Shinichirō Watanabe's "Cowboy Bebop" defies genre expectations. It is a sci-fi ballad and a space Western with noir elements, sporting themes that are hopelessly bleak and existentialist. The anime's protagonist, Spike Spiegel, is not your conventional hero: he's a green-haired space cowboy who puts his life on the line to put food on the table, with a "whatever happens, happens" attitude to help him stumble through life. The rest of the characters struggle to figure out their place in a dystopian, fragmented world, where everyone is out to achieve their goals, no matter the cost.
The sprawling, diverse world of "Cowboy Bebop" is perhaps the anime's greatest strength, as it functions as more than a mere backdrop to a compelling story with relatable characters. Most importantly, Watanabe was able to portray the complexities of human nature while merging it with futuristic aesthetics that are not solely ornamental. There's the thrill of bounty hunting,...
The sprawling, diverse world of "Cowboy Bebop" is perhaps the anime's greatest strength, as it functions as more than a mere backdrop to a compelling story with relatable characters. Most importantly, Watanabe was able to portray the complexities of human nature while merging it with futuristic aesthetics that are not solely ornamental. There's the thrill of bounty hunting,...
- 10/2/2022
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
No one expected "Cowboy Bebop" to be a major success — especially not the people that were bankrolling the production. The series creators actually stretched their budget so thin that they angered executives and shareholders. The studio was concerned that "Bebop" wouldn't resonate with enough viewers, and even the show's animator and director Shin'ichirô Watanabe didn't expect it to take off. Despite the lack of faith in the project, it would become one of the most globally beloved animes of all time.
"Cowboy Bebop" was born from a meeting between Watanabe and Masahiko Minami, who would later become the show's producer. "[Minami] approached me to ask if I had any good ideas for a new project," Watanabe recalled to Otaquest. "After about 2-3 days of deliberating, something I had thrown together over the course of an hour known only as 'Bebop' surfaced."
The series originally got its funding from an unexpected source — the Japanese toy company,...
"Cowboy Bebop" was born from a meeting between Watanabe and Masahiko Minami, who would later become the show's producer. "[Minami] approached me to ask if I had any good ideas for a new project," Watanabe recalled to Otaquest. "After about 2-3 days of deliberating, something I had thrown together over the course of an hour known only as 'Bebop' surfaced."
The series originally got its funding from an unexpected source — the Japanese toy company,...
- 10/1/2022
- by Shae Sennett
- Slash Film
There will be no second season for Cowboy Bebop. Netflix has opted not to move forward with a second season of the live-action anime adaptation starring John Cho. The cancellation comes less than a month after the series’ first season was released on the streamer Nov. 19.
Based on Shinichirō Watanabe’s cult anime series, Cowboy Bebop followed a group of misfit bounty hunters, led by Spike Spiegel (Cho) as they search for the galaxy’s most valuable criminals. Mustafa Shakir also starred as Spike’s trusted co-pilot Jet Black and Daniella Pineda as the highly-skilled bounty hunter Faye Valentine. The series debuted on November 19.
The highly-anticipated live action adaptation experienced delays over the course of production due to Cho’s on-set injury, which put the show out for seven to nine months. Original anime series director Shinichirō Watanabe was a consultant on the series, and original composer Yoko Kanno returned to score the live-action adaptation.
Based on Shinichirō Watanabe’s cult anime series, Cowboy Bebop followed a group of misfit bounty hunters, led by Spike Spiegel (Cho) as they search for the galaxy’s most valuable criminals. Mustafa Shakir also starred as Spike’s trusted co-pilot Jet Black and Daniella Pineda as the highly-skilled bounty hunter Faye Valentine. The series debuted on November 19.
The highly-anticipated live action adaptation experienced delays over the course of production due to Cho’s on-set injury, which put the show out for seven to nine months. Original anime series director Shinichirō Watanabe was a consultant on the series, and original composer Yoko Kanno returned to score the live-action adaptation.
- 12/9/2021
- by Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“Cowboy Bebop” has been canceled at Netflix after just one season, Variety has confirmed.
