Cowboy Bebop (2021): Season 1

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Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 253 Ratings

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4.4

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4.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 253 Ratings

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Cowboy Bebop: Season 1

Now Playing: Cowboy Bebop: Season 1

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: November 19, 2021

Summary: The live-action series based on Shinichirō Watanabe's anime series follows bounty hunters Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) as they search the galaxy for wanted criminals.

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E10. Supernova Symphony
Air Date: November 19, 2021
tbd
S1:E9. Blue Crow Waltz
Air Date: November 19, 2021
tbd
S1:E8. Sad Clown A-Go-Go
Air Date: November 19, 2021

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

The Guardian Graeme Virtue

Nov 19, 2021

It all adds up to an enjoyable feeling of anything-goes delirium. At a time when popular sci-fi has gone gritty and self-consciously “dark”, the caffeinated fever dream of Cowboy Bebop feels like a loving distillation of the original and a breath of fresh air. Read full review

Verne Gay

Nov 18, 2021

As a live-action adaptation of a hugely popular series, it's often jauntier and funnier than the root stock, the violence even more outlandish and cartoonish. Hardcore fans of the animé series may be disappointed by the liberties taken but a much wider audience — the one that never __watched animé — probably won't be. Flat-out entertaining. Read full review

Melanie McFarland

Dec 7, 2021

Somewhere between affection and disappointment sits the willingness to commit, helped along by Kanno's infectious score. The dancing jazz swells alone are enough to persuade diehards to saddle up through its 10-episode mission, such as it is. Read full review

The Playlist Max Covill

Nov 15, 2021

Viewers returning to the “Cowboy Bebop” franchise with fond memories for the anime might enjoy their favorite episodes receiving the live-action treatment even with the above caveats, but those turning in for the first time will likely be left wondering why this was a big deal. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Nov 15, 2021

Cho, Shakir, and Pineda really hold “Cowboy Bebop” together. When the plot is spinning its wheels, spending time with three actors this charismatic goes a long way. Sadly, the design and the writing rarely match what they bring to the table. Read full review

Meghan O'Keefe

Nov 15, 2021

All of the good things about Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop are betrayed by poor writing, uninspired action scenes, and a truly baffling obsession with the most annoying characters in the series. Read full review

Collider Rafael Motamayor

Nov 15, 2021

The result lacks a color palette, a distinct visual language, and any resemblance of soul. This is just like the Cowboy Bebop you remember (or that your friends told you about), except it is absolutely nothing like it. Read full review

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User Score

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4.4

User Reviews

AlGillies

Nov 20, 2021

Only recently saw the original anime, Really liked it, I know they’re always going to be different, Still don't understand all the hate, I am rewatching it now and find it even better. Music is unique, stylistic show, creativity is out of the charts. In a world where everything is superheroOnly recently saw the original anime, Really liked it, I know they’re always going to be different, Still don't understand all the hate, I am rewatching it now and find it even better. Music is unique, stylistic show, creativity is out of the charts. In a world where everything is superhero movies, this is a welcome break from that.… Expand

10 of 28 users found this helpful1018

Dkat3

Nov 24, 2021

New CB is absolutely worth a watch if enjoy Firefly type of fun sci-fi. After watching the original 26 ep. anime also it’s amusing that anyone would think it’s somehow a work of untouchable genius and the live action isn’t worth your time - I’d bet they haven’t watched the anime since theyNew CB is absolutely worth a watch if enjoy Firefly type of fun sci-fi. After watching the original 26 ep. anime also it’s amusing that anyone would think it’s somehow a work of untouchable genius and the live action isn’t worth your time - I’d bet they haven’t watched the anime since they were 15yo.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Greyking

Nov 20, 2021

I’m not sure why everyone has their knives out on this one. As an alternative universe take on the source material I found this offering very entertaining indeed I would say I a masterpiece in its own right. My only quibble is the reworking of Vicious San Julia. Otherwise this was a stellarI’m not sure why everyone has their knives out on this one. As an alternative universe take on the source material I found this offering very entertaining indeed I would say I a masterpiece in its own right. My only quibble is the reworking of Vicious San Julia. Otherwise this was a stellar effort.… Expand

9 of 15 users found this helpful96

TheParrradox

Nov 19, 2021

Episode 1 review: Feels fan made. Direction, editing, action choreography and acting is terrible. Strong B movie vibes.

11 of 20 users found this helpful119

Dumblegus

Nov 20, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This remake of a much loved classic is visually well done, but misses the mark in every other category. The reshaping of the story, awful (seriously bad) dialogue, casting of supporting characters, loss of music themed structure, and being packed with (now) classic Netflix ideologies takes a perfect source and bastardizes it into a joke of a reimagining. Spike, Jet, and even Fay are tolerable shadows of excellent characters, but the side cast is where it falls apart. Vicious, the mysterious antagonist to Spikes quippy laissez-faire attitude, is an overexposed quivering coward when he should be silent, dark, and intimidating. Ana, who should be posing as a simple shopkeeper is a loud angry club boss. Gren, a sullen and gentle War on Titan veteran/jazz musician was one of the best characters in fiction history and is now presented as a loud idiot in a dress. Gren’s feminine form was an important part of the Jupiter Jazz story arch and is just a prop in this bastardized version of Bebop. The list goes on… In this version of the classic, the episodes repeat the same “type” of bad guy with little variation. Hakim is still awesome, but that’s about it. Overall this could have been a decent version of Bebop if the writing and characters could have been given a bit more respect. Making Vicious a fragile coward was a huge mistake that takes the wind out of the story immediately. If I told you this show sucks, I’d expect you to respond with a jubilant “seems that way”.… Expand

9 of 16 users found this helpful97

Mclovin69

Nov 23, 2021

Yeah there are just some things, you shouldn't touch. Did you guys ever heard the phrase, if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

WalterMitty

Nov 19, 2021

1998 Cowboy Bebop is a masterpiece, a unique experience that can be enjoyed by anyone, liking anime or not. No one asked for a new version 'cause it's perfect the way it is, it's just like asking for a new version of The Godfather, why the hell would you want that? But well, they did it,1998 Cowboy Bebop is a masterpiece, a unique experience that can be enjoyed by anyone, liking anime or not. No one asked for a new version 'cause it's perfect the way it is, it's just like asking for a new version of The Godfather, why the hell would you want that? But well, they did it, it's this one, and they simply massacred the memory of the anime, ruined and disrespected every single bit. The creators clearly didn't understood nothing of the anime, they thought Cowboy Bebop was cool visuals and that's it. Funny how an animation ended up being way more realistic and relatable than the live action.… Expand

17 of 27 users found this helpful1710

SEE ALL 123 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

47

Series Overview
Season 1

47
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E10. Supernova Symphony
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E9. Blue Crow Waltz
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E8. Sad Clown A-Go-Go
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E7. Galileo Hustle
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E6. Binary Two-Step
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E5. Darkside Tango
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E4. Callisto Soul
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E3. Dog Star Swing
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E2. Venus Pop
  Air Date: November 19, 2021
- tbd
  S1:E1. Cowboy Gospel
  Air Date: November 19, 2021