Customer Reviews

Cowboy Bebop - Session 1

5 star:		(141)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is (also) a review of the REMIX VERSIONS. I won't go into the awesomeness of Cowboy Bebop other than to say that it is the best anime series ever, I'd even call it one of the best television shows ever!

While it has been universally noted on various postings about the remix versions that the sound is significantly better than the original sessions, there are multiple varying reviews on the PICTURE QUALITY. Some say there is no difference at all, some say it's a bit better, some say it's a lot better, all say they have "checked" both versions. Well, I took it a step further. I watched both versions side by side on an Avid Nitris Professional video editing system with high definition high resolution (HDHR) monitors and here is the DEFINITIVE ANSWER. There is a difference, they lightened it and did a very slight color correction. Basically, the old versions were a bit dark and some of the detail went unnoticed while the remix versions are lighter and there is more visible detail and color. In terms of viewing expeirience this means that a majority of the scenes look noticibly (if marginally) better. There are certain scenes, however, where the lightness works against it. Some of the more noirish scenes look a bit bleedy. Overall I would say that there is a difference in video quality and that the difference is mostly an improvement. But, even to the die hard fan the difference is negligible.

If you don't own the originals, if they're scratched, if you're a huge fan, if you have an awesome theatre system with good surround, or if you have a crappy small tv and can't see the detail in the image, GET THE REMIX. If not, while they are cool, they're not worth the $30 a pop.

1st off, why do 100 people post that haven't bought the remix copy just to say that bebop rules? It makes looking for comments about the remix copy tedious. We all know bebop rules; but IS IT BETTER THAN GETTING THE SESSION 1 DVD???

I would have to say no. Before I give my reasons, I'd like to point out that I do not have an expensive sound system so the updated sound is lost on me. BUT...

- I thought that they remastered the anime itself, and they did not. It looks the same as the original sessions (that was the reason for MY purchase).

-They did throw in a few extras that weren't in the original(some commentaries), but hardly worth a purchase.

-They redid the packaging and it looks like a quick relayout from the old art. I liked the original packaging better. It had the character info on the back, and the dvd was made to look like a record. the new dvd just mimics the cover art.

-They didn't even bother to include a booklet/paper of any kind inside.

-Many animes(Rahxephon, Noir) have been released in boxsets, or on a signature series (Trigun, Lain) that are cheaper to give the people that can't shell out $30 a dvd a chance to get it. You have to wait a little while, and it doesn't usually have some of the goodies that the original had; but the money has already been made. Of course they are releasing this "remix" of bebop (which has been out for a good 7 years or so) for the full $30.

Basically in my opinion, if you are going to go through the trouble to re-release it, AND charge full price; GO ALL THE WAY!!! (Like the Calvin and Hobbes Collection coming out.) If you are going to charge $30 for a 1998 anime; make it worth my 30.(But it's not about the money; it's for the fans) (sarcasm).
HOORAY FOR BANDAI MARKETING!!

Cowboy Bebop is a very impressive example anime. It's got everything that I believe a good series should contain. While there's not much of a continuing plot this far into the series, the stories in each episode are very entertaining. The action in the series is top notch and the animation is some of the finest I've seen. The animation is mostly hand drawn, but on occasion it is mixed with computer generated elements. I've seen this done before and I didn't like it, but they've pulled it off very nicely and it only makes things better in this case. Also, one of the things that I truly love about this series is the music by Yoko Kanno. The soundtrack is a jazzy blues style that would be splendid to listen to by itself. However, the way that it is used in the show is simply amazing. The contrast of mellow jazz music and fast paced action is enough to send shivers down my spine. This is done especially well in the first and fifth episodes. All in all, I'd say that Cowboy Bebop: Session 1 DVD is definitely worth the money.

Cowboy Bebop is arguably one of the finest works film to come out in a long while, and most certainly one of the finest Anime, period. Taking place in 2071 Bebop follows the exploits of a group of down-on-their-luck bounty hunters with mysterious or unimportant pasts as they try and, often, fail to make the big score. That's really it, each episode is like a short film (some are like a kick in the pants and others more somber) and sometimes episodes are even overtly connected to each other. Still as the show progresses the pieces come together and the pasts and futures of these characters become clear. Not that the pieces need to be clear, even if the show had no point the mix of comedy, action, sci-fi, and an amazing soundtrack make Bebop one crazy fun ride.

On this first disc, containing episodes 1 - 5 (Asteroid Blues, Stray Dog Strut, Honky Tonk Women, Gateway Shuffle, and Ballad of Fallen Angels), viewers are introduced to Spike, Jet, Ein (a dog), and Faye-in that order. The first four episodes introduce four of the five main characters and the general setting of the Bebop Universe, while episode 5 really starts to dig into the past of Spike. All of the episodes are good, but in this volume it is episode 5 that really shines.

