We are well aware that the series Cowboy Bebop did not receive a positive reception upon its release as a live-action adaptation. However, it seems that not only fans were disappointed with Netflix’s adaptation of Cowboy Bebop, but even the original creator of this anime/manga, Shinichiro Watanabe, expressed his inability to accept it.
Recently, the anime director shared his thoughts on the Netflix adaptation during an interview with Ollie Barder from Forbes, revealing that he only watched the first episode, which was released three weeks after the show premiered.
After briefly evaluating Watanabe’s career, including works such as Aoki Ryuusei SPT Layzner, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, and of course, Cowboy Bebop, he was asked about his feelings regarding Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop. He candidly stated, “I can’t really accept it.”
Watanabe recalled: “For the Netflix live-action adaptation, they sent me a video to review. It started with a scene in a bar, which made it very difficult for me to continue watching. I ended up just stopping and that is why I only watched the first scene.”
He further elaborated: “Clearly, it was not Cowboy Bebop and the moment I realized that if I wasn’t involved, it would not be Cowboy Bebop. I felt that it was necessary for me to participate positively. Even if the value of the original anime has increased significantly, it still felt different.”
One must acknowledge that despite the involvement of talented actors, the quality of the adaptation did not meet the expectations set by the original series Cowboy Bebop. This was also a major reason Netflix decided not to invest in subsequent seasons. From its release, the show received overwhelmingly negative reviews.
The series features three main characters known as “cowboys”: Spike Spiegel (played by John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) navigating a dangerous past. The series was developed by showrunner Christopher Yost.
In addition to expressing his dissatisfaction with Netflix’s adaptation, Watanabe also shared his general frustration with Hollywood’s approach to filmmaking.
Reflecting on his contributions to the animated film The Animatrix, he stated: “With The Animatrix, it was the first time I worked with people from Hollywood. Working with individuals like that was always challenging because from the very beginning, they assured me that I could do whatever I wanted, but that was entirely a lie. In fact, I had a significant conflict with a Hollywood studio regarding The Animatrix.”
Ultimately, Watanabe is not the first Japanese creator to express dissatisfaction, nor will he be the last, as foreign production houses often struggle to effectively capture the essence of their original works.
