It's only a few weeks until the Cowboy Bebop live-action series appears on Netflix and fans of the classic 90s anime cannot wait to see what is in store for this new spin on the show’s formula. The recent live-action trailer has only energized fans who have been waiting for the next chapter in the Cowboy Bebop saga for years.
The trailer was filled with clever easter eggs and allusions to the original anime, leading many fans to believe that the show will too. It’s too early to say for sure, fans will have to wait a few more weeks for the show to be released on November 19th on Netflix.
7 The Music
Instantly recognizable and eternally iconic, the beginning theme from the anime returns in the trailer. Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts are the musicians who created the beloved opening track, titled “Tank!”. With the perfect blend of cool jazz and thrilling orchestration, the show’s opener can get anyone’s blood pumping.
The soundtrack to the original anime is one of its strongest components, highly regarded for its diverse combination of genres and emotional grip. It will be exciting to see how the live-action show expands upon the music from its predecessor and whether or not any of the original tracks will be used again.
6 Camera Angles And Colors
A key factor in the show’s heavily stylized ambiance is its use of abstract camera angles and bright colors. From detailed close-ups to worms eye perspectives, the anime placed a heavy emphasis on creating mood through camera angles.
The trailer for the live-action series seems to pay homage to this, including some iconic shots, such as the top-down perspective of the bounty hunters sitting in their lounge and the classic “staring down the sights of a handgun” POV. The opening also included the bright color schemes that made the anime opener a masterpiece. Hopefully, the live-action series can continue to use these awesome camera shots and colors to continue the cool vibes the original anime perfected.
5 Spike's Fighting Style
Spike’s fighting style is as iconic as they come in anime. Somewhat sloppy, but always groovy, Spike’s ragtag brawler style is quick and effective at taking down foes. The recent trailer showcases this to the max, highlighting how Spike uses his environment to his advantage when facing more than one enemy.
Jet and Faye seemed to rely more on their guns in the trailer, but it is likely they will have some awesome fight sequences too.
4 Vicious
Vicious is memorable as the chief villain of the original anime. A nefarious foe from Spike’s past, his creepy voice and appearance are instantly recognizable in the live-action adaption’s trailer.
His role in the show remains somewhat unclear, but it is probable that Spike will have to duke it out with him at some point. Fans of the original series are hopeful that the live-action show will explore more of Spike’s past, which still remains an enigma.
3 The Ship
What would Cowboy Bebop be without the actual Bebop? The Bebop is the spaceship that the bounty hunters use to travel planet to planet and it is in many ways just as iconic a character as anyone else in the show.
The ship makes a full appearance in the trailer and is easily distinguished by its name written on the outer layer. Perhaps fans will get a better look at the ship’s interior through the new adaption.
2 Spike's Love Of Food
Food is a central component of each character on the original anime, namely their quest to find it and devour it as fast as possible. Spike especially seems driven by hunger more so than anyone else and this is cleverly referenced in the new trailer as he neglects his bounty hunter duties to go get an order of noodles.
It’s a subtle joke, but anyone who has seen the original anime will know exactly what kind of character Spike is. He doesn’t work unless there is food on the table first. It will be interesting to see what kind of delicious space food the new show comes up with.
1 The Use Of The Term "Cowboy"
When facing off against a series of formidable foes in the new show’s trailer, Spike is called a “cowboy” by his opponents. The term comes up a lot in the original anime, from bounty hunters to criminals alike.
Although one episode stands out in particular. “Cowboy Funk” is the hilarious episode in which an actual cowboy messes with Spike’s bounty and generally irks him to the point they can’t stop fighting each other. It’s a memorable ode to the Old West, but the episode also makes full use of the term “space cowboy,” for which the show has since become synonymous.