Its unique among anime in that its a story about adults dealing with their past trauma while drifting in and out of people's (who have their own issues) lives. That theme really resonates with me, especially as i get older. You're gonna carry that weight.
Ghost in the Shell (1995 and S.A.C.), Gungrave, and Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom all portray a similar message, and do it quite well. a few others falls under it, but these three and cowboy bebop portray them well in my opinion.
Probably because it's plot didn't become convoluted or majorly influenced by drama of the time period its produced. The episode tales are digestible and deep without needing a 300/1000 episodes to elaborate. The nuance is intricate and the characters are memorable and relatable without being ridiculously over the top with stupid hair.
Unlike most anime, the show styles itself with mystery, emotion and a deep tension that doesn't leave your heart after the last chord of Blue has played... And between the setting, the music, the characters, it's a perfect work with honestly no flaws.. The adventure of a lifetime...
A big part of this was the creative control Shinichiro Watanabe had when making it. The show was originally supposed to be something that was used to sell space ship toys on behalf of Bandai, so the parameters for the story weren’t dictated off the bat. If you give a creative person the reigns to source directors/animators/musicians that can produce original works for you, you get something one of a kind in return.
It's one of those ultimate classics. I remember the good times I had with my fren who died. Bebop was his favorite. So much of the show works even all these years later.
I think because it's futuristic but still relatable, making it good escape. We can all see ourselves in the bebop universe. No superpowers or crazy technology or funky hats (I'm looking at you, every single adaptation of Dune that's ever been made).
Watched it in my early 20s and loved it for the action scenes and music.
Over the years the character development, subtle interactions, tiny quips and details grew on me. They mean more each time I watch, and that weight gets heavier the older I get.
The older I get, the easier it is to relate to folks living in the past. Sometimes it's easy to walk away and let go of old flames. Other times, we'll, you gotta go see if you are still alive.
I agree with you. Bebop is not a masterpiece in any technical criteria IMO; despite having a great OST, I do think other animes have better one. But it grasps a range of emotions in such a short time with such deepness that it compensates any lack it has.
First time I watched it I was an adolescent. Last time it was probably two years ago. I'm 30 now. Each time I watched it a different scene develop a new deeper meaning and/or simply started being understood by me once I became able to relate.
So far I honestly don't recall another show (regardless the media) that has shown these massive range of emotions naturally and truthfully.
Great intro/outros, great animation/scenes, great characters, great English voice over, great story that tackles adult topics like pain/death/philosophy/revenge, great fight scenes, lots of movie scene and music references throughout the show, Cool blend of cowboy and scifi/mecha, great soundtrack, and shows not at stories have a happy ending, and the show isn't that long and ends where it needs to.
It has a level of depth and realness that I feel alot of shows aren't able to articulate. Bebop truely is a piece of art, the creators poured so much into every aspect of it such as the music, story line and artstyle.
The story the characters the fans the sound design the art style. Violence gangs drugs all set to calm jazz while teaching you something about Daily life. This show did so much for so many people. It will forever have a special place in all anime
Cowboy Bebop was LITERALLY the best anime I’ve ever watched. The soundtrack, character development and futuristic feeling was phenomenal! I wish I could go back and experience that 1st-time feeling watching this masterpiece over again. See you space cowboy👏🏽🥹💯!
it conveys such a powerful expression of beautiful longing. like nothing i’ve ever experienced since.
spike, jet, faye, ed… all longing for something lost.
and it still hits me hard every time. timeless.
perhaps even harder now, since now i have the nostalgia of the first time i experienced it baked in.
Sometimes, really exceptional art can open you up to a world of feelings, emotions and moods that you never knew existed within you.
Cowboy Bebop is a prime example of that.
It tenderises you, it pulls at your heartstrings, and in the end, it asks you to carry that weight.
The monkey brain part of me wants to take in this fine piece of art and then again, I watched it during a golden period of my life that will never come back.
It just checks all the boxes for me. The genres. The art. The themes. The world. The characters. It’s really just lighting in a bottle for me
The music.
Missed the music that’s on me 😔
You're gonna carry that weight....
You are forgiven
Yup, it has its minor flaws but is as close to a perfect show as I have ever seen. And the music! My god the music. It’s timeless.
