Cowboy Bebop Tiger striped cat story - English version

[@eddyspiegel2336]

This scene is so heartbreaking. You know that they both know this is the last time they'll ever see each other. Instead of pleading for spike to stay jet just cooks him his favorite meal and shares one last laugh with his good friend.

[@JPproductions303]

I love how it also has beef in it coming full circle with there first scene

[@anvy1231]

Oh wow never caught that

[@islandboy9381]

I think it's important to keep in mind that while Spike goes on his suicide mission for Julia, he's also doing it so the Bebop crew doesn't get hunted down anymore by his own past, this was already shown when Spike showed a lot of concern for Jet's injured leg, usually he wouldn't be that worried about a thing like that for his partner but the fact it happened because of his past is what makes him feel guilt as well for not resolving it.

[@bamafan73191]

THIS!!! This scene is the saddest in the series for me….

[@nick3745]

Lol its close to fave meal of Bell Peppers and Beef but Spike will always complain about the NO BEEF :P. But I agree from the fan to the awkward of Jet it is painful he knew this was goodbye, Spike would never admit.

[@ElCampeador99]

And to think that that was the last time Spike and Jet ever talked again. Saddens me to this day.

[@scrimpmster]

I never even thought of it that way.

[@unseenufo]

Spike lives. It was vicious' 🌟.

[@Blackwolfninja89]

@@unseenufo Spike is gone man. He found his peace in death.

[@umjammerlammy9993]

He went off to fight so Spike and Faye could live. So long as Spike was alive, they were in danger.

[@umjammerlammy9993]

@BgBeast4 That actually brings some comfort. Thanks Bg.

[@rnoble3541]

"Is it for the girl?" Man, Jet knew what was to come

[@Natenator77]

Maybe a random relation, but kind of like in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Scott and Spike aren't doing it for the girl - they're doing it for themselves.

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

@@Natenator77 He did it for the girl. There were other reasons, including doing it for himself which of course were a major factor, but he did it for the girl. He thinks about her on the way there. Then these were the lyrics that were playing while Spike was storming the syndicate, "Even if my life ends, this love will not disappear. It's something that will live forever." See You Space Cowboy" is a song that was literally written about Spike and Julia. Moreover, Julia’s death was what pushed him to go on his suicidal rampage. When she died in his arms, the camera zoomed in on his shaking eye and you just knew it was over. And immediately after Spike kills Vicious, the camera zooms in on his eye exactly the same way. This time his eye looks peaceful and he sees Julia. Not to mention that from the moment he leaves the Bebop to the very end he was thinking of her. We were shown this repeatedly and the things he was thinking about were very romantic (i.e. when he fell in love with her at first sight, when he made love to her, the last words she said to him as she lay in his arms). She is very present through the entire sequence. The tiger-striped cat story is an allegory about Spike and Julia. Heck, even Spike's last words aside from "bang" were "Julia is dead. Let's finish this now."

[@rebeccakings754]

@@Natenator77 Yeah that's what I think too, though I feel like it was many reasons. For his closure and for the people he lost as well as the people in his present.

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

@@rebeccakings754 So Spike thinks about Julia on the way to the syndicate and the music that plays while he is thinking about Julia and then attacking the syndicate is about Julia, and he brings up Julia to Vicious by saying "Julia passed away. Let's end it all" (subtitle have the better translation), and he immediately sees Julia literally seconds after he kills Vicious and the scenes of Julia's and Vicious's death's are visually linked down to the orientation of Spike's head and the close-up of his eye but it's not about Julia? Lol, interesting take. Very logical.

[@rebeccakings754]

@@tiger-stripedcat7199 never said it wasn't about Julia, literally said "the people he lost" which includes her. Doesn't really matter who he thinks of last, you're missing the point of the show if you think this is a romance. Stop being so obsessed, it's a bad look.

[@michaelgraham9774]

Probably the most intimate, revealing conversation they ever had turned out to be their last.

[@somebunny2619]

That one and the one where Spike told Jet that Julia was a part of him.

[@anasg007]

@@somebunny2619 yeah the one where he finally opens up was defentely the most revealing

[@woolfyx]

Spike was obviously talking about himself and his life. How he was taken by Mao Yenrai to syndicate, later by Jet to Bebop crew, how he was wounded on verge of death many times but survived. After Julia death he died too like Tiger striped cat saddened by loss of his beloved.

[@JaredCarlsonseeyouspacecowboy]

You literally took the words out of my mouth. He is telling Jet the story to let Jet know more about him, and then laughs it off as a joke after as per Spike, putting up a wall to keep others out even as opening himself up. Awesome assessment, so very true.

[@MaSoisSoful]

I wouldn't call myself private, or openly private per se, but I don't often reveal or open myself to others so easily. It's just me, or I have to be willing to do so. One of my friends told me about his estranged sister and I really didn't say much about myself. I'm not cold or distrusting; I just never opened growing up. Of course, there is my best friend who I can tell anything to. Then there's this girl I made friends with years ago, and when we hung out for the first time last year, I was surprised to see how similar we were. She was, and still is, the only person I ever opened to and let into my personal life.

