Why You Remember The Original Cowboy Bebop So Well

Cowboy Bebop is long considered one of the best anime's of the last several decades. Beloved by fans, the artistic direction, music, characters, and story bring Cowboy Bebop to a level not seen by many of its contemporaries. With the premiere of the live action Cowboy Bebop, we take a look back at where this storied Anime became a fan favorite.
#CowboyBebop #Anime #Nerdstalgic
Written by Tyler Denny
Edited by David Sadvari

[@Plutouthere]

"He might not know where he's going but he'd rather die on the way there then not go at all." That hit me harder than I thought it would.

[@jackroyaltea5034]

Same bud. It makes me think. Maybe I’m already dead. Or I’d have already packed my bags and headed “west”. Maybe I will. Maybe I’m still alive and there’s a part of me that is dying to go.

[@FringedHorizon]

Honestly Cowboy Beebop is one of the best pieces of media that has ever been created.

[@apatheticviewer234]

Boogie woogie feng shui tho...

[@FringedHorizon]

Yes, even Boogie Woogie Feng Shui.

[@cristiancastor4531]

Even the live action version??

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

And ever insulted by Hollywood and its mass media engine.

[@FringedHorizon]

@@cristiancastor4531 I just threw up in my mouth a little...

[@fierce.deity00]

It was such a product of it’s time. The theme, the style, music animation, everything. I remember seeing it air for the first time on toonami when I was a kid and while so much of it would go over my head the first time. It made every re watch when I got older much more meaningful

[@nicholaskratzert]

You mean adult swim? This was never on toonami. I remember losing sleep just so I could watch it after midnight.

[@maxman3318]

Exactly, that's the main thing cause dumb people use the phrase " ahead of it's time " but this actually was perfect for the 80's and 90's generation. If it was made in the 2010's it will not be the same.. the animation will not be the same.

[@gustavgnoettgen]

The first thing I saw was an ad in the last pages of a manga, Dragon Ball I think. I had no idea what it really was. Then I heard the Tank! theme somewhere and I knew even less. Then a friend showed me some episodes and wow... I was hooked.

[@handsomeDRAC]

@@maxman3318 made in 98 not 2010s

[@mookiestewart3776]

@@handsomeDRAC he said “if” he knows it wasn’t from the 2010’s

[@LaneyStudios5]

I would always end an episode of Cowboy Bebop feeling quite sad, and like I learned something new about myself, they absolutely nailed that nihilistic atmosphere, like we're just floating through life

[@burn1none]

it's the soundtrack at the end that got you, it's too good

[@shane5896]

The show very much centers on the idea of melancholy. Most episodes begin upbeat, but end sadly. That's why the opening theme, Tank!, is so bombastic, but the closing theme, The Real Folk Blues, is so sad. You're supposed to feel melancholic by the end of the episode.

[@joshbrown2217]

@@shane5896 Tbf this idea is probably what also makes neon gensis evangellion so good as well. They also use the same device of an incredible up beat opening song and then ending on something that will basically just make you feel depressed

[@MarcelLWalker]

I don't find COWBOY BEBOP to be nihilistic - the characters are too bouncy and care for each other too deeply for that to be my takeaway - but it definitely has moments of melancholy and sadness. When they say goodbye, there's weight to it. That's a rarity in fiction across genres.

[@Sominius]

This video is like bell peppers and beef, but it actually has the beef!

[@generalbutthole8982]

I just finished the show yesterday and I gotta say it’s the most beautiful anime I have ever seen

[@RetroFan2.0]

For a second I thought you were gonna say the live action one lol 🤮

[@generalbutthole8982]

@@RetroFan2.0 I haven’t seen it yet but after hearing how bad it was I’m def not watching it

[@BagelDrei]

@@generalbutthole8982 the soundtrack of the live action series has a few bangers and is on Spotify. Skip the show itself and go straight there

[@Mantrooo]

@@RetroFan2.0 The live action is not that bad dude

[@nickn271]

You're gonna carry that weight...

[@ReighnbowCrash]

I'm willing to die on the hill that Cowboy Bebop is the best anime of all time.

[@Brettski89]

go watch corey in the house, youll soon change your mind.

[@Th3BigBoy]

I don't agree with you, but I understand. It's a contender for sure.

