If you're anything like me, the only anime you have been exposed to, aside from Bebop, is extremely crappy. Most likely developed by people to sell merchandise (there's a reason that there are 150 pokemon), the production values are low, but the intelligence is lower. If you've ever seen the Strong Bad Email where he describes Japanese cartoons, the satire is dead-on. However, when I finally checked out Cowboy Bebop, I found that this show was (almost) the polar opposite of the anime I'd been exposed to previously. I have not seen any other anime movie or series (however, on the recommendation of a friend, I have the movie Appleseed on my TiVo, though who knows when I'll actually watch it), so I have nothing to compare it to. However, I have read many reports claiming that the show has been voted "Best Anime" numerous times in both Japan and the United States. In fact, one of the reasons I chose to write about this show now is because of the recently released DVD of the complete series, which is the first US release that is not a bootleg, and that claim is prominently displayed across the front cover.
Cowboy Bebop is a deceptively simple show. Most episodes appear to be stand-alone stories, with a few exceptions. However, even in the supposedly episodic tales, subtle hints are dropped about the overall story. In one of many similarities to Firefly, this series is a character study. There are large events going on around the four crew members of the Bebop, an old fishing boat converted into a starship, but what the viewers care about is who the protagonists are. Or more specifically, who they were.
The story is in no hurry, which compliments the music of the show perfectly. Music is an important aspect of the series; many fights are timed to music, and nearly every episode contains a genre of music in its title (which sets the motif of music that is heard in the particular episode). Most of the styles are slow and jazzy, though the fight songs pick up the tempo. But otherwise, things are laid back for the characters.
The show begins with only Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, two seemingly mismatched partners in the bounty hunting game. They are friendly, but each has the ability to drive the other into an annoyed fit. Spike is almost always laid-back, and his ability to improvise in any situation (meaning that he almost never sticks to plans) drives Jet up the wall. Meanwhile, Jet tries to achieve more of a spiritual enlightenment through music, gardening, and cooking. His hobbies sometimes baffle Spike, and often, Spike's disrespect for them causes frustration in Jet. In the first episode, we are led to believe that these two men are much more than they seem. Jet has a cybernetic arm and metal plates on his face, while Spike makes a few cryptic remarks about his past. The point of the series is to slowly reveal that these two have colorful pasts and that their partnership is even more bizarre than it originally seems.
The third crew member, who is introduced in the third episode, is Faye Valentine, a young woman with a gambling problem and a massive debt to pay off. Once again, we are given subtle hints in her first appearance about who she really is, but her appearance probably acts as a distraction. Like many women in anime, her proportions are a little exaggerated, which she uses to her advantage. Although initially opposed to Spike and Jet, she sort of joins them when she has no where else to go (though neither side will admit to the partnership).
Finally, there is Edward, who is probably the least interesting and most annoying character on the show. She (yes, she) isn't introduced until the ninth episode, and while she serves a purpose on the ship (she is an excellent hacker), she is one of the strangest characters I've ever seen. Her limbs seem to be made of rubber, half the things she says don't make any sense, and she doesn't have a hidden past (or at least nothing as Earth-shattering as the other crew members).
Cowboy Bebop features interesting characters and stories, great animation, and smart dialogue. However, it isn't perfect. From what I'm told, the English dub is one of the best around, as most anime fans I know say that it is usually better to watch the shows/movies in Japanese, and using English subtitles to follow the story. However, the English dub here is great. Or at least, it gets great. For the first few episodes, it can be a little rocky, but by the 5th episode, it sounds great.
Up next: the story and the world...
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