When I think of live anime adaptations, at least those made in America. But I think of how they look so awkward from the source material. Many anime changes during the customization process to make it more reasonable or less ridiculous. Or, if they need to retain elements of the original anime, it turns into something unrecognizable.
Cowboy Bebop on Netflix feels like the first live adaptation:
I saw it from an American production company. They loved the source material and went to great lengths to relive the details of the anime. There is no shame in the bebop cowboy team, just a hug from the 1998 anime.
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Take kits, for example. There is something magical about introducing the world of bebop into modern life. This isn’t the sleek chrome room from Star Wars or Star Trek; The Cowboy Bebop room is always full of junk and tech that looks like it’s from 2089 or 1989. And the design team behind Cowboy Bebop captures it in all its shattered splendour.
Cowboy Bebop makes up for his lack of authenticity with boldness and individuality.
And while there is some unreality in the world, cowboy bebop makes up for the lack of authenticity with boldness and individuality. If you can’t make anime props look reasonable and realistic, make them fun and relaxed.
While he’s often managed to do this, there were times. When the cowboy bebop wasn’t enough, and I wondered if the sudden shift. In the pandemic from COVID-19 to New Zealand might have cut production.
In one episode where the Jet has to visit his ex-wife and daughter. Which takes place in what appears to be a family sitcom, not a sci-fi show. It was out of place, cheap, and seemed like a choice forced out of necessity rather than creativity.
This high-quality balance of softness and destruction extends to the leading trio. There are times when Spike (John Cho), Jet (Mustafa Shakir) and Faye (Daniela Pineda) seem to drop out of a cosplay contest. But she saves those unreal moments, like, of course, Cho, Shakir and Pineda and their huge hero.
Shakir sounds and acts a lot like Jet Black in that it probably goes straight to the set from a 1998 storyboard. It’s scary, and when you close your eyes, it’s impossible to tell if you heard Shakir or accidentally played the anime again.
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Cho also channels Spike’s poise, even as you can’t help. But wonder if a younger crowd couldn’t have filled the role better. But it turns out that Cho’s experience adds a layer of worldly exhaustion to his cold demeanour. You can’t blame Cho for trying too hard and having an (even perverted) humour that you won’t see in the trailer.
Pineda, the focus of many conversations before the premiere. It had to silence critics with her raunchy role as Faye Valentine and immediately attract fans. It’s a fair crime if Pineda isn’t on screen, as bebop’s momentum increases instantly when added to the mix.
Cowboy Bebop on Netflix feels like a remix of the original series.
If I had to pick one critique of the series, Pineda would have to act in more scenes. But I have more than one criticism. The biggest question on Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop is whether it will be a direct adaptation of the original anime or some sequel, and it turns out the answer is not one.
In contrast, Cowboy Bebop feels more like a remix of the original series on Netflix. You’ll see plot points and storylines that are familiar. But all mixed and fused into something not entirely original but quite different.
For example, in the anime, the episode about the villain Teddy Bomber is about Spike’s new rivalry with the one another bounty hunter named Cowboy Andy. However, in the live series, episodes of Teddy Bomber focus on the weak partnership between Spike and Jet.
The main characters are still in mostly the same as you can remember. Spike is still a former Union member who gave up his criminal life to become a great bounty hunter. Jet is an ex-cop, and Faye loses her memory after waking up from cryosan.
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Outstanding original elements have been added to Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop series. But sadly that could be the worst part of the show. As promised, Spike’s backstory has developed, and his former syndicate friend Vicious and ex-girlfriend Julia got their own whole story.