[@mazerunner7640]

Honestly I’d prefer monster over cowboy bebop in terms of writing quality and characters and all around as the better story, but in terms of atmosphere I’d give it to convoy bebop

[@mookiestewart3776]

@@mazerunner7640 bebop’s ost alone puts it above monster

[@tahamohammedi5898]

@@mazerunner7640 Monster tried too hard to thrill and focused too much on the mystery and suspense, that's why i lost a lot of respect for it, the characters were good but went nowhere, there was a lot of interesting material to work with thematically and in terms of plot, but the writer took it upon himself to throw all that out the window favoring cheap cliff hangers and suspensful mysetry masturbation. It got nothing on Cowboy Bebop

[@kazuhasgloves]

The show is absolutely brilliant in it's simplicity and direction. that's why I love it along with the soundtrack. It pulls it all together.

[@deanoor9391]

I remember watching this in middle school. It's always gonna hold a special place in my life alongside Trigun, FMA, Samurai Champloo Etc. Classics can't be forgotten

[@spaceracer23]

If you haven't seen it, add Outlaw Star to your list. It's the closest thing I know to matching the feel of Bebop.

[@madhukarg8052]

Hell yeah

[@mookiestewart3776]

It’s called the golden era for a reason , you should add flcl to that list btw

[@macroxela]

​@@mookiestewart3776 I also liked those mentioned by Dean but not FLCL. It was too disorganized and without direction like Nerdstalgic said in this video about other anime.

[@kylekgh]

I've watched this anime more than once which is rare from me and it's one of the few anime I know I'll watch again and again because every time I watch it I feel like I end up loving it all over again

[@seriomarkj]

I always felt bebop can be enjoyed by anyone, the atmosphere that is thick like a blanket is universal and so good and unique

[@Scorpiofrfr]

Because the prophecy said I was gonna carry that weight. And so I did!

[@Just_Beboy]

I work 5 days a week 12 hours each day. Bad dog no biscuit starts the day, and space lion always ends the day. There is something therapeutic about the music's craft that allows me to look forward to these masterpieces.

[@mookiestewart3776]

I’m a “what planet is this” goodnight Julia kinda guy lol

[@sammy_owo_]

Awesome analytical work as always - this show's stuck with me for so long without fully knowing for what reasons it did. You pretty much wrote it out for me, those still, quieter moments really did make everything more impactful and memorable, huh?

[@banthaboss6390]

This and Akira are my favorite animes of all time. I have watched the entire series over 20 times and it got me thru both deployments. I hope it has touched other's as well as it has us. Great work as always!

[@spaceracer23]

Did you ever see Metropolis? It's from the same people that made Akria, but ten years newer with even better computer backgrounds. It's a anime retelling of the classic German film with androids taking the place of the human under dwellers.

[@scottfromoahu2896]

I'm amazed at how you were able to capture part of the brilliance of CB without spoilers. Gives me a lot to think about as I approach the new iteration.

[@tylerhackner9731]

It’s a masterpiece that’s why

[@cpeabody85]

The show was awesome, especially the sound track. It took a great show and added so much to the whole, and the end result is legendary.

[@ty_sylicus]

Cowboy Bebop is amongst the greatest experiences of my life. It is nothing short of endlessly endearing and memorable.

[@donalddavis7423]

Awesome video. Bebop and Champloo both are all time favorites. Speaking of quiet and reflective shows, you have covered Samurai Jack before, but Tartakovsky's Primal is deserving of it's own video with how it boldly has no talking at all and how it still manages to tell a damn fine story in the process. It is the real epitome of "show, don't tell".

[@davidgamboa1260]

Cowboy bebop is the best anime i have ever seen, it gave way to my favorite. Space Dandy. and it is similar in many aspects of its story, it is a breath of fresh air, it is flamboyant and bombastic, it is out of this world, but being able to stay in itself, it is the anti-isekai

[@mookiestewart3776]

Same director

[@mocha9072]

One of the things I love the most about this show is the fact that Faye, Jet, and Spike are haunted by their past in different ways while Ed and Ein are uncertain about their futures.

[@crazymonkeyni]

I truly love this anime and it is by far the best I've ever seen, to this day. I just recently watched the first episode of the live action series and must say I'm not surprised it failed to meet expectations. I feel I can appreciate it as it's own adaptation, but it does feel a little clunky. The plot didn't have the same level of emotion invested, since we didn't witness the antagonist's girlfriend grieve over the loss of what little morality existed between her and Asimov (the antagonist.)

