The Man Behind Cowboy Bebop

A retrospective on the Anime master Shinichiro Watanabe and how Bebop made him such a notable figure.
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0:00 The Early Years
3:43 Macross Plus
14:20 Cowboy Bebop
30:07 Cowboy Bebop Movie
#cowboybebop #shinichirowatanabe #seeyouspacecowboy

[@salmanige318]

Not gonna lie that ad transition was smooth as silk

[@MiorAkif]

Thought the same, glad to see I'm not alone

[@blyrax]

lol!!!!!! i see what you mean.

[@PontoLyone]

This man is a true artist, he's influenced my life more than any other artist forsure

[@Stevem]

0:00 The Early Years 3:43 Macross Plus 14:20 Cowboy Bebop 30:07 Cowboy Bebop Movie

[@---gj3qn]

That moment when you realize that goofy song called Cats on Mars is from Bebop.

[@Stevem]

Sources EDIT: ACCORDING TO Animerica Vol. 11 ~ 2003 MACROSS II DID NOT FLOP FINANCIALLY MORE SO CRITICALLY. Lupin the Third (1971) Lupin the Third (1980) Gundam Movie III (1982) Gundam Zeta (1980) Gundam 080 Stardust Memories (1991) VOTOMS (1985) Armor Hunter Mellolink (1987) Macross (1982) Macross We remember Love (1984) Macross II (1992) Otaku no Video (1991) Macross Plus (1994) Macross Plus Movie (1995) Bladerunner (1982) Vision of Escaflowne (1997) Cowboy Bebop (1998) Cowboy Bebop The Movie (2001) Ein's vacation (2012) Thundercats (U.S. TV) (1985) Venus Wars (1989) Terror in Resonance (2014) Animatrix Behind the scenes Making of Bebop Featurettes from the Movie DVD The Cat Who Lived a Million Times The Snows of Kilimanjaro” by Ernest Hemingway This is Animation The Select: Macross Plus Movie Edition. Shogakukan, 1995 bebopattic.weebly.com/watanabe-interviewtoronto.html - general anigamers.com/posts/shinichiro-watanabe-space-dandy-otakon-2013-press-conference -general interview watanabe kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2W9Yqismt2tqLM - interview with watanabe 2013 www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2013-09-03/interview-shinichiro-wantanabe?ann-edition=uk interview 13 www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-11-07/shinichiro-watanabe-bones-original-anim daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2014/11/yoko-kanno-interview www.dailydot.com/parsec/fandom/dai-sato-anime-boston-cowboy-bebop-space-dandy/ www.easternkicks.com/features/shinichiro-watanabe-interview watanabe interview www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2013-09-03/interview-shinichiro-wantanabe?ann-edition=uk www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=774 dotandline.net/cowboy-bebop-shinichiro-watanabe-legacy-3923a6120933 www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1026 medium.com/lapsed-historian/yoko-kanno-the-greatest-composer-youve-never-heard-of-b452f64acc72 - kanno interview bebopattic.weebly.com/watanabe-interviewhouston.html bebopattic.weebly.com/production-team-interview.html Production team www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-12-12/looking-back-on-20-years-of-studio-bones/.139456 - THE STORY OF BONES STUDIO nordic.ign.com/cowboy-bebop/6878/feature/the-many-inspiration S-of-cowboy-bebop-director-shinichiro-wa interview www.productionig.com/contents/works_sp/57_/s08_/000827.html pareview.livejournal.com/22070.html www.productionig.com/contents/works_sp/47_/s08_/000617.html Kanno interview www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2013/otakon/7 bebopattic.weebly.com www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2018-10-17/interview-the-crew-of-cowboy-bebop-20-years-later/.138275 Team of 20 years kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZe9dHmll96DZ7s yoko kanno interview articles.latimes.com/2003/mar/30/entertainment/ca-solomon30 www.jazzmess.com/misc/articles.html in.ign.com/cowboy-bebop-1/115922/feature/the-many-inspirations-of-cowboy-bebop-director-shinichiro-watanabe Movie www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2003-04-04/153393/ web.archive.org/web/20151004201534/www.awn.com/animationworld/cowboy-bebop-movie-last web.archive.org/web/20030605011254/animeondvd.com/press/conventions/axny2002/axnybeboppanel.php www.jazzmess.com/misc/animeinvasion.txt- mag interview web.archive.org/web/20120918005603/www.ex.org/3.4/23-anime_bebop.html web.archive.org/web/20151004201534/www.awn.com/animationworld/cowboy-bebop-movie-last web.archive.org/web/20030605011254/animeondvd.com/press/conventions/axny2002/axnybeboppanel.php www.easternkicks.com/features/shinichiro-watanabe-interview Animatrix www.productionig.com/contents/works_sp/57_/s08_/000827.html web.archive.org/web/20130102061952/www.intothematrix.com/rl_cmp/rl_interview_watanabe.html comicbook.com/anime/2018/10/26/cowboy-bebop-staff-interview-nycc-2018/#4 Crew interview penmansship.blogspot.com/2010/11/cowboy-bebop-vs-hemingway-harry-dies.html - heminway dies etc www.overthinkingit.com/2014/12/25/overthinking-cowboy-bebop-sessions-25-26/ -thoughts on the ending www.spookhouse.net/angelynx/comics/watanabe-at-DIA.html Champloo www.fandompost.com/2012/10/02/animefest-2012-sayo-yamamoto-panel-report/ -yamamoto www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/postmodernism Cowboy Bebop 33 1/3 Further Reading www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/09/06/ryosuke-takahashi-on-directing-anime-and-how-his-works-have-defined-mecha-for-over-three-decades/#5b961b521231 www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/#396661e33a0f kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGO1qqemq7ZseKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX_KcmqaedhsZqc - Blue Note Briefing kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpO2m4CJrchlaJI - Blue Note History web.archive.org/web/20090123123853/www34.brinkster.com/worldshards/random/million.htm---- Cat story www.someanithing.com/312 - old media sales www.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2016-11/14/content_27369528.htm www.overthinkingit.com/2016/06/17/cowboy-bebop-mitra-varuna/

