Cowboy Bebop

[Inkthinker]

Just watched the final episode of the series on Cartoon Network... I'd forgotten exactly why this is my absolute favorite anime series. Now I remember...

This, by the way, is a ***SPOILERS*** conversation. If for some reason you're just now getting into the series, or you enjoy it but somehow haven't seen the final episodes, I highly recommend you watch the ending before reading further. It's good stuff, I'd hate to spoil it for you.







...






ANYhow, back to the subject at hand. Normally I don't like main characters to die in a series I've spent a long time watching (and Spike could arguably be called THE main character of the show). It irritates me, since I prefer happy endings in my escapist entertainment (I get plenty of real, not-happy endings in the real world. When I'm being entertained, I'll thank you not to spoil it all for me by pointing out the impermanance and fragility of life).

But for once, this didn't bother me. I felt that Spike lived his life exactly the way he wanted to, and died in a way that he felt satisfied with. And I really dig that, I respect that in a character.

I like it the idea that you need to be true to yourself, you need be content to live by the consequences of your actions.

And that's what I really liked about the series, the element that makes it my favorite (outside of the spectacular animation, the cool, unique (for an animated series) music, and the awesome action scenes...) it was the interesting characters who were always, ultimately, true to themselves. Even unto death.

[Aridante]

Can't agree more.
But did Spike really die? I'm assuming he didn't because of the movie, unless it's a spin-off...like that episode where that Ganymede lobster got left in the fridge and involved into a new lifeform (they never really did explain what happened after Ed ate it, hehe)

[Super Rats]

Spike is dead. The movie is treated as one giant lost episode.

But, yeah, that's one of the things I liked about how it ended...the characters living the consequences of who they are.

[legend of 8]

Yeah... I remember after watching the final episode, I cried. I actually sat there and wept... but not as much as wene Ed left. When Ed finally left, I cried. Ed was the greatest character in all of CB, and I was very sad when she finally left, with that big painted goodybye on the ship.

But when Spike died... I felt as though, yes, while it did suck the big hot dog, that he had lived his life fully. He had said that he wanted to leave his past behind... and then he said that his past was catching up with him. He should have died before... and he escaped his past so that he could live. But finally, he understood what it was all about. So he stopped running and faced his past like a man, and did what he was supposed to do. He may have left everyone sad... but at least he saved them. He did what was right...

I feel as if Spike were a real person. I feel sad every time I think about him... because he was so happy before, but in the end, he was so serious... there was no funny ending. It was dead serious... and yet, it fit.

I am still sad to see Spike gone... but at least, like was said before, he had lived his life the way he wanted to finally.

[Usagi]

movies in anime rarely follow the series, look at dbz, they follow story line but dont tie in same with alot of other series, spike is dead, i think he did it too keep something like dbgt from happening

[Inkthinker]

Originally posted by Aridante
Can't agree more.
But did Spike really die? I'm assuming he didn't because of the movie, unless it's a spin-off...like that episode where that Ganymede lobster got left in the fridge and involved into a new lifeform (they never really did explain what happened after Ed ate it, hehe)

The creator of the series has confirmed that Spike did die, although I agree that the ending was slightly vague on that count. Still, I think any reversal on that would cheapen the whole ending of the series. I'd be disappointed.

The movie takes place between episode 23 and 25, I think.

[ssjtom]

youve only just finished it, i finished it years ago, I feel that cartoon network butcher it as the character voices....suck.
I saw the movie last year before it was even being released. I think that fan subbs are much better to watch and it cuts out the time waiting for cartoon network to get off there ass

but atleast they keep the best parts the same, like crimson tears and the bang bang bit.

[Grendel]

nah the japanese voices almost sound the same...spikes voice is a little deepr but i think they did a great job with these voices....cartoon network doesnt butcher it too much...

[Folgore]

First of all, thanks for starting this thread, Ink. I was coming here to do much the same thing, or at least search to see if its ever been discussed before. Ink, was it me, or did you happen to notice that the final episode was just a hair over 20 mins? I think it was because, if I recall, they didnt break it up with commercials.

Man this show rocks. The incredible music, the top-notch animation, the stories. I feel like I'm watching an incredibly slick movie sometimes. This is by far my favorite dramatic series on TV right now, bar none.

I hate that Spike died, because I want more Bebop, but it was done so well that you can't even say, "Aw, man...why'd they have to kill him?" When Julia died, I was pretty sure Spike would too. Then Faye's tantrum...just really good stuff.

The last scene just left me sitting there and staring at the screen for a few long minutes: "Bang."

[Inkthinker]

Originally posted by ssjtom
youve only just finished it, i finished it years ago, I feel that cartoon network butcher it as the character voices....suck.
I saw the movie last year before it was even being released. I think that fan subbs are much better to watch and it cuts out the time waiting for cartoon network to get off there ass

but atleast they keep the best parts the same, like crimson tears and the bang bang bit.

Pfft... If you tink the voice acting in Bebop sucks, I have to suspect that your a purist who doesn't like any dub.

I personally think the series has the best voice actors in anime, myself.