The Genius Design of Cowboy Bebop's Titles

[@LinusBoman]

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: ​skl.sh/linusboman11211

[@ethantypeshi]

Neat, I recieved a free trial! Now, I will learn about graphic design and become the next Linus Boman. You brought this on yourself.

[@LinusBoman]

Hoisted by my own sponsorship integration!

[@WJSWebster]

@@LinusBoman I beg of you, where’d you get that wallpaper from?? It’s dope!

[@Dalenthas]

I always got the impression that the "distressed" text in the Bebop intro was meant to look like a cheaply made newspaper that didn't quite use enough ink to get the text down, instead opting for just enough to be legible. Really fits with the whole "used future" aesthetic of the show.

[@PejmanMan]

It fits the concept of North American cowboy movies. Wanted posters in spaghetti westerns, specifically

[@imperialtutor8687]

@@PejmanMan that was what I always thought it meant to represent. It is after all a show about bounty hunters

[@onlinestonedogii]

Cowboy Bebop is a great example of the general Japanese trend of syncretism and genre meshing, especially relevant with "western" styles that only very recently made their presence known in the country. Free of a lot of the original context, these new ideas being adopted by Japanese creators can be taken in unexpected and interesting directions, and they often mix with specific Japanese ideas and sensibilities, creating styles both indebted to its influences and wholly unique. Something similar happened during the late 50s / 60s in the UK, where African American styles of rock music where readily accepted by British artists and immediately experimented with because of the lack of stigma related to it, in comparison to the USA where it was seen as "Black" music and not fit for either popularity or consideration. For other examples of Japanese genre mashing, I'd recommend searching out some Visual-kei and especially some Shibuya-kei music, along with some of the early Group Sound bands. For genre mashing in the Americas, nearly all Latin American and Afro American musical traditions feature incorporations of very disparate and eclectic sources, many of which continue to evolve in spectacular ways. Electronic Latin American music is a huge hotspot for the vanguard of experimentation rn, i highly recommend Elysia Crampton

[@ageisadisease]

great write up, thank you so much for the recs!!!

[@23rdFoot]

I never skip the opening titles for "Cowboy Bebop," but that is all because of "Tank." Like the visuals--LOVE the jazz.

[@joelsmith3473]

Re: the death of opening titles; one way that some shows have cleverly made their intros less skippable is to have a uniform style over all episodes, but to change details on a per episode basis. One example is Game of Thrones, that apart from having an iconic and interesting sequence in itself, telegraphed the key locations that will be covered in the upcoming episode in a way that also reminded viewers of what may have occurred in that location previous. It makes the sequence worth watching, even if it is only to glean details you will learn minutes later.

[@benfoote9945]

The Pentaverate on Netflix has good unique intros where the narrator interrupts you before you can press the skip button and makes lots of jokes. In one episode he describes the premise of Stranger Things instead to see if you were paying attention.

[@OneDollarWilliam]

What's always funny to me is when Skip Intro pops up on a 2 second title card. Clone Wars on Disney+, for example, has caught me a couple of times: I see the skip button and by the time I picked up the remote the intro is over, but I've already clicked skip, so it has to think for a few seconds so it can fast forward... to half a second in the past.

[@reuben2214]

“not distressed, slightly perturbed” excellent.

[@blythy87]

FYI - Goldfinger and From Russia With Love titles were by Robert Brownjohn - they both have a very different feel with use of projection on bodies instead of silhouettes and patterns.

[@LinusBoman]

Good catch. You're right, I shouldn't have used that particular clip - it's one of the few early bond films Binder didn't design.

[@LeoAngora]

Skipping intros is Netflix's fault. We did not do that before. Now that it is an option, openings need to be very catchy to survive. Personally, the song does most of the job. Tank! is a masterpiece. If the song is good I keep watching and singing along.

[@MukiMuki688]

Glad Yoko Kanno came back. Made a guitar cover video for the ending theme, The Real Folk Blues

[@Nac]

Wow this is everything in media I've ever liked smashed into a fifteen minute video. Well done, Linus!

[@Leo-gq1yi]

this channel always gives me what i never knew i wanted! thanks xD

[@iau]

Skip Intro rules: - You MUST watch the intro at the start of every binge session - You MUST watch the intro at the start of a new season - You MAY watch the intro in mid-season breaks or if it has changed These ensure maximum immersion 🤗

[@effyiew7318]

Depends. If the intro is short and enjoyable, I'll always watch it. For example, Trailer Park Boys. When I do my Powers of Matthew Star binge sessions though, I'll always play the intro because I love the theme song although it's a bit jarring that they changed it halfway through the first (and only season).

Perfectly stated. Though I always watch the intro for every Firefly episode. It is nice and short and I just love the song.

