Cowboy Bebop, released in 1998, is one of those pieces of media that's always intimidated me, I have to admit. The level of critical acclaim it has made my head spin with curiosity and doubts. I got out of anime for about four years, mostly during my time in high school. After getting back into television shows in general, Cowboy Bebop appeared on my Netflix page. I had my doubts about it, as I might with anything that's held on such a pedestal, but I decided to dive in regardless. Now, what was I met with?

I found myself watching one of the most incredible pieces of media I have ever had the pleasure to have seen. And it's strange to say that, because the show itself is so--the best phrase would be "low-key." The action, outside of an occasional star-ship battle, can be pretty subdued. Gun fights, fisticuffs inspired by the likes of Bruce Lee, the show knows how to contain itself. That doesn't mean these fights can't be awe-inspiring of course. The animation, specifically on the main character Spike Spiegel, is some of the best of it's age.

And I want to focus in on the 90s era of anime; specifically something it is rather infamous for. Now, Bebop was on the tail end of this era of anime, but it has been a long running joke that anime of this time period were known to pad their run time to better fill time slots on TV. This wasn't the case for every single anime of the 90s, but it's a thought that many of my friends share when it comes to why they do not like anime that's on the older side. It can be a bit of a slog, even I for the life of me can't stand the original run of Dragon Ball Z (which is the most infamous case of this kind of padding.) And one could argue that Cowboy Bebop suffers from the same issues, as many of my previously mentioned friends have told me. But with Bebop, I feel like it takes advantage of what could be a hindrance.

If I were to praise anything about Cowboy Bebop, it'd be the show's atmosphere. Since the anime can be low-key as I said earlier, it takes it's time to really flesh out it's world. World building is important to any sci-fi or fantasy show, but I particularly love how lived in Bebop's solar system feels. It reminds me of the original Star Wars trilogy, where all of this high tech stuff feels worn out. It fits with the show's western aesthetic, and to bring around my point from earlier, it want's the viewer to appreciate it. What some may see as padding, I see as quiet, deliberate moments. The show takes it's time, it never tries to rush itself. It wants you to sit in it's world, stew in it. This brilliantly reinforces the show's main central theme; moving on from the past.

The show's characters are iconic. You know it, I know it, end of story. When I watched the show I was expecting some cool action with some nice atmosphere. I got that with some added jazz, but I was also given these characters that I recognized but didn't fully know. I won't go into full detail, but this show did get me rather emotional at points. Because of the slow pace, you will get attached to these characters. You will watch them be stuck in their situations, floating through the vast expanse of space in their ship the Bebop. Their struggle of finding closure and moving on, no matter the emotional repercussions, is inspiring and incredibly relatable. Cowboy Bebop is about the invisible weights that people carry, and how that can freeze them in time. The show is a surprising tear-jerker, one that has impacted me on a level that was deeper than I would expect.

My main complaint is that Jet, one of the main characters, his arcs felt a little less impactful than the rest of the cast. His episodes were still good and interesting, but I would be lying if I said they were on the same level as Faye's or Spike's. Also, how the camera ogles Faye at certain times made me roll my eyes. She's an excellent character and it disappointed me to see her be presented like that. There's also other minor things that didn't bother me personally nor did I feel ultimately hinder the show, but mileage may vary.

And how could I not compliment the music? It's the bow that ties everything together. The opening theme "Tank!" is fantastic, and the show never ceases that momentum. It perfectly balances being atmospheric with being delightfully playful and bombastic. Truly a master work, and definitely one of the reasons that the show works so well. Full props to Yoko Kanno and her band the Seatbelts, you guys are brilliant.

So here I am, with a perfect score. Cowboy Bebop has left an imprint on me that I was surprised to find. It's a show that's so masterfully put together that when it ends you feel empty, knowing that there's nothing left. It's like finishing a good book, that bittersweet mixture of happiness, satisfaction, and sadness. It's a masterpiece, something that will remain in my mind for many years to come.

See you space cowboy...