The show debuted on the streamer on Nov. 19. Based on the anime series of the same name, the series followed three bounty hunters, aka “cowboys,” all trying to outrun the past. They are: Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda). The series also starred Elena Satine as Julia and Alex Hassell as Vicious.
“Cowboy Bebop” was executive produced by André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg of Midnight Radio, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios, Makoto Asanuma, Shin Sasaki and Masayuki Ozaki of Sunrise Inc., Tim Coddington, Tetsu Fujimura, Michael Katleman, Matthew Weinberg, and Christopher Yost. Nemec served as showrunner. Original anime series director Shinichirō Watanabe was a consultant on the series, and original composer Yoko Kanno returned for the live-action adaptation.
The 10-episode series failed...
The show debuted on the streamer on Nov. 19. Based on the anime series of the same name, the series followed three bounty hunters, aka “cowboys,” all trying to outrun the past. They are: Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda). The series also starred Elena Satine as Julia and Alex Hassell as Vicious.
“Cowboy Bebop” was executive produced by André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg of Midnight Radio, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios, Makoto Asanuma, Shin Sasaki and Masayuki Ozaki of Sunrise Inc., Tim Coddington, Tetsu Fujimura, Michael Katleman, Matthew Weinberg, and Christopher Yost. Nemec served as showrunner. Original anime series director Shinichirō Watanabe was a consultant on the series, and original composer Yoko Kanno returned for the live-action adaptation.
The 10-episode series failed...
- 12/9/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“Cowboy Bebop” helped popularize anime in the United States and is remembered as one of the greatest shows in the medium’s history. So, expectations are understandably high for Netflix’s impending live-action television adaptation of the iconic show. The streaming giant unveiled the trailer for its “Cowboy Bebop” series on Tuesday, which you can watch below. “Cowboy Bebop” has a release date of November 19.
Netflix’s synopsis reads: “‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka ‘cowboys,’ all trying to outrun the past. As different as they are deadly, Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals — for the right price. But they can only kick and quip their way out of so many scuffles before their pasts finally catch up with them.”
The...
Netflix’s synopsis reads: “‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka ‘cowboys,’ all trying to outrun the past. As different as they are deadly, Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals — for the right price. But they can only kick and quip their way out of so many scuffles before their pasts finally catch up with them.”
The...
- 10/26/2021
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
Netflix has released the official trailer for the upcoming “Cowboy Bebop” live-action adaptation, offering a glimpse into Spike Spiegel’s mysterious past.
Based on the late ‘90s anime series of the same name, “Cowboy Bebop” stars John Cho as Spike, a bounty hunter who leads a team throughout outer space to hunt down criminals. Throughout it all, Spike and his fellow hunters Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) try to escape dark pasts of their own. Alex Hassell stars as Spike’s ex-partner and current nemesis Vicious, while Elena Satine plays Julia, the femme fatale who forms a love triangle between Spike and Vicious. Among other recurring guest stars, Tamara Tunie plays Ana, the owner of a club on Mars who acts as a surrogate mother to Spike.
“What brings you back from the dead?” Ana asks in the trailer, speaking in a low voice over the...
Based on the late ‘90s anime series of the same name, “Cowboy Bebop” stars John Cho as Spike, a bounty hunter who leads a team throughout outer space to hunt down criminals. Throughout it all, Spike and his fellow hunters Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) try to escape dark pasts of their own. Alex Hassell stars as Spike’s ex-partner and current nemesis Vicious, while Elena Satine plays Julia, the femme fatale who forms a love triangle between Spike and Vicious. Among other recurring guest stars, Tamara Tunie plays Ana, the owner of a club on Mars who acts as a surrogate mother to Spike.
“What brings you back from the dead?” Ana asks in the trailer, speaking in a low voice over the...
- 10/26/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has released a new teaser trailer for the upcoming series “Cowboy Bebop” in anticipation of its premiere in exactly one month. The teaser, titled “The Lost Session,” is a standalone adventure comprised of specially created footage that won’t be seen in the series.
