The appeal and reviews of Cowboy Bebop [WOWOW broadcast version]: A fusion of space adventure and jazz

Cowboy Bebop [WOWOW broadcast version] - A story of bounty hunters running through space

The TV anime series "Cowboy Bebop", which aired from 1998 to 1999, has captivated many fans with its unique worldview and deep storyline. In this article, we will thoroughly explain the appeal and details of "Cowboy Bebop [WOWOW broadcast version]".

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 23, 1998 - April 24, 1999

■Broadcasting station

WOWOW

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

Hajime Yatate

■ Director

Director: Shinichiro Watanabe

■ Production

Sunrise

■Works

©Sunrise

■Cast

■ Main staff

■Subtitle

Story and worldview

"Cowboy Bebop" is a science fiction action anime set in the future of the 21st century. It is an era in which human beings have advanced from Earth into space and begun to live on various planets. The story centers around the main character, Spike Spiegel, and depicts the adventures and battles of him and his friends, who work as bounty hunters.

Spike used to be a member of the Red Dragon Syndicate, a criminal organization, but due to past trauma he left the organization and chose to live as a bounty hunter. His partner Jet Black is a former police officer, and the two operate from a spaceship called the Bebop. Along the way, they are joined by con artist Faye Valentine, genius hacker Edward Wong Hau Pepertuom Tilsim IV (known as Ed), and data dog Ein, forming a unique team.

Each episode has its own independent story, but the storyline gradually reveals Spike's past and the backgrounds of his friends. The effective use of jazz and blues music, combined with the noir atmosphere, draws viewers in.

character

Spike Spiegel

Voice actor: Koichi Yamadera

The main character is a former member of the Red Dragon Syndicate, currently working as a bounty hunter. His feelings for his ex-girlfriend Julia and his feud with his former syndicate colleague Vicious are the main focus of the story. The fight scenes are visually stunning, featuring movements influenced by Bruce Lee.

Jet Black

Voice actor: Unsho Ishizuka

Spike's partner, a former police officer. He is the captain of the Bebop and the leader of the team. He has a calm and rational personality and often scolds Spike for his reckless behavior. He uses his experience as a police officer to solve various cases.

Faye Valentine

Voice actor: Megumi Hayashibara

A con artist and woman who boarded the Bebop. She has lost her memory and is on a journey to find her roots. On the surface, she appears cold and calculating, but through her interactions with her companions, she gradually opens up.

Edward Wong Howe Pepertuom Tilsim IV (Ed.)

Voice actor: Aoi Tada

A genius hacker, she happens to come across the Bebop. She is a free-spirited and unique character, and brings a breath of fresh air to the team. Her hacking skills play an important role in many episodes.

Ain

Data Dog. Ed brought this pet to the Bebop. He is very intelligent and plays an active role as a member of the team. His pairing with Ed is particularly not to be missed.

Staff and production

Director: Shinichiro Watanabe

Director Shinichiro Watanabe established his own style through "Cowboy Bebop," incorporating elements of jazz and film noir. His vision contributed greatly to creating the atmosphere of the entire work. In addition, the directors of each episode were divided into multiple people, and each person's individuality was reflected in the work.

Music: Yoko Kanno

Yoko Kanno's music is one of the important elements of "Cowboy Bebop." A wide variety of music genres, including jazz, blues, and rock, are used to effectively express the development of the story and the emotions of the characters. In particular, the opening theme "Tank!" is a symbol of the work.

Character design: Toshihiro Kawamoto

The character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto do a great job of bringing out the individual personalities of each character: Spike's cool demeanor, Jet's down-to-earth nature, Faye's sexiness, Ed's free-spiritedness, and more. Each character is visually appealing.

Mechanical design: Kimitoshi Yamane

Kimitoshi Yamane's mechanical design lends realism to the work, which is set in a futuristic space world. The designs of the spaceships and fighter planes, including the Bebop, are visually very appealing and enrich the worldview of the work.

The appeal of the episode

"Cowboy Bebop" is characterized by its structure in which each episode has its own independent story, while the backgrounds of Spike and his friends are gradually revealed throughout the series. Below are some episodes.

Episode 16 "Black Dog Serenade"

Broadcast date: February 12, 1999

This episode depicts Jet's past. Jet's former colleague, Fado, who now works as a bounty hunter, appears. Jet's humanity is depicted in depth through the conflict and reconciliation between Jet and Fado. The existence of Jet's past lover, Alice, is also revealed, adding new depth to Jet's character.

Episode 17 "Mushroom Samba"

Broadcast date: February 19, 1999

This episode depicts Faye's past. It is about Faye's time as a con artist, and it reveals the trauma of her past and the cause of her memory loss. It is an episode where Faye's vulnerability and strength intersect, allowing us to understand her character more deeply.

Episode 18 "Speak Like a Child"

Broadcast date: February 26, 1999

This episode depicts Ed's past. It is the time when Ed was a genius hacker, and it reveals her relationship with her family and the reason she boarded the Bebop. This episode shows the interplay between Ed's free-spiritedness and loneliness, and gives us a deeper understanding of her character.

Episode 19: Wild Horses

Broadcast date: March 5, 1999

This episode depicts Spike's past. It is about his time as a member of the Red Dragon Syndicate, and it reveals his relationship with his girlfriend Julia and his connection with Vicious, his former co-worker in the syndicate. It is an episode where Spike's past trauma and current conflicts intersect, allowing us to understand his character more deeply.

Evaluation and impact

"Cowboy Bebop" has been highly acclaimed since it was first broadcast, and is still loved by many fans today. In particular, its unique style, which incorporates elements of jazz and film noir, has had a major influence on other anime works. It is also highly praised for its deep portrayal of each character and the balance between independent episodes and the overall story.

"Cowboy Bebop" has also been highly praised overseas, and has gained cult popularity especially in the United States. In 2001, the movie "Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was released, further increasing its popularity. In 2021, a live-action version of "Cowboy Bebop" was released on Netflix, attracting attention again.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Cowboy Bebop" is not only a sci-fi action anime, but also has a deep story and unique characters. It is especially recommended for those who like jazz and film noir. Also, each episode is independent, so you can watch it casually.

The series is available for viewing on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as on streaming services. In particular, all episodes are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, making it easy to watch.

summary

"Cowboy Bebop [WOWOW broadcast version]" is a science fiction action anime set in the future of the 21st century, but with a unique style that incorporates elements of jazz and film noir. It is still loved by many fans today, thanks to its deep portrayal of each character and the balance of independent episodes and the overall story. Please watch it and experience its charm for yourself.