The Daily Think

Okay some true-life scene setting here, it’s a little after Y2K (Y2J for those who know) and your fearless editor just had his heart broken by his first love and was looking to distract himself from crippling dumptitude. With amazing timing, Cartoon Network, Toonami, or Adult Swim, was releasing some really good animation and one of their earliest, biggest, most important imports was a little space show with a bat-shit crazy soundtrack about bounty hunters in space. It was to be a jazzy gunslinger set in the future and on most planets in the Milky Way. Cowboy Bebop was the name and being as American friendly an Anime was it’s game. Yes (poser) Cowboy Bebop is a large sandworm of most people’s introduction to Anime, but for good reason: It was Damn Good Anime that you NEED TO KNOW.

3, 2, 1 LETS JAM!
From the Opening title sequence with TANK by Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts (you’re gonna need a seatbelt!) You get a sense of what this show is about, do not skip! “Cowboy Bebop” is THE anime that should be considered groundbreaking that seamlessly blends elements of music, animation, and outer space into a killer western style narrative that eventually became a massive hit around the globe. Aside from the flowers it deserves, the making of and development represent a convergence of visionary storytelling, innovative animation techniques, and a cool approach to incorporating music as an integral part of the viewing experience.

OUR VOLTRON POWERS COMBINED: SHINICHRIO, KEIKO and SUNRISE
The brainchild (love using that word) can be traced back to the collaboration between director Shinichirō Watanabe, screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto, and animation studio Sunrise. The team sought to break away from the traditional anime and create a series that would appeal to a broader audience while pushing the boundaries of storytelling within the medium. We weren’t going to get giant robots, tentacles, or another Dragonball Z style show. We were headed for something different and off the wall that would stand the test of time. One of the most distinctive requirements for Bebop was its fusion of genres, drawing inspiration from film noir, westerns, and jazz music. This unique blend of influences contributes to the show’s distinctive aesthetic and tone, setting it apart from other anime series of its time.

A TRULY GREAT MUSICIAN NAMED YOKO
Central to the concept of “Cowboy Bebop” is its use of music as a narrative device. You would get a slow harmonica blues riff in a scene with cigarette smoking and lounging, or a techno fueled high paced beat as you chase bounties in your spacecraft. The series features an eclectic soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno (This woman deserves an article unto herself…Writing staff, get on that!) whose diverse range of musical styles, including jazz, blues, rock, classical and electronic, adds depth and atmosphere to each episode. Music is not merely background noise in “Cowboy Bebop” but a huge part of the storytelling process, shaping the mood and enhancing the emotional resonance of key moments.

STYLE? I GOT YOUR STYLE RIGHT HERE!

Moreover, the animation style of “Cowboy Bebop” is notable for its fluidity and attention to detail. Did the camera just slide over, how did they animate that? Almost filmed like a John Wick style action sequence in some fight scenes, you will be distracted and amazed! And no your eyes aren’t deceiving you, but true outer space colonization and the promise of a golden age of space travel is traded in favor of the reality of expanding to other planets and intergalactic high-speed jumps. A lot of junk yards and even some gas burning cars are spotted throughout the series. Shinichiro wanted a mix of traditional hand-drawn animation and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create dynamic action sequences and immersive environments. This combination of techniques allows for a visually stunning portrayal of the futuristic world inhabited by the show’s characters, complete with bustling spaceports, decaying urban landscapes on Mars and Venus, and breathtaking interstellar vistas.

SPIKE, JET, FAYE, EIN and uh EDWARD!
In terms of character development, “Cowboy Bebop” excels in crafting the complex, multi-dimensional protagonists who defy traditional anime archetypes. Starting with Spike Spiegel, yes, he was brooding, handsome and an ass kicker, but he smoked like a chimney. His hair was like that of the EMO kid that would eventually dominate the landscape of music post Limp Bizkit backlash and he was one of the best hand to hand fighters in the galaxy. He did get handled a couple of times, but something about his resiliency and devil may cry attitude to come back and defeat his challenge made you root for him. NO SPOILERS, but he also has that romantic story I wanted to relate to having been tossed aside by that first love (see earlier comments.) Then there is Jet Black who is for all intents and purposes is the stabilizing force and father figure. Fay Fay Wu is a throwback to the sexy waifu character but with a gun and skills. And finally, there is the dynamic duo of Edward and Ein! The greatest hacker in the universe is a kid in bicycle shorts and a cutoff shirt. And a data dog in the form of a Welsh Corgi. The crew of the spaceship Bebop each have their own motivations, quirks, and flaws, making them relatable and compelling to audiences, and even pulled a tear or two for each of the characters in their own episodes. The show’s 26 episode arc and structure allows for exploration of each character’s backstory and motivations, gradually unfolding into one of the most climatic final episodes.

“Cowboy Bebop” is renowned for its mature themes and philosophical undertones, exploring existential questions of identity, purpose, and redemption against the backdrop of a vast and unforgiving universe. This thematic depth, coupled with its stylish presentation and memorable characters, has earned “Cowboy Bebop” a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim since its initial release.

AND SCENE

The making and development of “Cowboy Bebop” represented a convergence of creative talent and visionary storytelling that has left an indelible mark on the anime industry. Through its innovative use of music, animation, and genre-blending storytelling, “Cowboy Bebop” has set a new standard for what anime can achieve, inspiring future generations of creators and captivating audiences with its timeless appeal. And unlike Spike, I got over my broken heart and survived my own Bebop!