[@Stevem]

ALSO GHOSTLIGHTNINGS BLOG ghostlightning.wordpress.com/category/cowboy-bebop-2/

[@Stevem]

@@SlickAndroid94 It's called Jade

[@Stevem]

@@SlickAndroid94 no probs

[@TheSwartz]

You hit the point I always make. The dub was very good. Making this a very accessible show, and hence a 'gateway' into anime that I think a lot of people started down the rabbit hole.

[@pendaco]

Aah Faye.. Some of her expressions are just pure gold! Mainly the ones when she's on the radio with Ed 😂

[@griffinh21]

Just watched Bebop for the first time. Still recovering from that ending..

[@corporalkills]

Another exquisite video, and on my favorite anime too. Bebop ended perfectly, and is a complete package that says it’s bit, and takes a bow. Phenomenal

[@beegdigit9811]

Yo, your work is super under appreciated. Shinichiro Watanabes works Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop changed my life. Glad you're covering them.

[@Stevem]

Rewatching them all was a joy especially Bebop

[@duchi882]

*Anime KZbin channels* talking about Classic Anime dying or NOT dying. Great to see your perspective on it.

[@Stevem]

It's always interesting to see what people mean when they say classic anime , generally I get the impression now it's stuff that came out 20 years ago , I used to think of it as late 70s /80s stuff. Although if anythings certain Watanabe is a classic anime director

[@Gabriel-wk3hz]

I think the Bebop movie, and particularly the Vincent/Spike/Electra dynamic, works in the favor of the ending. Vincent serves as a jolt to Spike to find his place in the world, and not to let his grievances get the better of him. Electra works in the same way, but with a sympathetic angle. It's Spike's final decision to become who he is: a hero, and he does so by doing what is ostensibly a comic book superhero sort of save-the-city sorta thing (holy S's, Batman). The kind of last big hurrah before the ending.

[@kevp9601]

And I Really Love That Man Who Created CowBoy BeBop, Because That Anime was BADASS, and I Loved It a Lot!!!! :-D

[@garrettglass586]

Thanks for making this. There are plenty of videos analyzing Cowboy Bebop, but there aren’t enough covering the visionary behind it.

[@ForfatterPaaDeltid]

Stevem, I love your videos. It is great content due to your keen eye for the smallest of details. A true delight - both the visual and the audio. Keep doing what you're doing. Carry that weight.

[@ShEDDiNgmYSkiN]

Love everything he's done from Bebop to Carole and Tuesday. He's a visionary.

[@amuroray9115]

Space Dandy and Samurai Champloo

[@g83rtyk]

Absolutely fantastic :) great essay, cannot wait for the next two parts!