[@KamilHenri]

See You Spinus Bowboy

[@thisninja11]

Amazing video man. As a Motion designer and graphic designer, I always look at Cowboy Bebop’s title sequence with such awe and joy and it makes me wonder how I can apply their layouts and techniques onto my projects.

[@rade-blunner7824]

Great video, I have a couple points which aren't exactly major but I can't imagine they would've gone unmentioned had you been aware: Firstly, when it comes to a music genre setting a mood and evoking certain influences, a big influence on Cowboy Bebop is Lupin III, Spike's stylised lanky physique is modelled after Lupin (as stated by character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto) and the show, which dates from the very end of the 60s/early 70s, is _famous_ for its jazzy opening theme and soundtracks. Lupin is a thief (ostensibly decended from the French literary character Arsène Lupin, so this is a real web of influences) and the show is based around his ambitious, often comical heists, assisted by his gruff marksman friend, a stoic samurai and a femme fatale, which isn't a huge departure from the sorts of casts you'd see in spy shows, which are effectively heists, or the cast and bounty hunting antics seen in Cowboy Bebop. This second point is kinda incidental but you talk about anime openings in the 90s being cut much faster than the openings of shows from the 60s, citing Evangelion as a prime example... but Evangelion's opening is actually directly influenced by the very frenetic editing and almost subliminal text flashes seen in the opening of Gerry Anderson's UFO, dating from 1970, so unfortunately this example is a bit of an outlier working counter to your point. The characters of Gendo and Fuyutsuki are actually modelled after the characters Colonel Straker and Colonel Freeman seen in UFO.

[@jayviescas7703]

I'm a Cowboy Bebop fanatic. Watched it over and over... Couple years ago I found a complete almost mint condition series DVD set and even now I never skip the intro. Thanx for the excellent video of one of my all time favorite SciFi animes.

[@Shiradrenaline]

Excellent video, as usual! I liked that you not only covered its past but also its future (in the later shows it influenced - totally forgot that Venture Brothers really went for it like that) and bringing in Tim Beau Bennett to compare it to MI was a great idea (we got to see how the visual homage to spy series parallels the musical homage). I'm very proud to be a patron of this channel. :D

[@DLZ2000]

I've definitely downloaded more than one version of the Pablo Ferro font over the years. A lot of the time it's hard to remember he did a lot more than using that font, though, because it's so iconic. Get Smart was my favorite Nick at Nite show when I was a kid. I only just started watching both the original anime and the new show, because I was never a huge fan of anime anyway. But when I saw the look for the new show, I immediately decided to be Spike Spiegel for Halloween. Definitely love the 60s titles design and big band sound in all those shows.

[@dangerouscolors]

wake up babe new linus boman vid dropped

[@JesseNyberg]

Love Blue Note, love Cowboy Bepop and now I love your channel. Stoked to dive into some more of it!

[@griffinmccue6189]

14:09 _Archer's_ protagonist is considered a parody of James Bond himself: same jet-setting, cocktail-drinking lifestyle, same tuxedo fetish, and even the same gun: Archer uses the Walther PPK with the .32 ACP cartridge.

[@sandrafaith]

I cannot wrap my head around "the turn of the century" meaning within my lifetime. Loved Cowboy Bebop and the info in this video :)

[@geoduck5614]

Awesome video! I’ve loved this intro since I was a kid. Thanks for providing context that’s accessible for someone who knows nothing about design

[@sasalemo]

Thanks Linus for another great analysis of design for introductions to TV shows as a whole. I've always agreed with the idea that media in the many forms is limited in time to inform of the intentions/narrative to a viewer. As highlighted in your introduction, the intros to Foundation and the first season of True Detective are excellent examples. Can't wait for your breakdown of movie posters.

[@charmedx3219]

It always makes me giggle when "skip intro" come up for a 3 second title card.

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

Star Wars: Clone Wars and SW Rebels lmao

[@lyingpancake95]

I think intros could still serve a great purpose at the start of a binge session and then be skipped automatically for episodes viewed immediately afterward. It's a shame intros are neglected so much in modern media. As you said, they're important for orienting the viewer.

[@csweezey18]

Personally, I never skip intros. I think they're some of the best parts of most shows.

[@TallGreyMan]

Thank you for this very well researched, insightful video, Linus! For us designers from the third world, your videos are such a great learning resource. They also teach me how to break down designs, explain creative decisions, back up designs with historical references to my clients and collaborators. Thank you for your channel! I wish you good luck and good health for the future. Onwards!

[@mrjellyfish2]

What an interesting topic. Always love the longer videos, and appreciate the time and dedication you put into researching and editing! Love it

[@zaynelumpkin]

anyone who skips the evangelion intro is a fed

[@sir_arsen]

back at it again with a great video, linus

[@larsvanwijgerden9246]

Great quality video as always, you deserve way more subscribers.

