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. Voodoo123
    Dec 31, 2022
    8
    +Great casting
    +Superb soundtrack
    +Decent action choreography
    +Intriguing screenplay and world design
    -Story filled with cliché

    Being unfamiliar with the anime I wasn't sure what to expect but this was far more entertaining than the multiple poor reviews would lead to believe. The production artistry that went into this is top tier. From start to finish the quality was exceptional!
  2. Teudo
    Feb 23, 2022
    9
    So Fresh and totally underated, I don't except much and it was great & fun like the good old anime. I wish I could see more episodes
  3. DamienDutch
    Jan 20, 2022
    1
    Dear Netflix, I am very glad that you closed this show. The fact is that once again you have not understood anything and, it seems, do not draw conclusions from your past failures at all. One of the most important rules of any adaptation is not to break what others have done before you. You made the characters look similar on the outside, but not on the inside. Could not or did not want toDear Netflix, I am very glad that you closed this show. The fact is that once again you have not understood anything and, it seems, do not draw conclusions from your past failures at all. One of the most important rules of any adaptation is not to break what others have done before you. You made the characters look similar on the outside, but not on the inside. Could not or did not want to consider their content. You have greatly distorted the plot and characters. For some purpose known only to you, brought in so much extraneous **** that its flows broke everything else, which was quite acceptable. It's a shame.
    I've seen a lot of controversy about original anime characters not being found in the real world, but how did it happen that they stopped being human and turned into an unfunny caricature?    … Expand
  4. bobbsyw
    Jan 7, 2022
    7
    I'm a big fan of the original, and I don't understand all the negative noise about the life action remake. The acting as superb, the music (as expected) is amazing, and it's funny and entertaining. Yes the sets could be better, but this say they give the feel of the anime pretty well. It's not a classic, but it's a lot of fun.
  5. blacksun
    Dec 26, 2021
    10
    As a lover of the original anime, I too quickly fell in to the "what is this re-make garbage" mindset. I watched the first episode and didn't feel like watching any more. But after a friend told me to hang in there, I did, and I'm really glad I did.

    First off the first episode is one of the weakest, and it only gets better and better as the episodes roll on. Second, I made myself shed    As a lover of the original anime, I too quickly fell in to the "what is this re-make garbage" mindset. I watched the first episode and didn't feel like watching any more. But after a friend told me to hang in there, I did, and I'm really glad I did.

    First off the first episode is one of the weakest, and it only gets better and better as the episodes roll on. Second, I made myself shed my self imposed expectations of what I wanted it to be and just watched it for what it is. A show that stands on it's own two feet, and isn't a 1:1 carbon copy of the anime. Once I did that I started really enjoying the series.

    The dialog and script is actually quite good. The action is good. Sets, effects, music. It's all there.

    So if you can let go of expectations and just watch it for what it is, it's actually quite good. Too bad fanboy rage is casting such a shadow on the reviews. This is a well done series and it deserves praise not shade.

    I for one hope for a second season. I feel like the reviews will turn around once the kneejerk reviews die out and people see the show for what it is.    … Expand
  6. Beckian
    Dec 18, 2021
    8
    I see the reviews and i probablu i understand those conflicted by the fact they believe the anime was so much better. I've seen a few episodes as well but never finished it. Ok objectively though..it isn't bad! All the actors are doing a great job, the cinematography is really on point and brings new elements. I honestly enjoyed it and my gf (who doesnt watch this stuff much) did as well.I see the reviews and i probablu i understand those conflicted by the fact they believe the anime was so much better. I've seen a few episodes as well but never finished it. Ok objectively though..it isn't bad! All the actors are doing a great job, the cinematography is really on point and brings new elements. I honestly enjoyed it and my gf (who doesnt watch this stuff much) did as well. For example: compared to umbrella academy, I think its equal. Maybe umbrella had more engaging story but it had some really cringe/boring moments. Instead cowboy had a more steady flow where it was never bad but perhaps never super amazing either. That's why i gave it an 8. I read they're discontinued it. I was sad to hear that hence i made this account to give t a good rating because i think they should definitely make a season 2.… Expand
  7. tandex
    Dec 17, 2021
    7
    I enjoyed it. The main cast was spot on. Some of the VFX was really top level.. like the space toll booth for example. I would have liked the story to stray away from the anime a bit more... to tell different stories in the CB world. Same for the music. Let's hear some different songs instead of taking from the anime version. My only gripe was the main villian being weird... I wishI enjoyed it. The main cast was spot on. Some of the VFX was really top level.. like the space toll booth for example. I would have liked the story to stray away from the anime a bit more... to tell different stories in the CB world. Same for the music. Let's hear some different songs instead of taking from the anime version. My only gripe was the main villian being weird... I wish there was another season to flesh things out.… Expand
  8. Watson17k
    Dec 13, 2021
    9
    I just finished watching the anime for the first time after years off constantly losing interest within the first few episodes. After watching the Netflix live-action adapt, I found myself invested in this world. Jet as a father struggling to be apart of his family due to his partner setting him up, Spike, Julia, and Vicious' love triangle, Faye and her "mother", how she has been set up toI just finished watching the anime for the first time after years off constantly losing interest within the first few episodes. After watching the Netflix live-action adapt, I found myself invested in this world. Jet as a father struggling to be apart of his family due to his partner setting him up, Spike, Julia, and Vicious' love triangle, Faye and her "mother", how she has been set up to have her identity stolen. I loved it, I feel these characters have depth.

