Netflix has graced us with the live-action Cowboy Bebop’s first real trailer. We’ve seen pictures, we’ve seen the opening credits, and we’ve heard the soundtrack (courtesy of original composer Yoko Kanno), but now we get to see Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, and Faye Valentine in action, in costume, and in character.
Even before the trailer starts it's throwing up references to the anime. Called "Lost Session," the title itself refers to how the original anime called each of its episodes "sessions." It then begins with an old-school projector filter and a preview message giving the whole thing a campy '70s vibe, which fits the show's soundtrack perfectly.
In the same style as the anime, Spike, Faye, and Jet all embark on a bounty but with some very slick transitions between each scene. Vicious shows up to haunt Spike's ramen lunch, and then the transition bar turns into a bo staff for Spike to beat some banditos with.
Eventually, they all go home empty-handed after shooting the bounty target a few too many times in the face. Can't collect a bounty if there's nothing left to identify the corpse.
Besides all the great choreography and cinematography, one thing that really stood out is Netflix’s use of the original anime soundtrack. It’s almost like a tacit acknowledgment that there’s simply no improving on the anime’s tunes, so they’re not even going to bother trying. Although we were promised new, original music from Kanno, so we’ll have to wait to see where that pops up in the show.
I don't understand how anyone can watch that trailer and still think it's not worth watching, but if you're an anime purist, you'll be happy to know that Netflix is bringing back the original cartoon series on October 21. Watch Spike's battle with the Red Dragon Syndicate, Faye's fight with her gambling addiction, and Jet's fight with Ein and Ed aboard the Bebop before all this newfangled live-action nonsense became a thing.