[@missivyplatinum]

Wow, what a well-done video! I really enjoyed this. Thank you!

[@shadowrunner57]

@14:00 They started with Sealab 2021, not Frisky Dingo. Also the opening of Sealab 2021 follows the same trend of openings on Adult Swim as well

[@LinusBoman]

True! I should have mentioned it, but Frisky Dingo was original IP, Sealab was during the Spaceghost era where they were remixing old 70s cartoons with new voiceover. Cool what they did with the limited format, but kind of a weird genre to itself.

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

Great analysis. Please put Tim in the title of your vid. He deserves it.

[@jasperfk]

Incidentally, another non-skipper intro is Archer, which is a direct homage of Cowboy Bebop!

[@IanZainea1990]

I love intros and rarely skip them

[@mronewheeler]

Even when watching episodes back to back I don't skip the intro for Cowboy Bebop

[@samgunn12]

Great analysis. Well done.

[@griffinmccue6189]

12:07 Even CHILDREN'S animation was not immune from the grunge trend, with grunge being used in the titles for the cyberpunk superhero series _Batman Beyond,_ which depicts a teenaged Batman (Terry McGinnis), played by Will Friedle, in a futuristic Gotham City under the tutelage of an elderly Bruce Wayne.

[@shacharh5470]

Another great opening title (or titles really, since there are different details for every episode) is that of the British sitcom League of Gentlemen, you never want to skip that one!

[@DUDA-__-]

I normally watch the intro once and then skip it on the following episodes of my binge.

[@PhilEdwardsInc]

Got slightly distracted wondering what Billion Dollar Brain is. Awesome examples.

[@LinusBoman]

I haven't seen more than the trailer and opening, but it seems the Billion Dollar Brain is a supercomputer of the enormous room-filling, punchcard-eating variety. Something something, Soviet spies. Could be a fun watch, especially when considering the titular computer would probably have less computing power than a $5 knockoff fitbit from Alibaba.

[@TheGoodAwesomness]

My happiness is immeasurable and my day is saved

[@tehphoebus]

Thank you for all the insight!

[@Rouverius]

Thank you! I kept thinking that I've seen that style before but the closest I could get was Ken Mundie's1965 intro for Wild Wild West.

[@mightywelsh2787]

“Slightly perturbed” perfect.

[@samgrainger1554]

Me:. Watching Daredevil Netflix: "skip intro?" Me:. "No, I don't think I will"

[@sowhat6556]

came here to say it

[@Dandus_TF]

I never skip intros.

[@yaronimus1]

Yesssss!!! Gr8 video Linus!!

[@katscandance]

I find that I almost never skip intro on most animes I watch!

[@vaclav_fejt]

If the intro is really good, I never skip it - e.g. Cowboy Bebop, True Detective, Police Squad!, Doctor Who, Firefly, etc.

[@hozonov7995]

Anime still has the intro as a very important part of the series. It would be cool if recent good modern "western" series had a memorable intro instead of just hazy images/ cast/ title drop.

[@saulemaroussault6343]

I find quite a lot of series have made an effort to make a really beautiful or original intro recently. When the intro is good I never skip it, and a lot of people do that I think ?

[@gracewenzel]

Ha! Love the “Dodgy pronunciation” meter 😆

[@emilyrln]

I would watch Cowboy Bebop's into if it was a black screen just to listen to the theme. Certified bop. (Lmao)

[@tremblingcolors]

I'd love if you did a follow up on this for the Venture Brothers title sequence and the music JG Thirwell did for that show.

[@ya_boi_salami]

brilliant

[@carriefernandez8705]

I am shocked and perturbed that this video (and your channel in general) has such low views. Algorithm gods, please bless Linus with views and subs and whatever his goals are for this channel.

[@jorgehaswag7294]

I intepreted the distressed text of cowboy bebop to be remeniscent of old western wanted signs

[@BThings]

I really need to watch the last 4 episodes of the original show. For some reason, I can binge through 4 seasons of _My Hero Academia_ in about a month, but it has taken me 3 years to get through _Cowboy Bebop,_ even though I really do like it. 😖

[@evanforst7272]

It’s a heavy show to watch

[@BThings]

@@evanforst7272 It is. It's one of those shows that I watch one episode and I like it, but I don't feel compelled to watch another right away. That's okay, though. It's nice to have many different kinds of shows!

[@mayatambito]

i love your videos

[@ceicli]

Now I have to see it again! 😁

[@brianhu6277]

Boondocks intro feels like a modern twist on this!

[@brianhu6277]

Well and also classic rnb music videos

[@beatotheelder6170]

Dodgy pronunciation count +1 with Yoko “Cannow” lol, great vid

[@pingpong5877]

Shout outs to my boy Kong Ming.

