Zealots of Nerd Entertainment
Zealots of Nerd Entertainment
Cowboy Bebop: A Certified Anime Classic
Ever wondered how an anime from the late '90s continues to resonate with audiences today? Join us as we journey through the iconic world of Cowboy Bebop, uncovering its profound impact since its Toonami and Adult Swim days. Get ready to explore the unforgettable characters and music that have etched this series into anime history, making it a cultural touchstone. From the mysterious Spike Spiegel to the whimsical Ed and the adorable Ein, each character brings something unique to the Bebop crew, crafting a narrative that stands the test of time.
Our conversation doesn't stop there; we dive into the existential themes and storytelling nuances that Cowboy Bebop shares with other beloved series like Samurai Champloo. We reflect on Spike's and Faye's quests for identity and redemption, while also critically examining the live-action adaptation. With a special focus on character representation, we discuss the creative choices around Ed's gender ambiguity and Grin's portrayal, offering a personal and nuanced perspective. Our guests, Sebby Phantom, Mira Jane, and Playboi, add their voices to this rich discussion, making this a truly engaging episode.
Finally, we celebrate the stunning animation that blends traditional hand-drawn techniques with futuristic design, capturing the very essence of science fiction and film noir. The legendary music of Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts takes center stage, a character in its own right, resonating with universal themes of hope and redemption. As we close this episode, we invite you to ponder your own journey through life, encouraging you to embrace the present and look forward to the future with courage. Stay nerdy and optimistic, Space Cowboys—until we meet again.
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DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening!
Stay nerdy and stay faithful,
- J.B.
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Welcome back to the Zone Podcast, the show for nerdy news and reviews. I'm Jet Blackestream Feel free to call me JB and joining me today is Sebi Phantom on another review. This one is a classic. Everybody well, I won't say everybody like that's too objective, but this one's definitely a classic. A lot of anime fans. Objective, but this one's definitely a classic. A lot of anime fans should know this one we're gonna be reviewing cowboy bebop today and we might talk about the live action. Uh, depending, uh, what's the live action?
Speaker 1:the live action yeah, yeah, you did.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, we might talk about it a little bit, but let's go ahead and get into it. 3, 2, 1, let's jam. So, in this vast universe of anime, a few titles have achieved the iconic status of Cowboy Bebop. This series, which first aired in 1998, left a very huge mark on both fans and critics alike. It's a cultural touchstone that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. With rich characters, compelling themes, distinctive art style, unforgettable music, cowboy Bebop stands as a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of a genre, like, for instance, that opening theme song, bro. Like when you hear that theme song, especially late at night during the tsunami, adult swim days. Like back in during, like I want to say, silver age, like the golden age was, like I want to say the golden age, I want to say Late 90s, early 2000s. Well, yeah, cowboy Bebop will count as golden age. Toonami slash, don't Swim. So yeah, when you hear that theme song go off In the middle of the 90s, I was just. I was just.
Speaker 3:This is the anime you be watching.
Speaker 1:Like, yeah, I'm not gonna get a whole bunch of sleep during Ola for school the next morning, but hey man, I had to see that new episode of Cowboy Bebop.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, I definitely agree with you. I mean it became the first anime title to ever be broadcasted on Adult Swim back in 2001. So I mean you gotta kind of be chopped here for that.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, definitely. I mean the hold on, like, first of all let's get into the characters, like I'll get to the themes and everything later, but let's start with characters Now. At the core, cowboy, bebop have this vibrant, multi-dimensional characters bringing their own unique flair to narrative. Uh revolve around this group of bounty hunters or cowboys who travel through space abroad. The spaceship bebop and leading this uh monthly crew you could say, is spike spiegel, you know, laid back sharp, with ex-hitman from the Blood Syndicate, with a mysterious past, like I know I just said it, but like you don't really get really a whole lot on his backstory until late into the series, like almost the last few episodes, when everything is starting to heat up a little bit dramatically. And everything is starting to heat up a little bit dramatically. Spike's cool demeanor and martial arts prowess makes him instantly likable and he got this internal struggle and debt that resonates with viewers.
Speaker 1:Jet Black, I know, I know, but it's a coincidence. I honestly didn't think his name was Jet Black when, when I was a kid, I knew his name was jet but I it just went over my head that his last name was black. Like really jet black really. So I think my name's not inspired by him. Funny enough, believe it or not, my name was inspired by red x from teen titans, where I had to think of something that sounds cool, but something that sounds like a brand, you know, like something I can use as a brand name for like years to come. And I'm thinking like, okay, I like the shade of jet black and I was thinking like red x for some reason.
Speaker 1:so I like jet black x and I'm like nah that doesn't sound strong enough and down like Jet Black Extreme Boom. But yes, jet Black, he's the Bebop's captain and former Inner Solar System Police Officer, so ISSP, so he's a cop essentially and he kind of compliments Spike with his pragmatic approach and strong moral compass. And he kind of compliments Spike with his pragmatic approach and strong moral compass and he got a lot of this fatherly aura around him and mechanical expertise, providing the stabilizing force amongst the whole chaos of bounty hunting. And then you have Faye Valentine, who's this femme fatale with this penchant for gambling, and she has amnesia. She adds layers of intrigue and sass to the group dynamic and she got this complex backstory and vulnerability that make her stand out and she evolves significantly throughout the series.