The teaser features bounty hunters Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) as they embark on a quick adventure for “a new bounty on the line.” Through shifting colored lenses and moving panels used to differentiate between scenes, the footage exhibits the cowboys battling various foes. Upbeat, horn-heavy music plays throughout the teaser, until Valentine cuts off the final shootout by saying, “Hey nut buckets, there’s no payout if you shoot him in the face.” The trailer ends with Spiegel and Black comedically arguing about who was responsible for losing the payout as the scene pans out to show their spaceship.
The teaser features bounty hunters Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) as they embark on a quick adventure for “a new bounty on the line.” Through shifting colored lenses and moving panels used to differentiate between scenes, the footage exhibits the cowboys battling various foes. Upbeat, horn-heavy music plays throughout the teaser, until Valentine cuts off the final shootout by saying, “Hey nut buckets, there’s no payout if you shoot him in the face.” The trailer ends with Spiegel and Black comedically arguing about who was responsible for losing the payout as the scene pans out to show their spaceship.
- 10/19/2021
- by Katie Song
- Variety Film + TV
The first look at “Cowboy Bebop,” the upcoming live-action reimagining of the beloved Japanese animated series that ran from 1997 through 1998, has landed thanks to Netflix. The 10-episode first season starring John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda, Alex Hassell, and Elena Satine debuts on November 19. See first look photos from the series below.
Here’s the official synopsis courtesy of Netflix: “‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka “cowboys,” all trying to outrun the past. As different as they are deadly, Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals — for the right price. But they can only kick and quip their way out of so many scuffles before their pasts finally catch up with them.”
“Cowboy Bebop” is executive-produced by André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum...
Here’s the official synopsis courtesy of Netflix: “‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka “cowboys,” all trying to outrun the past. As different as they are deadly, Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals — for the right price. But they can only kick and quip their way out of so many scuffles before their pasts finally catch up with them.”
“Cowboy Bebop” is executive-produced by André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum...
- 8/23/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Netflix has released first look photos of the upcoming “Cowboy Bebop” adaptation starring John Cho, which premieres on Nov. 19.
Based on the renowned late ‘90s anime series of the same name, this live-action reboot is an outer space-set western that follows a team of bounty hunters led by Spike Spiegel (Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) hunt down criminals throughout the solar system while each trying to escape dark pasts of their own.
Cho is best known for his roles in the “Harold and Kumar” films and the rebooted “Star Trek” films, with more recent credits including “Searching” and Season 2 of “The Exorcist.” Shakir is known for playing Bushmaster in Marvel’s “Luke Cage,” while Pineda played Zia Rodriguez in “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” Alex Hassell (“The Miniaturist”) and Elena Satine (“Revenge”) also star.
The “Cowboy Bebop” reboot was first announced in 2017 and picked up by Netflix in 2018. The original anime,...
Based on the renowned late ‘90s anime series of the same name, this live-action reboot is an outer space-set western that follows a team of bounty hunters led by Spike Spiegel (Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) hunt down criminals throughout the solar system while each trying to escape dark pasts of their own.
Cho is best known for his roles in the “Harold and Kumar” films and the rebooted “Star Trek” films, with more recent credits including “Searching” and Season 2 of “The Exorcist.” Shakir is known for playing Bushmaster in Marvel’s “Luke Cage,” while Pineda played Zia Rodriguez in “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” Alex Hassell (“The Miniaturist”) and Elena Satine (“Revenge”) also star.
The “Cowboy Bebop” reboot was first announced in 2017 and picked up by Netflix in 2018. The original anime,...
- 8/23/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
I think it’s time to blow this scene. Get everybody and their stuff together. Ok, three, two, one let’s jam.
Cowboy Bebop, after the long and winding road of production, has finally touched down on Netflix. The streamer unveiled the premiere date and first-look images for its live-action series, starring John Cho.
Based on Shinichirō Watanabe’s cult anime series, Cowboy Bebop follows a group of misfit bounty hunters, led by Spike Spiegel (Cho) as they search for the galaxy’s most valuable criminals. Mustafa Shakir also stars as Spike’s trusted co-pilot Jet Black and Daniella Pineda as the highly-skilled bounty hunter Faye Valentine. The series will debut on Netflix Friday, November 19.
