One of the most buzzed-about Netflix original television series for some time has been its live-action adaptation of the classic anime series Cowboy Bebop. Created by Hajime Yatate, a pseudonym for Sunrise Entertainment's animation staff, the original Cowboy Bebop is revered as one of the greatest anime properties of all time. While Netflix's Cowboy Bebop certainly brings high production value, ambition, and respect for the source material, it ultimately results in a show that can't balance finding its identity with evoking the beloved anime.
Like the original series, Cowboy Bebop follows the spacefaring crew of the Bebop in a neon future. Much of the solar system has been settled on by humanity after Earth was devastated by a cataclysmic event. Protagonist Spike Spiegel works with Jet Black to track down bounties on deadly criminals across the cosmos, putting them on a collision course with multiple dangerous characters, including fellow bounty hunter Faye Valentine. As Spike and his friends scrape by in their action-packed profession, nefarious figures from Spike's bloody past resurface to make his and the crew of the Bebop's lives absolute hell.
The most heartbreaking thing about the live-action Cowboy Bebop is that all the ingredients for an impressive adaptation are there. The cast is all game and pulling out the stops to bring the anime characters to life. Yoko Kanno returns to provide the new show's score, bringing the same sonic swagger that made the anime's soundtrack so memorable. The art department has lavishly recreated environments and costumes straight out of the classic vision of the future from the anime series. But it all just feels a bit off the mark.
Stylistically, it's reminiscent of the Wachowskis' live-action feature film adaptation of Speed Racer. The 2008 film was laboriously faithful to the aesthetic of the source material but, while having its fair share of fans, was certainly not everybody's cup of tea. Cowboy Bebop leans more towards Western sensibilities in its visuals and storytelling approach too. Netflix's Cowboy Bebop plays its hand far too early in comparison to its anime counterpart -- revealing secrets about backstories antagonists too soon. With every episode of Cowboy Bebop nearly running an hour, in stark contrast to the anime's 20-minute episode runtime, it feels like the live-action show is all dressed up with nowhere to go at times.
Cowboy Bebop's cast delivers an emotional depth that matches -- and sometimes surpasses -- the anime series. However, the live-action show itself could've used a bit more polish to make it something special. A bit more time in the editing bay or rethinking how quickly to introduce some of its overarching plot elements could've done wonders. With plenty of room left to explore, hopefully, this version of Cowboy Bebop can find its voice and balance itself out moving forward; but, as it currently stands, this live-action adaptation stumbles out of the gate.
Developed for television by André Nemec, Cowboy Bebop premieres Nov. 19 on Netflix.