What's the appeal of "Cowboy Bebop"?

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

In fact, I can't stand most anime, and I consider Cowboy Bebop one of the best genre series I've ever watched.

I think you've hit on something here. Most of the folks I know who love Cowboy Bebop would not describe themselves as "anime fans". A lot of people seem to think I'm an anime nut, but I'm secretly bored to tears by 99% of it. However, Cowboy Bebop was so accessible I almost think maybe it was concoted for people who turn off the TV when they see a cartoon with a creator/director who has more than 5 syllables in their first name .

I don't know if there's a flipside to that; if you are a fan of mainstream anime (whatever that is - Dragonball, maybe?) you might not dig CB?

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

I don't know if there's a flipside to that; if you are a fan of mainstream anime (whatever that is - Dragonball, maybe?) you might not dig CB?

I guess which begs the question: What is mainstream anime? I love Cowboy Bebop, Inuyasha, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Beyond that, I don't care for much of it. Dragonball Z,G,A,B, and C...whatever they keep coming out with... bores me to absolute madness. So what is the mainstream? And I just DO NOT get the appeal of Super Milk Chan.

Granted, most of my anime exposure comes via the Cartoon Network, so maybe I'm not seeing enough.

 

[demiurge1138]

As other people have said, the appeal of Cowboy Bebop really comes from the characters and the style. The style is jazz sci-fi noir, which is an excellent combination, especially with the way the show's aesthetic is retro-futuristic (spaceships and drive-in theaters, quests for old Betamax players, and so forth). The music is completely awesome, and with the exception of some J-pop bordering stuff (very little of it), it helps to add to the retro-future flavor.

The characters are all, of course, complete mercenary bastards, but they're likable because of it. They have flaws like real people, deep running emotional problems and backstories like real people, but unlike some angsty drama anime, all that is kept as part of the sidelines. Spike, Jet and Faye never come off as overblown or unrealistic. Ed, on the other hand... but she's Ed. That's what she's supposed to do.

Demiurge out.
PS: The fact that the smartest character is the dog is pretty cool too.

 

[Pbartender]

Ed, on the other hand... but she's Ed. That's what she's supposed to do.

You know, for some reason I cannot fathom, whenever I hear the song "Bubble Toes", I think of Ed.

 

[qstor]

And god help me, but the dub is amazing. I actually prefer to watch the dub to the sub, no other show has come close to that (except maybe Evangelion). The English voice cast just suit the characters perfectly.

I agree...100% Kinda of a contrast with Pricess Monokoke (sp) where I *hate* to listen to Bill Bob Thornton as the monk style character.

I like the music as well fits the show like a glove.

Mike

 

[frankthedm]

The evil child from Sympathy for the Devil