Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop Season One Early Review

Whether or not viewers are into anime, one thing remains relatively certain when describing Cowboy Bebop to anyone that will listen – everything about it is cool. There is something indescribable about the energy and essence of its characters and premise that make it a broadly enjoyable experience. This is why when Netflix announced plans to create a live-action continuation of the ever-popular anime series that it seemed like an easy win for the streaming giant…as long as they got it right.

Suffice it to say that they largely have as this 10 episode first season not only further expounds on fan-favorite storylines from the anime but also successfully develops its main and supporting characters to create a truly unique and alive world that is so much fun to watch. The series serves as an action-packed space Western following three bounty hunters who are each trying to make sense of their dissimilar pasts while hunting space’s most dangerous criminals. Together, Spike Speigel (Cho), Jet Black (Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Pineda) form the crew whose episodic adventures lead them to very strange and humorous places ultimately testing their bond when faced with individuals from their past lives.

As mentioned, the key to making a series like this work is capturing the energy and coolness of its predecessor, which the live-action series does quite well. From the incredible opening credits which are a must-watch to the underlying free-form jazz score that infuses itself into the narrative and its characters, they provide a wonderfully entertaining cavalier style of conflict resolution that offers many laughs and surprises. Meanwhile, the dialogue, action sequences, and production design bring a previously animated world alive in amazing detail.

The character adaptation and casting choices were carefully crafted boasting of the love and dedication surrounding these decisions shown onscreen. Cho, Shakir, and Pineda are excellent as Speigel, Black, and Valentine, giving their all to these characters and quickly solidifying an emotional connection with viewers. The supporting are just as strong by helping to create a world that feels real and lived in but also managing to be the wildest and most eclectic pieces of the series leading to wild shoot-outs and chases offering some of the series’ finer moments.

This season centers around a smaller conflict that involves the main crew while a larger narrative focuses on Speigel’s backstory as a former assassin for an evil corporation known as The Syndicate, a detail of his life that has been kept secret from his crewmates. The series not only allows ample focus on this specific plotline but also on that of Black and Valentine whose characters are given time to develop their own conflicts and resolutions as the series progresses in such a way that there is a near-perfect balance achieved by all crew members by the end. Though Spiegel might occupy the majority of the narrative, the series recognizes that there are also great stories to tell with its other characters as well and does not shy away from devoting episodes centered around them in order to enhance the overall project.

While not an expert in all things anime, Cowboy Bebop has nonetheless emerged as a personal favorite. From this perspective, Netflix successfully recaptures the essence of the original anime series while also bringing its coolness to the live-action space. Fans of the original series will see familiar characters and storylines that retell and often extend their preexisting plotlines, while newcomers will be not be overwhelmed by jumping into a new world and unable to follow.

The series is sure to appeal to new fans while satisfying and entertaining established fans as well. On style points alone, Cowboy Bebop is one of the standout series of the year but beyond that, it consistently delivers humor, action, and heart, resulting in a conclusion that is begging for more.

still courtesy of Netflix

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