[@Stevem]

I'm working on it! Audio recorded

[@Joaza998]

Damn, this is only 1 of 3. Can’t wait for the next ones!!

[@Stevem]

My skillshare link as well , don't know if there's any left but hey ho worth a go skl.sh/stevem

[@Erbmon]

to this day Samuray Shamploo is still my favorite anime, what a perfect show and what a perfect ending.

[@darkcloud2442]

Macross 2 is one of my favorite movies, it hit me at the perfect age renting it from blockbuster over and over. I was living in Ohio at the time and had moved around so much that it was like comfort food.

[@mazoku6793]

Dude I love your content. You deserve more subs!!!

[@poepoe5311]

Great video as always! 👌♥️

[@emperorlelouch5696]

Nice video. I really like the way you talked about the different works of Watanabe and how he got inspiration from pop culture and other stuff

[@Stevem]

More to come , especially around champloo

[@emperorlelouch5696]

@@Stevem ayeee, Samurai Champloo is another one of my favorites

[@Stevem]

@@emperorlelouch5696 It was pretty nostalgic going back to it , it had been about 10 years

[@granthall1235]

Holy crap, I'm only 10 minutes in, but I can already tell this is going to be fucking epic.

[@spaceghostcoasttocoast4692]

Idc what anybody say.. Cowboy Bebop changed Anime forever in so many good ways.. Also along with Trigun.. Big O.. & Inuyasha.. Were my Anime's growing up during my childhood.. I had no idea what those cartoons were then one Saturday night on Adult Swim I started watching Cowboy Bebop.. This is before for the time I knew I was watching Anime.. I didn't even Understand what that was.. All I knew is that these were adult cartoons with a lot of emotions in them made from Japan. I used to call em Japanese cartoons lol.. Man I'm so glad I grew up in the early 90s

[@aleahtoria]

I love your work!!

[@kevinsuarezpale375]

I missed ya boy thanks for this!

[@Stevem]

This became such a journey of a project, but there's more to come much quicker this time, each two more Watanabe videos, another city pop video and some world war II stuff is coming too

[@igodreamer7096]

Thanks for this documentary, I really love the show! =)

[@xyanide1986]

Super underrated channel!

[@mrpicky1868]

CB is an unreachable master-piece that stays with you for the rest of your life... specially soundtrack

[@RX552VBK]

Its amazing you brought up Blade Runner 2046--when I saw the picture by time of midpoint of the 2nd act--my head raced to Macross Plus 2.

[@_NIKOS9_NIKOS]

Good to see you again mate

[@Stevem]

I'll be around a lot soon , lots of videos coming

[@ghostlightning]

Hey thanks for the shout out man. I just discovered this video. Nice channel you got here. Good work.

[@agent42q]

To the movie, I found it to be an interesting exercise that made the entries series and manga have more weight for Bebop. Given the parallels put in to say Vincent without being too heavyhanded it was interesting, especially because it was the crew getting caught up in someone else's story. It showed the idea of cycles beyond past or present but put it more to systems. In that way, the movie is a distorted mirror to the 'main' or Spike-focused episodes of the series with flares from the rest of the cast. It really worked for me and kept Bebop in my mind for far longer than if I hadn't seen it.

[@rootwes5030]

ad was so seamless I didn’t even skip out of respect

[@rjr2992]

Watanabe is a brilliant man, I love his work a lot

[@Stevem]

Me tooo yo

[@tilionturambar7934]

I dont know why this Chanel have only 27k subs. This is a good work.

[@Stevem]

Working on it, building up a channel but I'm getting there

[@Hemperorjoans]

I don't remember subbing to this channel, but I am glad I did.

[@Stevem]

Glad you're here either way

[@Hemperorjoans]

@@Stevem Can't wait for part 2, I also learned the Cowboy Bebop first aired on my birthday lol, which is funny, cause it's my all time favourite anime, even have Swordfish tattooed on my right forearm.

[@Stevem]

@@Hemperorjoans Oh wow your birthday is Bebop's birthday makes the tatoo kinda fitting

[@davidgn40]

Damn bro, you keep on producing banger after banger

[@Stevem]

cheers dude

[@robertfaux5985]

I saw this special boy while volunteering at comic con last year, I died.

[@CherryNahme]

His joint with Yoko Kanno is always pure gold. 👌🏼 Good video

[@dangerousasmilk857]

How aren’t you getting 100k views from your videos? You’re awesome dude!

