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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User Reviews

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  1. samichsupernova
    Nov 19, 2021
    9
    I was expecting the worst as a longtime fan of the anime, but it didn't take long for my opinion to be happily swayed. I was so ready to hate on it. But I stayed up late finishing the season, and now I'm kind of in love with this show. Sure, it takes some liberties with the source material, but it's also a lot of fun. The music is excellent. The chemistry between Spike and Jet is golden.I was expecting the worst as a longtime fan of the anime, but it didn't take long for my opinion to be happily swayed. I was so ready to hate on it. But I stayed up late finishing the season, and now I'm kind of in love with this show. Sure, it takes some liberties with the source material, but it's also a lot of fun. The music is excellent. The chemistry between Spike and Jet is golden. And the action is pretty decent. I was very pleasantly surprised.… Expand
  2. vgmkyle
    Nov 22, 2021
    8
    I don’t understand all the hate. The talent portrayed the characters well and I was entertained all throughout. Look forward to the next season.
  3. gaypony1488
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    There was no reason to do that, it's descusting like watching someone you love bieng humiliated
  4. mert_au
    Nov 21, 2021
    2
    Redeeming factors can't overcome the barrage of Joss Whedonesque humor and a truly terrible Vicious/Julia/'Fearless' arc.
  5. rosivjr
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Which Julia is this? And this ending? They just made a weak Julia, who out of nowhere goes against everything and everyone, and this Ed? just horrible this adaptation… Expand
  6. nursegollum
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    Much of the drive behind the original series was that it had a story to tell. As such the care and artistry in doing so couldn't have been replicated. But this was created for a purpose too: milking a cash cow into dust. Unlike the original this in no way exists for the purpose of telling its own story, the merits of its own art and medium, nor the intentions of its creators. There wasMuch of the drive behind the original series was that it had a story to tell. As such the care and artistry in doing so couldn't have been replicated. But this was created for a purpose too: milking a cash cow into dust. Unlike the original this in no way exists for the purpose of telling its own story, the merits of its own art and medium, nor the intentions of its creators. There was never any aim or honest willingness to improve or even add to Bebop. The only care being taken here is to force-feed the masses because there's money to be made.… Expand
  7. Yov
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    Not worth it as a fan of the original and not worth it s is own thing, the acting is not as bad as you can imagine but the script is bad and it is overall to goofy, even the amazing music is not used correctly, Netflix did it again with this live action
  8. kaenek
    Nov 19, 2021
    9
    It's different than the original, but really nice. Seems like it's getting beaten up by fanboys on both user and pro reviewers. It works, it's fun. Its tone is more streamlined than the original animated series, but Im sure the original "each episode has a different tone and theme" approach would appease to people fighting for the honor of their favorite cartoon, but not be interesting toIt's different than the original, but really nice. Seems like it's getting beaten up by fanboys on both user and pro reviewers. It works, it's fun. Its tone is more streamlined than the original animated series, but Im sure the original "each episode has a different tone and theme" approach would appease to people fighting for the honor of their favorite cartoon, but not be interesting to anyone else.

    Also, heroes smoke, hate environmentalists and make fun of fake meat. And the series is called woke, because its's on Netflix. We just can't have nice things. We're gonna get more Fast and Furious only soon.    … Expand
  9. CraigEchols
    Nov 20, 2021
    1
    This hurts. Like really hurts me.

    The original Cowboy Bebop wasn't just a show to me, it was an inspiration. Ever since I watched Spike when I was 10, I began modeling myself after him. The characters in the show were learning experiences. People who went through strife, struggle, growth, adaptation, loss, love, and self-reflection. To this day, this is my go-to anime. For any person    This hurts. Like really hurts me.

    The original Cowboy Bebop wasn't just a show to me, it was an inspiration. Ever since I watched Spike when I was 10, I began modeling myself after him. The characters in the show were learning experiences. People who went through strife, struggle, growth, adaptation, loss, love, and self-reflection. To this day, this is my go-to anime. For any person who has thoughts about getting into anime, I immediately point them to this one. I still watch it frequently. If I were trapped on an island and had to watch the anime on replay for the rest of my life, I would never get bored.

