Netflix is feeling anime’s vibe these days, and the company just gave the world a better look at its plans for the medium. It turns out Netflix has plans to oversee a live-action take on Cowboy Bebop, and the Internet has a lot to say about the big order.
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It wasn’t long ago Netflix confirmed it’s developing a live-action adaptation of the classic. A late-night Twitter post revealed Cowboy Bebop will be making a special comeback, and fans were quick to react to the announcement.
As you can see below, the reaction to Cowboy Bebop‘s adaptation is plenty split. Hollywood has gained a bad reputation with anime fans given its numerous failed attempts to translate the medium into live-action. From Dragonball Evolution to Ghost in the Shell, anime has yet to thrive in the blockbusting industry, but Netflix is hoping to turn that reputation around.
Of course, Cowboy Bebop will not be the first live-action anime Netflix has tackled. The company chose another famous anime to tackle last year, and it was none other than Death Note. Directed by Adam Wingard, Netflix’s Death Note starred talent like Nat Wolff and LaKeith Stanfield. The movie went live in July 2017, but its reception was mixed to say at the least. Currently, Death Note has a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the site’s audience score is batting even lower at 24%.
With Netflix’s track record in the dredges, fans are nervous to see how Cowboy Bebop will be handled, but the 10-episode series does have a promising crew in place so far. Netflix and Tomorrow Studios will co-produce the title with creator Shinichiro Watanabe serving as a consultant. So, if all goes well, the beloved artist will help guide Netflix to what could be Hollywood’s first top-tier anime adaptation.
So, what do you think about this adaptation? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on Twitter @MeganPetersCB to talk all things comics and anime!
Cowboy Bebop was first produced by Sunrise in 1998. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, with scripts written by Keiko Nobumoto, character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto, and songs composed by Yoko Kanno, the series explores many existentialist philosophies as it follows the adventures of Spike Spiegel, and a group of bounty hunter misfits aboard the titular spaceship the Bebop in the year 2071.
Firefly Revised
Them: “We already have a live action Cowboy Bebop. It’s called Firefly.”
โ Brian Brushwood (@shwood) November 28, 2018
Me: “Right?? We’ve been wanting more of that for decades! HOW GREAT IS IT THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THAT BACK??”
Streaming Wars
Cowboy Bebop live action huh.
โ Sakaki @ Kiiro returns Jan 2019. (@kiirobon) November 28, 2018
I drew my streaming line in the sand at Hulu so now I’m definitely not getting Netflix so I’m unlikely to see it.
That being said it’s like..if it’s good great, but if it’s bad then it won’t be talked about outside of memes and we’ll all move on.
Animation Forever
A friendly reminder: Just because the Cowboy Bebop live action is happening, doesnโt mean that the original animated series is going away. pic.twitter.com/9rxZi0ohpR
โ ?โจD.J. Kirklandโจ? (@OhHeyDJ) November 28, 2018
Spike’s Hair Though
Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop looks great pic.twitter.com/nfiMDixAcI
โ Jolly Idiocy Watchhamster (@BlackRockShadow) November 28, 2018
Tell ‘Em
Oh no, a Cowboy Bebop live action show? Ugh! I cant stand those! Or the renewed interest they spur in the franchise leading often to new merchandise, remastered releases of the old show, and an opportunity to once again discuss something that was awesome as if it were new again!!
โ Arin Hanson, my dear (@egoraptor) November 28, 2018
So Savage It Hurts
so many times as a kid i would be watching cowboy bebop and thinking “i wish this looked like shit and was starring a guy that kinda looked like chris pine” https://t.co/VCoPqE0nac
โ chris hooks (@cd_hooks) November 28, 2018
Where You At, Reeves?
I’ll only accept the cowboy bebop live action if they get Keanu Reeves like once planned. pic.twitter.com/IDN4oDyOx0
โ Game8910 (@Game8910) November 28, 2018
Stanning Soundtracks
ANY REMAKE OF COWBOY BEBOP IS AUTOMATICALLY INVALIDATED, IRRELEVANT, AND OBJECTIVELY BAD IF YOKO KANNO ISN’T INVOLVED IN THE SOUNDTRACK pic.twitter.com/A3iNhieZvt
โ RUNAWAY FIGHTING (@adashtra) November 28, 2018
The Hottest Tea
I should add that my wish isn’t that the cast be all Asian, but most importantly, be true to the source material, which for Cowboy Bebop involves a futuristic multi-racial, integrated society with heavy Japanese, Chinese, and American influences. Diverse, but true to character!
โ Eugene Lee Yang (@EugeneLeeYang) November 28, 2018
Danny, You In?
Netflix just announced live action Cowboy Bebop
โ โ๏ธFeliz Navidaddy ??? (@SavinTheBees) November 28, 2018
If Danny DeVito isnโt Spike, itโs a flop.