Speaker 1:And rounding out the whole crew is the brilliant hacker Edward Wong, hal Peppaloo, trubus, tiberiuski IV, or simply Ed and Ein. Now, ein is a highly intelligent well, I mean Ein is a Welsh Corgi with enhanced data capabilities and Ed's, like this eccentric, whimsical nature and have exceptional hacking skills, is like a delight and kind of unpredictable to the crew, while Ayn's, like adorable presence and hidden talent, often surprise and amuse. So, sebi, how do you feel about the characters? Well, at least the main characters.
Speaker 3:Ayn is the cutest thing in the entire world. I'm kind of biased because Corgis are my favorite dog ever, but Ayn is the cutest. And of course Spike. That's classic. You hear Tank theme song and Spike is the first thing that comes up With Jet Black I thought it was kind of funny that your name is JB and of course Edward and Faye. The team altogether is just a classic in and out of itself. So this team is always doing something disastrous and always confronting and facing events from their past.
Speaker 3:So I mean, this is just a classic team. When you think about classic animes, this is it.
Speaker 1:That's it. Now let's get into the themes of Cowboy Bebop. But before I get into that, we gotta welcome another person that's adding on to the podcast. Give me just one more game. Bring it what up? Mirror Jane, how you doing.
Speaker 4:I'm good.
Speaker 1:Cool, cool. So real quick, oh my bad, real quick. How you feeling about Cowboy Bebop?
Speaker 4:I love Cowboy Bebop.
Speaker 1:Like.
Speaker 4:Cowboy Bebop is my number one anime.
Speaker 1:Really.
Speaker 4:It is my number one anime, interchangeably at times Depending on my mood, but it is my number one anime, interchangeably at times depending on my mood, but it is my number one anime. I love it so much. I have CU Space Cowboy tattooed on my ankle.
Speaker 1:Okay, cool, and how do you feel about the characters, like the main characters in particular?
Speaker 4:Spike is honestly one of the saddest characters ever. Like I don't think people really understand how sad Spike as a character is, but he's also the funniest comedic relief. And then you have freaking Jet Him and that bell peppers and beef without the beef, oh my God. And just giving that father figure like he's the person who's trying to keep the family together but he doesn't have all of the pieces to do so. And then you have Faye Like the fuck, just Bayman bombshell of a beauty, like, oh my God. And then her backstory Ugh, tears. And then Ayn is the smartest kid on the freaking planet and oh wait, that's the dog. Yeah, I was thinking like hold on, oh wait, that's the dog yeah, I was thinking like hold on, mine is the smartest dog on the planet and then teamed up with the smartest kid on the planet, which is Ed.
Speaker 4:Right, because it's just these characters is the most ragtag team of people, but they fit so well together and it's favorite characters Like this is my favorite crew.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the podcast Playboy. How you feeling about Cowboy Bebop?
Speaker 2:Man, listen, so I'm going to give it to you. Like this Cowboy Bebop was like kind of suggested to me, and the person who suggested it was like I can't get into it. And I'm gonna give it to you. Like this cowboy beeper was like kind of suggested to me and a person who suggested it was like I can't get into it. I'm like why they're like I don't know the animation is. The animation is kind of old, so I'm like.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna give it a try, whatever, cool being so, I'm watching it. Right, first two episodes I'm like, okay, I see what you're talking about, but it's the 90s, like it's old and for whatever reason. That's exactly why I watched the whole shit in one day. But listen, cowboy, this the soundtrack, nigga. Listen, there's so much. Yeah, I like I got the fucking hiccup. That's how you know I'm drunk. Oh my gosh, I tried, I tried, but um, yeah, so the dude, that is one intro I don't skip. I don't skip, bro. Yeah, you never skip that intro.
Speaker 2:I don't skip Cowboy Bebop's intro. It's one of those shows where you technically can watch it in the middle of the series and kind of like pick up what's going on. But if you watch it from the beginning then you know exactly what's going on, because all these characters are introduced at different times.
Speaker 1:You know, I'm saying like I I ain't the dog which one uh, I'm sorry, but I was just gonna uh interject real quick and say, remember, when we reviewed Samurai Champloo, where it was like, okay, if you want the plot, it's literally the first episode and then the last, like four, so you can just jump into Samurai Champloo like any moment. I'm like, hey man, like they're just doing random bullshit yeah, basically, yeah, that's.
Speaker 2:And it's crazy because watching both shows kind of did give me a similarity, kind of like how you compare and contrast a lot of shows and games. Now, there's a lot to do with that. Even though they're like in two different time eras and I didn't even realize, they were like, um, damn near in the same fucking universe, like that's the crazy part, like you can watch them and believe it like, okay, I can kind of see that you know what I mean. But, um, definitely, man, like Cowboy Bebop, I'd recommend it and they definitely get 5 out of 5 from me definitely this is like a goaded anime like this.
Speaker 1:See Professor Tuck, he wanna talk about goated anime. I listen to y'all Talk about Shangri-La Frontier. I listen. If it doesn't make you want to re-watch the show Just for the shits and giggles, it's not goated If it's one of those shows when you can sit through it and be like damn, I can't think of a damn thing wrong with this show. It's a go to show. I honestly can't think of anything wrong with Cowboy Bebop.