    The casting was there (kinda), the CGI was there, the music, the budget, the basis of the story...was there. Where as detractors complain the anime was too serious, this show tries to be too funny. Its cheesy, cringy, bad acting, bland character development (if at all) and too much silliness. But worst of all, it just lacks the soul of the anime.

    I wish I never watched this, but I can't unwatch it now. And I feel lesser as a person now that I have.    … Expand
  10. AlGillies
    Nov 20, 2021
    10
    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 superhero movies, this is a welcome break from that.
  11. R___B
    Nov 19, 2021
    5
    Although it is almost like a “reimagining” of the original animation, it has its twists. The music by Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts is always top tier! A lot of fun!
  12. enut_butter
    Nov 20, 2021
    0
    You already know. Don’t even waste your time, you will regret it. The show is so bad it made me hate the original.
  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. 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
  15. brandonb7
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    I was truly expecting the worst based on reviews, but both my wife (never seen the anime) and I (big fan already) really enjoyed it. Of course the pacing/storyline/character traits are going to differ from the anime, it's 30ish years old. The music and style is just like the original, and the casting was great. Really hope they do a season 2.
  16. 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
  17. gh0l
    Nov 24, 2021
    7
    As someone who grew up in the 90's when cowboy bebop was coming out I can say I've been a fan of the series since the start. I'll try to keep this brief and informative.

    First off this is an adaptation, don't expect a one for one remake of the series, that would be a waste of time anyway. They've made changes to all the characters, some great, some not so much. Spike is very much    As someone who grew up in the 90's when cowboy bebop was coming out I can say I've been a fan of the series since the start. I'll try to keep this brief and informative.

    First off this is an adaptation, don't expect a one for one remake of the series, that would be a waste of time anyway. They've made changes to all the characters, some great, some not so much.

    Spike is very much an ass especially in the beginning, he doesn't project the casual disinterest that the anime had but instead comes off more as a weary, jaded, dick. He gets slightly more likable as it continues but he never comes off as the loveable troublemaker type of character he is in the series.

    Jet is mainly the same but now has a daughter that he won't shut up about, totally unnecessary to his character but it makes for one fun scene so I won't go on about it too much.

    Faye is so much better in this series, in the anime she's mainly just a plot device who gets in over her head so the other characters have to come save her. Here she's an actual character with a much better personality and her backstory is a huge improvement over the anime . Anyone complaining about her costume is just a lonely sad pervert that only cares about objectifying women and doesn't view women as actual characters

    Vicious is absolutely terrible, they destroyed this character. He never is ever vaguely threatening or intimidating and instead is given this super generic and awful backstory that is so contrived we've seen it in dozens of other stories and done better in almost every other one. Truly disappointing how they destroyed this character. Easily the worst thing about the show.

    Julie is more of a character and isn't bad, things end in an interesting way with her story that make me interested in a season 2, but it clearly came at the expense of Vicious.

    For those complaining about Ed not being in the show, shut up, you are clearly a fake fan because
    Ed doesn't even show up until episode 9 of the anime so it shouldn't be a surprise that in the ten episode first season she's not a character.

    As for the stories they vary in quality but only one episode in the season was "bad" in my opinion. The bigger issue is how cheap the show gets. There is some terrible CG that makes you wonder why they even bothered. Fight scenes vary from pretty good to not that good. I feel if they would've gotten someone with better action chops then John Cho that it would've been much better. The fight scenes lack fluidity and speed to the point where watching it you wish they would've sped up the playback a little to make it look more exciting and fluid.

    Overall it's a decent adaptation as long as you remember that's what it is. It is not a live action remake and feels like an alt universe take on the series. The stories and characters are there, but don't go or behave the way you expect based off the anime. I still love the world and the feel of the show but hope season 2 can have better action and a bigger budget to do it properly.

    Worth a watch for sure.    … Expand
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. 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.
  21. 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!
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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.
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  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.
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  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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