Cowboy Bebop (2021)

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 19, 2021
User Score
4.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 253 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 253
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 253
  3. Negative: 135 out of 253
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  1. LoganWolverine
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    More proof that anime shouldn't be adapted to live-action. It's not needed and was clearly only made to capitalize off of a name with no love for the show at all. Had the soul ripped out of the anime and this is what we got.
  2. GuapoGrande
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    Where to even begin with this mess, they took the greatest anime of all time and turned it into a dumb millennial cosplay. 0/10
  3. Abigredwagon
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    Awful fight chorography. How can the same network that brought Daredevil to life put out fights that look this bad and low impact? Childish dialogue that drops exposition like a bomb completely devoid of nuance. The directors apparently didn't understand how the score of the anime created mood and emotion and instead just drops it in with no reason. Just all around poor. In a vacuumAwful fight chorography. How can the same network that brought Daredevil to life put out fights that look this bad and low impact? Childish dialogue that drops exposition like a bomb completely devoid of nuance. The directors apparently didn't understand how the score of the anime created mood and emotion and instead just drops it in with no reason. Just all around poor. In a vacuum I'd give it a 3, but since it's adapting something so good and messed it up so bad it's getting a 0. It's a shame, if any part of this would have been acceptable I probably would have forgiven a lot, but on the whole it feels cheap, amateur, and bland.… Expand
  4. WalterMitty
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    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 single1998 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
  5. BellaSwan1992
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    I didn't think live-action anime got any worse than Ghost in the Shell or Death Note, but this tops them all for badness
  6. prayformojo33
    Nov 19, 2021
    1
    La serie es un insulto a la obra original, como la mayoria de los live actions no cumple con ser fiel a la historia.
  7. dangyosabyss
    Nov 21, 2021
    1
    It is the exact cancer we expected it to be. A supreme example of how american tv studios can take anything and strip it of its charm, pump it full of politics and make it indistinguishable from what it used to be. It brings to mind the quote 'Evil cannot create anything new, they can only corrupt and ruin what good forces have invented or made.' Stop accepting garbage like this. If theyIt is the exact cancer we expected it to be. A supreme example of how american tv studios can take anything and strip it of its charm, pump it full of politics and make it indistinguishable from what it used to be. It brings to mind the quote 'Evil cannot create anything new, they can only corrupt and ruin what good forces have invented or made.' Stop accepting garbage like this. If they can ruin Cowboy Bebop like this then they don't deserve your money. It's a mockery and an FU to fans.… Expand
  8. BabeRuthless38
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    complete trash and a disgrace to the anime, can't believe they thought anyone would want this
  9. Pulpo_Verde
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    "Review bombing?" Oh, come on, stop making garbage!
    An absolute disaster. I could have given them a 5 or a 6 if it weren't for the last 20 minutes.
    Where in the original there was magic, silences, mystery and emotion here is a jumble of vaguely developed ideas. Aesthetically it has no soul. It has no rhythm, the music is only in the background. Thrash. I feel sorry for the actors, they    "Review bombing?" Oh, come on, stop making garbage!
    An absolute disaster. I could have given them a 5 or a 6 if it weren't for the last 20 minutes.
    Where in the original there was magic, silences, mystery and emotion here is a jumble of vaguely developed ideas. Aesthetically it has no soul. It has no rhythm, the music is only in the background. Thrash. I feel sorry for the actors, they did a good job.
    "Anime fans are review bombing CB!" Listen, If you don't want "review bombing" stop making mediocre, soulless productions who deserves a 0, made only to be a fast and ephemeral consumer product. They perfectly replicated the ships, the clothes, the locations ... except the script and its essence. That says a lot. Look at Julia: in the original series she is a real femme fattale. She says little but has presence and personality. She didn't need to dress like a femme fattale because she was. In CB2021 julia dresses like a femme fattale but she has no attitude or character, she is a caricature of a femme fattale, because netflix in its infinite ignorance HATES femme fattales. And when it seems that her character emerges, guess what attitude he takes? Yes! resentful!. Suddenly we see Julia turn into a kind of Amber Heard who wants power (?). That's right people, they destroy a classic and then complain about the "review bombing". F*** off.    … Expand
  10. LatinCritic13
    Nov 19, 2021
    3
    So Netflix has decided to live adapt Shinichiro Watanabe's space western magnum opus, Cowboy Bebop, and the live adaptation of Cowboy Bebop sucks - literally. The start this off, the story sucks, the cinematography sucks, the writing sucks, and everything about this adaptation freaking sucks! The biggest honorable mention that made this show very poor in quality is the VFX and you'llSo Netflix has decided to live adapt Shinichiro Watanabe's space western magnum opus, Cowboy Bebop, and the live adaptation of Cowboy Bebop sucks - literally. The start this off, the story sucks, the cinematography sucks, the writing sucks, and everything about this adaptation freaking sucks! The biggest honorable mention that made this show very poor in quality is the VFX and you'll probably see why how bad it is if I was comparing the show's cheap budget to a CW show. Forgive me for my juvenile written review but I had to vent because it's the worst thing I've ever seen since Adam Windgard's Death Note and boy that film adaptation is dumpster fire right there. The two things that feel profound in this show is the casting of these beloved characters and the soul that this show portrayed thanks to the influence that the anime had featuring Yoko Kanno. Everything else on the other hand is embarrassing and a slap to the face to the source material. If this was on HBO, it would've been good, but too bad it was on Netflix and it didn't worked at all. John Cho and the rest of the Bebop crew deserved better.… Expand
  11. Iserlohn14
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    Too many good animes have been ruined with these pointless adaptations. What are they going to crap on next, Legend of the Galactic Heroes (please no)?
  12. deaddawn
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    another disappointing adaptation .but the music is good though casting is good but they are not right for the roles
  13. Dumblegus
    Nov 20, 2021
    1
    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
  14. TheParrradox
    Nov 19, 2021
    3
    Episode 1 review: Feels fan made. Direction, editing, action choreography and acting is terrible. Strong B movie vibes.
  15. thewolf565
    Nov 19, 2021
    3
    I give it a three just because the sets looks good, but the rest is just cheesy and not even a good show from an objective standpoint without considering it a remake of the original anime.
  16. Th3irin
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    I'll say this: it tries hard. Too hard. Though it had moments it brilliance (CGI, music, casting), it wasn't enough to make up for the terrible dialogue, poor storytelling, and the complete lack of soul. If it wasn't named "Cowboy Bebop", I wouldn't have been able to recognize it.
  17. MrN0Nam3
    Nov 21, 2021
    3
    New: after finishing can truly say that this is sht and plot is really terrible Old: Awesome serial, as a fan of the original i can truly say that they did amazing work. You can’t fond anything like this on tv nowadays
  18. Bobzzz
    Nov 19, 2021
    3
    Right you dipsticks that all hating on it because it’s not to your expectations or is a “Sin” within itself.