[@Stevem]

I'll start promoting today I was to tired to spread it around yesterday

[@AFR1i]

amazing work. wow💫

[@dc18616]

beboop was great, remember watching it on adult swim reruns.

[@mayorjimmy]

I can't believe we haven't gotten a live-action Macross Plus. it would be PERFECT for adaptation.

[@Stevem]

The rights for Macross are all over the place unfortunately, If any mecha would work in live action I'd like to see a Macross, Plus's tone could work great

[@SaengerDruide02]

Great video. At this point I would like to plug my favorite songs which are heavily inspired by Cowboy Bebop and worth a listen by every Bebop fan. "Space Cowboy" and "Spike Spiegel" both by saib. .

[@EvgeniyNeutralMusician]

Also Yoko Kanno had made Soundtracks in early 90s. She was working with legendary KOEI company. One of her finest works was and is OST for "Uncharted Waters" - pure Masterpiece along with "Cowboy Bebop" OST. Very few in comparing now that. In the early 90s already. But yes, she was not even credited there, she wasn't famous in the world at a time. From late 90s-early 2000s I was working with Yoko Kanno in CIS, sharing her music in Russia and other CIS coutnries, I can tell you I never expected that there will be such an avalanche later on. Still feel good about that. Also it taught great lesson, that something starts from small and it can become huge. Well, it's a very long story short. Good retrospective, will watch all 3. Keep it up.

[@Stevem]

She'd made work for video games prior yes, not much for anime, although if i recall she was on Porco Rosso

[@EvgeniyNeutralMusician]

​@@Stevem She made arrangement of "Once in a While, Talk of the Old Days" for "Porco Rosso". What about earlier works, you see, those Yoko Kanno 's works of 80s-90s for KOEI brilliant games are pure, still some of her finest greatest works, true masterpieces - It was time when she was pure musical prodigy, pure young lass, when she didn't plagiarize anything yet (like with in case with "Wolf's Rain" OST, which is brilliant and also one of her best, but whole compositions are plagiarized there by Yoko-dono, like "Strangers", one of my favourites still, for example, also ED for "Cowboy Bebop", both from the same Swedish Jazz band. I can go on and on and examine and anylize 2000 of her compositions (what I already did and wrote everything down for myself), but that's enough already. Actually I'm still thinking to create a seperate special channel as tribute to Yoko Kanno, but also to share all that information with the world, because nearly no one knows it, still considering it for 10+ years. It will bring not only truth, but also disappointment for many hardcore fans, so I'm still ambivalent about it. Brace yourself, because it will bring disappointment if you love Yoko Kanno as I do. Also it was a very hard kick for me, liek a true betrayal, when I found out about it around 15 years ago. But Yoko Kanno is still musical genius (and that's why I'm not sure why she did clearly and exactly plagiarism without even mentioning those composers and bands) and one of my all favourite composers, even while I know about nearly all her plagiarism), when she wasn't commercialized yet. I perfectly remember those days and years in early nad mid 90s. I myself was leading community of Yoko Kanno in CIS on BBS, especially in and for Russia, Belorussia and Ukraine. Now with years and decades passed it transformed into huge communities in social nets and sites. Btw, RIP Lyle Mays, outstanding, extraordinaire, phenomenal pianist, pure musical genius, who heavily inspired Yoko Kanno (he was one of the main inspirations to her). I didn't expect it will strike me so hard. I only can wonder how it will be when Yoko will pass. Olga Yakovleva (Origa), my good friend, was a very heavy strike when she passed away, from which both me and Yoko didn't recover fully. Also, of course, some classical composers inspired Yoko-san heavily, you can hear it in all her music, especially early. Debussy, for example. Okay, that's enough, I guess. Sorry for all possible mistakes, english is not my native, as, I guess, you can tell. Keep up your research and gaining knowledge on the things you are interested in, best wishes.

[@schemingfox]

WATANABE MORE LIKE! REALLY GOOD AT MAKING THE ANIME'S!!

[@mechajay3358]

I sad we didn't get an Einz movie...

[@Stevem]

There's an extra on one of the Blurays but that's about it, but y'know instead we're getting a live action show instead... wooooooooooooo

[@mechajay3358]

@@Stevem I rather have the disk extra 👀

[@pendaco]

It's funny that Spike's VA Kouichi Yamadera also voices Zenigata in the later Lupin outings. Everything's connected man 😜

[@kevp9601]

I Love That Anime So Much

[@Alex-wd8en]

The movie was definitely too long but BUT it gave us the best air fight the series ever made. Maybe something about Katsuhiro Otomo next? His Akira is good but what about his Metropolis or Robot Carnival? Steam Boy or Sprrigan?