    I finally finished the anime, and I was.. unsatisfied. The Syndicate was rushed, Spike and Julia I felt no investment in because they barely even showed them together. Vicious was just an empty shell of a character. Faye's whole mysterious background just abruptly stopped, Ed had no closure. Literally this anime had no closure, and I should mention that I'm a huge weeb and have seen hundreds of anime. I understand Cowboy Bebop has it's following because it's one of the first western adapted animes, but personally I feel the Netflix Adaption is better than the anime.

    I am not happy that the anime fans have caused this series to end.    … Expand
  9. ebt0125
    Dec 10, 2021
    10
    Really a fantastic adaptation. Breaks the cycle of poor anime adaptations like a phoenix through the dragonball: evolution/death note ash cloud
  10. fir9starter
    Dec 6, 2021
    9
    Way to many negative reviews. This is a well made, fun show. I don't know the cartoon and will watch, but i really enjoyed this.
  11. paradsecar
    Dec 2, 2021
    8
    I know I'm in the minority, but I actually liked the show. I think it was released among some stiff competition, like Arcane and Wheel of Time, and that likely didn't do it any favors. Still, it was a good time, if not entirely earth-shattering. I think there is a lot of room to grow if there is a season 2, and I would hazard a guess that lessons will have been learned from the firstI know I'm in the minority, but I actually liked the show. I think it was released among some stiff competition, like Arcane and Wheel of Time, and that likely didn't do it any favors. Still, it was a good time, if not entirely earth-shattering. I think there is a lot of room to grow if there is a season 2, and I would hazard a guess that lessons will have been learned from the first season and it will be all the better for it.… Expand
  12. elchupahombre
    Dec 1, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Increasingly with the revisitation of properties long beloved by the once niche communities that held them dear, I feel as though Cowboy Bebop has fallen victim to the pretense that not only must a live-action or any reinterpretation succeed at bringing the feel and likeness of a property to a different medium, but also at the same time in a way that manages to do so in such an impossible way that it does not disturb the delicately stratified silt of people’s treasured nostalgic experiences.
    In that way many of these criticisms seem less about a consideration of how well this was interpreted, or in its own light, but set against the foreground of feeling like Christmas when you were 7, or the first time you kissed a love interest. Thus, some of these canned and utterly formulaic appraisals come off as ineffectively written to convince themselves or others like them that nothing can be new again, and that only an indistinguishable second order simulacrum will do. Indeed, Cowboy Bebop held an indelible nostalgic space in my mind that is now nearly 20 years old. Although for whatever reason I feel like that distance, and the acknowledged fuzziness of memories remembered are fuzzy and enough time as passed that I can’t help but see them for what they are, blurry and unreliable.
    To get to the actual review… I think the main characters and even some of the side characters were well regarded and work exceedingly well. I felt a sense of “cool” seeing this scenery and the environment recreated. Whereas the show felt like a bunch of shuffled set pieces that were carted in for each episode this world felt cohesive and lived in. The disaster rendering Earth nearly uninhabitable a barely audible background noise—this is how people go about living now. The main thrust of the story is three misfits, all in separate ways particular to their circumstance, unmoored from a common, centering foundation—and trying to find a new one and failing lest they let go of the past for good (ironically, this is my criticism for most of the bad reviews I’ve seen—an inability to let go of the past). And I think this version iterates that well. At the root of Cowboy Bebop is the sense of feeling, the ennui, in the closing animation. The real folk blues. I believe this go at it captures this. Much the same as my experience of the original and the time and space that inhabited for me, I cannot go back, time has passed and with it memories are torn irrevocably from their roots, and one can get trapped in a fractal kaleidoscope in taking them too seriously. The meta-narrative theme here is that you can never go home again. If you make a real effort not to do so, you might find that you enjoy this romp, and let go of your disbelief that anyone dare rummage through your toybox or disturb the dust covering it. I believe also this is why there is such a sustained hate for this new Julia. Unlike in the original where she was just a damsel in distress this one manages to do what none of the show’s other protagonists truly manage to do: move on. But true to form in communities like this, brutal confrontation with female agency doesn’t sit well for people obsessed with figuring them as empty vessels without a voice (I’m sure quite a few people are mad that Faye Valentine isn’t slopping around with barely covered double DD’s). That sense of the original is here as well if you’re willing to confront it. Even though not ideal and not what you wanted, it’s time to look for the next bounty. “See you space cowboy”. Time to move on and take what you have and make it into something new, instead of lingering over an irreconcilable past.    … Expand