Speaker 1:Like everything from the characters to the themes and all that Like damn, this is like a very solid anime. Like it's one of those animes where like, yeah, uh, if you're like a 90s kid, you probably um watched it late at night and you're thinking like, okay, it's kind of cool, it's kind of cool. But then when you're an adult, I'm like damn, I really feel this anime now I it's like my god, I get it now, you know, because when you were young it's like you kinda get it. But when you get older it's like you get it even more Because it's like you kinda been through it In some form or fashion yourself, but maybe not exactly like them, but in some form or fashion you kinda understand a little bit better Because you had a similar experience.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so, uh, speaking of things, uh, one of the defining aspects of kel would be by just exploration of profound themes that resonate with a universal level. Uh, central to the series in the theme of existentialism, as characters grapple with questions of identity, purpose and the nature of their existence, each member of the bebop crew haunted by their past, and much of the series revolve around their individual journeys to confront and reconcile with their histories. For instance, spite the enigmatic past, particularly his association with I thought was the blood syndicate for some reason, but actually the's actually the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate and his tragic relationship with Julia served me as a recurring motive throughout the series, and his struggle to escape the shadows of his former life and finding meaning in his present existence is both compelling and poignant. Similarly, faye's quest to uncover her forgotten past and reclaim her identity is a powerful exploration of self-discovery and resilience. Another significant theme is the concept of redemption. Each character is seeking some form of redemption in some form or fashion, whether it's just desire to atone for past mistakes, faye's quest for belonging, or a spice-elusive search for peace. Now, the series definitely weaves these personal stories into a larger narrative, creating a rich tapestry of sorts of human experience that resonates deeply with viewers.
Speaker 1:Now let me pause, and I'm going to open it up to y'all in just a moment.
Speaker 1:But let me pause and say Now let me pause, and I'm going to open it up to y'all in just a moment.
Speaker 1:But let me pause and say this is why, if y'all like the live-action Cowboy Bebop, that's cool, but I'm going to be honest with you, by episode 2, I'm like, hey, man, I kind of can't with how it seemed like the action in the live, the live action fields wouldn't compare to the anime. And I'm not trying to say like oh, because I've seen the anime like the live action, just inferior by design. It's just more like if I were to judge netflix bebop, um, by its own merits, like, in other words, I'm not even considering, uh, how different or similar it is to the uh anime. Even then I'm like, uh, I can kind of, I'm kind of cool with it up until the end where, with vicious doing all that hollering, screaming and all whatnot, I'm like bro, like it kind of makes me feel like um y y'all I don't know, because compared to the bitches in the anime, he was like stone cold in the anime, but in this one he's like he was giving me Kylo Ren vibes for real.
Speaker 1:He's not like a simp, pretty much, pretty much. But other than that I'm like okay, like I can't say I really vibe with the live action. So, uh, I'm not gonna be too mean towards it, but I'm just gonna say I just prefer the anime. Like, if y'all like the live action, cool beans, I'm gonna let y'all have it, but not for me.
Speaker 1:Uh, oh, okay, with spike, his and julia's relationship, obviously that's tragic. Uh bay, her thing was I think she had the same situation uh bride did, from futurama to where essentially she was like uh holed up in a cryogenic tube and uh came out into the future trying to figure out what's going on. Um, she lost her memories and all that. And by the time she regains her memory like it's not, like she can just go back into the past and uh rekindle our family because they're long gone by the time she remembers anything. And I was like, damn, that's, that's sad. And um, the crazy. Oh, um, jet, uh, the difference between jet and uh live action and anime. In the anime I like how dude had like a girlfriend but it was like he couldn't commit to her fully because he was too busy being married to his job and that kind of created this rip and eventually, uh, come to find out that, um, she's like getting involved with a dude that he has to um, bring into justice for like a bounty or whatnot. So I'm like, damn, that's kind of tough. And then, um, who else? Uh, I want to say no, that was about it.
Speaker 1:For Jed, I did say Faye. I did say Spike. Uh, ed and Ayn. I would say Faye. I did say Spike, ed and Ayn. I would say I like how they did bring a lighthearted energy to the whole thing. But as soon as they decided you know what, I think it's time for us to go. That's how you know shit got serious.
Speaker 1:From that point on it was like uh-uh, get the tissues out, you're going to see some tear jerkers. You're're gonna carry that weight. See, that's the funny thing. Like, that's my favorite line out of the whole series, and it was just from a title card at the end of it to where I'm like because, when you think about that line, I'm like damn, like, because imagine, like, whether you have any regrets or mistakes that you know about, like anything that, um, you probably wish you could forget. It's like, even though you can move on from it, but you're gonna carry that weight, uh, going forward and I'm like it's kind of deep like that. So that's pretty much the things any of y'all want to add on to that you mean like the like, the generalization, like the theme of the show yeah, like, how do you feel about how the general vibe of the show, how y'all feel about it?
Speaker 2:see, that's the thing, even watching it, like I know what's going on, but it's like because every episode so when I watch anime right, most animes, that goes on every anime Like okay, episode two follows directly from episode one, and so forth and so on.