[@Stevem]

I will talk about him one day , I was thinking I may do satoshi kon first but I do have a ton to say about akiras development

[@kevp9601]

I Love You, Mister Shinichiro Watanabe! :-D

[@LogosSteve]

Well I sure need to make my video to explain more of what Bebop is actually concerned with.

[@jessenicoletta4160]

Today I learned: Ed is based on Yoko Kanno. Holy shit that's awesome

[@manicmania695]

Rest easy Nobumoto

[@NeerajLagwankar]

Amazing content man! Hats off! Edit: How much time does it take to create one video?

[@Stevem]

The writing on this one is what took most of the time I spent a month give or take watching and writing a script for a 3 part series, generally after that it's taken me 2 and half weeks to make each , basically because I have some sponsored deadline to hit

[@SparkysBarelyMusic]

And what's the real lesson? Don't leave things in the fridge.

[@Stevem]

Always a valid lesson don't leave things to feaster they can get real nasty

[@TheCoolCore]

I am not crying, no sir. Nostalgia is a myth. This is rain, it's raining outside...

[@Stevem]

It's always the rain

[@sherlocksinister5176]

Majestic...

[@DKPOWA]

Best animer ever

[@antonydrossos5719]

The first rule of Macross II is that WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT MACROSS II!!!

[@timothywiley6334]

YES

[@---gj3qn]

Yay to being able to interpret Ed as nonbinary!

[@Adibal23]

i kinda hate it when the ad transition is smooth lol

[@armorking2603]

Really I'll admit two of his animes(cowboy bebop,zankyu no terror) i underestimated it both haha because it bores me and ended up making me cry haha gosh and it shocked me that he also owned the anime zankyu no terror which i didn't know 😆

[@armorking2603]

Gosh really shocked me hard

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

He does look like he's jacked into the Matrix.

[@thescotslair]

1 Ein on Vacation movie please

[@SurAuvers]

Duno if anyone has mentioned it but Spike's design is lifted from a major character from the first episode of Lupin the 3rd Pink Jacket

[@Stevem]

There's a section on his character design in the video, Lupin part III(1985) is a bit late in the timeline as stated in the video, the three core influences would be Lupin the Third in general (especially the shoes), Yusaku Matsuda the actor and City Hunter

[@SurAuvers]

@@Stevem I saw! But the character in the episode I mentioned looks really close in hair style and the way he wears his outfit (rolled up sleeves, etc). I'd post an image I took of him but I don't think images can be linked in comments.

[@Stevem]

@@SurAuvers Imgur ? are you sure Lupin isn't just referencing Yusaku Matsuda

[@SurAuvers]

@@Stevem m.imgur.com/lhLDJYw see the dark blue suit, rolled up sleeves, popped collar with tie, and sorta Afro

[@Stevem]

@@SurAuvers seems kinda coincidental, Lupin part 3 was taking its fashion tips from Miami Vice. There's another character from Ashita no joe that wears the same colour palette as spike and gets in a shootout where he's shot in the arm just like the finale, framing similar too

[@HDAspen]

Still trips me out that Timmy Turner's Dad beat the shit out Spike on the Train

[@FalloutboyLetsPlays]

Niceeeeeee!!!!

[@Kr0n0gramm]

26:15 what’s the name of that Song?

[@EvgeniyNeutralMusician]

P.S. Yoko Kanno needed to be placed in the yellow spot, where Ein was, not in the red, you see.

[@dwainsimmons3447]

I think the side characters in the dub were amazing too.

[@callospaziale]

19:34 English isn't my first language. Can somebody tell me what he means when he says "....the curch scene, where it was recorded ly with the musicians and the big band" i don't get it

[@mookiestewart3776]

He means live not “ly”. So it was recorded like a concert would be with everyone playing at the same time :)

[@crzyboy190]

I've been thinking a lot about Faye's VAs, in both the sub and dub, and honestly, the reason why I prefer Wendee Lee is due to her slightly older tone. The femma fatale tone that most fans of Japanese version dislike is the exact same reason why I think is better. It really goes to show Faye's lost innocence and the mask of denial that she puts on. It's kinda like fraud or fake to hide how she truly Is as a person. Which to me fits with theme of show much better. I'm not really sure if in the JPN, version they were aiming for the same thing but with a more teenage girl voice.