[@nasteypenguin]

He is talking about himself, but the white cat isn't Julia. The striped cat lived a million lives, and was never contented because he loved himself more than he did another. Spike lived as Vicious' brother, he lived as part of the syndicate, and he lived with Julia; and after each he died - he says so, he dies after Julia. Julia begged Spike to run away with him, but he chooses to stay. The white cat can't be Julia, because the striped cat did everything for the white cat to prove that he loved her more than himself, yet Spike's final decision is not for her - it's seemingly selfish. In the full story the striped cat is a stray, he's free just like Spike is as a cowboy. The white cat didn't care about the striped cat's past, just like Jet doesn't. The striped cat has a family, and the family grows up and leaves, just as Ed and Ein do. The white cat is the Bebop, and in the end he goes to kill his past to prove he's really been alive during the story.

[@markkevinpena6822]

@@nasteypenguin in the story the white cat died what does it mean?

[@trod146]

Thanks captain obvious..

[@Blackwolfninja89]

Rest in peace Tiger striped cat. You finally woke up from your dream.

[@2012jaysean]

“Bang” 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@benzohhhhh]

@@2012jaysean I watched bebop after reading CSM and this is totally unrelated, but god I hate that bi*ch more now

[@Tristaneus]

Man that reaction at the end of Jet. You understand the empathy, and how Jets knows that Spike is under deep pain.

[@superharryboy]

Was about to comment on that too. The passing his hand over his head gesture speaks a lot of what's going on in Jet's head. Very well accomplished scene in my opinion.

[@turntninja2617]

I think it was at that moment that reality set in for Jet. As soon as Spike said "She's dead." he knew he would never see him again.

[@Leisurelee53]

Instinctively with his left arm. The one he lost. That's not a movement you do consciously. It was his dominant hand, once. It's very poetic.

[@BiscuitDelivery]

They're not real, they're not real, they're not real...

[@BirdUpFR]

HE'S DEAD!

[@shovel239]

You're gonna carry that weight

[@Raidenski]

Depends on what you mean by "real"...

[@gary4014]

It doesn’t matter, you’re gonna carry that weight

[@darf3475]

They are real _to me_

[@TheMegaVessel]

Every episode, even the movie, has at least one angle where you look down at the characters through the fan.

[@TheMegaVessel]

***** :-D

[@giulio3606]

I hate you XD

[@Leevega-wy5pi]

@@giulio3606 i hate you too xD

[@rebeccakings754]

Wow I thought the same thing!

[@amiqai]

Great attention to detail.

[@timedrip9178]

the reason i love this scene so much is because in any other show or movie the main character would have gone after the bad guy instantly or something would have happened for him to be taken back to his friends. Here spike goes back to the bebop to have a good laugh with his best friend Jet one last time. When the music comes in i felt my heart drop man that shit hit home.

[@scrimpmster]

Thanks for pointing it out, I never actually even thought about it like that.

[@TheApatheticGuy]

To me, this short scene distills the essence of what makes Bebop one of the best animes of all time: a mature focus on emotional baggage and closure. I don't think I've seen much media that has come anywhere close.

[@BlainSphere]

It's damn near one of a kind.

[@raywilliams6717]

Watch Monster.

[@raywilliams6717]

@@BlainSphere again: watch Monster

[@mario167100]

You must not know much media

[@mario167100]

Geralt of Trivia You ever watch breaking bad, city of god, better call Saul (I broke my boy scene), avatar the last air bender, The Wire, Parasite, any studio ghilbi films, like there is tons of media out here. Your opinion is you opinion though.

[@jalen2024]

I just thought about something. It’s like, he says “She’s dead, there’s nothing i can do for her now” At first i thought he meant it in a way as if to say he can’t save her or do anything for her... but what if he’s saying it as almost a line of freedom. He lived for her all this time, now he can’t do what he’s about to do for her, he’s living for himself. Hence, him saying “I’m not going to die, i’m going to see if i’m really alive”

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

The story makes the opposite point. When the white female cat dies, the tiger-striped cat dies too. When Spike fights Vicious, he says "Julia passed away, let's end it all." The song that plays once Spike has left the Bebop, See You Space Cowboy, is a song about Spike and Julia. It's literally a song about how Spike will love Julia eternally, even after his own death. "Even if my life ends. This love will not disappear. It's something that will live forever." They continue to play the song throughout Spike's attack on the syndicate. Spike is also shown thinking of Julia the entire time. From the moment he leaves the Bebop until his last moment he keeps seeing her in his mind. Spike was finding resolution, and in that sense that was for himself. But he's the one that tied his life to Julia and that is made beyond clear with the story he tells.

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

Also, Spike is seeing Julia with his eye that sees his present by the end (after he has been mortally wounded). BTW, we see Spike when he is alone in the Swordfish II after he leaves to fight Vicious. *They make a point of showing us his eye. He looks dead inside so the "freedom" was a put on.*

[@galactic85]

Spike was dead long before the series even began. he just didn't know it. Think about all the crazy stunts he pulled throughout the series. He was never afraid of death. He welcomed it.

