Customer Reviews

Cowboy Bebop, 5th Session (Episodes 19-22)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cowboy Bebop is, by far, one of the best TV series to come from Japan. Just don't take it too seriously, it is, after all, the '70s and the Wild West mixed into one (someone beat me to that punch already, damn!) One just needs to watch the Low-Rider/Horseback care chase to see that.

But it doesn't come out the worse for wear mixing two wildly different genres, and the fifth DVD shows this off. Even after 21 episodes this show is more than fun to watch. Basically, if you're wondering whether to pick up this or something new, don't worry: This has more of the same fun of the series.

Cowboy Bebop is, in this reviewer's opinion, the finest series that anime currently has to offer. The animation is top-notch, the writing is consistently excellent, the English voice work is amazingly good, and the soundtrack (provided by Yoko Kanno) is absolutely brilliant throughout the entire series. It's a pity that the series had such a short run-- what's available in these six DVD volumes constitutes the entire twenty-six episode series. Nevertheless, this is one series every anime fan must have, and a series I would also recommend to fans of TV shows such as Miami Vice.

Cowboy Bebop's basic structure allows each episode to be a full-fledged story all its own, with the main characters-- Spike, Jett, Faye, and Edward-- serving to connect them all. While there is a consistency to the entire series outside of the characters-- mainly concerning each character's exploration of his/her identity-- this is a more episodic anime series than something such as Evangelion, and yet far less formulaic than Dragon Ball Z and its brethren. I cannot stress how incredibly good the writing is here-- each episode is a self-contained story full of integrity: sometimes dramatic, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, but always effective each time without sacrificing any of the show's core values.

Each DVD disc in this series is a bargain-- five episodes per disc for Volumes One and Two, and four episodes per disc thereafter. Extras are limited, but the video quality is outstanding, and both Japanese/English tracks are provided, with English subtitles. The English voice acting is very impressive-- dialogue is still intelligent following the translation, lip synching is dead-on, and the voice actors are almost as endearing as the characters they portray.

While Volume Five is as much worth a purchase as the other discs in this series, it has some low points that manage to drag it down a bit. The main one that should be addressed is the "Pierrot le Fot" episode, which concerns a man bred as a perfect killing machine. While this episode contains a remarkable fight scene, it's one of the more flawed episodes of Cowboy Bebop; a backstory sequence serves to remove the viewer's disdain for this episode's villain right before said villain is killed and never mentioned again-- similar to the case of an imprisoned criminal who is found to be innocent right before he is executed, yet this information is judged to be insignificant afterwards because the criminal is already dead. ... "Boogie Woogie Feng Shui" and "Wild Horses" are entertaining but largely forgettable relative to the other episodes in this series. "Cowboy Funk" is definitely the highlight of this disc: the character of Andy is hilarious, as is the Teddy Bomber.

By Far the Best Anime EVER!!!! And I do not say this lightly. The animation quality is just above average, but the charactors and the stories are truly unpredictable and enjoyable. The series flows in the way that real Jazz Music does, cool and free. It is true that Cowboy Bebop does not break any new ground in the animation, character development, or the plot, but it does break new ground in the feel, or the "Style" of animation. If you like Jazz, "Sit Back and Enjoy the Vibe.....", but if you don't, stay away from this one.

I must say I'm quite relieved to find that Cowboy Bebop is rebounding back after the slight dip in episode quality I noticed in DVD3 and to a lesser extent in DVD4. I'm happy to report that 3/4 of this DVD is top-quality Bebop material, and it definitely deserves to be a part of every anime fan's library.

Episode 19 - Wild Horses
If there is any episode on this disc which didn't quite live up to the Bebop name, it was Wild Horses. The plot is decent enough, but things just seem to move along a bit too slowly.

Episode 20 - Pierrot Le Fou
Unquestionably the best episode of the group, Pierrot has comedy and action but most of all, it reeks of creativity. I always enjoy the unique episodes the best, and this one hooked me right from the start.

Episode 21 - Boogie Woogie Feng Shui
A decent episode marred only by the fact that the new guest character is almost as annoying as Ed. Otherwise, the space firefight was cool.

Episode 22 - Cowboy Funk
Another great episode, obviously intented for some comedic relief after the somewhat emotional end to Boogie Woogie. Andy is a cool character, and the bounty here is a really funny guy.

This DVD is a worthy member of the Cowboy Bebop library.

"Pierrot Le Fou" alone is worth the price of the DVD. Even if two episodes are ho-hum by Bebop standards--as some reviews claim--they are better than the vast majority of other anime. Those episodes probably seem so subpar because they are packaged with two absolute classics.

