[WT!] The Space Western Trio, Part 1: Cowboy Bebop
Watch These!: The Space Western Trio; Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, and Trigun
Type: Series and Two Side Story Films (Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door and Trigun: Badlands Rumble)
Year: 1998
MAL Links: Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Trigun
Cool Gif of all 3 of our heroes
INTRO!: The year 1998 was a big year for an anime because not one, not two, but three now classic series all in the same sub-genre “Space Westerns” came out, beginning with Outlaw Star on January 8th, Trigun in April 1st, then Cowboy Bebop April 3rd, and all three are worth watching!
Why am I comparing the three of them against each other instead of focusing simply on their own [WT!]'s? I consider all 3 exceptionally well-made, but when I get in a discussion about one of them I can’t help but talk about the other two because they’re all the same type of show but each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Fear not as I will be giving each one of them the same treatment of a typical [WT!].
What will I be discussing in these [WT!]’s?: I shall going through the following: 1. Synopsis of each series 2. Why should you watch it 3. Three strengths and Weaknesses it has over the other two series 4. Dub or Sub? 5. My overall thoughts of it.
If you spot anything I have incorrect that is fact related rather than opinion related or it’s in spoiler territory, please tell me. I tried my best to give all three of them the justice they deserve, but doing 3 all at once is a bit crazy ^(not to mention this is my first [WT!]). And these are simply my observations/opinions, please don’t be extremely upset if you do not agree, just respectfully disagree and say why I’m wrong.
And now, I think it's time to blow this scene. Get everybody and their stuff together. OK, three, two, one let's jam.
Synopsis: In the not too far future of 2071, space travel is now common place as trade ships, people, and most importantly, bounty hunters move about the universe to discover their fortunes. We follow Spike Spiegel and Jet Black in their ship the Bebop, two bounty hunters who come to simply nab their bounty and cash in on it. While on their episodic journey, they come across several others, the gambling woman and trickster Faye Valentine, a technology genius Edward, and an intelligent dog Ein.
Why should you watch it: Are you new to anime but enjoy western animated shows, someone who is just up for amazingly choreographed fights, or just don’t have the time to do one whole long series but up for an episode every now and then? This is for you!
Done by Shinichiro Watanabe, the same director as Samurai Champloo, one can easily expect to see some of the best animated fights have been put to screen. The attention to detail of the body movements is amazing, almost every frame has the bodies move rather than simple blurs and makes the fight scenes so much better, and overall more fun to watch. It’s honestly on par with what someone would see in a Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee film in terms of the fighting and movements.
Not to be out down either, the entire cast is lovable. Each character has their own story, their own backstory, and extremely different personalities that make the whole show work. Each one works of the personalities whether it’s Faye being annoyed by Edward, Jet trying to be a voice of reason to Spike, or Ein being…Ein. The character interaction and dialogue allow the show to make it’s episodic nature work so well.
Strengths over Trigun and Outlaw Star
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The episodic nature of makes it very easy to digest for any viewer. It’s a series that is actually better to watch one a day rather than simply binge watch it. Every episode is its own story very much like western animated series, and it just makes it that much more enjoyable to rewatch at any point in the series.
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The animation is the best out of the three, as mentioned already so much attention to detail puts it on a another level that even to this day not many have matched. The character designs, movements, and the overall atmosphere of space really takes anyone in.
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The side cast is a ton of fun and it’s hard not to eventually love them, it’s great to enjoy the adventures all of them go on and observe when an episode is dedicated to each one. Personally I love Edward I lot, but it’s easy to love any of the cast over the others.
Weaknesses over Trigun and Outlaw Star
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As cool and great of a character Spike is, he’s probably is the weakest of terms of the lead characters. But the only reason I say this is because both Outlaw Star’s and Trigun’s leads are very strong, and being compared to them is like comparing carrot cake, cheesecake, and chocolate cake, all are very delicious but you do have a preferences of what is better than the others.
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As mentioned before, this is a very strong episodic anime, but the overarching plot while good doesn’t stack up really that well. But this is because its focus is on telling a story in each episode instead of giving pieces to the overarching plot overall. So essentially a weakness done on purpose.
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If you’re looking for any romantic connection between the characters, you won’t find it here. This is once again on what it’s focusing on rather than doing weakly, there is some that is left to ambiguity, but nothing where it becomes the main focus until the very end for a brief period.
Dub or Sub?: Dub, Steve Blum voices Spike…that’s all anyone really needs to know. And the animation is too great to look at to be reading lines at the same time.
Overall Thoughts: I enjoy the hell out of Cowboy Bebop. It’s a series I can pop it in and rewatch a random episode no matter at what point in the series it’s at. It has great action, amazing cast, killer soundtrack, and just plain fun. Almost a necessary watch for anyone brand new into anime and just a damn fun time, go and see it if you haven’t!
Anything I forgot to mention, reasons you love it, or I have a shitty opinion, please comment and I’ll fix it up here and on tomorrow’s [WT!], Outlaw Star!
Posted Apr 22, 2015, 1:40 PM UTC · edited