Cowboy Bebop as an RPG | Pixel Art Mock-Up

In this video, I’m exploring what Cowboy Bebop might look like as a pixel art RPG! I’ll be creating 4 unique mock-ups to feature each of the main characters, so come along as I discuss the inspirations and ideas behind each piece!
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0:00 Intro
0:38 Session 1: Spike Spiegel
5:08 Session 2: Jet Black
9:03 Session 3: Faye Valentine
12:37 Session 4: Edward & Ein
16:15 Artwork Summary
16:35 CRT Time
18:03 VID OVER
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Check out my art here:
/ brandonjamesgreer
/ bjgpixel
Shop:
rdbl.co/bjgpixel
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Software used: Adobe Photoshop (CS6)
Need help picking a pixel art program? Watch this: • What Program to use fo...
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Title sequence theme music by Failpositive:
www.failpositive.bandcamp.com/
/ failpositive
Other music featured throughout this video was obtained from the KZbin Audio Library.

[@endersquid1132]

I like the idea of an rpg where each playable character has essentially a completely different game within the same setting

[@spikespiegel21]

the game ur talking abt is sonic adventure

[@ThePerro]

@@spikespiegel21 was just about to say this, and if a Cowboy Bebop RPG were to be like Sonic Adventure, then only Spike’s story would be fun while the rest tedious

[@krisbennett8456]

Suikoden 3

[@018FLP]

Fits perfectly in the Cowboy Bebop setup, IMO, they are all 3 dimensional characters, so they would all do their own thing

[@thats4thebirds]

I think octopath is pretty close to this

[@Fandirek]

5:00 The fact that Spike has a QUIP option during the fight is just perfect.

[@SchrollShepard]

At first I thought he misspelled "equip" xD

[@joefarrow1599]

Haha that's great at first I thought he'd decided there wasn't enough space for the E from Equip

[@Tyradius]

Yes I was laughing at the idea of procedurally generated text that pops up every time you hit it. Classic Spike doesn't know when to shut up... lol

[@TonyTylerDraws]

Seeing Bebop on the crt during the intro was like a nostalgia downpour

[@toochmcgooch4678]

Incredible as usual! I'm always so floored by the limited scales and palettes in your pieces. Whenever I do my own work, I can never seem to get anything to look right on these smaller scales, I always end up going bigger and it ends up looking more like a drawing than videogame art 😔. Gotta keep practicing!

[@BJGpixel]

Thanks so much dude! And yeah that's one of the reasons I started using the exact canvas sizes of retro consoles. Like if I want something that's reminiscent of a particular console, I'll look up the resolution it was and just use that (or something close to it)! Best of luck with your art! :D

[@toochmcgooch4678]

@@BJGpixel great idea! I'll try to keep that in mind. Limiting the canvas will force me into doing what I can in that space!

[@lostboi2271]

Wow, talk about coincidences, a few hours ago my game dev fire got reignited and since then I've watched a bunch of videos on game dev but mainly focusing on pixel art to get myself back into the mindset and to further motivate myself and now out of nowhere you upload a video 😁

[@StaredownGames]

Get it! Lets go!

[@brianhughes701]

Now I wish this was real and could play it on the GBC. Awesome job!

[@creativejon3792]

Hahaha these were all so great! I could definitely see it being a great game from these designs. Great and amazing designs, love all the small details like the Spikes ship on the radar!

[@eggbasketgg]

Wow!! This looks awesome, you did an amazing job. Looking at the final artworks all put together makes me wish it was a real Cowboy Bebop game! ^^

[@DeadManRising36]

Never clicked so fast on a video before! Awesome work man!

[@MangoMakesArt]

This is really great! I love Cowboy Bebop, so this was great seeing you recreate all of the members as RPG characters! Keep up the great work! Also, someone NEEDS to make this its too good to not be made into an actual rpg-

[@Stolkmen]

What cool art. I really like it a lot. Would love to see your work in a full RPG. You have some awesome ideas about switching to a shooter at some parts and switching to recipes elsewhere. Really cool. :D

[@saultoons]

So awesome! Even though the scenes are all different, it still feels like the same game across the board! Love it

[@StaredownGames]

Your turn Saul! You got this!

[@BJGpixel]

Thanks so much buddy! Since they were all created rather independently, I wasn't sure what to expect the first time I put them together - but was pleasantly surprised with the cohesion! 😊

[@saultoons]

@@BJGpixel You killed it!!!

[@saultoons]

@@StaredownGames haha a gameboy mockup is a fun idea, we actually did a challenge for that recently, so probably make a video in the future about it potentially who knows :'D

[@StaredownGames]

@@saultoons Ill be there!

[@fmg_draws]

Your timing is once again great, Brandon. I literally just started watching the show for the first time three days ago and I’m already a fan

[@sesukun2064]

"see ya space cowboy" love that

[@dyemooch]

This was an incredibly fun one to watch! The CRT time at the end was possibly the most satisfying of them all XD

[@ARDIZsq]

I always love seeing your artwork. I’d love to see you translate more classic anime into pixel art. Maybe Evangelion?

