Cowboy Bebop (1998)
A groundbreaking anime series blending space opera, noir, and jazz into one of the most celebrated works in animation history.
Cowboy Bebop - Series Information
- Original Title: カウボーイビバップ
- First Air Year: 1998
- Last Air Year: 1999
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Western
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 3, 1998 (United States - TV-14), April 3, 1998 (Canada - 14+), April 3, 1998 (United Kingdom - 15), April 3, 1998 (Germany - 16), April 3, 1998 (France - TP), April 3, 1998 (India - A), April 3, 1998 (New Zealand - M), April 3, 1998 (Australia - M), April 3, 1998 (Brazil - 16), April 3, 1998 (Mexico - B-15), April 3, 1998 (Italy - VM14), April 3, 1998 (Spain - 16), April 3, 1998 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: TV Tokyo, WOWOW Prime
- Production Companies: SUNRISE, Bandai Visual
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: 星球牛仔 (CN), Kaubôi bibappu (CA), Cowboy Bebop (HU), Kauboj Bebop (HR), COWBOY BEBOP (JP), Kaubôi bibappu (KR), Kaubôi bibappu (HK), Ατίθασοι καουμπόις (GR)
Cowboy Bebop - Plot
In 2071, roughly fifty years after an accident with a hyperspace gateway made the Earth almost uninhabitable, humanity has colonized most of the rocky planets and moons of the Solar System. Amid a rising crime rate, the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP) set up a legalized contract system, in which registered bounty hunters, also referred to as "Cowboys", chase criminals and bring them in alive in return for a reward.
Cowboy Bebop - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the Bebop crew's world:
See you space cowboy...
Where to Watch Cowboy Bebop
Looking for where to watch Cowboy Bebop?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Cowboy Bebop - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Koichi Yamadera
- Unsho Ishizuka
- Megumi Hayashibara
- Aoi Tada
- Isshin Chiba
- Hiroshi Naka
- Tsutomu Tareki
- Miki Nagasawa
- Toshihiko Nakajima
- Jin Hirao
Writers
- Keiko Nobumoto
- Shinichiro Watanabe
- Michiko Yokote
- Dai Sato
- Sadayuki Murai
Cowboy Bebop - FAQs
Where can you stream Cowboy Bebop online?
Cowboy Bebop is available to stream on Crunchyroll and the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.
Is Cowboy Bebop considered one of the greatest anime ever made?
Yes, Cowboy Bebop is widely regarded as one of the greatest anime series ever produced. Critics and fans consistently praise its genre-blending storytelling, Yoko Kanno's iconic jazz-infused soundtrack, and its cinematic direction. It holds near-perfect scores on major review platforms and remains a defining work of the medium.
What is Cowboy Bebop about?
Set in 2071, Cowboy Bebop follows a ragtag crew of bounty hunters — called Cowboys — aboard the spaceship Bebop as they chase criminals across a colonized Solar System. The series blends space opera with noir, exploring themes of loneliness, identity, and the inescapable weight of the past.
How many episodes does Cowboy Bebop have?
Cowboy Bebop consists of 26 main episodes across its single season, plus 3 additional special episodes. Each episode — referred to as a “session” — runs approximately 25 minutes and tells a largely self-contained story while advancing the overarching narrative.
Who are the main voice actors in Cowboy Bebop?
The principal Japanese voice cast features Koichi Yamadera as Spike Spiegel, Unsho Ishizuka as Jet Black, Megumi Hayashibara as Faye Valentine, and Aoi Tada as Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivruski IV. Norio Wakamoto voices the menacing antagonist Vicious.
What is the ending of Cowboy Bebop explained?
In the finale, Spike confronts his past by facing Vicious in a final, fateful showdown at the Red Dragon Syndicate. The ambiguous conclusion — Spike descending the stairs after the battle — is widely interpreted as his death, symbolizing his release from a life defined by a past he could never escape.
When did Cowboy Bebop first air?
Cowboy Bebop first aired on April 3, 1998, in Japan on TV Tokyo, though its initial broadcast was heavily censored and only 12 episodes were shown. The complete 26-episode run later aired uncensored on WOWOW Prime, concluding in 1999.
Who composed the music for Cowboy Bebop?
The score for Cowboy Bebop was composed by Yoko Kanno, performed by her band The Seatbelts. The soundtrack is celebrated as one of anime's finest, spanning jazz, blues, rock, and classical genres. The opening theme “Tank!” remains one of the most recognizable pieces in animation history.
More About Cowboy Bebop
Explore further details about Cowboy Bebop on these authoritative sources.