The show takes place in a not-too-distant future where man has not only colonized Mars, but the all space in between, and drifting around in the middle of it all is a little ship called the Bebop. Its owner, Jet Black, and his good buddy Spike Spiegel make a living as cowboys. In short, they are intergalactic bounty hunters. These too fellows make there way across the void of space and back, looking for wanted criminals so they can turn them in for the reward. 

Throughout their adventures, these two encounter more then their share wacky characters, from mushroom smugglers to war veterans. A few of them even join the team, namely the sleek and sexy, gambler-girl Faye, the bizarre, 14-year-old hacker girl Ed, and the genetically enhanced Welch Corgi, Ein.

It doesn’t sound too original, huh? Just wait, for Cowboy Bebop is one show that is not to be underestimated.

From what I just said, you’re probably thinking something along the lines of "Well that sounds fun!" Cowboy Bebop is not "fun", but by no means is it bad in any way, whatsoever. For you see, Cowboy Bebop is absolutely incredible, and here’s why:

First of all, this show is deep. It can be funny at times, it can be goofy at times, but I’ll be damned if there isn’t one hell of a deep show lying under it all. The main character, Spike (a tall, lanky but muscular guy with a head o’ hair and an incredibly cool attitude), has a very violent and sad past. His hands are covered in the blood of hundreds of people, all thanks to his former membership in the Red Dragon syndicate. Not only that, but in leaving the clan, he not only lost his friends and lover, but he put his own life in danger. Jet (a buff guy with a chrome dome, spiky beard, and a robotic arm) also has a dark past, although he doesn’t quite know how dark. Then there’s Faye, who can’t even remember her past, and Ed who for all we know doesn’t even have a past.

It also deals with some real life issues, like drugs and crime, including a woman disguising a stash of narcotics as her pregnant belly. 

This show is also extremely stylish and artistic. Everything from its unique camera angles to the 70s-esque clothing make Bebop very original and just plain cool. The animation is very sleek (including some of the best fight scenes I’ve ever seen), and the music is absolutely outstanding, thanks to the incredible talent of Yoko Kanno (Macross Plus, Visions of Escaflowne, etc.). 

I consider Cowboy Bebop a must-see. It’s not for everyone, due to violence, language, and mature situations, but in some ways that makes it better. This isn’t a show with huge-breasted women (well Faye can be a bit of an exception) who launch out of an underground base in super powerful mecha-armor to fight giant monsters. Oh no, here is a show about a group of average Joe’s and Jane’s just trying to get some food to eat, but through and through, finding themselves in some incredible situations.

Because of its unique blend of comedic, serious, violent, and sometimes downright depressing themes and story-lines, this emotionally stirring piece of animated artwork has earned its place as my favorite anime of all time, and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t become one of yours.