    I for one agree wholeheartedly that the anime is the best, the greatest etc etc HOWEVER- The live action did a pretty decent job. The special effected weren’t even bad give me a break you’re making it sound like it’s a bloody power rangers special when in actual fact the CGI and    Right you dipsticks that all hating on it because it’s not to your expectations or is a “Sin” within itself.

    I for one agree wholeheartedly that the anime is the best, the greatest etc etc HOWEVER-

    The live action did a pretty decent job. The special effected weren’t even bad give me a break you’re making it sound like it’s a bloody power rangers special when in actual fact the CGI and the mise en scene is excellent to say the least. The first episode where you’re virtually panned out to see the planets etc I think that’s movie level right there not bloody awful CBS superman flying level smh. This ain’t smallville     … Expand
  19. Mugenr
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    God damn never seen a **** like this before, to be honest i didn't wanted to start this but a friend of mine ask me to do so here i go just read the reviews below i got no more to say except i'm going to comit a suicide they ruined my favorite show of all time good job netflix you just lost a customer ffs i'm so pissed off.J"ai besoin de sérum physiologique a cause de cette purge
  20. grimsfield
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    Yikes. This whole show feels like it was made by cosplayers and college students.
  21. BarronOfDune
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    What an atrocious attempt to adapt an anime, in a long line of pathetic attempts to adapt anime
  22. Jambha
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    They really fell short with the casting of Spike's and Faye's character. The melodrama and the Jazz which the original anime contains can't be felt in this one. No one likes a downgrade in a product from its original. Netflix should start realizing that instead of trying to diversify the characters try to talk it out with the writer of the story. The writer always knows what kind of actorThey really fell short with the casting of Spike's and Faye's character. The melodrama and the Jazz which the original anime contains can't be felt in this one. No one likes a downgrade in a product from its original. Netflix should start realizing that instead of trying to diversify the characters try to talk it out with the writer of the story. The writer always knows what kind of actor will suit the character since they build an entire timeline and story based upon that character. Also it felt like a cheap rip off version of something extremely expensive.… Expand
  23. BillyTheKid1138
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    The characters and story have been butchered. The dialog is cringy instead of badass. As a stand alone, without nostalgia for the original, I wouldn't have made it past the first episode. They really tried to make this bad, and they did a great job.
  24. Paul_M_Dema
    Nov 19, 2021
    0
    Anther disappointment from netflix. Totally missed atmosphere of anime and simply went with woke stuff.
  25. Steyraus
    Nov 20, 2021
    1
    What an embaresing show...It's an insult to the origional Anime...The worst thing is the main characters, all the acting is just horrendous..The way they interact is cringe and nothing like the anime..Next worst thing is the fight scenes. Itvlearthe only one that did any training or even cared about the roll was the guy that played Spike, but the actor is just to old so even his moderateWhat an embaresing show...It's an insult to the origional Anime...The worst thing is the main characters, all the acting is just horrendous..The way they interact is cringe and nothing like the anime..Next worst thing is the fight scenes. Itvlearthe only one that did any training or even cared about the roll was the guy that played Spike, but the actor is just to old so even his moderate attempt come off strange.
    The girl that plays Faye is by far the worse part..I've seen the actress in other things and she plays the same iritating smart arse in every movie..She is probably just playing herself cause she can't act...She is nothing like Fay should be.. Faye in the anime is a highly skilled and trained hunter, she used every asset she had to achieve her goal..Netflix Faye is a clumsy joke, that just succeeds cause she's the wahmen..
    Only good thing about this show is Visual effect, they are great, like everything these days.    … Expand
  26. obenwan
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    Too much has changed to be a faithful retelling and not enough has changed to be its own thing. Visually they did ok but all the characters and the setting are way off.
  27. MetalJunkie
    Nov 22, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of those iconic shows absolutely buthchered by Netflix.