Although this disc has not yet been released the animation of Bebop was top quality when the show was first released in 1998 and the re-mastering and new scenes can only add to the original quality. Also, the soundtrack has always been well planned and judging from the best of set that was released a while ago, having 5.1 will make it even better.

Just a correction from the "official" description above, this show ran on Adult Swim not Toonami.

Ok, so you see the title "Cowboy Bebop" and you're thinking: Why would I want to watch anime about Mel Torme on horseback? Well, this IS NOT that!

Cowboy Bebop was Number One in Japan during its TV run in 1998. One glimpse of the show and it is easy to see why. Wonderful animation and a jazzy soundtrack only add to the action and plots!
This show reminds me of the mid and late 60's Avengers TV series. Same style of humor and action, but set in space. The 22 minute episodes work well for those of us with short attention spans. And each segment fits well with the others, but can be taken alone (unlike other anime series like Evangelion).

The DVD contains five episodes from the series.
"Asteroid Blues" starts off the series with a bang. We meet Spike and Jet, two space-bound bounty hunters, aboard their spaceship the "Bebop." Asimov Solinsen is their first bounty, but who is hunting whom?
In "Stray Dog Strut" a notorious animal snatcher has swiped a dog (named Ein) from an experimental lab. Sure he's cute, but what is the REAL story with this dog?
"Honky Tonk Women" finds Jet and Spike in a Casino in space. Trying run up what little cash they have left, they run into Faye Valentine. She's a gambler with millions in debt, recently shanghai'd into a scheme involving a special poker chip.
In "Gateway Shuffle" Spike and Jet run into Faye again (who now inducts herself into the "gang"). Some eco-terrorists are bent on saving the Ganamede Sea Rat... They'll make monkeys out of anyone in their way.
The last episode on this disc is "Ballad of the Fallen Angels." This episode is more audibly set to music than the others, and gives us a glimpse into Spike's past. But, it seems, more questions pop up in this glimpse, than are answered.

Each of the episodes have wonderful music in the background. (Listen to the tune during the first dog-chase in "Stray Dog Strut"! I was humming that one for DAYS!!) Thanks to Dolby Digital, you can enjoy the music and sound effects in crystal-clear surround sound.

The DVD includes English and Japanese language tracks and optional subtitles. You'll also find character introductions and a full-length music video of the show's title song "Tank!"

If you are fan of Sci-Fi or anime, you NEED to own this one!

Cowboy Bebop is what an television series should be, entertaining. The story is of two bounty hunters named Spike, a man running from his violent past, and Spike, a former cop whom lost his arm in an accident, whom travel the through the universe in a bid to capture wanted fugitives. The animation is absolutly dazzling, some of the best I have ever seen. The music, writen by Yoko Kanno is absolutly incredible especially "Ballad of the Fallen Angels". Cowboy Bebop ranges from comedy, to film noir like mystery, and finnaly to John Woo like action quality. This first volume in the six DVD series contains five episodes, buying this is actually cheaper then buying the episodes on DVD. The picture quality is good on DVD but what really takes the gold is the spectacular sound quality that this DVD offers. This series is recomended to viewers 13+. While most episodes contain only mild violence and language there are certain episodes such as episode five "Ballad of the Fallen Angels" which contains a violence level that is seen only in John Woo films. This is a series for anyone whom wants a return to a retro fashion story of mystery, revenge, betrayal, and good old fashioned jazz.

The Session 1 DVD of 'Cowboy Bebop' contains the first five episodes of the TV series, 'Asteroid Blues', 'Stray Dog Strut', 'Honky Tonk Women', 'Gateway Shuffle', and 'Ballad of Fallen Angel'. Once you can get by the embarrasing name of the series you will be in fo some of the greatest anime ever made for TV. Through a variety of brilliantly designed mecha and well designed characters and backgrounds every episode explodes with unique style; the director intended each episode to be reminisant of different Hollywood/Hong Kong films. Yoko Kanno's soundtrack covers up far from Blues, Western, Pop, Electronica, and Opera giving this anime a hip and earthy veneer helping the viewer connect to the future society displayed. As the crew of the bounty hunting spaceship 'Bebop' grow thru these episodes we are introduced to some of the most memorable secondary characters in anime. The plots and future world of 2071 are all well thought out and slowly reveal a sad state of affairs in the solar system and personal lives of the 'Bebop' crew. Great humor and intense action sequences help elevate this series far above the average pulp detective stories it emmulates. This DVD is a must buy for any anime fan, any action film fan, or anyone who loves great entertainment. Slight profanity occasionally, a good dose of blood and bullet wounds, and a slew of deaths in the violent OVA episodes make this series a little harsh for the kids, but prime for late teens and adults.

