Cowboy Bebop was one of those anime that I kept avoiding no matter how much people talked about since it just didn’t seem like it would click for me. I held strong for years until I decided to give it try since it was only 26 episodes. Not only did I become a fan but I wanted more which is why here is my little tribute to the Cowboy Bebop Franchise and all the media related to it, which is not much but there are a few original stories here and there that all fans should know about.
The anime is a bit .traditonal with a little bit of everything, It is fun little mercenary stories with a likeable cast. Faye is hot, Jet Black is awesome, Edward is unique and Spike is a good lead. I like them all, such a great cast. The previews are necessary for this show, it doesn’t take itself too seriosuly but it does when it has to. The music is amazing . The last episodes is bittersweet. This is the tale of a futuristic humanity, with a great adaptation and feels adult swim all around. It really leaves you wanting more but I can understand why the creator didn’t want to do more and ruin it.
We do have a movie that takes place between episode 22 and 23 called Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. It is better animated, has a better story than a normal episode and it is well done. It doesn’t replace the ending of the show but it gives us one more adventure. We do have a 6 minute short PV: Don’t Bother None made by the creator so, you can view it as canon I guess but it’s really just a short. And of course the live action 10 episode Netflix show that didn’t get a second season and ends on a cliffhanger.
As far as Manga goes, you have Cowboy Bebop Shooting Star which is 2 volumes and came out before the anime, it features a story that differs from the anime and takes plenty of liberties. While the 3 volume self titled manga is in line with the anime and feel like in between bounties that happen.
Now as far as video games you only have an entry on the PS1 and PS2 (1998, 2005). The Playstation game is a 3D rail shooter piloting the Swordfish,it has an original story that involves alternate universes so it’s a far more sci-fi story and action oriented, but it’s an original story that features its own set of original characters and even a Chewbacca clone. While the Playstation 2 game called Serenade of Reminiscence is more like an episode of the show and puts effort to recreate the things you’d see in it as a lost episode and its own original story. Both games have their pros and cons but feature all new original stories.
As you can see even with such a short classic anime that had a definite end, there are still a couple of side stories here and there that you can experience in this universe that don’t alter the original story and just provide a few more adventures which is all we wanted to see. Respect for this franchise knowing when to stop and not messing it up with more content even if we would love a little more cowboy bebop.