I’m sure for plenty of you this is not new information.
I knew since I found out a few months back, that I would most likely make a post on this topic.
Cowboy Bebop is probably one of the most well known popular anime that exists!
Even fans who aren’t typically inclined to watch anime have often heard of and/or enjoyed the series!
This show will always hold a special place in my heart, being one of the first shows that ever made me fall in love with anime during the good ol’ “Toonami” days on Cartoon Network!
Often, many feel it is overrated which I can understand in some ways. The amazing characters and often philosophical views expressed even in the most simplest of episodes are more than enough to sell me though!
When I found out this show was getting the very “infamous” (in the anime world) live action series by Netflix I was as equally excited as I was dreading to see how much it was butchered…
Any anime fan or avid Netflix viewer would know that live action versions of anime no matter who they are made by are typically never that good…
Like at all!
I was very excited to hear that it would be a series instead of a movie which at least inspires some hope that it will not be rushed or a larger number of amazing potential scenes not being included.
The number one thing from what I have gathered reading information and opinions on this topic entailed would who play the leads?
Especially, with all the characters being extremely iconic and unique in their own respective ways!
Many rumors spread and were imagined for who could land the roles.
Until, only very recently were some released!
I’m just going to say right now that another common “theme” with these types of projects is something that is often referred to as “white washing.” Meaning simply that with anime being primarily of Asian descent that these various live action productions seldom include performers from these regions…
It would seem that this show took the opportunity to break this mold!
When, honestly? In my opinion…
This was the last show that something like this should have been corrected!
I don’t mean to imply that Spike, for example, the man character of the show should not be portrayed by an actor of Asian ancestry. Just simply that the setting of this series taking place in space with people from many various planets is different in a sense than other shows. It often even clearly portrays races of other people, where in this character is clearly not Asian. (This is all really here nor there for me personally and more just something I’ve come across researching the upcoming series.)
Just for a frame of reference the actor chosen to play Spike has been decided to be filled by John Cho.
Who some may be familiar with in movies such as “When Harold and Kumar go to White Castle” and the newer “Star Trek” films.
Spike has an attitude and presence that I worry about this actor being able to convey…
And I’m a fan for the most part!
They also chose to do this with another character named Jet (to be played by Mustafa Shakir) when the same set of circumstances with race in the show are often clearly expressed. With this portrayal, I don’t feel the presence of personality would be as apparent or strong as with Spike in my opinion, however. Also, I feel in some ways this is not that much of a stretch because Jet does almost have an odd skin shade, not that this should be relevant at all. Once again, I’ve just seen others mention this along side the previously stated.
The actress who is due to play Faye Valentine, Daniella Pineda, seems to fit the role at least slightly better than her fellow comrades. I’ve yet to see anything positive or negative about her yet.
Last I saw no one has been selected yet to play the wild-child hacker, Edward. (I love her for the record!)
This is not to say that all of these actors/actresses won’t do an amazing job!
Clearly, a ton of other factors will depend on whether this show will be a success or not.
Only time will tell what lies for this adaptation!
For all we know it could still end up breaking the mold and turning out to be something phenomenal!
We’ll see I guess space cowboys…
“Are-you-living-in-the-real-world-Spike”by luis_vega_1999 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
“cowboybebop5”by zaipe is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Random Thoughts and Info brought to you by Cailin Conroy! 