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

@@galactic85 Spike felt dead since the moment he lost his love the first time. He says he never feared death until he met her. *Spike:* Years ago, back when I was much younger, I was afraid of nothing. I had not the slightest fear of death. I was ready to die anytime. But then I met a special woman. She made me want to go on living. For the first time, I was afraid of death. A feeling I’d never had before. *Elektra:* Where is she now? *Spike:* She went away. Since Julia was no longer in his life, he was left in a dream-like purgatory where nothing felt real to him. But he at least had the hope of one day finding her. He engaged in dangerous behavior because he was numb and unattached to the unhappy life he led. At the same time, he couldn't die because he had to find Julia. Once she died, nothing was left to tie him to life.

[@SuBByflytogoodTON]

Spike and jets last laugh.

[@UEhappydudey]

+SuBBy flytogoodTON (fly2goodton) Well Jet was still alive, so probably not his last laugh.

[@an-hs7tx]

SuBBy flytogoodTON *and

[@Leevega-wy5pi]

@@UEhappydudey together at least

[@ShroomRPG]

Tis the curse of life, we grow until we cannot, living for nothing till we find something and when that thing goes we sink back into nothingness.

[@jeffnguyen8922]

Wow, that's a really profound statement. It really struck a chord with me after seeing the end of Ashita No Joe. This is the first time EVER I posted a comment on youtube!!!

[@yoekt]

i like your profile picture

[@Hokuto_Tongi]

The point is to not live for yourself. Let your ego die and you experience a real death. One that has meaning if you’re into all that sappy bullshit

[@somebunny2619]

This. In the movie, Spike even says that he didn't care if he lived or died until he met Julia.

[@brucesmith7481]

Relationships, man...

[@natkita]

Bruce Smith Yeah...

[@AVPfan360pro]

Bruce Smith ...same

[@Mr-fn3yb]

Yup...

[@Al-eo2li]

Sigh ..

[@ItsSpecialHands]

It's so sweet that spike went back to have one last moment with his equally emotionally crippled friend and they could share a laugh together. This is up there with eating the eggs in silence as one of the saddest moments

[@TheLouis6555]

This dub has DUB HATERS saying... "I don't usually watch English dubs... but when I do, it's Cowboy Bebop."

[@V.U.4six]

For me that’s Kiki’s delivery service lmaoo I do like Spike’s dub but as a whole I still felt more inclined to watch sub Maybe someday I’ll watch both anyway 🤷‍♀️

[@walterwhite4699]

For me it’s Death Note.

[@justsomeguywithabeerglass3993]

For me, it's Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood.

[@melquizedec]

TRIGUN dub also rocks

[@v-trigger6137]

I don't even understand why would anyone wants to watch Cowboy Bebop in subs. especially when there is so much western references and a vast different cultured characters in it, I mean you wouldn't expect an black character to speak Japanese right?. Lol

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

The original fable, written by *Sano Yoko* in 1977. Follow the comment trail for the whole story and link to where I got it from. ***THE CAT WHO LIVED A MILLION TIMES*** Once, there was a cat who lived for a million years. He died a million times. He lived a million times. He was truly a splendid tabby-cat. A million people loved him, and a million people cried when he died. But never once did the cat cry.

[@the-dullahan]

This is the first time Jet actually cooks Bell Peppers and Beef, Spikes favourite meal. Because a part of him wants Spike to stay, but most of him knows it's going to be his last meal.

[@geordiejones5618]

I always felt for Jet more than anyone. He tried so hard to be Spike's friend, and Spike rarely showed any appreciation. Jet cared for Spike almost like an older brother. But Spike always had his back and deep down I know he cared about Jet. He just cared about Julia more.

[@merluzacongelada5361]

It's so relatable because it happens all the time, and now that I think about it, I myself have experienced that kind of asymmetric friendship from both sides. Most people probably did too. That's part of what makes CB so great imo, the rich character stuff that is just sort of there.

[@louisaniathemagnificent8246]

I don’t think it’s that Spike cares more about Julia specifically, I think it’s just he was so blinded by his past he couldn’t properly appreciate what he already had in the present, primarily Jet who was both a friend and a father/older brother figure. Although ya that sort of relationship where one cares a great deal about the other while the other doesn’t or is unaware is too common, and I was in that relationship many times as well at both sides.

[@redemption8608]

That final laugh they shared is so unbelievably haunting.

[@KarmaLeto]

That laugh at the end just made it all hurt more.

[@deng2283]

This is a metaphor/comparison to Spike and Julia(need to know their backstory), the cat "died a million times, revived and lived a million lives he wasn't afraid of dying" and the cat was owned by various owners none he really cared for(this is referring to Spike's past as a hitman for various agencies and all the times he should have died but didnt and didn't care for his life because he didnt have a reason to) Only after he met the white cat(Julia) is when he actually cared for his life, but when the white cat died of old age(Julia shot in the back) the cat cried a million times, and eventually died and never came back, this is the foreshadowing to what Spike is about to do(Spike's referring to the fact he's about to kill Vicious but he knows he won't make it out alive himself). God i love Cowboy Bebop.

