The wait is over! The live-action adaptation of the anime series Cowboy Bebop is all set to release on Netflix. Here’s what we know so far.

Without any doubt, Cowboy Bepop is one of the most successful anime series of all time. In 2017, a co-production between Netflix and Tomorrow Studio decided to make a live adaptation series of cowboy Bepop. After four years of multiple delays due to certain reasons; the Netflix live-action series is all set to release in November 2021.

Things to know about Cowboy Bebop anime series.

The anime series debuted all the way back in 1998, was created by Sunrise Studio, and was directed by Shinichirō Watanabe. It is a sci-fi series set in the year 2071: following the life of a bounty hunter. Spike Speigel and his crew go around traveling in their spaceship called the Bebop. The series aired from April 7 1998 to March 29, 2001. Along with the happening and adventurous lives of the hunters, the audience was impressed by the music of the series which was composed by Yoko Kanno.

The series received recognition in no time and in 2006 it won the “Anime Grand Prix” award at the Japan Media Arts Festival. There is also a movie based on the series, which was released in 2001.

Release Date of the live-action Cowboy Bebop

Through the Netflix Geek Twitter account, Netflix revealed that the Cowboy Bebop adaptation will premiere on November 19, 2021.

This Netflix series has 10 episodes, however, each episode will be one hour-long, as opposed to the original anime’s shorter episode runtime. Co-writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach told io9 that the longer episodes will help give the series space to develop the narrative and focus on the backstories of different characters, unlike the original show’s format which mainly focused on catching the bad guys.

Further Grillo-Marxuach added that he does not want to disappoint the fans. So the show is not just a copy of the series but the team has added its own share of thoughts into it working along with none other than the original director as a consultant. Also, the original series composer Yoko Kanno has created new music for the live-action adventure.

Who’s in the cast?

Well! John Cho is playing Spike Spiegal; easily the coolest space bounty hunter one could ask for, right? Mustapha Shakeer is playing the role of Jet Black, the captain of the Bebop; an honest cop turned bounty hunter after a grave betrayal. A ruthless yet powerful lady, Daniella Pineda is playing Faye Valentine on screen. Alex Hassell is Vicious, Spike’s archenemy and Elena Satine is Spike’s ex-lover Julia.

Click on the image below to purchase the Cowboy Bepop Manga!

Rachel House is playing Mao, the crafty capo of the Syndicate’s “White Tiger” family; Ann Truong and Hoa Xuande as Shin and Lin, respectively, Geoff Stults is playing Clamers, Tamara Tunie as Ana, owner of Mars’ hottest jazz club and somewhat a mother figure to Spike.

In addition, Mason Alexander Park plays Gren, Ana’s right-hand person. Park, a non-binary actor speaks of the production upgrading the character of Gren for the modern audience, and for a more inclusive depiction of gender representation onscreen. 

How is the adaptation going to be?

Do you all remember the anime “Death Note”? You people might already understand what I am heading towards. The Hollywood adaptation of Death Note really did not stand up to the expectations of the viewers and it failed to impress. It was not nearly at par with the mystery, suspicion, overall feel of the Anime. In conclusion, all I can say is that we can keep our fingers crossed and hope that the Netflix adaptation passes with flying colors this time.

Click on the image below and get this Cowboy Bepop Poster!