Why Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop Reviews Are So Negative

Reviews are in for Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop, and unfortunately, they’ve been skewing largely negative. Since its debut in 1998, the Cowboy Bebop anime has been a staple of the anime community and one of the most popular and influential entries into the medium of all time. The live-action adaptation, however, doesn’t appear as if it will be leaving the same impression on people.

Opinions were mixed about the live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop from day one. Photos of the Cowboy Bebop cast and the initial trailers made it seem as if the show would try to be faithful to the original, and Yoko Kanno, the composer for the original anime, being announced to compose the music for the show was also a point in its favor. On the other hand, there has been, and still is, a long history of anime receiving terrible live-action adaptations, so it made sense for people to be skeptical.

With reviews for Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop being largely negative, that skepticism appears to be largely justified. Critics have felt that the show tried too hard to stick to the original Cowboy Bebop anime while failing to capture the magic of what made it work, and at the same time, its attempts at doing something new ultimately fall flat for how they undermine the parts of the show people are invested in. Below is a list of what some reviewers had to say about it:

Entertainment Weekly:

“But now that the live-action Lion King and the original animated Lion King are both available on Disney+ for the same cost, who in their right mind would ever click play on the muddy, “realistic” version when the beautiful animated masterpiece is sitting right there?… The new Cowboy Bebop will probably excite anyone who’s never seen the original anime, and those who have might be tickled by all the homages and recreations. But in each case, it’d be more fulfilling to move Netflix’s cursor one spot over and check out the original series. Easy come, easy go.”

Vulture:

“Cowboy Bebop was never just another anime, but in this new form, it flirts with being just another Netflix action series, with accompanying mid-season bloat, liminal dialogue, and sexless sex scenes. Once the excitement of recognizing the Bebop’s couch, Spike’s cigarettes, and Ein’s exuberant tail-wagging wears off, it becomes obvious what this adaptation is missing. Brought to life, Cowboy Bebop loses some of its melancholy soul.”

RogerEbert.com:

“Cowboy Bebop had the rhythm of jazz, an art form that’s full of improvisational expression. You can’t fake that. You certainly can’t try to just re-create it, but this live-action version loses any sense of inventive creativity in a failed attempt at fidelity to the source. Someone should call a bounty hunter.”

That being said, there has been some praise to be had for the show. As previously stated, many critics thought the cast was great in their roles, and while some thought that the show faltered in attempting to recapture the magic of the original series, others thought that it was able to do a good job in this regard. Some reviews that were of that mind are listed here:

IGN:

“Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop succeeds in unapologetically celebrating and embracing the anime, even if some attempts to add to the storyline fall flat.”

ComicBookMovie.com:

“Like its ragtag protagonists, Cowboy Bebop is a little rough around the edges, but also eminently entertaining and an absolute blast to spend time with. Netflix’s adaptation doesn’t quite recapture the anime’s effortless cool, but it comes pretty damn close.”

Rolling Stone:

“Every time it seems as if none of these elements should make sense together, especially in live action, Cowboy Bebop goes sprinting off a cliff, refusing to look down at the void, and just keeps moving forward.”

All in all, it appears that many critics felt Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop couldn’t live up to its iconic and beloved anime predecessor. Despite having a few bright spots, the general consensus is that it ultimately falls flat as both an adaptation and as its own work. While fans and other viewers may end up reacting to it better, as of now, the show looks like it could be joining a collection of lackluster live-action anime adaptations.