[@Stevem]

I think the idea presented in the Japanese version is that Faye is a young women, at first glance but the closer you loook or the more you know you see how she acts and historically is a much older woman. Like that response from Jet where he says something like you can never tell a woman's age by her looks

[@orangeslash1667]

@@Stevem Fun Fact: Melissa Fahn was going play Ariel from the little mermaid but was turn down for sounding too young. The reason she was cast as Edd is because the writers loved her performance as Rinka from Digimon.

[@tiger-stripedcat7199]

Bebop Endgame Summary 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 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.

[@tonyokeloonyango]

What's the name of the track that starts at 12:22?

[@Stevem]

Myung's theme It's from Macross Plus

[@UnwantedFeather]

I want to watch this video but I have exams :(

[@Stevem]

Studying is important

[@FPChris]

Vampire Hunter D.

[@Ravewolf24]

Bebop evidently had a bigger impact in the West than in Japan at the time. But then, it's strong individual MC and episodic storytelling always did make it feel more Western to me, so not a complete surprise. It's weird how many common images and themes show up in 90's anime like Macross Plus - the giant kaiju-like, and often female, figure appearing at the end of a show, at least a brief appearance of sexual violence being referenced or threatened near the story climax, and childhood friend stuff plus a love triangle. Rinse and repeat. But at least these shows had more adult characters, non-school settings and darker themes, all things in short supply these days.

[@ry_bear]

I wish u could caption which clip is which

[@mitchhosman4229]

1:48

[@rishav4343]

9:12 pseudo hindi signboard

[@parusastringent7073]

I am not a fan of the fact that the advetisment was put during your video with a smoot transition, this doesn't give the choice to the viewers to watch it or not (which is the case if put at the beginning). Even if the transition was damn good. I understand why you put it this way though. But, the quality of the content and the fact that you put a mediagraphy, what nearly 0 youtubers do, is trully respectful towards the viewers and the creators of theses sources. Thank you !

[@Stevem]

In my mind if I get it out of the way fast I can just get on with the video for like 35 mins, though in the future depending on the video I plan to put it in half way in as an "ad break".

[@Stevem]

I always put my source if I can find them that's just good practise I hope you enjoyed the rest of the video.

[@parusastringent7073]

Oh thanks for the answer ! That is an interesting idea to put it in the middle. I understand that these ads are a necessity. A pleasure to follow you.

[@genericmachine]

Correction for 20:37, Bebop wasn't actually cancelled. Look at coverage from the week it debuted and you'll see TV Tokyo were only ever set to air 13 episodes, from the word go. The ratings were good, and there wasn't any outrage due to the content, because any violent episodes weren't aired. Just skipped through the video really, might be more to say, but then I've never seen a video on Bebop that gets all the facts straight and yours at least seems closer than most.

[@Stevem]

Citations for all that? Basically any talk of the outrage was from both the Japanese voice actor commentary on Bebop and remarks that the Original director made. There was a perception of outrage, from what they have mentioned or perhaps a rumour going on at the time. The perception of it being cancelled may not ever happened in the larger sense, but as far as I know the XX session wasn't original intended, like the series was planned to be a 26 ep not a 26 ep show with a extra random ep. A similar thing happened with champloo, its not uncommon to lose a slot and be kicked off I've never heard anywhere Bebop was only suppose to have 13 eps on TV tokyo, but maybe that's a Japanese only text. They were saying at the end of XX session is it wasn't sure if it would return or not,(they'd return one day etc) something like that.

[@genericmachine]

Right, and their recollections are pretty vague to be honest, particularly in terms of who they're talking about. There was definitely controversy at the time, but most of it was actually in defence of the show, over the perception that the it had been censored and cut back- there was talk of this even in English language forums at the time. You're right that XX wasn't part of the staff's original plans. Its 'you will see the real cowboy bebop someday' line is ambiguous but can equally be read as a nod and wink to the video releases, which were scheduled for later that year. Champloo's move was under somewhat more amicable circumstances of course, but it's fair to say Watanabe's shows didn't have the best luck with scheduling at the time...

