I must admit that this was one of my favorite animes ever. Definitely one of my top three. An awesome journey through space with four (five, with the dog, I suppose) mysterious characters whose pasts are slowly unraveled throughout the duration. There's a movie as well, which takes place somewhere in the middle of the series itself.

Discuss the awesomeness of Cowboy Bebop, that others may know of it's true greatness.

it was probably one of the few shows i found interesting about space and science, aside from Outlaw Star.
edit: i so want to see the movie!

I'm very selective with my anime, but I have to say that Shinichiro Watanabe is hands down one of the best directors ever. God help us if he ever got into live action film ... every other film would be moot.

I love Cowboy Bebop. The characters are so rich, it wouldn't matter if the plot had them playing backgammon for 22 minutes and it would still be better than most television shows. I love how Watanabe and the staff created this vastly imagined and layered universe for the plot to unfold into, but never showcase the setting. They just let it exist and let it become familiar and fascinating all at once. And it doesn't hurt that the stories are wonderful and fun, if a bit too short (but 22 minutes is too short nowadays for anything but comedy, in my opinion).

And the music! God, so awesome. The Seatbelts are so amazing. They're like the Danny Elfmans (Elfmen?) of Japan ... able to take any genre and make an awesome song out of it. They could make polka cool and not ironic-cool like Weird Al.

Bebop is one of the only shows I would actually like seeing a sequel too that was conceived as a one season series because I have such faith in the staff that they could make it fitting, if Watanabe and crew ever decide to journey back to the Bebop.

Aye, a very unique show it was... Bebop is to Anime like.. say... Firefly is to modern Space-action shows :lol:

At any rate, it remains one of my favorite, despite its grim ending :?:

I love the grim ending >.<
It has been a major style breakthrough and gets coppied in alot of ways- becoming a standard. Honestly though, I've seen it way too many times. I can watch it on occassion, but only certain episodes, and only infrequently.

Originally Posted by Riddle

Aye, a very unique show it was... Bebop is to Anime like.. say... Firefly is to modern Space-action shows :lol:

At any rate, it remains one of my favorite, despite its grim ending :?:

SPOILERS


I think you can interpet the final episode in a number of ways. A lot of the foreshadowing can be taken ambiguously. In fact, Watanabe has said he doesn't know if Spike is alive or dead. I personally think that the metaphors and symbolism represent the death of Spike's old life, that he can start anew. Maybe that means reuniting with Jet and Faye, but I think he probably would try to forget everything and move on.

Originally Posted by Victor Von Doom

SPOILERS


I think you can interpet the final episode in a number of ways. A lot of the foreshadowing can be taken ambiguously. In fact, Watanabe has said he doesn't know if Spike is alive or dead. I personally think that the metaphors and symbolism represent the death of Spike's old life, that he can start anew. Maybe that means reuniting with Jet and Faye, but I think he probably would try to forget everything and move on.

I suppose you're right. I argued with myself that since there was a movie, he must have survived... but then I read a wiki post which stated quite clearly that the movie actually takes place between eps 26 and 27 (or... somewhere in the 20's) so there's no deviation from the mystery...

I do think that if they wanted, they could continue the series, but I doubt they will, seeing as the basic main underlying plot was already resolved. Also, I would hate to see it go down the toilet like other animes which have gone on WAY too long (Yes, I'm looking in your general direction, Sir Inuyasha!). So really, I wish there were more, but also... I think it ended perfectly.... now it is in a pristine and untouchable state of glory... it would suck if they ruined it.

Originally Posted by Riddle

I suppose you're right. I argued with myself that since there was a movie, he must have survived... but then I read a wiki post which stated quite clearly that the movie actually takes place between eps 26 and 27 (or... somewhere in the 20's) so there's no deviation from the mystery...

I do think that if they wanted, they could continue the series, but I doubt they will, seeing as the basic main underlying plot was already resolved. Also, I would hate to see it go down the toilet like other animes which have gone on WAY too long (Yes, I'm looking in your general direction, Sir Inuyasha!). So really, I wish there were more, but also... I think it ended perfectly.... now it is in a pristine and untouchable state of glory... it would suck if they ruined it.

The movie is apparently intended to take place between episodes 22 and 23, since Ed and Ein are still with the crew. It is also conjectured that the whole movie could be a dream of Spike's (or, as some think/hope, a sleep-induced flashback Spike is having while recovering from his wounds from the final fight with Vicious) since there are many references to reality and dreams and because a couple minor characters that died earlier in the series cameo.

As for a second series, I don't really want to see it happen, but if Watanabe and crew all came back because they had a story to tell (and not for the money), I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.

True that... both this show and firefly would have a second go in my book. :)

Originally Posted by Victor Von Doom

SPOILERS


I think you can interpet the final episode in a number of ways. A lot of the foreshadowing can be taken ambiguously. In fact, Watanabe has said he doesn't know if Spike is alive or dead. I personally think that the metaphors and symbolism represent the death of Spike's old life, that he can start anew. Maybe that means reuniting with Jet and Faye, but I think he probably would try to forget everything and move on.

Me and my sister still have arguments over this only because I believe that Spike is dead and she believes that Spike is alive for that matter.
But I'm getting off track. Cowboy Bebop is an amazing complexity of human emotions, pasts, and the symbolism of the devils of life. >w< I enjoyed this show immesely.

I believe Spike is dead, my sister says he isn't. I'll know if a new movie ever comes out xD
But this is one of my favorites, and the start of my BONES obsession.