Speaker 2:But, with Cowboy Bebop. It's one of those animes that it. It does that, but the their their goal. They're about their space bounty hunters. So the episodes are basically about them finding bounties. They're basically poor, they're scavenging for shit, you feel me. So it's like they have to take every bounty that comes up, and in those instances they're a group, but it's like they're also independent within their friendship. So when it came to fey, that's just one thing, bro I kind of I like and hate fey because wait, hold on like Faye as a character.
Speaker 1:Or like it depends on which version Like, because I don't know. Anime Faye was fine. Live action Faye got kind of annoying.
Speaker 2:I didn't see her, but I'm finna tell y'all why and what she did, and it might be petty, but listen, it was episode 6. She went in the kitchen and she got dog food and she was eating that shit and I ain't looking at her like you feel me, you gonna feed me, and she's talking about some and she's trying to justify why she's not giving it to him. She's like you're a dog, go hunt for some food. I'm a girl, I need to be pampered and taken care of. And then I'm looking like she eating fucking dog food out of the can and then rolling to I and I'm like, oh bitch, I don't know how I forgot this part. I guess I overlooked it because of the long hair I have.
Speaker 4:She was having a bad day. She had a bad day you don't do.
Speaker 2:I like that. I didn't do nothing to nobody.
Speaker 4:Nobody In a spaceship, in a Milky.
Speaker 1:Way Nah bro.
Speaker 2:In the middle of the Milky Way.
Speaker 1:Come on See as a dog owner, I wouldn't be having that shit. Like you ain't gonna be taking food. Nah, you better go out there and get you a bounty. I'm like you ain't gonna take my dog food. Look, I paid for that food, you're not gonna.
Speaker 2:I've been there. My water went off. I gave my dog water out the fridge, out the jug, you feel me and she is hot Like I'm gonna give my dog some water. My dad got mad at me because I gave her the last little bit Understandable, true, but you had her outside in the sun. Now I'm not gonna not give her no fucking cold water. We could easily go to the store and buy a Powerade. She can't, you feel me. Dogs can only do so much. Yeah, they can go out and hunt, but then what's gonna happen? You're gonna call the animal control and put them down.
Speaker 4:So yeah, when I see this, wow, wow.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I seen that shit. I'm like damn you did, I ain't dirty and then just roll with them in the empty fucking can. I'm like bitch you.
Speaker 4:There was a little bit. It was something I ain't having that though.
Speaker 2:If I ain't not fucking with it, I ain't fucking with it and I ain't say that bitch are up, then I ain't fucking with it. I'm with I, you feel me. I fuck with Ed. She's a little slow, smart man.
Speaker 1:That was crazy. Ed confused me as far as gender. I'm like are you a boy or a girl? God damn.
Speaker 2:Yeah, she definitely did. You're like one of those androgynous characters.
Speaker 1:I'm like it can go either way.
Speaker 2:Facts what is Ed short for? I forgot.
Speaker 1:Oh.
Speaker 4:Edward.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because I'm thinking like, okay, yeah, you're thinking like, okay, yeah, you're thinking like that's a male name, right, but like bro, that's a very androgynous little like that could have been a girl, especially with the voice. The voice didn't help either, so I'm like I don't know where to go.
Speaker 4:I loved the fact that they didn't freaking know the whole time. I loved it Until they found out they was like wait, you're a girl.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm like, see, that's what I'm talking about. I'm like you got like girlish features, but I'm like with that name and shit, I'm like I don't want to assume your gender but, I'm like I'm almost afraid to ask you. I'm like, so what's your gender? Because I'm trying to, you know, be respectful you know, what I mean.
Speaker 2:I didn't hit the road with that.
Speaker 1:But hey, yo Speaking of witches, go ahead.
Speaker 3:I think it's funny that in the manga it was a boy for three sessions and then it was a girl in another session. It switched over gender ratio at one point Halfway through the manga they were like, oh yeah, she's a girl. And then the next issue came out and they're calling it as a he. You know what I mean. Even in session five, ed was stealing an adult magazine as a young boy and smuggling it. It's really funny.
Speaker 1:And that even the creator even calls Ed as an it. Ooh, ooh, you know what you reminded me? Y'all remember Grin. I thought so Check this out that sounds familiar, that sounds familiar. It's the one guy that's like friends with Faye. It's like okay.
Speaker 4:I have no idea what Grin was. I still don't know. The soldier, the soldier.
Speaker 3:Yeah, the soldier yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, so check this out. I like how in the live action they were like okay, he's just straight up trans, but in the anime, no, he is a man, but because with the military and taking on some experimental medicine, he's a man with boobs.
Speaker 4:Yeah, Like the way they touched on that was crazy. And then I also love that Faye was confused for herself. She was like I don't know. No because okay, hold on.
Speaker 1:You look at the medical records born a man. And because you like experimental, okay, so you're a man with boobs, that's it. I mean, you don't have a vagina, so I'm like it's not like um live action, grin.
Speaker 4:So it's like you're just a man with boobs first of all, okay, I'm gonna just go ahead and get this out the way so that way I can say I hated Faye in the live action, man boobs, not man boobs Movies, movies. But I hated Faye, yes, movies. I hated Faye in the live action. She got on my freaking nerves. She was ugly. I don't mean this until the end.
Speaker 4:I'm just saying Faye is boom bastard. Like Faye, a badass bitch. You see Faye walk past. You question your own sexuality. I didn't know if I was a lesbian or not the first time I saw Faye.