The first look images, which can be viewed below, expand on the quick glimpse the Cowboy Bebop stars provided earlier in the summer during Netflix’s Geeked Week event. The pics see Cho donning Spike Spiegel’s signature purple suit,...
Cowboy Bebop, after the long and winding road of production, has finally touched down on Netflix. The streamer unveiled the premiere date and first-look images for its live-action series, starring John Cho.
Based on Shinichirō Watanabe’s cult anime series, Cowboy Bebop follows a group of misfit bounty hunters, led by Spike Spiegel (Cho) as they search for the galaxy’s most valuable criminals. Mustafa Shakir also stars as Spike’s trusted co-pilot Jet Black and Daniella Pineda as the highly-skilled bounty hunter Faye Valentine. The series will debut on Netflix Friday, November 19.
The first look images, which can be viewed below, expand on the quick glimpse the Cowboy Bebop stars provided earlier in the summer during Netflix’s Geeked Week event. The pics see Cho donning Spike Spiegel’s signature purple suit,...
- 8/23/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
“Cowboy Bebop” star John Cho sustained a knee injury on the set of the live-action Netflix series while filming in New Zealand in October, Variety has learned, leading to a 7-9 month break in production.
While the nature of the incident that led to the injury is not altogether clear, it occurred during a rehearsed sequence that was not considered to be a large-scale stunt. Cho is back in Los Angeles, where he will undergo surgery, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop” is a 10-episode adaptation of the original 26-episode anime series from Sunrise studio, about a group of misfit bounty hunters in space, led by Spike Spiegel. Cho plays Spiegel, described as an “impossibly cool bounty hunter with a deadly smile, a wry wit, and style to spare,” who traverses the solar system with his ex-cop partner, Jet, who will be portrayed by Mustafa Shakir.
While the nature of the incident that led to the injury is not altogether clear, it occurred during a rehearsed sequence that was not considered to be a large-scale stunt. Cho is back in Los Angeles, where he will undergo surgery, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop” is a 10-episode adaptation of the original 26-episode anime series from Sunrise studio, about a group of misfit bounty hunters in space, led by Spike Spiegel. Cho plays Spiegel, described as an “impossibly cool bounty hunter with a deadly smile, a wry wit, and style to spare,” who traverses the solar system with his ex-cop partner, Jet, who will be portrayed by Mustafa Shakir.
- 10/18/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s upcoming live-action series Cowboy Bebop is going on a lengthy hiatus following a knee injury sustained by lead John Cho on the set of the show in New Zealand.
Sources describe the injury as a freak accident that happened on the last take of a routine and well-rehearsed scene. It requires surgery, for which Cho has been flown back to Los Angeles, and an extensive rehabilitation. The production shutdown is expected to last seven to nine months. The new filming schedule will be set once Cho’s prognosis is clear.
Cowboy Bebop, an adaptation of the cult Japanese animated series, was a few episodes into production on its 10-episode order when the accident happened. Netflix marked the show’s start of production last week with a behind-the-scene video which featured Cho (you can watch it below).
Being relatively early into filming would allow Netflix to recast the role,...
Sources describe the injury as a freak accident that happened on the last take of a routine and well-rehearsed scene. It requires surgery, for which Cho has been flown back to Los Angeles, and an extensive rehabilitation. The production shutdown is expected to last seven to nine months. The new filming schedule will be set once Cho’s prognosis is clear.
Cowboy Bebop, an adaptation of the cult Japanese animated series, was a few episodes into production on its 10-episode order when the accident happened. Netflix marked the show’s start of production last week with a behind-the-scene video which featured Cho (you can watch it below).
Being relatively early into filming would allow Netflix to recast the role,...
- 10/18/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Elena Satine (Strange Angel) has been cast opposite John Cho in Cowboy Bebop, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the cult Japanese animated series.
The space Western hails from Tomorrow Studios, Marty Adelstein’s joint venture with ITV Studios; Midnight Radio; writer Chris Yost (Thor franchise); and Sunrise, the studio behind the original series.