[@stjarnar]

the laughter in this scene is a representation of true friendship.

[@Anail_Mhin]

This is what I have in mind when someone said "Anime is not for children"

[@scrimpmster]

Although I'm taking care of my kid sister and going to watch BeBop with her.

[@Anail_Mhin]

There is no overwhelming gore or sexuality and some episodes are just funny so that should be fine

[@richardbranscomb1230]

Forever one of the best most deepest scenes of anime . Remember seeing this first as a kid then grew up and watched again and realized so much more this show had to offer . People come and people go . Everyone you meet affects you and sticks with you forever . Sometimes even if it’s the end of things gotta do what you gotta do and move forward .

[@alexmargol9004]

This is such an emotional part of the show

[@scrimpmster]

This and the ending of Waltz for Venus when Roko's sister touches spike and reads the expression on his face.

[@rodferro]

this scene felt out of place, I thought I understood this scene before, but only now do I truly understand how deep it is.. I was naive...

[@user-7396]

rodferro at first it was hard for me to understand what you saying but one jet said was it for the girl I knew that it was about spike

[@Brokenslipper]

Spike actually told a simplified version of Yoko Sano's Hyakumankai Ikita Neko (The Cat Who Lived a Million Times)

[@WolfStreak]

Thank you so much for sharing that. I'm interested in finding that book now

[@somebunny2619]

I really believe that story influenced how Spike and Julia were written. The tiger-striped cat only ever wanted his white female cat and denied all other female cats. He also hated kids. There were too many similarities.

[@sebastianeguiguren6300]

The laugh between goodfriends , they know it was the last one

[@ataulupinar]

The fact that this is on 240p makes it better.

[@giovannibaez1700]

What I really enjoyed most is that laughter towards the end they love each other like brothers and respect each other and with laughter they finally cut ties end a beautiful friendship. I think what really got to me the most was that laughter it sounded very painful. Because towards the end you can hear Spike like forcing himself to laugh and yet he want to treasure the last moment with Jet beautiful scene

[@aletanook]

I think Jet was forcing himself to laugh too.

[@tamillab1251]

That was rather an awkward laughter

[@3badthebad]

This is one of the many scenes that the upcoming Netflix movie will never be able to match up to

[@TheDoctorofOdoIsland]

Spike said his left eye sees the past, while his right eye sees the present. What Spike could never see was a future for himself. When Julia was going to leave the syndicate to run away with him, he had a future, but when she didn't show up at the meeting place, that future they had together slipped away. Ever since then, Spike was in a holding pattern, caught between the life with the syndicate he left behind and the life with Julia he couldn't have. He couldn't go back to the syndicate because Vicious would kill him and he couldn't be with Julia because she was gone. So he drifted, not living either of those two lives, but being dead. He never had a future aboard the Bebop, which is the saddest thing about it, despite team Bebop's efforts to eek out a living as bounty hunters they could never earn more than the minimum to survive. Laughing Bull talks about being able to see the past, present, and future conjoined. Having that unity of being able to see the past and the future at the same time is what Spike means when he talks about wanting to see if he's really alive. It was more than being grieved that a future with the woman he loved was impossible, but the realization that Spike could never have a future at all- never have a real life outside of the syndicate- that drove him to one last showdown with Vicious. That's when he's finally awake.

[@scrimpmster]

"Spike said his left eye sees the past, while his right eye sees the present. What Spike could never see was a future for himself. " - So true, I never even thought of that.

[@TheLouis6555]

Vicious disliked this.

[@doicare1169]

+Louis Cohn And Vincent.

[@blackblurable]

He took his girl and wanted her to run with him. They were brothers in arms and Julia connected them more. He wanted out and so did she. Vicious had ambition to keep going and overthrow the Heads of the Red Dragon. I bet he’d of wanted Julia and Spike to be there with him. With or without them, he’d still be hungry for that power

[@vicious6661982]

no i liked it

[@Aspir7]

In the subbed version of this episode I had as a teenager (lent to me by a friend, btw), the translation of these lines went: "Spike, is it for the woman?"...Pause..."There is nothing I can do for a dead woman". And I just love the immense impact of that version and the vast amount of things communicated by two very short lines. You have Jet bluntly referring to Julia as 'The woman' revealing some hidden resentment towards her, perhaps for taking his partner away...you have Spike mirroring Jet's bluntness in dropping the bombshell to him that she's already dead....then you get hit with Spike's inner feeling of hopelessness over her death conveyed perfectly. He's telling Jet he has nothing left to care about. Nothing left to live for....and finally, you can sense under all that his boiling inner rage for Vicious. His words imply that he's not doing this for her, but instead he's going out for revenge. Going out and never coming back. This show was utterly fantastic.

[@BinhNguyen-qm5ji]

Nick Smart he did it for himself. he admit it like heisenberg in breaking bad. Humen after all is a selfish creature

[@unseenufo]

It's ok to say you torrented the episodes. That's how us old skool millennials did it.