Speaker 2:She was leaned over that counter with that ass. Faye was my walker for months. I don't blame you, hey yo.
Speaker 1:Let me just say, I can make 3D models over, so if you ever want one, hit me up.
Speaker 4:I'm just saying I don't need that in my house. I don't need to continue questioning my sexuality.
Speaker 3:I've made up my mind no, I agree with you, mj. Like the way she walks in the anime is like she's so sensual about it, but then in, like the live action, I agree with you.
Speaker 1:Can we talk about how the actors from the live action was like oh well, you know we had to make changes to the costume because it was too revealing and you know it doesn't seem functional. Meanwhile there was a whole bunch of fay valentine cosplayers like fucking killing the cosplay, and they were like oh well, you mean to tell me that this is unrealistic? And then she got back on that platform.
Speaker 1:I'm like look here, you motherfuckers I'm like listen like, don't be like Rachel Zegler pretty much making things worse for your PR, to where I'm like look here, like your show's barely out there. Like, don't antagonize your audience, you don't need that, we barely know you. So you kind of need this role too. Like, see, at least with the black guy who was jet black in the live action, he was good, he was good. John Cho, like listen, like I like him as Harold from Harold and Kumar, but as Spice Beagle, really really I'll leave it at that. But um, yeah, like I just got it at that. But um, yeah, like.
Speaker 4:I just got to. The actress is beautiful. Okay, she's a beautiful woman, but when you say the outfit is too revealing, it's cause you don't have titties, bitch, it's cause you did not have, you didn't have the proper like. That's why it was too revealing for you.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry, you're not well endowed you're not well equipped.
Speaker 4:You wasn't equipped with the right things to, and I just felt like they could have found somebody who had. No, they can find a body like anywhere else, but they chose her. Why? And then the wig was ugly, like they just they didn't think to just dye her hair purple. No, absolutely not. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just they just did such a disservice to one of the most beautiful women in anime, just such a disservice, and I could not take it. So that means, if they don't get it right in One Piece with Boa boa, I'm literally going to blow up netflix, blowing them up. That's it. Nope, all right, continue, jp.
Speaker 1:I'm off my pedestal speaking of art style and character design and whatnot, uh, let's go ahead and talk about the art style and animation in cowboy bebop. Now, this art style animation, cowboy bebop nothing short of spectacular, blending traditional hand-drawn techniques with cutting-edge technology to create a visually stunning experience. Now, the series is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, from um design spaceships to futuristic cityscapes, to the expressive character animation that captured the nuances of emotion and action. The director, shinichiro Watanabe, and character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto crafted a universe that seamlessly blends elements of science fictions, film noir and cyberpunk, and this unique fusion of genres is reflected in the show's aesthetic, which just supposes the gritty, lived-in feel of the bebop with the sleek, high-tech environments of the future, and the result is a visually rich world that feels both familiar and otherworldly.
Speaker 1:I'm starting to sound like Big O when I think about it. Like we just reviewed Big O, I'm, like you know what Big O kind of felt like that too. Now the animation itself is fluid and dynamic, particularly in the action sequences, which are choreographed with precision and flair, like Spike Lee, not Spike Lee, spike Spiegel. In the action sequences, which are choreographed with precision and flair like Spike Lee, not Spike Lee, spike Spiegel's martial arts battles, what was it Jeet Kune Do? Or something like that. But it was showcased in a blend of Bruce Lee-inspired movements and graceful acrobatics, the attention to realism and fight scenes and use of camera angles and lighting. I'm not lightning lighting elevate the action and the cinematic levels, making each encounter a thrilling spectacle. Y'all got anything y'all want to add on to the art style and all that. Look, I know Playboy. You were talking about how, yeah, it's old, but you know, to be fair, it was made in 98, so it's going to be old.
Speaker 2:But it's still kind of old. Here's what I just got to say about that in general. Okay, so, anime to me is art and when I look at it I look at it as art. Somebody took the time out to draw and do whatever they do to do it. You feel me? I understand computer codes. When I see apps, I understand.
Speaker 2:I haven't gotten too deep into animation to know how much work goes behind making frames move. I do appreciate Now, when it comes to animation and the quality of it, the old animes, and you could kind of like tell because of the quality it's kind of like a trend, kind of like a wave that's going on, or maybe a popular software that all the animators were using, to the point where you could tell that this is 90s anime, this is nostalgia. This is my looking at it Now, with To the point where you could tell that this is 90s anime. This is nostalgia. This is my looking at it Now. With that being said, for whatever reason, that is aesthetic to me. You know what I'm saying. So I don't know why it's like, because there have been newer animes With bad animation, and a good comparison, in my opinion, is Dragon Ball Super, with what it was remade after and I've seen them side by side.
Speaker 2:There is literally more detail in Dragon Ball Z than there is in Dragon Ball Super, and that is a fact. I've seen it and I'm not trying to bash it or anything. I'm not trying to bash it or anything at all. All I'm saying is, for whatever reason, the 90s anime, the old anime, just hits different. I'm not taking anything from the new ones, because the new ones have been delivering, especially this year. Man, they've been doing it. So, yeah, when it comes to shows the cowboy, bebop, samurai, champ, blue, death note, even hunter hunter these shows, video haku, show yugioh, dragon ball z a lot of these old shows that have paved Death Note. Even Hunter x Hunter these shows, yu Yu Hakusho, yu-gi-oh, dragon Ball Z A lot of these old shows that have paved the way for a lot of the new ones is almost like a music industry it's old, it's a classic, but it's never going to go out of style, right?