[@MostlyPonies1]

10:00 I don't remember any of Rick and Morty's theme

[@FuukanaTV]

I hope the "let's jam" thing is not the reference to Glass Reflection's channel catchphrase :)

[@LinusBoman]

Not familiar with that channel - it's a Tank! reference - "Ok. 3, 2, 1, let's jam!"

[@redshiftproductions7158]

That Evangelion cutting is certainly frantic. I made a recreation of the intro for a personal project and many of those shots are less than 5 frames lone more akin to Satoshi Kon's subliminal approach to images to convey information.

[@kaitlyn__L]

5 frames in your project (which I’m guessing was at 60) or 5 frames original (24)?

[@redshiftproductions7158]

@@kaitlyn__L 5 frames in 24, if you just go through the original opening frame by frame much of the shots in the middle are only around for

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@redshiftproductions7158 thanks! Yeah, I was thinking there were some that were 3 in original frame rate, in the most rapid parts.

[@redshiftproductions7158]

@@kaitlyn__L the character portraits and most of the title cards are so fast they are nearly subliminal, there's a great video on Satoshi Kon from Every Frame a Painting that discussing the art of minimal frames for maximum effect

[@Woedenaz]

I would love another video comparing the original Bebop opening go the Live Action remake's opening. The Live Action version just feels //off// and it's difficult to place why.

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

Whether or not I skip an intro depends more on its length than anything else.

[@diamondrel5190]

Literally have never watched cowboy bebop, but you touch on so much that I'm able to enjoy it all the same, very neat

[@Zestrayswede]

Aw, no mention of Lupin III

[@tomsouzas]

Vídeo maravilhoso! Lembro a primeira vez que assisti Cowboy Bebop e fiquei fascinado por toda a estética da música (daí que veio meu fascínio por Jazz e Blues) e o estilo Western-Cyberpunk. Reassisti o anime recentemente quando foi relançado no Brasil pela Netflix e gostei mais ainda. Não fica datado, e fica melhor ainda com o tempo!

[@bilbobaggins5752]

The Cowboy Bebop theme song sounds like Conan O'Brien's theme song

[@CodiMorphett]

Do this again and I'll subscribe

[@nvrndingsmmr]

I think Evangelion and Bebop are the only two intros I've never skipped. Not even once!

[@JamesBrophy]

Odd to ascribe Venture Brothers and Archer as being influenced by Bebop when they are literally set in the super science spy thriller asthetic. If they didnt feel like they were taking from mid century american adventure / spy thrillers it's hard to imagine there would be ANY other asthetic they could use given their subject matter.

[@AJJ129]

I mean this and true detective

[@gregory0059ward]

I do NOT skip cowboy bebop’s intro when I binge watch it….just saying

[@wkmr]

I feel like Disney+ has been trying to push us into a post-binging world with their weekly Marvel/SW releases. Personally I'm 100% here for it.

[@Evocatorum]

15 minutes and the whole time I'm thinking, "When's he gonna start the countdown????" By the end, my mood had gone from annoyance to moderate irritation; it's like paying for a lapdance and then having it described to you. As someone who journeyed with Spike and the Bebop when it premiered all those years ago, it seems tragic and heartbreaking that a discussion of the intro didn't also receive at least the trumpets and countdown. Also, never, ever skip the intro.

[@sas.tronaut5055]

what a weird and gross analogy?? if you wanted the countdown so much just go watch and upload of the intro. your comment is like you walking into a bookclub and expecting a lap dance. the countdown didnt really have anything to do with the points he made

[@sas.tronaut5055]

and anyways this video wasnt a discussion of the music, yes that was a part of it but this is a channel about visual design

[@kit-shingtse1222]

The "Skip" virtual experience, is gradually affect the real-live experience of any culture. It's like a bowl of ramen, originally developed by Japanese, for Japanese, intended as a cheap, and fast way to fill the stomach, eaten with chopsticks. But once it reaches the dining tables overseas, foreigners who were not born in Japan and raised in Japanese culture, would unconsciously chose to "skip" the whole tasting experience. Focusing primarily on taste that they could recalled from their memories as 'Like", and the rest as "Dislike". So the Netflix remake is like, they hired a group of celebrity chefs of Western cuisine to develop a bowl of ramen intended to be eaten with forks and knifes. Utensils that Westerners are familiar with.

[@Saschajay]

yeah sure but no mention of the quest family and their wonderful intro songs that certainly inspired tank more...

[@sas.tronaut5055]

some people are never happy 🙄

[@mdb098]

The sound and video appear out of sync. Is it just me?

[@sty0pa]

Too bad the new Netflix one was complete ass.

[@mrturtle8579]

"Let's do a quick comparison" 2 minutes later:

[@ramm3476]

im super disappointed that this is just a video game