T5W#315-Top 5 Thoughts on the Netflix Cowboy Bebop First Look

Given their history, everyones got a right to be worried about any Live Action Anime adaptation, especially if the Anime is a beloved by just about everyone.  For every Rurouni Kenshin and Death Note (the Japanese films), there’s a Dragon Ball Evolution and Ghost in the Shell.  Ever since it’s announcement, the Netflix adaptation of the mega legend Cowboy Bebop has been eyed with caution.  The cast seems solid enough but that’s all we really know about it (plus the direct involvement of series creator Shinichiro Watanabe and Yoko Kanno returning to do the music).  But between the pandemic and delays caused by lead John Cho injuring himself, im sure everyone wondered if this new series would see the light of day.  Monday, we got a surprise.  Netflix dropped a slew of images revealing the cast in character for the first time PLUS a release date of November 19^th.  It’s almost time to Jam again and I’ve got thoughts to share…mostly positive and optimistic.  These are my Top 5 Thoughts on the Netflix Cowboy Bebop First Look. 

#5-EINNNNNNN!!!!

The pet responsible for everyone wanting to get a Welsh Corgi was announced from the get go as part of the Netflix series.  And just LOOK AT HIM!!!!!  It’s interesting the gang taking Ein off the Bebop for a walk here but just seeing him trotting along side is enough to instill all kinds of feels and “Awwwwww”.  Is it possible Ein could become the Baby Yoda of this series, stealing every scene he’s in?  And will we see some of his Data Dog hacking skills in action more than we did in the Anime?

 

#4-The Bebop

While the glimpses are fleeing, any fan of the Anime can recognize the familiar walls and bulkheads of the titular Bebop that is home to our traveling gang of Bounty Hunters.  In the Anime we spend a lot of time in the living area, the bridge, docking bays and that rotating module in the center of the ship, enough to make it the unofficial sixth main member of the cast.  It’d be easy just to create any regular and kind of generic design for the interior.  But seeing that circular door that’s an entrance to that rotating module put a smile on my face.  Saw a lot of that door on the show and seeing it here is like looking at a familiar friend I haven’t seen in a long time.

 

#3-Jet

Mustafa Shakir from Luke Cage is taking on the role of the “Black Dog who bites and never lets go.”  Shakir’s time on Luke Cage showed he’s a capable action star, pulling off feats one would actually associate with Spike more than Jet.  He looks awesome though with the beard, the cybernetic parts over his eye and that arm.  Jet’s arm is an important part of this character and the story where we finally learned how he got it is one of the Anime’s best episodes.  That doesn’t even look like a half assed arm either which is good cause it would’ve been an easy out to just make that CG.  I really liked Shakir in Luke Cage and am looking forward to seeing how he brings Jet Black to life.

 

#2-Faye

Was always curious how they’d handle Faye in a Live Action Adaptation.  In the Anime she is one of the sexiest characters ever brought to the genre.  Her outfit in particular is still pretty iconic and heavily cosplayed.  In the Netflix show, she’ll be played by Daniella Pineda from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and it’s forthcoming sequel, Jurassic World: Dominion.  I have a feeling a lot of fans might complain about her look…but they need to just let that go.  Pineda looks great as Faye in these First Look shots.  Sure she’s not rocking thigh highs, ankle boots and booty shorts with a matching crop top.  This look is both practical and also something I could see Faye wearing in the Anime if she had too.  Plus Daniella Pineda is gorgeous and her spunky and fun character from Jurassic World gives me hope she’s gonna do one of Anime’s sexiest Goddesses proper justice.

 

#1-Spike

An Anime is only as good as the lead character at the forefront and while Cowboy Bebop is an ensemble piece: it does not work without Spike Spiegel.  Casting for him was always gonna be a challenge and I know, I know there are some who hoped it would be Keanu Reeves.  John Cho…still a solid choice.  Regardless of what role he’s played in his career from Harold and Kumar to Star Trek, Cho’s always had that sense of fun, laid backness to him that compliments his professionalism.  I think he’ll do a good job but I know the pressure will be on to pull off Spike’s carefree (and borderline lazy) life style and his beyond belief martial arts moves (Spike practices Jeet Kun Do, the style invented by Martial Arts legend Bruce Lee).  John Cho’s always been a super reliable guy and he looks to be rocking Spike’s iconic suit quite nicely I think.  We’ll find out what he and the rest of the cast can do on November 19^th.