Speaker 1:Hell yeah, mira Jane, you had something to add on.
Speaker 4:I was going to say I absolutely agree with you, playboy. There's something so, in my opinion, something so aesthetically pleasing about 90s anime. There's ronin warriors, there's uh fushigi, there's there's just uh, that romeo and jul Julia anime that I always keep forgetting, but it's with.
Speaker 4:Sam but there was something about that animation that just felt natural, felt real, felt authentic. There's something in their faces, like Spike's death face. I know that sounds crazy. Spike's dying face was the most uniquely drawn, peaceful face of death I've ever seen in an anime. I cried watching him die that last day like I can remember the image so clearly and it sticks with you. I don't understand. I don't get me wrong. I like the new animation. I do. It's not like I want to just completely live in the 90s and I don't watch anything else new I mean, we just talked about with dory and how clean that animation was yeah, but there's also just something like that.
Speaker 4:There's a lack of impact and I really there's a lack of like. Sometimes it feels too sharp. It feels too sometimes that little dirty, that little grit that comes with 90s anime.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm talking about yeah, it's like for some reason, some anime just give that.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I definitely got this on a bhs tape somewhere kind of vibe like uh, I want to say like igpx or uh, I want to say degradement.
Speaker 1:I know they're not like bhs tape, but, like you know, it's like that kind of vibe where you it's like I said when the golden age, tsunami, adult swim era to where it feels like yeah, like for some reason it feels like a fever dream that you woke up from where you just watch this anime and it just happened beyond this one time and it's like you're just really digging it and you were like trying to figure out what, digging it, and you were like trying to figure out, um, what show is this and whatnot. And then maybe one day you realized, like a core memory on a lot of things, oh shit, I remember this anime. Like you remember shit like uh, shinzo and uh, fuck, I'm trying to remember a whole bunch Blue Dragon, d, greyman, shit. We're going to get to them. That's why we got Nerdy Nostalgia in November to where we talk about the nostalgia stuff you know, like the Miyazaki films and whatnot.
Speaker 4:Or like Princess Mononoke oh my god.
Speaker 1:Yeah, sebi, you have anything to add on to the art style of Cowboy Bebop?
Speaker 3:No, it's definitely very much classic and I agree with everyone else with that whole 90s feeling to it. Like Hunter x Hunter, dragon Ball, all of those together is just something about.
Speaker 1:It is just perfection to me, so I definitely agree with that oh yeah, I mean look at bleach like don't forget that bleach came out in like the early 2000s and if you go back to those uh episodes not just down to your blood war, but the old episodes like the beginning of that first season, yeah, it still had that little nuance, that 90s nuance.
Speaker 4:So did naruto yeah, naruto that same feeling too, like there was just something about. So I will say I know like there's a towards the animation, there's a lot more like computers being used, there's a lot, there's a lot less hands-on with the animation per se, right versus 90s, versus like early 2000s, um, but that's why we also get the episodes faster, right, like we get more content way sooner than like back then. So and then, and I get it, but I guess it's because I could go on and on, but I'm gonna shut up um after I say this um, there's just something homely about that animation style and also there's something emotional about it.
Speaker 4:It's like you can feel the artist when you're watching, and I think that's kind of sometimes what's lacking nowadays, like there's just we're just gonna keep putting out this content so that way you guys can watch it.
Speaker 1:Okay, that's great, but there's like man, cowboy, bebop just makes me feel things so much I feel that see it shows like veroni k Kenshin and um, there was like one other that I just remember, just slipped my mind To where it just feels so 90s, like see, I know we were just talking about?
Speaker 4:Oh my god. Outlaw Star.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, we're gonna review that Next month for sure. Uh, but you know that next month for sure. But you know some of these shows. I understand that. Some shows you know like how can I put this? It's kind of like Sport Online to where that show came out and for some reason it just seems like a bunch of shows kind of want to where that show came out and for some reason it just seems like a bunch of shows kind of want to replicate that whole virtual reality gaming trend, kind of like with Isekai and other things.
Speaker 1:As soon as one anime catch fire with a certain theme going on, it's like everybody and their mama got to make an anime with this same thing and that's why it feels like that's what makes it bad when it seems like all these anime just look and feel the same, like like how I said about reign of the seven spellblades, where, aside from a few things that kind of make it stand out, it felt a little generic. So like compared to wistoria like I know we're not trying to compare and all that but like at least with wistoria it had what I was saying in that review to where with storia it had that sauce, like you could just tell that they were actually trying to be about something. And that's kind of problem nowadays, to where not just an anime but in western media too to where it just feels like y'all just putting something out there, but y'all not really about anything. Like y'all just putting something out there but y'all not really about anything. Like y'all not really trying to tell a story that people can't like see, that's another thing, like not to put too much politics into it all. But you know, we got movies and TV shows that try to appeal to a certain demographic, and that's fine and dandy. Movies and TV shows that try to appeal to a certain demographic, and that's fine and dandy. But when it seems like Y'all trying to appeal to people From a surface level but not from a spiritual level, then that's why it seems like, yeah, you're just pretty much doing it for the money, like you're kind of pandering to people For the money. So that's why I appreciate anime, like Cowboy Be bebop to where, like it doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter where you come from. It's since, essentially, um, most people have something in their past that they have to confront, otherwise they're not going to move forward with their um present and future, like damn near anybody can relate to that. That's what I like about Cowboy Bebop and other anime or movies or whatnots, where, if you're going to put in thousands, millions of dollars into this shit to make thousands or millions of people watch it, be about something Speaking of which let like, be about something you know and, speaking of which, let's talk about the music real quick now.
