Here’s why the original Cowboy Bebop anime was so controversial - yet extremely popular at the same time. Created by the animation studio Sunrise, Cowboy Bebop was released in Japan in 1998 and 2001 in the United States, and since then, it has been revered as a classic anime series rife with philosophy, pathos, and heart. Sporting a complex, genre-hybrid narrative and nuanced characters worth rooting for, Cowboy Bebop emerged as a blueprint for the creation of meaningful stories that reflected the abject beauty and absurdity of existence.
Cowboy Bebop is set in the year 2071, as the anime explores the ramifications of a hyper postmodern world, offering an in-depth look into eco-politics and the general sense of existential angst fostered by an unfair system. While almost all of the characters in the anime are memorable in one way or another, including the super-intelligent Corgi Ein, Spike Spiegel stands out like a flaming torch in the darkness. Exuding a unique brand of coolness that borders on existential boredom and near-constant lethargy, Spike is nothing short of a cultural icon, owing to the intricate layers inherent within his personality.
However, Cowboy Bebop also faced its fair share of controversy, owing to varied reactions to its adult-themed content and heavy philosophical themes, when it first aired on TV. Despite various developmental setbacks during the time, the anime has stood the test of time, to the point of triggering a Netflix live-action, with John Cho assuming the titular role of Spike. Here is a deep dive into why Cowboy Bebop was mired in controversy, and the multifaceted reasons why it is still considered an unrivaled classic.
Why Cowboy Bebop Was Stuck In Development Hell (And What Saved It)
It is no exaggeration to state that Shinichirō Watanabe, the creator of Cowboy Bebop, revolutionized animation in several ways, comparable to the influence of Katsuhiro Otomo and Satoshi Kon. At the time Watanabe assumed responsibility for the Cowboy Bebop project, he was well-known for directing episodic OVAs like Macross Plus and Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. While it would seem that an intricate, world-building-centered piece like Cowboy Bebop would be fleshed out with great zest and intentionality, this was, however, not the case. Initially, the primary purpose behind the show was to sell space-themed merch for Bandai Toys, a vision that clashed heavily with Watanabe’s, as the latter came up with a version that hardly catered to an all-ages audience. This lead to Bandai pulling out of the project, as they believed that the series would never be able to sell merchandise to the intended audience, leaving it in development hell for quite some time.
Thankfully, sister company Bandai Visual decided to step in and sponsor the project, which was no longer exclusively tied to the conditional need to sell merchandise. This allowed Watanabe and his team free artistic rein, which worked in the show’s favor, resulting in a unique aesthetic that evokes nostalgia in posterity. The result was an incredible blend of ideas and genres, such as elements of 1940s jazz, classic space western, and action-centered science fiction, with a relatable, green-haired protagonist named Spike helming it together as a comprehensive whole. Also, the cityscapes in the anime emit a cyberpunk vibe, having been generally inspired by the skylines of New York and Hong Kong. Apart from this, Watanabe and his team put in extensive effort into fleshing out the ethnic groups and planetary atmospheres across the galaxy, creating backstories that reflected the diverse, multicultural range of the show.
Why Cowboy Bebop Was So Controversial
Star Trek, which would inevitably bind him to the project for years.
This was not the sole reason for the controversy that surrounded the series, as only 12 out of the 26 episodes were broadcast in Japan due to its adult-themed content. Be it the complex and violent criminal environment that Spike was enmeshed in, or the heavy psychosexual themes that permeated the series, Cowboy Bebop emerged during a time of rising school violence in Japan. This, unfortunately, made it unsuitable for underage audiences. Despite these criticisms, fans of the series were able to identify with the characters, who struggled with an acute sense of loneliness and resignation to their fates, while being tied to the shackles of the past.
Why Cowboy Bebop Changed Anime
Everything about Cowboy Bebop oozes artistic merit and originality, especially the iconic opening sequence, mostly preserved in the live-action Netflix adaption. A defining quality of the series is how it not only melds diverse genres that work well together but also puts western music to the forefront, mostly via the memorable score composed by Yoko Kanno, who also worked on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The sound embodied by Cowboy Bebop ranged from jazz of all subgenres to opera, metal, folk, and country, along with obvious futuristic elements that verge upon cyberpunk. Every character was defined by their individual soundtracks, such as the fact that Ed’s songs mostly sport an upbeat tempo, while characters like Faye and Jet were conceived after Watanabe was inspired by popular jazz standard "My Funny Valentine" and bands like Led Zepplin.
An element of synesthesia developed naturally during the creation of the show’s sound design, color palette, and worldbuilding, granting it the sense of synchronic timelessness it is defined by today. The aspect of diverse, cross-ranging influences of famous works of art, ranging from Blade Runner to Desperado to Alien, helped create an unforgettable aesthetic that enriched the show’s influence over the past decades. Apart from this, Cowboy Bebop transformed anime by imparting depth in its characters, who, although surrounded by fantastical locations and mired in lofty philosophical perspectives, remained genuinely human and grounded in their own ways. Spike’s backstory is not a cookie-cutter backdrop for catalyzing action - in fact, it heavily influences his present, to the point that he is unable to extricate himself from the tendrils of what has been. For Spike, the future is a giant abyss, forlorn, hopeless, and bereft of personal dreams, and this attitude is embodied by the beloved space cowboy until the very end.
Cowboy Bebop's Influences On TV & Cinema
The legacy of Cowboy Bebop is far-reaching and undeniable, as the show has often been dubbed as a gateway series for appreciating anime as a medium as a whole. Watanabe’s creation not only changed the way in which creators in anime approached complex storylines and their corresponding worlds, but also cinematic approaches to genre-hybridity. Firefly, as the two pieces emit thematic and narrative similarities. Keeping the show’s enduring legacy in mind, it will be interesting to witness how the Netflix live-action chooses to go about the adaptation, which will hopefully widen the world of the original and add fresh dimensions to the beloved characters.