[@Stevem]

@@genericmachine That's all pretty interesting, well do you have any links at some point i'll be taking all the parts of this series and turning them into like a full length video while adding in bits and pieces. If you have something concrete I'd be more than happy to add them in on the topic to expand upon it. From what I know their was a bit of an epidemic about cartoons in the late 90s there was some incidents in schools or something, gang violence etc which led to push against violent media

[@genericmachine]

Not sure if links get through in comments these days, but the clearest online and English-language evidence that it was always set up for 13 eps is cited on the relevant section of the main wiki page of all places! As for the moral panic/hysteria in Japan around the time, it was presumably a major factor, but I'm personally unsure that there's (only) one straightforward answer. It's also hard to judge with certainty when the corporate types don't tend to officially comment on specific motives behind their broad stroke reactions. On the whole though, I expect you can appreciate I don't mind volunteering conclusions, but original research takes a lot of time and effort.

[@Stevem]

@@genericmachine as in the wikipedia page ?and you can send links it's fine I can just allow it if it's picked up as spam, I know Watanabe had said the producers were very flippant, kept pointing at early lupin's failure saying this can't work it's too moody and pretentious

[@mr.gunzaku437]

Comparing this movie to outlaw star or vice versa is futility made manifest. They are two completely different movies with two completely different styles. One is a fun romp through the Stars to defeat a cabal of techno wizards bent on subjugating the Galaxy to their will. The cast is a more ensemble affair where they team up to accomplish their tasks. They all have their own stories, which we get to see, but there is an overall goal The other is a far more down to earth, realistic and gritty story of a band of misfits with their own backgrounds and stories. But the main character is Spike and in the end, his story is the only one that matters. The others are side dressing. Both are excellent in their own way, Outlaw Star is my favorite because it's far more fun to watch.

[@DanTheManGruen]

A world in which Cowboy Bebop flopped is a world in which I would refuse to live.

[@McCloud23892]

STEALTH 2005 movie took a few things from Macross Plus, Cowboy Bebop is so great!

[@notthedroidyourelookingfor8056]

song @32:15 ??

[@Stevem]

It's from the movie ost forgetting the name will check later

[@Stevem]

Bebops OST Disc 4 - Fingers

[@metalslum]

i prefer the dub for every anime now no matter how bad they might be because of this show

[@EvgeniyNeutralMusician]

Well, actually Wachowskis Brothers and "Matrix" were inspired by Watanabe and "Cowboy Bebop", not vice versa.

[@Stevem]

i never said it was the other way round?

[@EvgeniyNeutralMusician]

​@@Stevem Well, if I remember correctly, you kinda said it there: like it's the other way causal-investigatory bond. P.S. If not, then don't take it too close to your heart. I will not rewatch and relisten this video again at the moment. Also if not, let's think that I wrote that comment for the information. But I'm pretty sure that I couln't write such comment for no solid reason with adding "not vice versa".

[@Stevem]

if we're talking about the first seconds of the video, I'm making a joke nothing to do with his influences. More a cursory observation to his cyber punk edge. Although I know for a fact Watanabe loved the matrix, the feeling seemed mutual.

[@EvgeniyNeutralMusician]

​@@Stevem Okay. Yes, "Cowboy Bebop" is a classical (post) Cyberpunk work itself, which is very important, many people don't give enough attention to that. Ironically you will never find it in Cyberpunk genre works lists (wikipedia and similar trash like that), while it is far more Cyberpunk than even "Akira", for example ("Akira" is a Dystopia first of all, "Cowboy Bebop" is dystopia as well, but one goes first, then other, hope you understand; or pretentious trash like "ergo proxy", which is not even a Cyberpunk work, but you definately will find it in many lists made by dilettantes). Yeah, hello to Baudrillard and Kierkegaard, Wachowski Brothers used their works heavlily in "Matrix" (Simulacra and Simulation, etc.), but Watanabe used more fundamental classical works in Cowboy Bebop (Goethe, Dostoevskiy, Yamamoto...).

[@alexm5156]

I forget that Marcross doesn't meant the same for us Mexicans as it does for the rest of the world... lol

[@Bob-Fields]

TD for Skillshare

[@s4mur41RPG]

Netflix cowboy bebop ( abomination) will be a sin Even if it's amazing, it won't be anywhere Close to the original!!!!

[@Stevem]

The best we can hope is it will introduce more people to the original

[@but1z]

Jamiroquai fans?

[@Stevem]

Watanabe's got ya 😎

[@M0r7u5]

Who the FCUK watches dubbed anime?

[@mrpicky1868]

DUB WAS AWFUL !

[@bfkc111]

You have such a messy narrative style... Kind of stressful to follow.