Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop is a complicated guy. He doesn't get on with people but shares a ship with three of them, plus a dog. He fears his own memories more than he does death, and he's a talented martial artist who spends his free time lounging around.
It would be more than interesting to walk in Spike's shoes for a day, to be cool and nonchalant while also being pretty handy in a fight. But there are other factors that aren't so appealing, like his checkered past, his lack of woolongs, and his apparent emptiness.
10 Harsh Reality: Being Haunted By His Past
Whether it's losing his parents when he was young or falling to what he thought was his death while he was a member of the Red Dragon crime syndicate, there are a lot of ghosts in Spike's past. His distant gaze and wistful smile let on that no matter where he goes in the universe, Spike always has his memories right there with him, many of which are ones he'd surely rather forget.
9 Perk: Having No Fear
Whether it's because he's so confident in his fighting skills or the fact that he essentially died and came back to life, Spike doesn't appear to fear death. With all that's happened to him, he has no real reason to. Not fearing death allows Spike to throw himself into dangerous situations with the kind of extreme focus that is denied to those who are distracted by the thought of their demise.
8 Harsh Reality: Having To Share A Living Space With 3 Other People (& A Dog)
With all the time Spike spends watching TV and reading magazines on the Bebop, it seems like he would prefer to be on his own most of the time.
Spike is a lone wolf who doesn't get on too well with others, and being surrounded by people and animals probably isn't his idea of fun. His relationships with other people are complex, and, most of the time, it feels like he just doesn't want to deal with any of them.
7 Perk: Being Best Friends With A Guy Who Has His Own Ship
Spike kind of lucked out when he partnered up with Jet Black. The Bebop, the ship that the two use to chase bounties across the galaxy, belongs to Jet, something that he reminds Spike of on a fairly regular basis. Even though Spike has his own ship, a MONO racer, it's not really suitable for living in. The Bebop, on the other hand, has plenty of space, a place to wash, and a kitchen, even if there's not a lot of food in it very often.
6 Harsh Reality: Apathy Bordering On Anhedonia
When not chasing bounties, Spike is usually seen lazing around the Bebop, watching TV, slurping up noodles, or sleeping. He doesn't have any hobbies apart from drinking, smoking, and listening to music, which he doesn't seem particularly passionate about, it's more like he calmly appreciates it. It seems as though Spike doesn't really care about anything and that he has no real purpose in life, which must feel kind of lonely and sad.
5 Perk: Being Extremely Cool
The hair, the suit, the attitude, and the fact that he's a bounty hunter in space all make Spike Spiegel a pretty cool guy. Of course, such a level of cool requires certain sacrifices. For example, his not seeming to care about anything, while seeming cool, is likely a result of him feeling dead inside from all that's happened to him. Still, a lot of people would love to be just a fraction as cool as Spike.
4 Harsh Reality: Not Having A Lot Of Woolongs To His Name
Spike lives a rather frugal lifestyle, his diet consisting mainly of noodles and cigarettes. He never manages to claim that big payday, and even when he was offered a large wad of cash in Session #7, "Heavy Metal Queen," by Victoria Terpsichore, he altruistically only took a single note.
Somehow, having a lot of money just wouldn't suit Spike. He's far too used to getting by with as little as possible. He probably doesn't like it all the time, but it's part of who he is.
3 Perk: Martial Arts Skills That Are Second-To-None
It must feel good to be as formidable as Spike Spiegel, to be as lethal with feet and fists as with a gun. He follows Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do style and aims to be like water, as the legendary martial artist suggested. Being so adept at hand-to-hand combat clearly gives Spike a lot of confidence, as he has no qualms about going up against foes of any size.
2 Harsh Reality: Having Julia Die In His Arms
Having the love of one's life expire in front of their very eyes is an unimaginably painful experience. That's exactly what happened to Spike when Julia died in his arms. It was love at first sight for Spike when he met Julia during a pool game, She nursed him back to health after being shot by assassins, but Spike was unable to do the same for her.
1 Perk: There Are People Who Look Out For Him
For all the bickering Spike engages in with his shipmates, particularly Faye Valentine, and even though he's made it clear that he hates dogs, children, and women with attitudes, Ein, Ed, Faye, and of course his best friend Jet care about Spike and have his back. And even though he may not admit it, Spike has shown that he cares about the people around him, even if he'd prefer it if they left him alone most of the time.