Watanabe, S. (Director). (1998). Cowboy bebop [Televisions Series]. Japan: Sunrise Animations Production/ Bandai Visual Company.
Plot Summary:
In this alternate reality, Spike Spiegel is not the typical cowboy. In fact, he is actually a bounty hunter who spends most of his tracking down crooks to earn a few bucks. Along with his parter, Jett Black, a former police officer, they fly through the galaxy on the Cowboy Bebop looking for their next big hit. However, Spike past has resurfaced, especially when he hears Julia and Vicious have returned. Just when things could not get anymore complicate, he involuntarily recruits three more members of the team named Faye, Ed, and a bionic dog named Ein. The series reveals a lot about the characters, and who they used to be, but it incredibly funny, sad, and just plain weird.
Critical Evaluation:
Cowboy Bebop is an anime legend that everyone needs to watch sometime in their life. Not only is it visually stunning, but the music (created by the famous Yoko Kanno) sets the tone of this series, especially the ending theme. Shinichiro Watanabe does an amazing job with the art direction and computer animation is incredibly revolutionary given the fact that this series is at least fourteen years old. The story, as complex as it is, is woven together beautifully where viewers not only get to know the characters, but will be emotionally attached to them until the very end. Unfortunately, this is one story that does not have the ending we all wish, but that is what makes it memorable.
Reader's Annotation:
A group of bounty hunters roam the outer limits of space to confront their pasts, make a buck, and possibly their next meal.
Information about the Director:
Shinichiro Watanabe was born May 24, 1965 in Kyoto, Japan. Watanabe currently works as an anime film writer, screenwriter, and producer and is well known for his two hit shows: Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. According to Wikipedia: "Watanabe is noted for blending together multiple genres in his anime. For example, in Cowboy Bebop, classic cowboy western mixes with 1940s/1950s New York City film noir, Jazz music and Hong Kong action movies, all while being set in space. In his later work, Samurai Champloo, Watanabe mixes the cultures of Okinawa, hip-hop, modern-day Japan, and Chanbara" (para.2).
Watanabe has had a successful career where he has worked on over twenty-five projects and continues to be one of the top anime directors who not only brings something new to the genre, but something unique and memorable. When asked what he hated about his job, in a 2005 NewType article, "It actually kind of sucks having to be a director. Once you do it, you discover how hard it really is. This is no kind of a job for a human being, let me tell you. I think I ought to quit, but I can't really do anything else!" (para. 1).
Genre:
Sci-Fi Anime
Curriculum Tie-In's:
N/A
Promotional Ideas:
Again, this anime is a legend and anyone who loves anime must watch this series. However, younger fans may not be aware of this series so it is up to us, mentors, to show them how anime has evolved, starting with great series like this. A great way to educate the youth is to hold an anime film month where new, and old, movies/series can be shown where both teens and adults can watch together.
Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 11 & up
Challenge Issues:
The only way this series can be challenged is for the violence and Faye's appearance. However, the series carries a TV-MA, which means this series is suitable for teens seventeen and up due to content so if the Library has a policy that won't allow mature rated movies to be rented by minors than there should not be any problems with challenges.
Series Similar to Cowboy Bebop:
Why did I choose this series?
I chose this series because I believe every library who carries anime should include this in their collection. Unfortunately, a lot of series have sacrificed their plot lines for animation, which is not what anime is about so teens should know that anime is about the story, characters, attention to detail, and then action. Not everyone can be Hayao Miyazaki, but teens can broaden their passion for anime by watching series like Cowboy Bebop.
Awards & Recognition:
Keanu Reeves is currently in the process of bringing this anime to the live-action screen so fans eill be anticipating the release of the movie.
References:
Cowboy Bebop (TV Series 1998) - IMDb. (n.d.). The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Retrieved April 06, 2011, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0213338/
Shinichiro Watanabe. (n.d.). Anime News Network. Retrieved April 06, 2011, from http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=774
Shinichiro Watanabe. (n.d.). Shinichiro Watanabe. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinichir%C5%8D_Watanabe
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