[@Smithson52]

All I can say is "WOW!" This was absolutely spectacular to follow your thought process and progress for each character and scene. Outstanding Video as always!

[@fuse625151]

Man, your ability to make and utilize versatile palettes is so enviable! Amazing work, as usual!

[@maldivirdragonwitch]

I LOVE IT! This is amazing! So much heart in these "tiny squares"! ^_^

[@corkodrimples]

This is some fantastic work. Comes very naturally. Love it

[@ryanlovelock]

Always enjoy your uploads. Really admire your skills, consistency and the sheer effort you are putting in both your artwork and the videos, quality stuff!!!

[@Munkaa]

Love this already! Nicely DONE!

[@axelle0144]

it's come to a point where I can't live without your daily uploads. love the vids man :)

[@kahrkura]

This was a real treat to watch!

[@SubtlyStupid]

Just started watching this show and seeing this is great!

[@paude8243]

This is nuts! This is very cool! Keep it up!

[@ranska_x9965]

I love the CRT time, it make this drawing session like a TV show it's an awesome idea ! 👍 I would love to play a game like that with multiple phases, and game style.

[@Twentynyne]

I was just looking where you went, I'm glad you're back :)

[@diegomedeiros456]

When Brandon comes with this things, just make me want a real game of it! looks so good, and the idea is also really interesting

[@madderthaneggs7129]

My favourite anime beautifully realised in pixel art, honestly one of your best videos.

[@seanjones4680]

This is awesome! It was your isometric starship video that made me find cowboy bebop

[@rodw3391]

This is so cold. I love pixel art, I'll be teaching myself this soon.

[@singlesclubtv]

Incredible work as always!

[@fadedtiger3181]

i have several favorite episodes from the series. They are Stray Dog Strut, Asteroid Blues, Heavy Metal Queen, Honky Tonk Women, and Toys In The Attic.

[@Cryptozoology]

Incredible as always!

[@happinessiscereal]

Incredible work, very inspiring Brandon!

[@David0gden]

Badass work man!! Cowboy Bebop is my all-time favorite. Very happy that I subscribed to your channel.

[@gorbasnordwind2890]

Thank you for introduce me to this awesome show! :D

[@Glitchtophertm]

Man, I love your pixel art videos so much, I'd love to see your work on a game.

[@jaredjohnston1259]

Amazing work! Great execution on the characters and environments.

[@BJGpixel]

Thanks dude! 😎👍

[@RetroNomadGames]

I just simply loved this one! Great work

[@Psionetics]

I love this concept! You've inspired me to do more with pixel art

[@zatransis]

Brilliant work!

[@Rynax-]

Man, I love your work, and I can't say enough good things about CRT time! It's the best thing on KZbin!

[@isaacvallarta8806]

Amazing work bro!

[@marcosjunior9861]

I love your job! I would like to see a remake of Keastone Keepers and other Atari Classics.

[@jallomoth]

the look on my face when I saw this in my feed was manic. a video about my favorite show by one of my favorite creators 🥺

[@FrenchPotato661]

Great work!

[@subwayz_qt5]

Congrats, you outdone yourself again. Nice work

[@fanez3249]

i love this concept keep it !

[@jpaulobiem]

Man, you are amazing.

[@TimConceivable]

this is soo damn goooood!!!! i love it.

[@TheHariroks]

Your CRT time is the absolute best!

[@WillieArenasRojas]

That was pretty awesome! I don't know what your upload schedule is (I don't even know if you have one since you do it for fun), but it's a pleasure to watch your videos on Sundays after lunch here in Spain, after getting my kids down for a nap. You're a source of escapism and inspiration! Thanks!

[@unofficialSummer]

Awesome ! great work there

[@nadi6643]

"fastest clicker in the west" is what they call me as soon that i saw cowboy bebop

[@gargoylema]

Your videos are so cool. I love the art! Can't wait for the Samurai Champloo one :D

[@ohzenn]

Nice touch with the ending :’)

[@ZonedManga]

It's crazy seeing this video when i started rewatching this today.

[@actuallysanta4590]

i just realized that you used a cowboy bebop remix of happy birthday for the intro to Ed and Eins section and i think thats hilarious

[@Kuraudo_VII]

They look amazing!

[@Salem_Rabbit]

I did not knew this thing exist. I love you do much.

[@alexcrowl]

Your art is impressive but what I find most impressive is your ability to scope out and execute on a concept. Great subject material here, very cool project.

[@connorhale3842]

Whoever gave this video a dislike better take it back. Absolutely fantastic video, the amount of work you put into this is just amazing. Happily subbed and can't wait to binge your content.

[@user-dh5og9yx1x]

This is wonderful.

