6 Things Netflix’s Live-Action Cowboy Bebop Remake Must Do

1. Keep The Characters Poor

Cowboy Bebop
TV Tokyo

Lots of sci-fi shows are post-scarcity, with technology able to replicate resources as needed. Setting a show into the future often means regular day to day concerns get put aside for flights of fancy. And in general, that’s completely fine; Star Trek and Mass Effect wouldn’t be improved if you had Kirk, Picard or Shepard walking around in rags.

But in Cowboy Bebop, the crew were frequently struggling for cash, eating only ramen noodles and living pay cheque to pay cheque. It had a kitchen sink feel to it, mixed with the sci-fi backdrop. There was amazing technology in the show, the crew just didn’t get to use it very often. And those pay cheques weren’t boring labour work, they were intergalactic bounty hunts.

Since Bebop’s cancellation before its time, only Firefly has really stepped up to the plate as a replacement. Guardians Of The Galaxy maybe, but as a movie that feels more like a designated hitter in this baseball metaphor.

By having Bebop’s characters be poor, they were relatable and gave the show a gritty, noir feel. That has to remain for it to be the same show in live-action.

What do you want to see from a live-action Cowboy Bebop? Let us know down in the comments.

Contributor

Self appointed queen of the SJWs. Find me on Twitter @FiveTacey (The 5 looks like an S. Do you get it? Do you get my joke about the 5?)