  13. snorkiss
    Dec 1, 2021
    3
    Oh dear Netflix - The makers of this disappointment thought they knew better than the fans, maybe next time they'll listen to the actual people who love the original anime - 3 stars
  14. PanosT
    Nov 30, 2021
    9
    Disclaimer: I never watched the anime but I found this hugely enjoyable and I'm looking forward for the second season.
  15. jqlive
    Nov 30, 2021
    9
    If you've never seen the anime, you'll probably like this show. But if you're a fan of the anime, you may hate this show, unless you're willing to forgive the changes to the story and can get on board with the casting and visual style. Best to think of it as a remake, rather than a live-action version of the anime.
  16. coyotefromkyoto
    Nov 29, 2021
    1
    Начнёшь сравнивать сериал, и получится не столько анализ различий, сколько грустная эпитафия новой версии. Любое сюжетное и стилистическое изменение в «Бибопе» 2021-го летит мимо цели. Вместо уникальной эстетики, где соединяются «твёрдый» сай-фай а-ля Филип Дик, старые вестерны, гонконгские боевики, гангстерские триллеры, полицейские бадди-муви и куча другого «палпа», — стандартнаяНачнёшь сравнивать сериал, и получится не столько анализ различий, сколько грустная эпитафия новой версии. Любое сюжетное и стилистическое изменение в «Бибопе» 2021-го летит мимо цели. Вместо уникальной эстетики, где соединяются «твёрдый» сай-фай а-ля Филип Дик, старые вестерны, гонконгские боевики, гангстерские триллеры, полицейские бадди-муви и куча другого «палпа», — стандартная нетфликсовская пластмасса, цветастая и безжизненная цифровая картинка, совершенно не подходящая миру, застрявшему в поп-культурных образах далёкого прошлого.… Expand
  17. RowanBlack
    Nov 28, 2021
    5
    I enjoyed parts of the show. It has mostly good set and world design. The music is good not great but not as good as the original and some of the actors do a good job in the roll. However, the more I watched the more I realized the show had two masters that didn't agree with each other. The parts devoted the most to the original source material (which were better than) and the partsI enjoyed parts of the show. It has mostly good set and world design. The music is good not great but not as good as the original and some of the actors do a good job in the roll. However, the more I watched the more I realized the show had two masters that didn't agree with each other. The parts devoted the most to the original source material (which were better than) and the parts where they were leading the show in a new direction. This happens very often when adaptations are made and you end up with something that would have been better of as an original series rather than taking the name of some other source. At the end I just felt beat, every show taking a little bit more enjoyment away and leaving me unsatisfied.… Expand
  18. Lawr
    Nov 27, 2021
    0
    Bad writing, bad acting, overacting, questionable-at-best casting, bad direction, bad editing, overuse of Dutch angles, ghastly dialogue, poor and rushed usage of music, somehow takes longer runtime than the anime to say and do less, almost complete of space action, complete lack of aerial dogfights, sloppy choreography, John Cho's just too **** old and slow , the lines in his face are soBad writing, bad acting, overacting, questionable-at-best casting, bad direction, bad editing, overuse of Dutch angles, ghastly dialogue, poor and rushed usage of music, somehow takes longer runtime than the anime to say and do less, almost complete of space action, complete lack of aerial dogfights, sloppy choreography, John Cho's just too **** old and slow , the lines in his face are so obvious in close-up shots. Poor understanding of the source material, characterization, motivations and themes.… Expand
  19. echelon998
    Nov 27, 2021
    1
    Terrible. True garbage. Everyone looks like they are wearing cheap Halloween costumes. Humor is bad. I think it gave me brain damage.
  20. Koulapic
    Nov 26, 2021
    8
    I am a long and a huge fan of cowboy bebop, while the live-action does not live to the standards of the anime, it is still a refreshing view and a tribute to the anime. it has lots of enjoyable moments
  21. Paper_Kay
    Nov 26, 2021
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I cannot for the life of me understand why they changed the characters. As if the people writing and directing this never even saw the anime, they just heard it has cowboys and guns and space in it. The actors were fine, they did a good job and the camerawork is nice, with the budget they had, but to change women into thirsty botox bimbos and the villains into hysterical whiny little b*tches ... Vicius was one of the rarest characters in creation all-bad on paper, whom you still felt really sorry for. Here he's just ... cringe. And what the F is supposed to be Gren?? What is that?? Gren was one of the saddest characters of them all. But hey, at least we got 10 seconds of Ed, right?… Expand