[@unseenufo]

@@BinhNguyen-qm5ji heisenberg did it to take the blame, both legally and emotionally. That was Walters final act of compassion.

[@BinhNguyen-qm5ji]

unseenufo i love it when we have different opinions. That is how we regconize great piece of art. For me, the message in the final episode is clear, he only felt alive when he was a drug lord and dealing with thugs. God, even his cancer came back when he stop doing the things :))

[@BinhNguyen-qm5ji]

you might come up with the fact that he let jesse live and that shows his compassion. But there is also other way to explain his final act toward jesse. He wants one person to live to tell the truth of his legacy. Hope my idea enlighted you fella

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Once, the cat belonged to a seaman. The cat really hated the sea. The seaman took the cat across all the world's seas, and all the world's bays. One day, the cat fell out of the boat. The cat could not swim. The seaman quickly caught the cat in a net and pulled him back onto the boat. But the cat was soaked through. He got sick and died. The seaman hugged the cat, who now looked like a wet rag, and cried loudly. He buried the cat beneath a tree in the park of a faraway bayside town.

[@Josephhhhh2077]

Where did you get this from

[@tyhansen448]

This fuckin scene bro…. The acceptance that spike is walking to his death. It will always hit the same

[@jtothey1993]

Jet rubbed his head with his metal arm. The arm that is dead and is part of his past. What an amazing touch.

[@blackblurable]

I even cried when Julia died, he spent so long looking for her and never knew if she betrayed him or was really gone throughout the whole thing till the end. Spike ends up finding her and she barely survived an episode. I was like, “After all this time?! He looked for her and found her and she wanted to be with him! Fuck!” And the funny thing is I like Vicious a lot too. He was a total bad ass and never used a gun. Only in a flashback moment

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

At the beginning of the series Spike is shown losing a red rose. When he finds Julia, he finds a red rose. He discovers that he had her love all along. He gets that back. The knowledge that the person he loved so passionately loves him back.

[@CarterAN-yn1ih]

there are no tears no goodbyes no hugs nothing just simple words between best friends before the end and a single laugh to send him on his way

[@blackblurable]

I guess I gotta cry a million times and then maybe I’ll be free

[@lemuellakotey9449]

You could exist a million times, but that one time you find something that gives you meaning is when you truly start to live when pursuit dies so does a part of you.

[@reece196]

This is my favourite scene, Spike and Jet having one last laugh together.

[@dungeonkeeper42]

"They say hunger is the best spice"

[@SoulSocietyMk2]

The cat accepts his death after finally having lived.

[@Blu3jay_2099]

Spike is the cat spirit reincarnated

[@VSaber365]

R.I.P. Spike We will never forget you.

[@Harryx74]

I love that big laugh they have at the end. They were really enjoying their last moment together

[@kylerhaynes6783]

i genuinely think this is my favorite scene in any work of fiction

[@tifflouz9150]

I cried so much during this scene. I understood this was the last time they ever spoke ot each other

[@astacha]

So true. Another episode which hits me hard is the ending of the "Waltz for Venus" episode when Roco's sister tells spike that she wants Roco to be the first person she sees and then when Spike shays nothing she touches his face. That action really said it all.

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

In due time, all the little kittens grew up, and went their separate ways. "They all became splendid wild cats, didn't they." the cat said with satisfaction. "Yes." the white cat said, purring softly. The white cat grown a little old. The cat purred even more softly. He wanted to live together always with the white cat.

[@MatthewTheWolf2029]

"I hate that story. I never liked cats. You know that." I'm like "Spike, you hate everything."

[@astacha]

I hate kids and pets! :-P

[@alphabladelm2011]

And women with attitude.

[@scrimpmster]

@@astacha I was about to say that 😋

[@harrison3927]

one of the only times they laughed together, and the last time they spoke. bring tears to my eyes every time.

[@spikelive]

First of all i Apologize for my english!! What really surprise, amaze me ,of this stunning Anime ,it's not that CB is the best Anime and it has best OST ever! It's how deep, wonderful ,meaningful are the comments of the fans. I love to read the comments ,in ever CB video i watch!! These are Cowboy bebop fans....Amazing!! Greetings from Italy

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

One day, the magician made a mistake, and really did saw the cat right in half. The magician held the two pieces of the cat, one dangling from each hand, and cried loudly. No one clapped or cheered. He buried the cat beneath the circus's biggest tent.

[@Josephhhhh2077]

There once was a tiger striped cat, this cat died a million deaths, revived and lived a million lives and he was owned by various people who he didn’t really care for, the cat wasn’t afraid to die. Then one day the cat became a stray cat which meant he was free, he met a white female cat and the two spent their days together happily. Well years passed and the white cat grew weak and died of old age, the tiger striped cat cried a million times and then he died too, except this time he didn’t come back to life

[@Amoeba744]

They pretty much said goodbye to each other without even having to say it.

[@christianpetti1114]

Always loved how happy jet looked

[@Leisurelee53]

The boisterous, bone deep laughter of men, hiding their pain. Projecting strength. How many laugh like this.

