After more than a year of delays, Netflix has announced that its live-action take on Cowboy Bebop will finally be released this fall. Based on the popular anime series, fans have high expectations for this long-awaited reboot. The anime debuted in 1998 with an original release of just 12 episodes, cut short due to its adult content. The following year, the full 26 episodes were broadcast, and in 2001, it became the first English dubbed anime to premiere on Adult Swim in the U.S.
While the show was popular in its own right, Cowboy Bebop also has the distinction of being widely regarded as having one of the best English dubs of any other anime. With this much hype already surrounding the show, here’s everything we know about the live-action Netflix adaptation.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was updated on Aug. 23, 2021, to include Cowboy Bebop's first-look photos and Netflix release date.
What Is the Cowboy Bebop Story?
Although there has been no hint of what fans can expect from the plot, it’s safe to assume that many of the key elements from the original Cowboy Bebop anime will be there. The anime - a jazzy, western-influenced intergalactic saga -- follows Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine and Jet Black, a group of bounty hunting “cowboys” as they make their way through space chasing after criminals and fighting with a criminal syndicate. Ed, the fourth member of their party, is a child-like and energetic hacker with a soft spot for Ein, the gang’s adopted Corgi. While the majority of the show focuses on Spike, each character is explored and fleshed out throughout the show.
The original series was comprised of 26 episodes that ran roughly 25 minutes long. Season 1 of the live-action will have just 10 episodes, each around an hour. In an interview with i09 last summer, co-writer and executive producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach explained that the live-action series won’t necessarily be a remake of the anime. While many of the backstories, plot lines and relationships will be explored, the hour-long run time of a Netflix show allows the creative team room to expand on what fans are already familiar with while exploring new angles and adventures. Although nothing has been officially confirmed yet, Grillo-Marxuach also divulged that writers are already working on Season 2 and plan to take the show as far as they can. “You know, we come at this as fans. We love genre, we love science fiction, and we love Cowboy Bebop,” he explained.
As of right now, no teaser or trailer has been for Netflix's Cowboy Bebop. But Netflix Geeked did Tweet out a video during their Geeked Week event that features a first look at the show's cast, as well as the announcements of the return of anime composer Yoko Kanno and a fall release date.
What Is Cowboy Bebop's Release Date?
Netflix announced on Aug. 23, 2021, that its live-action adaptation of the beloved space Western will be released on Nov. 19. The news was accompanied by the first look at John Cho as Spike Spiegel, Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black and Daniella Pineda as Faye Valentine.
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Who Is in Cowboy Bebop's Cast and Crew?
There’s a host of original Cowboy Bebop veterans attached to the live-action project. Animation studio Sunrise produced the original series and has signed on to executive produce the live-action one for Netflix. Yoko Kanno, the composer for the original anime, is also set to return to compose for the new show, while Shinichiro Watanabe, the original's director, has signed on as a creative consultant. As for the script, Chris Yost, screenwriter for Thor: Ragnarok, is set to co-write the script along with Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who was an executive producer on Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Cowboy Bebop also features a diverse cast, with John Cho (Star Trek), Mustafa Shakir (Luke Cage) and Daniella Pineda (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) starring as the infamous trio of Spike, Jet and Faye. Alex Hassell (The Boys) will appear as Vicious, Spike’s antagonist and leader of the crime syndicate. As for Ed, there’s been no mention of her appearing this season, but with the creative already mapping out a second season, she can't be too far behind.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Cowboy Bebop stars John Cho as Spike Spiegel, Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black, Daniella Pineda as Faye Valentine, Alex Hassell as Vicious, Elena Satine as Julia, Geoff Stults as Chalmers, Tamara Tunie as Ana, Mason Alexander Park as Gren, Rachel House as Mao and Ann Truong and Hoa Xuande as Shin and Lin. The series premieres this fall on Netflix.