[@Escorducarla]

I think that one of the things that the adaptation misses is intentionality. A lot of times, people just do stuff. Some actions are changed in the interested of making it a little different, but because the adaptation crew doesn't seem to understand what they're adapting AT ALL, they don't realize that no one just "does stuff" in the anime. It isn't just actions performed, it's often about who is performing it, and that speaks to why. The end of Katarina and Asimov's story is sad, and intentional. To have one of her actions stolen by another character robs that ending of its gravity and heart. They've added things to the characters in the interest of "expanding" them or "modernizing" them, but every addition is subtraction, as those additions misunderstand the characters that they've been added to, and ends up diminishing them. Each episode of the anime is so thoughtful, and the adaptation is a lumbering monstrosity in comparison. I'm not a fan of adapting old properties; I don't think I've seen a single one that has understood the love, care, and craft that made the original something so beloved.

[@feliperagonha]

For me the casting was horrible. Also... it's basically a comedy, not a drama as it should be. They talk all the time. It's sad, because it looks amazing and it could be a masterpiece

[@travis5732]

@@feliperagonha Yes, it is a soulless comedy. Like untalented people trying to mimic art.

[@milktea6676]

Because it’s a masterpiece

[@electricbluetiramisu3713]

Oh, I was just going to say because of that sweet, sweet sax. All it takes is those first few notes of Goodnight Julia to send me on an out of body experience

[@carrottopevans]

Haven’t ever seen this show either! I loved how you still made it feel nostalgic for me even though it wouldn’t normally be. Nerdstalgic’s great at bringing emotional value into these edits

[@yourwelcomeidiot9158]

You need to get on this asap lol. CB is a classic

[@NB-ir1me]

Literally in the middle of rewatching the anime when I got this notification

[@Nerdstalgic]

Ha! Pause it, check out the vid, and then go back to it!

[@laurent4819]

I appreciate how you made it feel like i was watching Beebop on my tvs in the early 2000s

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

It was an amazing story which deserves all the praise it gets. Such talent is what we should aspire to in the creative arts.

[@Raggart]

THANK YOU! This summarizes what I've been telling for years about the uniqueness of this show. The only thing missing is how the beautiful music was composed on a per-episode basis in order to create distinct worlds, one for each story told.

[@sandman2147]

Just got into the og cowboy bebop and I love it! Great vid man!

[@Nerdstalgic]

Thanks dude!

[@mbithiz]

The silence, melancholy and patience is what I was missing in the Netflix show. The Netflix show felt like an adaptation of Robert Rodriguez’ Desperado but with Cowboy Bebop clothing.

[@riverhanf490]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until I die. Total masterpiece, arguably greatest show ever

[@CloudeStrife123]

Such a great video! "Serialized & Non-Serialized" is a perfect way to describe it. And I love all the subtle digs at the remake.

[@jacktheartisan406]

It's sad that we now have to call the original Cowboy Bebop the "original" one.

[@micahmike1]

Such a great video. Thank you, truly.

[@NovaLance]

I’ve seen so many videos of this show but this one has pushed me over the edge. I’m starting it tonight lol

[@Rockleedrunkpunch]

Quite literally my favorite anime of all time Thank you for putting into words why it is so beautiful

[@johnsknows3135]

Thanks for the video!

[@trillo3332]

This show truly shaped me

[@Mattznick]

There's just something about the shows and movies that captivate themes that make you think about us as human beings or a species and the world around us that i love so much

[@weldy00]

Love the content, even the stuff I'm not familiar with, because the way you present the info feels organic and productive. That said, I would love to see some more episodes dedicated to anime! Keep up the good work!

[@TheGr8-1]

Dude this was beautifully done.

[@ddhallway4752]

It’s so good I think because for kids it’s just like a western cartoon but for older viewers it has so much character development and interesting storylines

[@All-Fur-Coat_No-Trousers]

Brilliant video man

[@elijahwilliams6967]

From the music to the theme this show was perfect

[@totenbrunk]

The editing is gorgeous by the way

[@dustincarey7226]

Excellent episode! Bebop will always have a special place in many people's hearts. After the dust has settled I'd be interested in your thoughts about the live action show and while it certainly isn't faithful, if it managed to get more people in the original (similar to the Watchmen movie getting people into reading the graphic novel).

[@benjaminwagoner347]

Cowboy Bebop is my favorite anime, but also considered to be one of the best anime of all time. Thank you for making this video Nerdstalgic!

[@sympa_is_misanthropic]

Excellent timing bruh

[@FanaticArtisan]

rewatching it for the third time lately and found myself surprised at how diverse the representation is. people of all colors, shapes, genders, etc, just living in the story like its no big deal, and each given enough respect to be a real person. beautifully done.