Speaker 1:We already talked about a little bit, but there's no discussion that with cowboy bebop, he has this groundbreaking soundtrack composed by the legendary yoko kano and performed by her band, the Seatbelts. The music of Cowboy Bebop is as iconic as the series itself, blending a wide array of genres, including jazz, blues, rock, classical, creating this auditory experience that is both exhilarating and emotionally resonant. The opening theme tank, energetic jazz piece perfectly sets the tone for the series, captivating audiences with fast-paced rhythm and catchy brass melodies. Each episode or session, like Sebi mentioned, features a unique musical composition that complements the narrative, enhancing the emotional depth and intensity of the story. And, from the hauntingly beautiful blue to the soulful rain and the lively mushroom hunting, the soundtrack is a masterclass in musical storytelling.
Speaker 1:Now, connell's ability to seamlessly integrate diverse musical styles into the fabric of the series is a testament of her genius. That's right, woman. And the music of Cowboy Bebop remains one of the most celebrated aspects of the show. And it's no exaggeration to say that the soundtrack is much a character in the series, as Spike or Faye or Jet or Ed and I, adding layers of depth and richness to the viewing experience. Y'all got anything else y'all want to add on to the music.
Speaker 4:I don't know if y'all know this, but you can buy the vinyl in Walmart.
Speaker 1:See, that's the thing. If I were going to buy any vinyl, it would definitely be for Cowboy Bebop. That's the sound track. Like. See, if I fuck with the whole album, I'm getting the vinyl.
Speaker 4:I bought the vinyl. It is so amazing. When Tank comes on, you're just like, like. You feel like you're back watching the anime. You feel like you're smoking a cigar, a cigarette. You feel like you're in space listening to this soundtrack all over again. Now, the only thing I will say the downside uh-huh real quick.
Speaker 1:Um, this may sound weird, but here's one thing that I always had this headcanon about. I don't know, it's like some side fan thing going on, but sometimes for some reason, I keep thinking Tank from Cowboy Bebop. And if you play Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, there's this one Soundtrack Called Suitable Opponent. That's whenever you fight somebody Against, like, say, for instance, you're up against Eggman or Shadow or what not, and then it's like See, for some reason I keep thinking like why does that soundtrack, that one track from sonic adventure 2, sound like the opening theme song of cowboy bebop? And honestly, it kind of makes me want to do like a mash-up between that theme song I mean from the theme song of Cowboy Bebop and that one track from Sonic Adventure. I'm like bro, I swear to God, they sound so similar, if not exactly alike. I can kind of mash it together and just like why do they sound so well together?
Speaker 2:I just want to say this you have to be a special kind of big nerd to even compare those two.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry, I was like bro, like it was almost like on one day I just took the two tracks together. I'm like bro. Why do they sound alike?
Speaker 2:To go from Sonic Adventure Battle to the Cowboy Bebop. Bro, I'm not even mad. That's honestly impressive. That's nerdly impressive.
Speaker 4:That is very nerdly impressive. Somebody out there is going to be like that was hot.
Speaker 1:Nah see, that's my thing, like sometimes be doing it like that, like say, for instance, if we were talking about Invincible and some people were going online talking about so what exactly all the viltrumites? And I shit you not every time I say this. People are like you know what, you're not wrong. Every time I explain what viltrumites are, I just tell them hey, man, they're just kryptonians. If they acted more like saiyans, wow, I mean, am I wrong?
Speaker 1:I mean no, no, no, you ain't you ain't have a lot you ain't have a lot because like see, kryptonians would be like okay, like, yeah, we're like super power if we go to like a certain planet with it's sun and all that and we gain like super powers and what not and cool, cool. But we're not trying to like take over planets yet. We're more peaceful than that, aside from you know, general Zod. But then you have the Saiyans, where they're all about taking over planets and destroying people and all that shit.
Speaker 1:And when you get the Viltrumites you're just like, okay, they look like Kryptonians but they act like Saiyans with the way they low-key, want to take over the planet but they like gotta go about it in a low-key fashion, kind of like Akatsuki style, and essentially it's like um, I also like how similar to the Saiyans, where, um, you can have babies with the humans and they're probably better Off for it, because Gohan and Goten, they have Like a and also Trunks, excuse me, they have like this advantage To where old Pan and Bola, like you know, whoever like Half Saiyan, they kind of have this advantage over full Blooded Saiyans versus In Invincible if you're half Viltrumite, I mean, I don't think they have a advantage over full Viltrumites, but it's more like well you're. You look enough like a Viltrumite to where. I'm like hey man, you know what? I don't mind if Vulture Mites mate with humans, but don't mate with those inferior beings. You know what?