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Once, the cat was a thief's cat. The cat really, really hated thievery. The thief would always take the cat into towns at night, quietly sneaking like a cat down the dark alleys. The thief would only break into houses that had dogs. While the dog barked at the cat, he would go break into the safe. One day, the cat was bitten by a dog, and died. The thief hugged the cat and a stolen diamond, walking down the alleys and crying loudly. He went home and buried the cat in his small yard.

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Once, the cat belonged to a King. The cat really hated the King. The King was good at war, so the King always went to war. He always put the cat into a splendid cage and took him along. One day, a stray arrow hit the cat and he died. Right in the middle of battle, the King held the cat and cried. The King quit the war and went home to his castle. He buried the cat in the castle's garden.

[@vjm3]

After all this time...after all these amazing Anime syndications....Cowboy Bebop is still the best. I cried when I watched the last episode of Cowboy Bebop not because the show was over, but because I knew deep down there'll never be anything that measures even remotely close in quality and charm.

[@lundylow]

The only time we genuinely see Spike laugh.

[@MaceWindow1589]

This anime was pure art. I hope people watch it instead of the live action show

[@MrWii000]

The fact that this is the last time we ever see Jet is really…I don’t know…

[@KRazyMike18]

This is my favorite story..

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

One day, the cat stood in front of the white cat and turned three summersaults in a row. He said: "Once, I was a circus cat, you know." "Oh." is all the white cat would say. "You know, I've died a…" the cat started to say, then: "Do you mind if I stay with you?" he asked the white cat. "No," she said. From then on, the cat was always with the white cat.

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

There was only one cat who never looked his way. She was a beautiful white cat. The cat would go up to her and say: "I've died a million times!" "Oh." is all the white cat would say. The cat was a little angry, for you know he liked himself better than anyone else. The next day and the next, the cat would go up to the white cat and say: "You'll probably only live once, you know." "Oh." is all the white cat would say.

[@mokodo813]

It’s come full circle for Spike. He knew death was calling his name.