[@RoboticDragon]

Yeah diversity has always been there in media, but some people are upset they arent benefiting so they turned to yelling about discrimination. So now normality is gone, and blatant over the top bash you in the head sensationalizism thrives.

[@djlu3011]

I remember watching cowboy bebop on adult swim at 1:00 AM in the morning everyday. It's nostalgic just thinking about the jazz music playing and the relaxing tone of cowboy bebop. Even during the action parts.

[@alirott2271]

One of a kind. We will never see anything like it again.

[@starcrosspolaris]

you perfectly encapsulated a good portion of what the Netflix show is missing! Great video once again :)

[@sasha-taylor]

I just started the show for the first time a few days ago, already in love with it

[@NeilBlumengarten]

I am not an anime fan. I don't enjoy the tropes of anime. But I love Cowboy Bebop. You hit it on the head as to why.

[@Laurel608]

Not just my favorite Anime, one of my favorite shows, period.

[@elzambra3510]

Great as usual

[@will_da_man_]

Fuck, this show is a masterpiece, I love it so much.

[@outspaN1981]

I remember it so well because I watched it dozens of times and owned many soundtracks

[@chavez15Hogg]

Love your videos man

[@Nerdstalgic]

Thanks for the love

[@j.i4703]

Proud to be the 999th like, your content is truly insightful and inspirational in it's own right!

[@serix24]

I hace watched it 3 times from first ti last episode in different stages of my life... And It just keeps getting better everytime! I will watch it in the future AND It Will keep surprising me each time

[@jhsrt985]

Damn dude why isn't this a 20 min video or a part 1 of 5. Much love from Louisiana. Can't wait to hear your take on this

[@ryanduty4237]

I remember this show so fondly from my childhood and remember its original run on cartoon network. Easily one of the best anime ever and the episode "Heavy Metal Queen" still has a special place in my heart to this day.

[@beauloppens4100]

Cowboy Bebop reminds me of me sneaking away at family dinners at my uncle's, and watching it together with my cousin. I didnt understand a thing but it was so cool.

[@TruthC03]

Will forever be in my top 5 anime list

[@PcCAvioN]

An excellent video on an excellent series

[@auroralee3934]

I rewatched CB for the, I've lost count how many, times yesterday and I'm still blown away by the timelessness of this anime. Time to re-watch samurai champloo now.

[@travisj8110]

Cause is legendary and still legitimately enjoyable to watch till this day

[@garrettp7003]

I saw some folks mention that it is a product of it's time but that's almost reductive of what Cowboy Bebop is. I'm more of Samurai Champions fan, but Cowboy Bebop stands the test of time just like any incredible piece of art because of the care and vision that went into it's creation. It wasn't based off of a manga which wasn't that common. The music was designed for the show almost as if it was it's own character along for the ride. The show doesn't waste it's time answering every single question. Hell, even the ending is debated to this day over what "really" happened in some circles. It is a well structured story that had attention paid to every piece of it. Being a product of it's time is not the same as being a product that stands the test of time. These are similar reasons as to why I grow to love this channel more with each passing video. The care and passion that go into them is fantastic.

[@burn1none]

the whole series is a masterpiece of course but I gotta say imo the very first episode has got to be the best pilot/first episode of any show I've ever seen. it does a perfect job of setting the tone, characters and setting with a tight contained story full of laughs and tears at the end. I just put the series on again the other day while working on my PC and it hasn't aged a day I can confirm it's still brilliant.

[@brenardhenson2476]

I remember this show would be in the anime line up at like 5 in the morning on toonami, and the opening intro alone would wake me up as a kid after that i was hooked.

[@agabaire]

Simply a masterpiece Timles in its authenticity Groundbreaking

[@understood.that.reference]

I made a video about Spike Spiegel's origins. I created my channel just a month back, so it would be great if you could watch it and share your feedback. Thanks, and sorry for spamming.

[@mobilegamersunite]

Great video, im glad i came across it again! SUB! 🎉

[@supersaiyansalamence]

I think I remember it so well because I’ve watched it over 20 times by now

[@mhasify7748]

Oh shit. Need to rewatch this asap

[@nachyomoney3598]

I remember it so well, because it was so good, that I still watch the whole series about once a year.

[@NilexRacing]

Damn, I just finished watching this show yesterday for the first time ever and it was great. It's the first anime show I fully watched from start to finish, and that says a lot because I get very bored of any anime I have ever tried watching.

[@spaceracer23]

The closest thing I know to matching the tone and animation style are Trigun and Outlaw Star. If you're looking for a couple other classics.

