Reboots and reimaginings are a dime a dozen these days, but Netflix is nonetheless turning heads with its upcoming live-action adaptation of the classic “Cowboy Bebop” anime series.
The anticipation for the new version is high, and understandably so: The original “Cowboy Bebop,” which ran from 1998 to 1999 and encompassed 26 episodes, is considered to be one of the greatest anime series of all time and helped popularize the medium in the United States. Live-action adaptations of beloved anime IPs have a rocky track record, but Netflix is hedging its bets that its subscribers will take a liking to the streaming service’s upcoming series.
From its release date to its synopsis, here’s everything that you need to know about Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop”:
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When Will Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop” Premiere?
Image Credit: Netflix The live-action “Cowboy Bebop” has set a release date for November 19. The first season will consist of 10 episodes. Like most Netflix titles, all episodes of the series will be released simultaneously.
Reports on the series’ development surfaced in 2017 and Netflix announced that it would distribute the show on its streaming service in 2018.
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Is Netflix’s Series a Remake of the Anime?
Image Credit: Courtesy Series showrunner André Nemec has stated that he intends for the Netflix show to be an “expansion to the canon,” rather than a shot-for-shot remake of the original series.
Netflix’s synopsis reads: “‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka ‘cowboys,’ all trying to outrun the past. As different as they are deadly, Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals — for the right price. But they can only kick and quip their way out of so many scuffles before their pasts finally catch up with them.”
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Is There a Trailer?
Image Credit: Netflix Though Netflix has yet to unveil the official trailer for “Cowboy Bebop,” the company dropped the opening credits sequence for the series during a recent fan event. The credits are a throwback to the original anime’s credits and feature “Tank!,” the series iconic opening song. Many of the action scenes in the live-action series’ opening credits are recreations of scenes from the anime’s opening credits.
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Who Created and Stars in the Netflix Series?
Image Credit: Netflix André Nemec serves as the series’ showrunner and executive produces alongside Jeff Pinkner, Josh Appelbaum, and Scott Rosenberg of Midnight Radio; Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios; Makoto Asanuma, Shin Sasaki, and Masayuki Ozaki of Sunrise Inc.; as well as Tim Coddington, Tetsu Fujimura, Michael Katleman, Matthew Weinberg, and Christopher Yost.
As for the cast, John Cho will portray Spike Spiegal, Mustafa Shakir will play Jet Black, Daniella Pineda will portray Faye Valentine, Elena Satine will play Julia, and Alex Hassell will play Vicious.
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But the Real Star of the Series Is…
Image Credit: Geoffrey Short / Netflix Meet Harry. Harry plays Ein. Ein is a dog. Ein is a very good dog, obviously, but you can tell that from a quick glance at this official publicity image, courtesy of Netflix. In the original series, Ein was known as a “data dog,” which means his mind was altered in a laboratory — giving him enhanced intelligence — before making his way into the Bebop crew.
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Finally, Here’s the Poster
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Netflix will release “Cowboy Bebop” on November 19. Check out three of the stars’ backs in the poster above.
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