Cowboy Bebop Review: Space Jazz at Its Coolest
9.5/10 — Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Pros
- Yoko Kanno's superb soundtrack
- Stylish animation and direction
- Spike's memorable arc
Cons
- Episodic structure
In 2071, a ragtag crew of bounty hunters, Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine and Ed, travel the solar system chasing criminals on their ship, the Bebop. The 26-episode series mixes episodic stories with an overarching tale of Spike’s past.
What works
The style is irresistible, from the opening credits to Yoko Kanno’s jazz-and-blues soundtrack, and the episodes range from comedy to tragedy. Spike is a magnetic hero, and the final episodes are among anime’s most memorable.
Where it falters
Some episodes are stand-alone diversions that have little to do with the main story, and the pacing is unusual.
Verdict
A genuine classic and one of the coolest series ever made.