[@NilexRacing]

@@spaceracer23 I'll look into those. I prefer older anime compared to anything that's after 2005 at the moment.

[@jackrotz2139]

Such an amazing show, one of the very first animes I ever seen along with DBZ. Yes I'm American and DBZ was basically first to network television stations. Being one of the very first was both good and bad because it opened my eyes to a whole new genre of art and animation with such an amazing story with characters but at the same time, everything that came after had much to live up to.

[@elijahwilliams6967]

This should be in everyone’s top 5

[@TC_Smitty]

Jupiter Jass Part 2 was the first episode of CB I ever saw. I wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but sussed out enough. I was hooked.

[@gangarthethief]

I well tell you why I well always remember and always be a big fan of cowboy Bebop I showed this anime to most of my family members and my good friends cowboy Bebop got me into anime by showing me how artistic now beautiful a anime can be the emotions of the characters the characters reaction and the music oh man the music its just so perfect cowboy Bebop is my top favorite anime of all times and edit I watch this anime so many times now I need to rewatch this anime again I love this anime

[@HoneyTemperSoil]

Started watching last night and man, the first episode is PERFECT television.

[@Amadeus451]

That insight that cowboy bebop holds your attention and never verges into relying merely on nostalgia or basic tropes for narrative purposes is something I hadn't attributed to the show before. Nice

[@ThatOtherRaccoon]

I’ve watched both Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo about 5 times. I never get tired of them.

[@jensvelthuijsen9061]

sick ending mate!

[@Ray-tw2ys]

Someone should have shown this video to the live action directors and producers

[@justinhunt4767]

Classic masterpiece

[@Bobbytheman98]

This is why the live action won’t ever be as good but it doesn’t need to be because it ever will. And that’s okay.

[@RageUnchained]

Yup, this is true

[@zoidsfan12]

Watanabe will always be close to my heart in how he made his shows. Even samurai champloo which tends to go for a much more fun tone still is real as hell with how it treats it's emotional arcs. Honestly that's what makes these shows hard to watch all in one sitting. I walk away having learned some deep shit about life that I hadn't pondered before. As I've gotten older spike has resonated with me more and more. That idea of one foot in the past and one in the present, of wanting to move on but your past coming back to bite you, yet also trying to just do your own thing in all that. With how spike just does Bruce Lee martial arts in his free time, it feels like he has kind of accepted where things are going and is just trying to enjoy the time he has got, enjoy the cute little moments of life that make him feel something again. I get that.

[@jakekoontz4445]

Cowboy bepob is a show that ever episode is good on its own but as a whole it is a masterpiece. Every episode is fantastic and even though I've seen every episode 10 times or more I can rewatch every episode and still not gets boring

[@denji5368]

Only few episodes are good lol Most episodes can't even get to the level of episode 1 and 5.

[@SyniStar616]

Seeing that big, goofy message written on the deck of the Bebop hits me so hard. Bebop was such a masterpiece, and so deeply impactful to me, I can just see stills of certain scenes and instantly have that whole episode or the entire context around the still flash through my mind. The end card was right, "You're gonna carry that weight."

[@zaphron_dex4246]

because it's so well made, can't argue with that?

[@l33g3ndar33]

So glad to have discovered Bebop back in the early-to-mid 2000s. I was hooked from the first episode and knew it was something special. I love how it's influenced by Eastern and Western cultures. It is one of my all-time favorites and I always come back to rewatch an episode or two, sometimes more every so often. It still holds up today and I hope my son will come to enjoy it once he's old enough to watch. I'll stop gushing now 😆 See you Space Cowboys...

[@ArtamisBot]

I liked the episode with Ed and the satellite that just wanted to draw on the planet. I liked the way the twist was helped by Ed's character type.

[@ameliawarfield5637]

A treasure from Toonami. I'm impressed with this informative video.

[@ubermalice9589]

Bebop and Champloo are absolutely precious to me, right up there with Evangelion and Akira. So far though I'm the only person I'm aware of who not only didn't have a problem with live action Bebop but actually enjoyed it. Sure, I don't hold it in the same regard as the original. Who could? But it goes back to the willingness to take risks. I'm also a big fan on FLCL.

[@TheDJEAR]

I remember it so well cause I watched it a million times and it's literally online, I can watch it right now...

[@harsyakiarraathallah2222]

What i Learn from Cowboy Bebop, that i Never Realize from Star Wars is... That it's not about Originality that Matters for Art, but about How to gave are Own take on are own Creation.