    High on virtue signalling.
    In the anime there’s a character named Gren who is forced to take feminization drugs while in a military prison. His story is tragic and full of trauma. He was not feminized by choice, yet somehow Netflix decided to depict him as a ‘yas, slay queen’ empowered non-binary type and thusly cast him as such. The actor is now on the press circuit talking about how they wanted to right the wrongs of the anime. Which sums up how so very much went wrong with the project.
    From the moment the series begins it is obvious there was no understanding of what made the anime so endearing. Best to avoid.    … Expand
  28. BrainB
    Nov 22, 2021
    3
    I cannot binge watch this series... it's just that bad.

    Many will complain that this isn't true to the anime, which they would be correct. If you've watched the anime first, than you may not enjoy this version as much. However, this isn't the anime and if you can separate the two, the series isn't too bad. Just bad enough that you feel frustrated that they're pulling back on so    I cannot binge watch this series... it's just that bad.

    Many will complain that this isn't true to the anime, which they would be correct. If you've watched the anime first, than you may not enjoy this version as much.

    However, this isn't the anime and if you can separate the two, the series isn't too bad. Just bad enough that you feel frustrated that they're pulling back on so much of the acting.

    John Cho - He plays a respectable Spike. You can see how this was a passion project for John Cho as he tries to bring Spike to live-action. The wittiness and interactions he has with his cast mates feel real. My gripe with Cho is his action scenes. In the first eps. it should be the prelude to what you're about to see. However, the action is weak, limp, no impact (which they kind of fix in the 2nd eps.) The use of CG was cheap and feels badly done. First episode was generally a disappointment.

    Mustafa Shakir - His portrayal of Jet was pretty spot-on. I actually enjoyed his character and his chemistry with John Cho. They play the buddy cop duo pretty well together and it's apparent on screen.

    Daniella Pineda - One sore spot in the series. I cannot get behind her character in this show. She's portraying a caricature of Harley Quinn instead of Faye Valentine. Or maybe that's the comedian behind her, but it feels like a cheap knock-off Harley.

    The other cast of chars. are re-imagined and while some of them work seamlessly. Others are not as well received.

    I absolutely cannot Binge Watch this show, it doesn't hold my interest enough and that's the frustrating part. They show glimpses where the show is funny and interesting, but than they pull back and it feels restrained. For that reason, while I would dance around a 4-5, let's be honest. If I have to force myself to watch this show, it cannot get any higher than a 3.    … Expand
  29. Higira
    Nov 23, 2021
    3
    This is BAD. But let me tell you about the good. The music, beautiful. The sets, wonderful. The VFX, decent. The only good actor was Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir). That's about it. You know John Cho is a good actor, but whoever wrote his story sucks. Faye, Let's not even talk about her. Her acting is so bad, it makes me want to vomit. Why is she acting like some punk girl, that is in aThis is BAD. But let me tell you about the good. The music, beautiful. The sets, wonderful. The VFX, decent. The only good actor was Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir). That's about it. You know John Cho is a good actor, but whoever wrote his story sucks. Faye, Let's not even talk about her. Her acting is so bad, it makes me want to vomit. Why is she acting like some punk girl, that is in a rebellious phase? I cant tell if its the story writers that screwed her, or her acting.
    Julia became a princess that needs help? Vicious looks like some emo kid. The wardrobe looks like someone took it from the anime and turned it into real life.. It's like cosplay, but worse. In general whoever wrote this pile of crap needs to get fired.

    Seriously, why did they change the characters so much? If they were going to do this, they should have just started a new IP. What's the point of using an existing IP and then going, we're gonna change 90% of it to our ideal and then call it Cowboy Bebop.    … Expand
  30. Edwardwonghau
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    Once again, Netflix have butchered a classic. If you like the original, you probably won't like this. If you haven't already watched the original, watch that instead.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 28
  3. Negative: 9 out of 28
  1. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Dec 7, 2021
    60
    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
  2. Radio Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Kelly
    Dec 3, 2021
    40
    More generally, a lack of rhythm permeates much of the Cowboy Bebop remake, including the lead performance. Cho looks the part but can often struggle to muster the charisma and screen presence needed to sell Spike as an effortlessly cool rogue. Although, as already mentioned, he’s hardly helped by the show’s limp direction and scripting.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Nov 19, 2021
    50
    The series has a routine professionalism that serves it well in its lighter moments but doesn’t alleviate the drudgery of its later episodes. ... In its resolute ordinariness, the main value of this new “Bebop” would be to drive you back to watch the old one.
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