[@paulrippcord506]

As for having an RPG and shooter mixed together. Quite a few NES and Gameboy games mixed genres like Blaster Master, Wendy: Every Witch Way, even Super Mario Land had the platformer segments and those side scrolling shooter segments.

[@jebs6536]

Ufff....!!! A pixel art for the Game boy colour of one of my favourite animes... Fantastic!!!!!

[@gloriazhu2658]

This is so cool!

[@PotatoImaginator]

I love your Pixel Art Videos :) I wish to make pixel art as good as yours some day

[@victornoagbodji]

I don't even remember the characters names... it's been so long. But I remember that episode the computer wiz and the dog went wandering! The music and everything. Easily my favorite. Great work 😊

[@adamnapolitano432]

When you realize this video and RPG concept is better and more passionate than all of what Netflix did with their Live Action adaption. Lol

[@nl_morrison]

Almost 20 minutes!! we are eating good:)

[@code.......]

Great video!

[@nubojin]

Man! So inspiring to see how such limited palettes can do so much!

[@018FLP]

This is perfect, i would totally play this game

[@ReaperNoir]

I love this so much

[@justanotherpiccplayer3511]

Oh I started a cowboy bebop pixel art piece, I should finish it...

[@bufo2161]

YOU'RE AWESOME!!!

[@cobaltplasma]

Man I would pay fistfuls of cold, hard Wulong to get a full 8-bit or even 16-bit pixel-based Cowboy Bebop game o_O These are amazing!

[@ibitejawbreakers61]

Wow, I would do anything for this to be a real game, you're amazing

[@samgrainger1554]

Can't belive I have to live in a wotld without this game!

[@raphael9104]

Cool video !

[@i90sknd75]

Beautiful.

[@ResoluteGryphon]

I'd play that game. Wonderful artwork as always.

[@barry-allenthe-flash8396]

Since you mentioned in your Faye segment that you'd think it'd be awesome to see shoot 'em up segments in an RPG format, look up the Wayforward GBA game "Sigma Star Saga" or the old Compile game "Guardian Legend" for the NES. Both of those are schmup/ _action_ -RPG hybrids, and they're probably the closest you'll get to finding an actual RPG/schmup hybrid. Plus, I mean, you're a great pixel artist, Wayforward's old stuff always had fantastic pixel art - you'll probably appreciate it on another level versus normal gamers, just appreciating little details left and right :) Fantastic job as always. Whenever KZbin recommends one of these vids, I always find them impressive and fascinating as heck.

[@manishvasave3590]

I really like your videos ... Thanks for sharing

[@weregoat529]

So good!

[@smacdsmaccers]

this is awesome

[@LithiumThiefMusic]

Three two one, let's jam!!!!

[@eljoagames]

AMAZING

[@nommnommnomnom]

great idea

[@crashsoul02]

Man, you're awesome

[@JRTIntervencion]

Crazy talent

[@pter8875]

I know I will never actually get to play this game and that thought makes me want to cry.

[@CKTDanny]

Really insightful to hear your thinking behind the colour palette at 2:52! That's something I'm gonna try to think of more in not just pixel art, but also photography and pretty much any visual art. It makes so much sense thinking about it now! 😆 Wow that CRT time was one of the more satisfying ones, with so much content to go through. It's impressive how you did all this in just a few sessions! I've definitely been enjoying these videos with the "whatever happens, happens" mindset. Of all the scenes, I think the one with Jet Black is my favourite. You always manage to find such an aesthetic way to present information, it makes me wonder what a pixel art - styled recipe or cookbook might look like if you were to make one 🤩

[@CKTDanny]

*Also I've been hearing a lot about Cowboy Bebop, especially recently with the live action trailers floating around. There's another series on my to-watch list, as of today 😅

[@BJGpixel]

Thanks man! That's interesting, I'd also be curious about what kinds of parallels there could be between limited colour palettes (like in pixel art for instance) and colour grading in photography/videography etc. I guess that's sort of like how "filters" create different aesthetics and moods by focussing the colour information a particular way. And yeah this was quite the CRT Time to put together - actually a lot of this felt like doing 4 videos in one! Happy you like the Jet piece; it'd be awesome to follow up on the cookbook idea - that'd be such a fun presentation 😊

[@BJGpixel]

Absolutely! Such a unique blend of music, visuals, and stories - lots of great sci-fi/cyberpunk and other vibes - you'd love it! :D

[@CKTDanny]

@@BJGpixel Haha yeah the filters are what I had in mind. Come to think of it now, designing the set with the palette in mind before shooting would be more akin to what you're doing here 🤯 And that sounds like a blast! Having just seen The Mandalorian S2, this one seems like a fitting one to queue up! 😁

[@MarkoTulio]

MAn! looks awesome.

[@borolacerda]

great italic letters!!

[@daniel_rossy_explica]

It would be an awesome RPG. I would love that licenced games looked/were that good.

[@MotvnGM]

Please do Trigun! That would look amazing!

[@ufeel8686]

Oh man I wanna play this so baaaaad