Cowboy Bebop is an anime that needs no introduction. Praised for its characters, incredible storytelling, and a fantastic soundtrack, Cowboy Bebop is one of those anime's that get better over time. Following the adventures of the Bebop crew, there have been a variety of episodes that all have a wide range of genres.
All of which were inspired one way or another by the world of Hollywood. Thus establishing each episode as having a unique flavor that can be a favorite for any fan. But what inspirations and references were there that one may or may not know?
10 Spike Spiegel And Bruce Lee
This is the most obvious reference that Cowboy Bebop references. Spike Spiegel is the most popular protagonist out of the Bebop crew and he's known for two things: his cool demeanor and his martial prowess. Taking a page out of the famous Bruce Lee.
Utilizing the philosophy of the Martial Artist's Jeet Kune Do, Spike Spiegel acts kind of like a spiritual successor to the legend. Of course, this extends further with the character of Abdul Hakim who looks like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who played a villain in Bruce Lee's Game Of Death.
9 Alien References In Toys In The Attic
This is one of the best episodes in the series because of how unique it is. "Toys In The Attic" is a fun tribute to the Alien films in the fact that there is an entity that is hunting the Bebop crew systematically. From the suspense to the similar cinematography, "Toys In The Attic" is amazing in that regard while still maintaining the charm of Cowboy Bebop that all fans adore from the series in the first place.
8 Star Trek Reference In Faye Valentine's Cryo Pod
This is a fun cheeky easter egg that was shown on Faye Valentine's cryo pod. For context, this appears during episode 15 which tells the origins of the character. When she woke up, fans might've noticed that the serial number that's on her cryo pod is the exact same one as Star Trek's USS Enterprise. Specifically, NCC-1701. This goes to show the number of thematic influences that the show is willing to be inspired by.
7 Blaxploitation Film References In Mushroom Mamba
In the unique "Mushroom Mamba" episode that starred Ed and Ein as the main characters, it pays a lot of hallmarks to the Black Exploitation films that were famous back during the 70s and 80s. There are two characters in particular that the show references, the character Coffee obviously being a reference to Coffy from 1973. While another character Shaft also appears in the episode dragging a coffin. Pretty cheeky.
6 The Betamax Tape Is A Reference To Beverly Hills, 90210
Detailing another episode related to Faye Valentine, the Bebop crew discovers a Betamax player that is essentially an old cassette player. If a fan was able to watch closely, while Jet and Spike are going into the store to look for the Betamax player, the store owner is watching something that seems to be straight out of Beverly Hills 90210. The producers that appeared on the screen are in direct reference to the main actors involved in the show.
5 The Entirety Of Cowboy Bebop Is A Reference To Spaghetti Westerns
Another example that can't just be quantified by one single reference, Cowboy Bebop obviously wouldn't have much of inspiration if it didn't have some form of western influences. Otherwise, the "Cowboy" would be a lie.
But nonetheless, Cowboy Bebop pays a lot of hallmarks to the Spaghetti Western genre of Cowboys. From the more rundown places that the Bebop crew goes around during the episodes, to the grey endings that the Spaghetti Westerns are sometimes known for.
4 The First Episode Is A Reference To Desperado
If anyone is a fan of Antonio Banderas, they would know that the first episode of Cowboy Bebop is a direct reference to the Desperado films. For example, the bar El Ray that is shown during the first episode is a replica to the bar that is shown in the film Desperado. What's more, the character of Asimov is a direct parallel to the Mariachi character that made Antonio Banderas incredibly famous in the first place.
3 US Military AI Is A Reference To HAL From 2001 A Space Odyssey
In the episode "Jamming With Edward," there is a US Military AI named MPU who is based within a US satellite up in space. MPU is a detached AI voice who simply wants to have a connection again after feeling lonely for many decades, over time, being friends with Ed. This is heavily based on the Hal 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey who is incredibly malevolent and quite evil in comparison. What's more, bringing "Toys In The Attic" back in the picture, the crew floating around the Bebop at the end of the episode is also a homage to this sci-fi film.
2 The Fight Scene During Ballad Of Fallen Angels May Be A Nod To The Killer
"Ballad Of Fallen Angels" needs no introduction by its plethora of fans. Being the episode that details a lot about Spike Spiegel as a character, it is full of badass noir elements that help illustrate the best and worst of the bounty hunter.
Nonetheless, the fight scene that appears in both "Ballad Of Fallen Angels," as well as "Real Folk Blues," seems to be heavily based on John Woo films. With "Ballad Of Fallen Angels" specifically based on the film The Killer.
1 Cowboy Bebop Is Also Influenced By Samurai Dramas
Although it isn't as prevalent as the western influences that have been displayed throughout the entire series, the Samurai dramas still play a major part in the development of Cowboy Bebop. Whether it's Spike Spiegel's bushido outlook or direct references like in "Cowboy Funk."
This is especially true with the conclusion of "Cowboy Funk" where Andy passes the cowboy name to Spike Spiegel and becomes a Samurai. This is pretty funny to think about as many westerns do take some inspiration from many Samurai dramas. So in a way, it makes everything go full circle. Not to mention Andy takes the name of Musashi.