I'd heard a lot about this anime, so, since I had some money burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to try it out. And while this first Session doesn't live up to ALL the hype it's received, it certainly deserves the majority of the praise it gets.

In the first episode, "Asteroid Blues", we meet the two main characters, Spike and Jet. Spike is a non-chalant, no worries kind of guy, and seems to have an affinity for cigarettes and one-liners. Jet is the brains of the operation, sort of. He's mean looking, mean sounding, but in reality is more of a father figure to Spike than anything else.

The two are bounty hunters. They travel through space catching criminals and bringing them in for the rewards. The first villain we're shown is a common drug dealer aiming to make it big. Spike and Jet, despite not wanting to deal with "small fries", go after him anyway, as he's really the only bounty available to them.

On a side note, I should mention the computer animations merges flawlessly with the hand-drawn. Titan A.E. did a good job, but Cowboy Bebop does it better.

In the second ep, "Stray Dog Strut", we get a bit of comic relief. Spike and Jet take a job to capture a thief who took an important item from a laboratory. (Side Note: I was keeled over laughing at the thief. He looks like... Kobe Bryant.) Spike doesn't hve any trouble finding the thief, but catching the item is another story...

The third ep, "Honky Tonk Women", introduces Faye Valentine, a scantily clad gambler and experienced fighter. She gets caught up in a scheme at a casino to get a "special" poker chip for the owner. And, of course, Spike and Jet happen to drop by at the casino and get thrown into the middle of it.

The fourth ep, "Gateway Shuffle", takes sci-fi to a new level. An eco-terrorist group is holding a world ransom with a specially designed virus, just to save an endangered species. Of course, the bounty on the leader's head is enough to get Spike and Jet interested in the escapade.

The last ep, "Ballad of Fallen Angels", gives us a look back at Spike's past. The music shifts from upbeat jazz to mostly classical, orchestra music, which fits the mood well. The battle scene at the end is extremely well done, as well as extremely violent. In it, we get to know Vicious, a man from Spike's past, and a very cool villain. For anyone who's played Final Fantasy 7, Vicious reminds me very much of Sephiroth, in both look and mannerisms. Needless to say, the ending is out of this world, and really is what hooked me on for more.

However, I should warn about a couple things. It definately falls under the 13 and up rating, both for violence, and Spike's somewhat foul mouth. There's also a scene with a porno magazine, but nothing is shown that you can't get from buying a Barbie doll and stripping it.

All in all, Cowboy Bebop grabs you from the start. It's grip slips a little near the end, but once you get past the slow-moving 4th episode, it'll grab your attention, and most likely your wallet, again.

The coolest anime ever to hit the market if finally on DVD and Bandai did it justice. You get the first five episodes on one disc which are some of the best in the whole series (namely episodes 1 and 5). The image quality is real good and the subtitles are somewhat easy to read. The sound is the only place where I think Bandai didn't do it justice. Its in your minor Dolby 2.0 with no surround sound making the voices sound so quiet that you have to turn up the volume (not that I don't mind cranking up the volume during some of the gun fights). The Extras on this disc is the part where the DVD really shines. It contians a music video of Tank!, the full version, featuring scenes of some of the greatest moments in Bebop. Even more, the DVD also contains a Character Info video that was on Cowboy Bebop Session #0 in Japan. It was kinda fun to see. Overall, I think that fans of the show and new comers alike will enjoy this DVD. It contains violence, mature language (ah, I always love it when it Spike swears) and some mild nudity. So if you don't have this DVD now, get it now. This is a real treat.

Cowboy Bebop is the best anime TV series I have seen. The only unfortunate thing about it is its name, and that's only bad because it might put off potential viewers (actually, the blurb on the back cover is pretty bad, too). Cowboy Bebop sports terrific animation quality (including computer generated images which are much better integrated into the style of the cel animation than just about anything out there), interesting character designs, a great English dub, and terrific writing. Unlike most sci-fi TV or movies, Cowboy Bebop has a well thought-out world, where a fact learned in one episode is not blatantly contradicted in another. More importantly, Cowboy Bebop puts this world to use: out of the five episodes on this DVD, there are action episodes, comedic episodes, and a (rather action-packed) look at the past of main character, Spike.

I can think of only two reasons why someone would not like Cowboy Bebop: if you're unwilling to take animation seriously, this isn't the show for you, and if you demand a continuous plotline which runs throughout the show, Cowboy Bebop doesn't have that. Not that Cowboy Bebop is purely episodic; it is held together by the well-maintained world, where actions in past episodes have repercussions throughout, and by the pasts of the characters, which haunt them.

One last plug: Cowboy Bebop even has hilarious next episode previews after every episode. Watch them!