Customer Reviews

Cowboy Bebop - Brain Scratch (Vol. 12) [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first episode is a great one with the first couple of minutes starting out with television shows. Some of the shows are really funny gags like the kids network that says "And that is why our network has the strictist policys. Prohbiting shows such as the one your watching". Oh, NO, wait. The parady of CBS called CBC and get this. The broadcaster is named Mark Rather (like Dan Rather). The episode follows into a very scary ending that might remind you of Lain. The second episode pays tribute to the women of Cowboy Bebop and gives rise to more of your questions for them. Overall, the dub works better than the Japanese and I just love the show. I can't say enough good things about it. It has to be seen to be believed.

I was almost tempted to give this tape four stars, but only because it's so damn depressing, but I guess that's how the story goes. Anyway, this tape is really excellent. Both episodes are mainly about Faye and Ed, I would say. The first episode, Brain Scratch, is kinda weird for Bebop, and that's saying a lot. The second episode, Hard Luck Woman, is very good, but also very important. This tape has a whole lot of surprises, and they're all pretty depressing, but you must see this tape if you're a fan of the series.

Following the tradition, there are only two episodes on this DVD. The first is called "Brain Scratch," and tells the story of a fanatical religious cult that tries to free the souls of their followers. As the bounty hunters search out the supposed leader of this cult we learn interesting new things about our characters, especially the Welsh corgi named Ein (there is a reason his name is short for Einstein). And we also get a great taste of our friend Jet's considerable acting abilities.

The second episode, "Hard Luck Woman," is quite different from the first and is perhaps one of the most important episodes of Cowboy. It concerns the past and future of Faye and Ed, and is quite wrenching as each tries to figure out where they belong. Of all the episodes, this one is in my mind the most poignant, especially because Ed is my favorite character. Her role in this episode only serves to highlight the transient nature of the entire crew of Cowboy and remind me that though these characters have become beloved, nothing in this world remains forever unchanged.

I very much thought the episode "Brain Scratch" was very insightful and deep. I believe it pays tribute to another great anime called Serial Experiments: Lain. Faye is involved in a cult for purposes that well known. Spike and Jet are set out to retrieve her because members of the cult have been committing suicide. I think this episode is one of the best of Cowboy Bebop because it is very insightful and poses many questions about human existence and such.

"Hard Luck Woman" is very good also. Edward is my favorite character because of her originality and humor, so this session will always stick out in my mind. It contributes a lot to the series. "Hard Luck Woman" highlights the troubles of Edward and Faye and it can be depressing and light hearted. I recommend this VHS for these excellent sessions.

This volume sets the stage for the grand finale. The first episode deals with Scratch. An organization that wants people to leave their bodies and free themsleves (Serial Experiments Lain ring a bell to you?). It turns out the leader of it is a guy in a hospital who can bearly move. The second epsiode is the most heart-renching episode I've seen since Jupiter Jazz. Ed finds her father and Faye learns a lot more about her past. And (get ready to cry) Ed and Ein leave the Bebop for good in a very depressing way. As for Faye, she still is off searching for past, but shes in the preview for the next episode so shes not out of the picture yet. Some will cheer while others will cry seeing Ed go, but get so down. With Ed out of the picture, this leaves for one hell of final episode. If you are preparing to see the last volume, I recommend you buy this tape so you will have an idea of what is going on.