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

In Session 1, Laughing Bull foretells of Spike's death being brought on by a woman. Laughing Bull: Swimming bird will meet a woman. The bird will be hunted by this woman. And then death. Spike: One more time. Laughing Bull: What's that? Spike: I was killed once before by a woman. Spike is speaking of Julia. Losing her love was so painful as to be considered a form of death. He was left in a detached dream-like purgatory from that day on. In Session 26, Julia is shot in front of Spike. White doves fly by in slow motion. Horror, shock, and agony are expressed in Spike's left eye. He screams her name, drops his weapon, and runs to her. He takes her in his arms. Hears her last words, which are inaudible to the audience. Spike looks down at his lost love and then up to the sky. The camera is now focused on Spike's right eye, which is shaking in a disturbing manner. The camera zooms into Spike's pupil and everything fades to black. The next scene is of Laughing Bull predicting Spike's imminent death. Holding Julia's coat, Vicious speaks of Spike. Vicious: A beast that has lost his place. He has nowhere to return to now. He will come. Vicious is both right and wrong. Spike will come, but he does have somewhere to return to one last time. Two rose petals are shown blowing away in the wind. Spike returns to the Bebop and tells Jet a story. An allegory about his life which he uses to explain why he will never return. Spike: There once was a tiger striped cat. This cat died a million deaths, revived and lived a million lives, and he was owned by various people who he didn't really care for. The cat wasn't afraid to die. Then one day the cat became a stray cat, which meant he was free. He met a white female cat, and the two of them spent their days together happily. Well, years passed, and the white cat grew weak and died of old age. The tiger striped cat cried a million times, and then he died too. Except this time, he didn't come back to life. Jet is keenly aware that Spike's death looms in the horizon. He is wary of the tale's implications. When Spike gets up to leave, Jet asks him one last question. Jet: Is it for the girl? Spike: [beat] She's dead. There's nothing I can do for her now. This is true. Julia is dead. There is nothing Spike can do for her. This does not lessen the impact she has on the events that are about to unfold. Jet understands this. Upon hearing of Julia's death, he has a resigned if devastated reaction. He knows exactly what this means for Spike. Faye confronts Spike while holding him at gunpoint. She knows that he is marching towards his death. Faye: Where are you going? Why, are you going? You told me once, to forget the past, ‘cause it doesn’t matter, but you’re the one still tied to the past, Spike! Spike does not deny this. Instead, he explains the truth about his eyes. The camera spans from his left eye to his right eye. Spike: Look at my eyes, Faye. One of them is a fake because I lost it in an accident. Since then, I've been seeing the past in one eye and the present in the other. So, I thought I could only see patches of reality, never the whole picture. Faye: Don’t tell me things like that; you’ve never told me anything about yourself, so don’t tell me now! Spike: I felt like I was watching a dream I could never wake up from. Before I knew it, the dream was all over. This is not the first time Spike has expressed this sentiment. One of his most revelatory quotes was said in the teaser for Ballad of Fallen Angels. Spike: The music box is broken, or is it? It starts to play, and a haunting tune fills the air. I wake suddenly from my dream. There is no music box! And yet there it is. A tiny one nestled in my hand. And I awaken from my dream again. As if I were peeling an onion. It’s a dream no matter how far I go. I can never reach reality. Trapped in an endless nightmare. Spike is so affected by the loss of the woman he loves that even an item she once possessed haunts him. It is her death that has finally woken him from his detached dream-like state. Faye shares with Spike that her memory has returned. She explains that there was nowhere for her to go back to. She pleads with him to stay. Spike ignores her please and instead leaves her with these parting words. Spike: I’m not going there to die; I’m going to find out if I’m really alive. I have to do it, Faye. Faye is not comforted by this statement. The audience should not be comforted either. Spike's words eerily echo what Jet said to him in session 25. Jet: Men only think about the past right before their death, as if they were searching frantically for proof that they were alive. Faye cries and shoots off her gun. An act reminiscent of the 21-gun salute that is used in the military to honor the fallen. Spike walks away from Faye without looking back. He is never shown thinking about anyone from the Bebop again. The song "See You Space Cowboy" plays as Spike leaves the Bebop. "Everything is already over", You say with closed ears The words only flow Towards a tomorrow without peace "There's nothing that won't change" Even if my life ends This love will not disappear It's something that will live forever Even if dreams are hidden in darkness I got a rainbow Rainbow in your hands... The camera focuses on Spike's left eye. The eye that sees Spike's past. The lyrics begin as Spike is recalling romantic memories of Julia. He thinks of the first time he saw Julia and was captivated by her beauty. He thinks of a time when he made love to Julia and she cradled him in her arms. Given that Spike confided to Jet just the previous session that Julia was a part of him, the image shows a moment in Spike's life when he felt whole. Spike: She was a piece of me I had lost. She is my other half that I had longed for. The song continues to play as Spike attacks the syndicate. It is a ballad of undying love alluding to lovers being reunited in the afterlife. When Spike faces off against his hated rival, Vicious makes a proclamation. Vicious: So, you're finally awake. I told you before, Spike. I'm the only one who can kill you and set you free. Spike does not deny this. But makes a proclamation of his own. Spike: Those words apply to you as well, Vicious. During their fight, there comes a moment where the two disarm each other by swapping weapons. Vicious getting Spike's gun and Spike getting Vicious's katana. It is at this moment that Spike makes a statement of great significance to both men. Spike: Julia passed away. Let's end it all. Vicious: If that's your wish. The rivals return their weapons. Spike shoots Vicious but gets sliced across the abdomen. Vicious's death comes quickly, while Spike lingers as was foreshadowed. Vicious: Don't forget, a snake's venom poisons slowly after the bite. Spike watches Vicious's body fall to the ground, spends but a few of seconds looking at him, then looks up to the night's sky. The camera is focused on Spike's right eye. Now calm. Spike sees Julia. This is the first time in the entire series that Spike is shown seeing Julia with his right eye. In session 13, during an auditory flashback, Spike and Julia discuss his eyes. Spike: My left eye sees the past. Julia: What about your right eye? We do not hear his response. In the penultimate scene of the series, we are specifically shown what Spike sees with his eye that sees his present. He sees her. In Spike's vision, Julia is cast in a white light. She says her last words to Spike, this time they are audible to the audience. Spike is shown reflected back in Julia's eye. He glumly concurs with her. Spike is then completely engulfed by a blinding white light. The scene fades to white. This light is reminiscent of the divine light that is cast upon a soul that is ready to ascend to heaven. Julia: It's all a dream. Spike: Yeah. Just a bad dream. From white we transition to the final scene of the series. It is now day. A white light is now cast over the entire syndicate. Spike smiles, points a finger gun at the remaining syndicate goons and says "bang". This is a callback to Wen from session 6. As Wen was dying he asked Spike if he understood the relief that came with one's own death. In response, Spike threw Wen's harmonica up in the air, pretended to shoot it while saying "bang", but then said "as if". When Spike says "bang" this time he is acknowledging that he now understands that relief. Spike falls to the ground. He is never shown moving again. White doves are shown flying over Spike's body. White doves also flew by Julia when she died. The camera follows an ascension into the heavens, while the song "Blue" plays. The song's lyrics allude to a soul ascending to heaven. Free Wanna be free Gonna be free And move among the stars You know, they really aren't so far Feels so free Gotta know free Please Don't wake me from the dream It's really everything it seems I'm so free No black and white in the blue Everything is clearer now Life is just a dream, you know That's never-ending I'm ascending At the end of the credits a star goes out but never falls. In session 13, Laughing Bull informs the audience to what a falling star truly is. Child: A star just fell from the sky. Laughing Bull: That is not an ordinary star, my son. That star is the tear of a warrior. A lost soul who has finished his battles somewhere on this planet. Child: What warrior is it? Laughing Bull: A pitiful soul who could not find his way to the lofty realm. Where the great spirit awaits us all. Given that the star we are shown does not fall, it is reasonable to infer that the soul the star belonged to did make its way to the great spirit that awaits us all. That soul has broken away from the cycle of death and rebirth and is never coming back. As was foreshadowed to happen to Spike in the fable of the tiger striped cat, who followed his love into death and never returned.

