum	...	Spike Spiegel 26 episodes, 1998-1999
Beau Billingslea	...	Jet Black 26 episodes, 1998-1999
Kevin Seymour	...	Additional Voices / ... 26 episodes, 1998-1999
Wendee Lee	...	Faye Valentine 25 episodes, 1998-1999
Megumi Hayashibara	...	Faye Valentine 24 episodes, 1998-1999
Isshin Chiba	...	Man 2 / ... 17 episodes, 1998-1999
Melissa Fahn	...	Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivruski IV 16 episodes, 1998-1999
Aoi Tada	...	Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivruski IV 16 episodes, 1998-1999

Storyline

Spike Spiegel is a bounty hunter in the far future with an easy going attitude and some deadly skill at martial arts. Together with his partners, Jet Black, and later Faye Valentine as well, they go from job to job across the galaxy looking for the high priced fugitives to bag.

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Plot Keywords:

anime | space western | jazz | future noir | gun fu | 

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Taglines:

See You Space Cowboy... (ending tagline)

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

In addition to Lupin III being a heavy influence, the main characters from both series resemble one another in appearance and personality. Spike/Lupin both wear ties, are lanky, and laid back. Jet/Jigen are the partners, both have beards, and are the more pragmatic members of their groups. Faye/Fujiko take advantage of their appearance to get what they want and has betrayed their groups. Vicious with his swordsman abilities represents Goemon.

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Goofs

Spike's hair changes from green to black repeatedly throughout the show.

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Quotes

[the series' final line]
Spike Spiegel: BANG.

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Crazy Credits

Most of the episodes end with an intertitle that reads "SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY..." However, certain episodes end with different text: Session #03: EASY COME, EASY GO... Session #11: THE END Session #12: TO BE CONTINUED Session #13: DO YOU HAVE A COMRADE? Session #15: SLEEPING BEAST... Session #17: LIFE IS BUT A DREAM... Session #22: SEE YOU SPACE SAMURAI... Session #24: SEE YOU COWGIRL,SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE! Session #25: TO BE CONTINUED Session #26: YOU'RE GONNA CARRY THAT WEIGHT.

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Alternate Versions

In 2001, director Shinichirô Watanabe supervized the re-mixing of episodes Asteroid Blues, Ballad of Fallen Angels, and Wild Horses. All 3 episodes were re-mixed in Dolby 5.1 with several new sound effects and an improved musical score. Later that year Watanabe released a second set of episodes which consisted of Waltz for Venus, Mushroom Samba, and Hard Luck Woman. These were also re-mixed. For the U.S. release the episodes were released as one two-disc set and re-mixed into a Japanese DTS 5.1 soundtrack. An English and Japanese Dolby 5.1 soundtrack was also included.

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Connections

Featured in Anime Abandon: Cowboy Bebop (2013)

User Reviews

Classy as can be, an anime classic.

Cowboy Bebop is a series that should need no introduction to anime fans. However, for anyone unfamiliar with the show, it's basically about space bounty hunters set to an old time jazz music soundtrack with plenty of classy old time stories and dark morals along the way. If you like action, space, jazz, or comedy, you may like Cowboy Bebop. If you like old time bounty hunter, private eye, or detective movies, you'll probably like Cowboy Bebop. If you like dark stories with twists that really make you feel for the characters, you'll like Cowboy Bebop. This is one series you don't have to be an anime fan to appreciate, but you have to be willing to give it a fair chance.

A single episode of Cowboy Bebop packs more punch than several entire anime series I know of. If you're not a fan of the show by the end of episode one alone, you probably won't be. The characters are as real as any old time bounty hunter / detective movie, and every bit as interesting. The sci-fi space twist doesn't take away from the show in the slightest, it adds much. A good way of thinking about the show is Lupin the 3rd mixed with Outlaw Star, with more depth. With episode titles like Asteroid Blues, Honky Tonk Woman, Waltz for Venus, and Jupiter Jazz, the space, class, and jazz heavy style is quite apparent from the beginning. This isn't just some theme slapped on top of an anime, rather a critical part of the show.

The characters are well rounded and all very interesting. Unlike a lot of anime, there is no annoying character you wish they would have left out. Each character is given equal importance, though the show centers on the bounty hunter Spike.

Spike describes himself as an "old fashioned cowboy." He spends a lot of the series searching for someone he once knew, I'll avoid details so I don't spoil anything. He could be a master thief if he so choose, his dexterity and fighting skills are nearly unmatched. With a good 'whatever' attitude, he's great fun to watch.

Jet is more of an old time detective. He's the owner of the ship "Bebop", and best friend of Spike. He does his fair share in bounty hunting like Spike, mostly gathering information and providing backup to Spike.

Faye is pretty much the anime embodiment of the women from detective movies. A fiercely materialistic woman, she does whatever it takes to get what she wants. She's not against stealing from anyone or using anyone to get it, then leaving them cold. An incredible bounty hunter in her own right, she joins the team without invitation or welcome. Much hilarious bickering and bounty thefts come between Faye and Spike from the outset.

Ed is a hacker genius girl who joins the group after a promise from Faye to get information. They try to leave her dry after they get what they need. but Ed's hacking skills make that impossible. She's often comic relief, and may be insane. Who can tell? In any case, when hacking or computer skills are needed, Ed is there. When not needed, she's. still there, being a hilarious pain in the neck. She's often with Ein, a seemingly ordinary mutt that gets picked up along the way with a few not so hidden talents.

In any case, Cowboy Bebop is a series anyone should watch. It has some language, a lot of violence, and some dark stories, but nothing that any kid these days hasn't seen a hundred times over. Even if you're not a bounty hunter or jazz fan, give this series a shot. Don't be surprised if you start to take a liking to jazz music or Yoko Kanno's amazing music. Congrats to Cartoon Network for bringing over the incredible dub, but check out the sub if possible. Enjoy. I refuse to end this rant with that catchy ending of each episode. Sorry. ^_^

• Rirath_com

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

2 September 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cowboy Bebop

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bandai Visual Company, Sunrise

Technical Specs

Runtime:

24 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby (Dolby TrueHD 5.1) (Blu-ray version)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1