  22. PigeonSniffer
    Nov 26, 2021
    10
    Its not spot on but i found this series absolutely amazing as well as the music. First ep was a bit cringe to start with but every episode had me wanting more
  23. agg8877
    Nov 21, 2021
    1
    Era difícil hacerlo mal y lo hicieron peor, no esperaba nada y aún así me decepcionó, le pongo esta nota porque los pocos efectos especiales fueron pasables pero como fan del anime, esto es un insulto
  24. Leloush
    Nov 25, 2021
    7
    Omg, I didn't expect anything from it, but it has true original series atmosphere, amazing sound and lots of fun mixed with cruelty.
  25. down_limit
    Nov 25, 2021
    9
    very nice actors cast. great camera works. amazing music. have no idea of reasons of a low rating. bad reference of anime source. this is a bad reason. this is an adaptation. and for adaptation the result is HUGE
  26. Kai82
    Nov 25, 2021
    3
    The best I could say is that it will made you appreciate the original show far more. Basically it is lacking the hearth, charm and soul of the original. Atop of this the characters are also far weaker versions of themselves and they made some harmful changes to them. I think the team behind this show did not understood what made the show so good and well liked or were fully convinced byThe best I could say is that it will made you appreciate the original show far more. Basically it is lacking the hearth, charm and soul of the original. Atop of this the characters are also far weaker versions of themselves and they made some harmful changes to them. I think the team behind this show did not understood what made the show so good and well liked or were fully convinced by their own ideas in a way that made them ignore all (valid) criticism. The Cowboy Bebop Anime show is a masterpiece. It is nearly universally loved, has great characters with deep backstories, style, humor, fascinating worldbuilding / lore and great writing. It is the best space western out there and I would recommend this even for people that do not like or ignore Anime shows. Back to this review. Sadly there were many warning signs. The director of the Anime Shinichiro Watanabe warned us that he is unsure if Netflix can do justice to the show, the trailer did not look convincing too and they ranted about the fans which are their main target group. If you liked the original it is hard to watch. There are some changes to the story and characters that will anger you. I must say I blame not the actors as hey are limited by the script and direction or re-imagination to be honest. For example Vicious was one of the best villains of his time. He is a smart, deadly, mysterious and puts fear into all his enemies. If he appeared you did know it gets serious and intense. Here he is ruined. Alone his look made me laugh and he is not intimidating or in the realm where I can see him as menacing villain. Lets go to Julia and I say the changes they did would made a lot of fans rage quit if shown in the first episode. You have been warned spoiler free. Spike and Faye are also more shallow and this is a shame as both actors John Cho and Daniella Pineda are really good. I even think they could work but not as these characters in a Cowboy Bebop adaption. I will praise Mustafa Shakir as Jet. He is awesome. Another point is a character that was missing in the trailers. I think it counts as spoilers so I only say this is the poster-child that not everything can be adapted into a live show. The story itself has some good moments and ideas but also many WTF moments, boring parts, angering parts and is underwhelming. Visually I like the sets and that they try to recreate some shots and moments of the show. However the costumes are annoying. I often heard the remark that they look like badly done cosplay and I see the validity even if it is not garbage. The music is fine for me but did not get as awesome as in the original. Overall I would say do not watch this show and watch the original instead. Sometimes you create something that you cant reach or recreate and the original sets the bars really high.… Expand
  27. VipernationTV
    Nov 25, 2021
    3
    I think the Cowboy Bebop live-action series is trying a bit too hard to be like the original anime series. The problems that I have are the poor writing, the design change of Faye Valentine, & the way the live-action series introduced Edward. The thing that I did like was the action scenes.
  28. SoulReaperX
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    This show is getting so much hate for not living up to the unreasonable expectations of sheltered fanboys who want it to be so much more than any show could ever live up to. Watch the anime if you like that. Otherwise this is a well made and entertaining tv show
  29. Dkat3
    Nov 24, 2021
    9
    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 they were 15yo.
  30. RonaldoDArcadia
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Apparently the worst of Cowboy Bebop are the fans. I really enjoyed the show. I'm going to watch the anime because of it.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
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