Cowboy Bebop is the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of a ragtag crew of bounty hunters on the run from their pasts as they hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals. They’ll even save the world — for the right price.
Satine will play Julia. With a sultry beauty and a voice to die for, she is the dreamlike object of Spike Spiegel’s (Cho) desire. She struggles to survive in a violent world.
In addition to Cho, Satine joins previously announced Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda and Alex Hassel.
The space Western hails from Tomorrow Studios, Marty Adelstein’s joint venture with ITV Studios; Midnight Radio; writer Chris Yost (Thor franchise); and Sunrise, the studio behind the original series.
Cowboy Bebop is the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of a ragtag crew of bounty hunters on the run from their pasts as they hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals. They’ll even save the world — for the right price.
Satine will play Julia. With a sultry beauty and a voice to die for, she is the dreamlike object of Spike Spiegel’s (Cho) desire. She struggles to survive in a violent world.
In addition to Cho, Satine joins previously announced Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda and Alex Hassel.
- 8/22/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The “Cowboy Bebop” live-action series at Netflix is adding another player to its cast.
Elena Satine, whose previous TV credits include ABC’s “Revenge” and Starz’ “Magic City,” has joined previously announced cast members John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda, and Alex Hassell.
Satine’s will play Julia who is described as “a sultry beauty with a voice to die for, the dream-like object of Spike Spiegel’s (Cho) desire” who struggles to survive in a violent world.
Netflix picked up “Cowboy Bebop” for 10 episodes back in November. The series is described as the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine and Radical Ed, a rag-tag crew of bounty hunters on the run from their pasts as they hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals. They’ll even save the world for the right price.
Shinichiro Watanabe, director of the original anime, will serve as a consultant on the project.
Elena Satine, whose previous TV credits include ABC’s “Revenge” and Starz’ “Magic City,” has joined previously announced cast members John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda, and Alex Hassell.
Satine’s will play Julia who is described as “a sultry beauty with a voice to die for, the dream-like object of Spike Spiegel’s (Cho) desire” who struggles to survive in a violent world.
Netflix picked up “Cowboy Bebop” for 10 episodes back in November. The series is described as the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine and Radical Ed, a rag-tag crew of bounty hunters on the run from their pasts as they hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals. They’ll even save the world for the right price.
Shinichiro Watanabe, director of the original anime, will serve as a consultant on the project.
- 8/22/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Mike Cecchini Oct 18, 2019
Legendary sci-fi anime Cowboy Bebop is getting an American live action remake but will now take a bit longer to see the light of day.
Well, here's something we never expected to see. Cowboy Bebop, the brilliant, space-hopping anime with one of the greatest soundtracks in TV history is getting a live action adaptation for Netflix.
Here's the official synopsis of the new series...which sounds just like the synopsis of the original series. Which is great!
"Cowboy Bebop is the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine and Radical Ed: a rag-tag crew of bounty hunters on the run from their pasts as they hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals. They’ll even save the world…for the right price."
Shinichiro Watanabe (the original anime's director) is consulting, with Yasuo Miyakawa, Masayuki Ozaki, and Shin Sasaki of Sunrise Inc., who produced the original Cowboy Bebop,...
Legendary sci-fi anime Cowboy Bebop is getting an American live action remake but will now take a bit longer to see the light of day.
Well, here's something we never expected to see. Cowboy Bebop, the brilliant, space-hopping anime with one of the greatest soundtracks in TV history is getting a live action adaptation for Netflix.
Here's the official synopsis of the new series...which sounds just like the synopsis of the original series. Which is great!
"Cowboy Bebop is the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine and Radical Ed: a rag-tag crew of bounty hunters on the run from their pasts as they hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals. They’ll even save the world…for the right price."
Shinichiro Watanabe (the original anime's director) is consulting, with Yasuo Miyakawa, Masayuki Ozaki, and Shin Sasaki of Sunrise Inc., who produced the original Cowboy Bebop,...
- 6/6/2017
- Den of Geek
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