Netflix’s Live Action Cowboy Bebop Has Been Cancelled

Netflix has decided to cancel its live-action adaptation of the Cowboy Bebop anime, which was starring John Cho as Spike Spiegel, Daniella Pineda as Faye Valentine, and Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the second season of Cowboy Bebop was not renewed due to the show’s poor reception, hence why less than a month since the series’ release on the 19^th of November, the show has abruptly been cancelled.

Most reviews for the adaptation generally criticised the show’s weak pacing, the cheap-looking costumes, and the sets; many fans further complained that the live-action version has failed to capture the essence of what made the 1996 anime version so great.

The live-action adaptation of Cow Bebop was originally announced in 2018, but production was delayed nearly a year due to an ACL injury John Cho suffered on the set, followed by the pandemic. After the news of the show being cancelled first came out recently, actor Jon Cho tweeted a gif with the caption, “I’m okay.”

Cowboy Bebop premiered on the 19^th of November after dropping several trailers, as seen below, and a video of the opening title sequence, also available to watch below; the opening was a shot-for-shot remake of the anime’s iconic opening theme, which the fans have mixed feelings about.

Due to the cancellation, there will be some plotlines that will be left hanging, such as Radical Ed appearing at the end of the first season, but not able to make it to the second season with an explanation as to what is going on. However, on the bright side, we have some new music by Yoko Kanno to enjoy, so the show was not a complete disaster!