[@gas4265]

incredble breakdown & analysis thank you for commenting this my love for this series just grew even more

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Once, the cat was a little girl's cat. The cat really, really hated children. The girl would make the cat ride piggy-back, or sleep holding him too tight. When the girl cried, she would wipe her tears off on the cat's back. One day, the girl made the cat ride piggy-back by tying a string around his neck. The cat died. The girl hugged the wobbly-necked cat, and cried all day. She buried the cat underneath a tree in her garden.

[@johnnytrotter2220]

I like how spike doesn’t really need to get into detail on the situation and jet understands whats about to happen it really shows how much there friendship means to each other and how much they understand each other

[@adrianhernandezmoraga9927]

Well, for firts time, USA has made the perfect cast of voices for cowboy bebop.

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

The white cat had many, many cute little kittens. The cat no longer said "You know, I've …" The cat came to like the white cat and all her little kittens more than he liked himself.

[@michaelsaxonson251]

Damn, this show is too good

[@sunwukong3108]

This time, the bell peppers and beef actually had the beef..

[@gstallion]

Jet is the man! One of my favorite scenes in the whole show.

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Every girl cat wanted to be the cat's wife. Some brought him big fish as presents. Some brought him the best mice as presents. Some brought him presents from unusual journeys. Some said he was greater than the greatest of tigers. The cat said: "I've died a million times. After so long a time, this is amusing!" The cat liked himself better than anyone else

[@IXxhpnotiqxXI]

Jet knew from that story spike wasn't coming back. Sad

[@xavierreallyplaysgames]

Jets face after spike says shes dead 😰

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

Because he knows. The white is dead. The striped cat is next.

[@devvv4616]

The laughing part and Samurai Champloo's parting ways scene is just beautiful. So much emotion expressed in so little words

[@eric_gto732]

To think that was the laugh they both had. Spike and jet were really good friends they knew each other and understood each other’s actions. Jet wanted to help spike in the end but spike made it clear that it was between him and his past.

[@emiliorivera5759]

i wish i could meet steven blum man he has a huge part of my childhood. i grew up watching cowboy bebop from staying up till 3-4 am to watch re runs to buying the series. my good fried/brother at some point brought me on this and ill never regret it!

[@mustafamuhssen8173]

I never get bored of this scene, every time I watch it I discover something new within myself

[@SisterAnarchy318]

See you, Space Cowboy...

[@bamafan73191]

This scene got me even more than the last scene of the show…..there’s no doubt in my mind that both of them know that in all likelihood this is the last time they will ever see each other….yet they share such a bond they don’t even need to address it and can sit back and share one last genuine laugh before it’s all over…..just damn. Brilliant writing and storytelling, I get choked up thinking about it.

[@ThatMadCat]

He says food is bad but he sure ate it fast.

[@islandboy9381]

Hunger is the best spice

[@mr.cifuentes1779]

The story was for the girl.

[@christianpetti1114]

I think so too.

[@rockinjoker07]

Keep dreaming, friend Spike. Cause you were *puts on shades* One Cool Cat

[@kingoftehwalrus77]

DER HE IS!

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Once, the cat was a lonely old widow's cat. The cat really, really hated the lonely old widow. Every day, the widow would hold the cat in her lap and stare out a little first-floor window. The cat would sit in the widow's lap all day, and nap. In due time, the cat grew old, and died. The decrepit old widow held the decrepit old cat, and cried all day. She buried the cat underneath the a tree in her garden.

[@audiscrazy101]

I love his laugh.

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Actually, I'll just post the whole thing, a verse at a time, in reverse, so that the first comment you see see will be the start, and you can follow the comment trail through.

[@私-c9j]

Thank you, thank you so much

[@Slashatopia2]

You are a hero!

[@BreandanConnor]

Thanks, after all these years, they are still there

[@RonaldinhoReborn]

Once, the cat was a circus magician's cat. The cat really hated the circus. Every day, the magician would put the cat into a little box, and then saw the box right in half. He would pull the balled-up cat out of the box, and the crowd would clap and cheer.

[@thegrimmretails3777]

I need to start watching this show.

[@anthonyfanchin1144]

Trying to have one last good laugh before going on his suicide mission.

[@killadj_yurpp624]

In the end, spike ended up becoming all the things he hated: friends with kids, friends with women, and a tiger stripped cat. :,-(

[@anthonyatkins5409]

I like to think that Jet already knew this was their last conversation

[@nicolasyang7457]

There's only one correct way to watch Cowboy Bebop. With English dubs.

[@georgeofhamilton]

“Ever heard the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?” “Huh?” “There once was a dark lord of the Sith. This dark lord was so powerful and so wise, he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side, he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying. He became so powerful, the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which, eventually, of course, he did. Well, years passed, and he taught his apprentice everything he knew. Then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. Ironic-he could save others from death, but not himself.” “Yeah, it’s a good story.” “I hate that story.” “I never liked Sith Lords-you know that.”