Speaker 1:I mean, but yeah, I be doing that sometimes. Hey, jp, what's up?
Speaker 3:I got a question for all of us. Have y'all seen Carol on Tuesday? I heard of it so that is the sequel to Cowboy Bebop.
Speaker 1:No fucking way.
Speaker 3:So it's made by Watanabe and in Carol and Tuesday I have seen it. There is little things in it. There's a wanted sign and it's Spike. It's in the same Mars town, it's everything. It's the same marstown, it is it's everything. It is the sequel, so how would you buy?
Speaker 1:so it got that thing going on with bakuno and durarara to where, okay, in bakuno it's like old timey uh type shit and a whole bunch of things going on, bacchanal. But then you're thinking like, okay, it's like modern age, uh, street wars or whatnot like, and but then, uh, two of the characters from bacchanal keep in mind that they're immortal show up and do rah rah and I'm like that kind of confirms that they're in the same universe.
Speaker 3:I'm like okay, okay, yeah. So Cowboy Bebop In the movie Knocking on Heaven's Door Is the same town, same city, alba City, where Carol and Tuesday takes place, and there's even like a scene when they're visiting Tuesday's home. And there's the ship, there's Bebop's ship.
Speaker 1:I did not know that. You know what I'm going to watch it, and we might review that at some point.
Speaker 3:It is one of my favorite, favorite shows. I think it's hilarious. I just thought that was kind of cool to share with you guys, what's the name of it? Carol and Tuesday.
Speaker 2:Carol and Tuesday, and there's a Cowboy Bebop reference in there.
Speaker 3:No, it's in the same city, yeah.
Speaker 2:Oh, it's in the same city.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like they share a universe.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm.
Speaker 3:Oh, okay, okay, that's great Made by the same Watanabe, the whole Nine Yards team and admitted like they're together.
Speaker 2:So I wonder if there's a way we could link all three shows Samurai Champloo, that one and Cowboy Beatbox. If there's a way, we could like timeline that shit.
Speaker 1:I mean, if that was the case. I mean if that was the case, then Samurai Champloo would have been way back in the past, like there probably wouldn't have been, unless you're talking about that been way back in the past, like there probably wouldn't have been, unless you're talking about that very first episode where you see like modern urban type shit and maybe you might see like a little wink towards it, like I'm not even.
Speaker 4:Spike is a descendant of Logan. There we go. They got the same hair, same kicks. I feel like that ties it all together. But if we're gonna do that, we gotta tie in. I Lost Stars oh, good lord. I mean, it would make perfect sense okay what about Space Dandy?
Speaker 3:have y'all seen that one?
Speaker 1:I did. That's also in the same universe. Space Dandy is like not only funny, but it gets kinda that one I did that's also in the same universe. Space Dandy is like not only funny but it gets kind of tricky too, to a degree like, depending on the episodes.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's in the same universe as those two. All made by the same creator, all in the same universe man.
Speaker 1:Nah, I mean, yeah, I see it now I'm looking it up and yeah, he did all this. But I'm like, really they're all connected, michiko and Hachin too.
Speaker 3:What was that?
Speaker 1:Michiko and Hachin. I've seen that one. It's actually pretty good.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:So yeah, so yes. Macross Plus Cowboy Bebop, samurai, champloo Kids on the Slope. Space Dandy, Terror in the Resonance, Carolyn Tuesday, as you said, and Lazarus, which is coming up.
Speaker 3:Yeah, okay, all together.
Speaker 1:Bro, that's crazy.
Speaker 3:That's crazy. Yeah, the more you know Do-do-do-do-do.
Speaker 1:And now we know, and knowing is half the battle.
Speaker 4:GI Joe, oh God.
Speaker 1:So you know what? Let's go ahead and wrap this up real quick, because I'm pretty much spent so. In the years since his debut, cowboy Bebop has maintained its status as a beloved, influential work of art, continuing to captivate new generations of viewers. Its success lies in its ability to transcend the traditional boundaries of anime, offering a narrative that is both universally relatable and uniquely compelling. The series' exploration of existential themes, combined with its unforgettable characters, stunning visuals and iconic music, creates an experience that resonates long after the final credits roll. And as we journey alongside the crew of the Bebop, we are reminded of the complexities of the human experience, the search for identity, the longing for redemption and their enduring power of hope. Cowboy Bebop invites us to reflect our own lives, encouraging us to confront our past, embrace our present and look forward to the future with courage and determination. In the vast expanse of the universe, cowboy Bebop stands as a shining star, a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring magic of animation.
Speaker 1:Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, the journey through the stars with Spike, jet Bay, ed and Ein is one that promises adventure, introspection and the timeless reminder that, in the end, we're all just space cowboys searching for a place in the cosmos. And on that note, we're going to go ahead and close out this episode. Thank you for listening to us to the end, and I thank you, sebby, phantom Mirror, jane and Playboy for being on the show. Remember that great things are coming and to stay nerdy, my dear listener, you go ahead and have yourself a good morning, good afternoon and good night, and we'll see you on the next episode. So see you.
Speaker 3:See you, Space Cowboy. Bye.
Speaker 2:See you, Space Cowboy.
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