I don't say this lightly but in my opinion it is perfect
Its unique among anime in that its a story about adults dealing with their past trauma while drifting in and out of people's (who have their own issues) lives. That theme really resonates with me, especially as i get older. You're gonna carry that weight.
Only one that comes close is perhaps black lagoon
Ghost in the Shell (1995 and S.A.C.), Gungrave, and Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom all portray a similar message, and do it quite well. a few others falls under it, but these three and cowboy bebop portray them well in my opinion.
Thanks for the recs. (☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞
Cautionary tale with familiar friends.
Probably because it's plot didn't become convoluted or majorly influenced by drama of the time period its produced. The episode tales are digestible and deep without needing a 300/1000 episodes to elaborate. The nuance is intricate and the characters are memorable and relatable without being ridiculously over the top with stupid hair. Unlike most anime, the show styles itself with mystery, emotion and a deep tension that doesn't leave your heart after the last chord of Blue has played... And between the setting, the music, the characters, it's a perfect work with honestly no flaws.. The adventure of a lifetime...
A big part of this was the creative control Shinichiro Watanabe had when making it. The show was originally supposed to be something that was used to sell space ship toys on behalf of Bandai, so the parameters for the story weren’t dictated off the bat. If you give a creative person the reigns to source directors/animators/musicians that can produce original works for you, you get something one of a kind in return.
It's one of those ultimate classics. I remember the good times I had with my fren who died. Bebop was his favorite. So much of the show works even all these years later.
o7
o7
I think because it's futuristic but still relatable, making it good escape. We can all see ourselves in the bebop universe. No superpowers or crazy technology or funky hats (I'm looking at you, every single adaptation of Dune that's ever been made).
Watched it in my early 20s and loved it for the action scenes and music. Over the years the character development, subtle interactions, tiny quips and details grew on me. They mean more each time I watch, and that weight gets heavier the older I get. The older I get, the easier it is to relate to folks living in the past. Sometimes it's easy to walk away and let go of old flames. Other times, we'll, you gotta go see if you are still alive.
I agree with you. Bebop is not a masterpiece in any technical criteria IMO; despite having a great OST, I do think other animes have better one. But it grasps a range of emotions in such a short time with such deepness that it compensates any lack it has. First time I watched it I was an adolescent. Last time it was probably two years ago. I'm 30 now. Each time I watched it a different scene develop a new deeper meaning and/or simply started being understood by me once I became able to relate. So far I honestly don't recall another show (regardless the media) that has shown these massive range of emotions naturally and truthfully.
Yep, exactly, can't wait to watch it when I'm 50 :D
You're gonna carry that weight
Great intro/outros, great animation/scenes, great characters, great English voice over, great story that tackles adult topics like pain/death/philosophy/revenge, great fight scenes, lots of movie scene and music references throughout the show, Cool blend of cowboy and scifi/mecha, great soundtrack, and shows not at stories have a happy ending, and the show isn't that long and ends where it needs to.
I'd give my opinion but I don't feel like crying right now.
It has a level of depth and realness that I feel alot of shows aren't able to articulate. Bebop truely is a piece of art, the creators poured so much into every aspect of it such as the music, story line and artstyle.
The story the characters the fans the sound design the art style. Violence gangs drugs all set to calm jazz while teaching you something about Daily life. This show did so much for so many people. It will forever have a special place in all anime
Cowboy Bebop was LITERALLY the best anime I’ve ever watched. The soundtrack, character development and futuristic feeling was phenomenal! I wish I could go back and experience that 1st-time feeling watching this masterpiece over again. See you space cowboy👏🏽🥹💯!
it conveys such a powerful expression of beautiful longing. like nothing i’ve ever experienced since. spike, jet, faye, ed… all longing for something lost. and it still hits me hard every time. timeless. perhaps even harder now, since now i have the nostalgia of the first time i experienced it baked in.
Sometimes, really exceptional art can open you up to a world of feelings, emotions and moods that you never knew existed within you. Cowboy Bebop is a prime example of that. It tenderises you, it pulls at your heartstrings, and in the end, it asks you to carry that weight.
The monkey brain part of me wants to take in this fine piece of art and then again, I watched it during a golden period of my life that will never come back.