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Cowboy Bebop review by Moelman
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
In the year 2071, mankind has ventured into space and started colonizing the planets in the solar system. But like the Old West, the expansion has taken place too quickly and the law cannot be enforced effectively. Since the actual police forces are unreliable, stopping crime has become the duty of bounty hunters such as Spike Spiegal and Jet Black. Aboard their ship the Bebop, they try to make a living by fighting crime and running from their pasts.
Ever since I started watching anime, this was one of the first series I got interested in. The same can be said for many people; Cowboy Bebop has quickly become one of the most popular animes on the market. Set in the year 2071, but also using elements from the 1970s, Bebop is unique in that it draws upon several different genres. To keep the somewhat random episodes together, Bebop uses elements such as excellent characters, stunning animation, and great music.
Cowboy Bebop pulls you in unlike any other anime does. While the bounty hunter idea has been used before, it has never been used quite as effectively as in Bebop. The characters alone make this anime great. From Spike's varying personas, to Jet's dual role as both a father figure and a no-nonsense guy, the characters are some of the most realistic I have ever seen in an anime. Faye Valentine is also great, using her tough-girl personality to hide her true self. The remaining main character, Ed the hacker, is the least realistic of the crew because she is a one-dimensional character. Without these strong characters the story would seem quite dull.
Another great aspect of Bebop is the animation, which may be the best I have seen in an anime. The movie-quality of the animation combined with the great visuals of the ship and the design of the characters makes the visual factor truly stunning.
The music in Bebop is excellent as well. The American Jazz style is used to perfection. The music is some of the best in anime and even could outrank popular music or Hollywood tracks. Yoko Kanno has done a truly magnificent job creating the soundtrack for Cowboy Bebop just as she did for Macross Plus. The music is the last piece that really makes this series as a whole great.
Overall, Cowboy Bebop is one of my favourite animes and is admired by many people. The many different elements included lends it universal appeal. It is a great watch filled with action and excitement and is not to be missed.
~ Moelman