This one is probably my least favorite of the series, but that just tells you how great the other DVD's are! WARNING theres a few SMALL spoilers, but nothing that will go anywhere near ruining the episode. If you hate being spoiled with even very little things then don't read.

Episode 19: Wild Horses- This one is one of the better ones on the DVD, you get to meet Doohan, the former owner of the Swordfish II. Plus Jet, Spike, and Faye go after their bounty heads...turns out they have a virus that they transmit by harpooning the attacking ships, giving them a little more trouble than they planned for.

A-

Episode 20: Pierrot Le Fou- Not only my favorite on this DVD, but one of my top 5 episodes in the whole series. Spike meets up with a strange person called Pierrot, he seems impossible to kill...not only that but he seems hell bent on killing Spike. Who is this strange person? you will find out.

A+

Episode 21: Boogie-Woogie Feng-Shui- A mysterious email gets sent to Jet, leading him to an old friend...he ends up meeting with his old friends daughter, Meifa. They go on a quest to figure out what the sun stone is leading them into some trouble...this episode is one of my least favorites in the series but its still entertaining.

C+

Episode 22: Cowboy Funk- I liked this episode alot, it's got a decent amount of humor in it like when Spike meets a new rival named Andy. They're both going after the bounty head "Teddy Bomber"...with Spike and Andy, two of the best Bounty Hunters in the world, who will get him first?

B+

Overall- A- or 5 stars...this DVD mixes with great Action, humor, and is very entertaining overall. If your a fan of the series you can't do without this one.

Cowboy Bebop was not intended to be taken lightly. You should not watch this series if you are easily bored, for the pace averages on the slower side. However, if you enjoy an anime that is well crafted and drawn, that has superb music, that has interesting characters, with highly interesting episode stories, and an intriguing sub-story; this is the anime for you. Wild Horses finally gives us a bit more information about Spike's ride, the Swordfish II (not enough unfortunately). This is a decent episode, though it would have been nicer if they expounded on the ship and her maker. Pierrot La Fou is an amazing episode that showcases once more Spike's insane fighting abilities and his whatever happens happens attitude. Great episode with fast action in a relatively calm series. Some blood. Boogie Woogie Feng-Shui is a decent episode that gives us a little more information on Jet and Ein (very little on Ein). Cowboy Funk is a hilarious episode that pits Spike against the other most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy- Andy!! Possibly the greatest Udon Western ever.

Buy this DVD, buy the series. You will watch it over and over again.

-see you Space Cowboy

Cowboy Bebop rocks! It's a contemporary classic that truly relates and speaks to the 18 to 25 generation, I love this show that much!

Session 5 is nowhere near the quality of the other episodes. For some reason the animation quality skyrockets in this session, but the stories fall into the creative void. They`re still enjoyable, but their not cowboy bebop. With the last episode,however, all is forgiven. Spike must go up against Andy the cowboy bounty hunter (Who is a mockery of Trigun`s Vash Stampede.)

Session 5 is almost a break before the episodes that will wrap up the series. Here we get to enjoy what is quintessential Bebop - humor, some scares, and stories with an unexpected twist. Each of these stories introduces a unique character. None will reappear, although is a few circumstances the viewer will wish otherwise. We also get to see an unexpected side of Jet and Spike making a complete idiot of himself (which is normal, I guess).

With only one DVD left to go in this series, I am already experiencing Bebop withdrawal. No matter what else I am reading or watching, Cowboy Bebop has always been a welcome change of pace. If you have been watching these along with me I'm sure you have discovered the same thing.

Episode 19 - While Spike is getting his old ship overhauled by Doohan - who assembled the Swordfish out of scrap years ago - Faye and Jet try to catch some pirates and get a computer virus instead. Look for a ghost out of the past to come to the rescue.

Episode 20 - Jet gets a note from an old friend and feng-shui master. When he arrives he finds Pao's daughter instead and starts on a wild chase for the 'sun stone.' This time Ein puts his paw on the answer and Ed figures it out.

Episode 21 - Spike stumbles into the middle of an assassination and finds that he is now being hunted by a deadly maniac in a top hat and ruffles. 'Mad Pierrot' decides Spike has to go to the 'fun' house.

Episode 22 - Imagine a bounty hunter with one-third the intelligence of a pumpkin and three times the accident proneness of Faye and you have Andy and his trusty horse. Of course, Andy and Spike have duke it out for who owns the title of 'real' cowboy - and avoid being blown to smithereens by a teddy bear.