Rating: Summary: This is one of the best ! Review: Out of all the various US made/produced DVDs, this DVD has the best video transfer. Besides the video/audio quality, the animation is great. The story resembles that of Lupin the 3rd. The anime has good story lines, great characters, humor, action, mecha...but most of all, this show has style...which is further reinforced by the jazz/blues soundtrack. If you are not into giant robots and pokemon, this is the one for you. It's very, very enjoyable.
Rating: Summary: Smash Hit in Japan finally available here!! Review: 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! (I'm just waiting for Amazon.Com to carry the various Sountracks!)
Rating: Summary: BETTER LOOKING THAN CONSTRUCTED Review: Note my STAR RATING is confined to this particular volume of the DVD and not the series as a whole and I have yet to work my way through the rest of the episodes. That said, COWBOY BEBOP is pretty close to being ultra cool (with opening graphics and music rivaling that of GUNSMITH CATS in greatness) and it looks REALLY GREAT for a TV series... even high end recent series seldom look this good consistently through entire episodes. Terrific characters and great design (both mechs and people) and a funky beat (both aural and visual) round out the highpoints of this particular DVD. However, so far (only five episodes) the series has yet to live up to either its potential or its reputation with press and fans. It is nearly regarded as a modern legend in stature. Perhaps it is but it has yet to bear this out for me. The main problem is there is a slightness to the stories (excepting the tremendously poetic fifth episode) so far and a severe lack of logic in the way events bear out and people behave (at least it appears that way to me.) But damn it sure looks good (and episode five seems to point to greater things to come.) Besides, it has Faye Valentine who is the coolest anime babe since LUPIN III's Fujiko (indded BEEBOP could be viewed as a SF reworking of LUPIN in spirit) and the coolest TV babe this side of Emma Peel. So, BEEBOP is pretty much a must for anime fans and a good bet for non fans (particularly those into SF and retro intrigue type shows) to check out. It has yet to hook me but I'll certainly be back for more. Before I go, a reference to some prior comments by other reviewers: The Japanese subtitling (under songs) is offered as a service to Anime Fans (Fandom as a unit) who are interested in both the english translation and the original lyrics; and the title COWBOY BEBOP is pretty cool, not embarassing. OK, that's my deal. Go check it out.
Rating: Summary: Quentin Tarantino in thirty minute doses Review: Cowboy Bebop is a series of two bounty hunters, Spike and Jet, who fly around the galaxy in their ship called the Bebop. Along the way they tackle drug crazed lunatics, a basketball player sized pet thief, corrupt casino operators, a gorgeous card shark, a maniacal green peace leader, and a syndicate turn coat with a violent streak longer than the grand canyon. And that's just on the first disk. This is the sort of thing that Quentin Tarantino would produce if the cartoon network ever gave him a thirty minute slot. For example, we've got fairly slick dialogue, a cool range of characters, and a jazzy soundtrack that goes even further in outlying Yoko Kanno's talents as a composer(Macross Plus, Vision of Escaflowne, Brain Powered, etc). The animation isn't bad either. The combination of both CGI and conventional animation is done so well, that it doesn't appear to clash, bringing to life a spectacular universe. A top quality series.
Rating: Summary: Spaghetti Western meets Bruce Lee meets James Bond Review: Cowboy Bebop is a TV show running 26 episodes (I believe). When I first heard of this show, I was skeptical. I had a very strong preconception of Japanese animation which was blown away by this title. It defies genre. Very often we make the mistake of classifying anime in its own "section" when in reality what we consider one thing is actually several different kinds of stories. This reminded me of an earlier title, Cobra, which the anime at least was similar too sans the late 70's, early 80's look. Cowboy Bebop expemplifies this, providing a unique spin on Bounty Hunters in space. The irreverent duo of Spike and Jet and their motley crew go on several -- successful and not -- ventures. The story moves. It has steam. I have seen it numerous times and never get bored or glance at the clock. This DVD is worth it, if only for the exceptional fifth episode, which is aboslutely _gorgeous_. The CGI, which normally does nothing for me, was tastefull and extremley well-integratred. The DVD menu is simple, yet suited to the theme and well designed. It is very nice to look at. The chapters are perfectly broken down several times between the episode (so you can skip opening and ending songs when watching it at length, or not as you choose), which is often a problem on other anime disks that are TV series. From a technical aspect, it ran perfectly smooth on my player. My one complaint is that with english subtitles turned on, at the end of a few episodes, the songs were subtitled japanese instead. I was however, very pleased with the purchase, and intent to get the rest of the series.
Rating: Summary: Great Anime Review: This anime was just what I hope it would be, perfection. It has great animation, great music, and an excellent story. I also suggest trying this if you are a big Trigun fan.
Rating: Summary: 5 stylish episodes from a modern classic ... Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: one of the best anime out there Review: Cowboy Bebop is full of action, suspense, and humor. It is a great series filled with original characters and plots. You'll never look at anime the same way again after you watch cowboy bebop. If you have never seen anime before, there is no better way to start. As for anime fans, trigun is another show very similar to cowboy bebop. You might want to check that out too.
Rating: Summary: I Bop for Cowboy DVD Review: If you loved this series on tape, the DVD is going to blow you away. The menu is nicely done with good chapter breaks and there are a couple of bonus features; Tank! Music Clip (very neat video) and Character Introductions (could live without). The picture and sound are likewise excellent. DVD is the way to hear the amazing sound track by Yoko Kanno. I look forward to more Bandai titles coming out on DVD, esp. more Bebop!
Rating: Summary: Jet Ji meets Chow Yun Fat..... Review: Reciepe for a wonderfullly constructed Anime. 1)Add in a dash of Jet Li 2)A hearty spoonfull of Chow Yun Fat and 3)Enough comedy to make it interesting but not a comedy ;-) Mix for 20 minutes each episode with as many interstellar adventures as possible, gun fight scenes, hand to hand combat scenes, and finally. Add a cute dog, a grumpy sidekick, and a voluptous woman with a penchant for gambling and you have Cowboy Bebop. Each of these episodes build on each other as any good anime will. While the first two don't seem to really intrigue you the 5th episode will hook you for sure. All the suspense and intrigue is blown wide open while at the same time making you ask MORE questions about the characters. Truely a work of art, the scenery is spectacular and the CG that is Top Notch. no question in my mind, I am pre buying the next tape!
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