Comments for Bebop Musings

Comment on Rather Spike-Like by Juan Batiste Corelli

Juan Batiste Corelli — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:55:03 +0000

Yes, Levitt as Spiegel. No question. Spiegel is 27. Reeves is getting crusty by comparison, already past 40.

Comment on Rather Spike-Like by Michele

Michele — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:55:56 +0000

Not to mention JGL is far closer to Spike’s age than Keanu Reeves.

Comment on Rather Spike-Like by Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:43:00 +0000

Lol, I saw this picture just the other day and thought that.

Also, I adore JGL.

Comment on The Symbolism of Smoking by Serp

Serp — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:23:10 +0000

Brilliant article! I always wondered about smoking since something just didn’t seem right. I watched Fad and Meifa deal with the crew’s cigarette addictions, and I also noticed how Spike never smoked at the end although I thought smoking was just there to fit in with the western, bluesy, noir style of the show. I think you really hit the nail on the head, particularly about Jet and Meifa.

Comment on There’s Something About Blue by Cierra

Cierra — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:09:02 +0000

wow… see, this is why i love reading other people’s ideas. i catch things that i might have missed, and a lot of what you’re saying makes a lot of sense. the whole color thing in Jupiter Jazz is so obvious- though i never caught it! -the blue theme i mean. i think it’s great that you’ve gone deeper into understanding the many links and meanings within the show. that is what makes it so damn addicting and intriguing as a whole. Cowboy Bebop will always be my favorite anime because of this… thanks for your thoughts. very interesting.

Comment on The Fate of Spike Spiegel by DBrown

DBrown — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:54:43 +0000

What’s REALLY fun is to watch the dub with the subtitles turned on. You’d be amazed at the differences!

What version of the series do you have? Have you gone into the disc setup menu to see if you can select the Japanese sound track? Or is it REALLY old? The Remix is a box set and sells new on amazon.com for $39. I got it used for $29. You can probably find it cheaper on ebay too.

The remix automatically plays the dubbed version unless you go into set up and select the Japanese sound track and turn on the subtitles. It’s just the opposite of the movie that plays the sub – you have to go into setup to get to the dub.

I have my own theory about the movie that I have been hearing is shared by a number of people.

Comment on Faye and Julia: The Women in Spike’s Life by Trina

Trina — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:27:46 +0000

Oh wow, I interpret it completely differently and reach the directly opposite conclusions. (One of the perks of this series, don’t you think?)

For me, I do see it as choosing Bebop over Julia and of staying and fighting rather than running away. Essentially, taking responsibility and protcting those he cares rather than shirking it and being a tad bit selfish.

He definitely was unwilling to face his past (although Ballad of Fallen Angels and Jupiter Jazz might hint to the contrary) but he also did change through the series, in my opinion. If nothing else, he did open up to Jet, in particular, but also a little to Faye. And grow to love the damn kid and the damn dog and the damn wench with attitude. But, eh, maybe you should write an essay about your interpretation? What you consider the evidence for it, etc. That would really be fascinating for me to read.

~ Trina ~

Comment on The Fate of Spike Spiegel by Trina

Trina — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:22:24 +0000

I’ve been given the English dubbed version for my birthday last year. Any idea where I could get the Japanese original version, avec Subs? Also…any ideas where I can get my hands on the series that isn’t ludicrously expensive for a student? All the oens I could find were minimum £10 for 5-6 sessions, which seemed a bit much.

At some point, I’m going to rewatch the movie VERY carefully because there was a couple of stuff that I noticed that people have either interpreted differently or haven’t picked up on. I really need to get round to doing it though. Ah well. (And it’s so much better when you can compare and contract the dubbed version with the subbed version. ^_^ )

~ Trina ~

Comment on Faye and Julia: The Women in Spike’s Life by Chris

Chris — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:28:28 +0000

Wow, I definitely did not interpret the ending to imply Spike had chosen the Bebop crew over Julia. Just the opposite. He was the only one who was unwilling to let go of his past and embrace his new life and so he died. He cares for Jet and Faye, and I’m sure he also wanted to protect them from harm (especially once Julia died and they were all he had left) but he’d never choose them over Julia.

I think the tragedy of Spike Spiegel and of this series in general, is that he is who he is. Faye changes and grows a lot through the series, and so does Jet to an extent. Spike doesn’t. He just can’t.

Comment on The Fate of Spike Spiegel by DBrown

DBrown — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:08:42 +0000

Very very well put!

I loved the movie. I watch the series in subtitles, but tend to watch the dubbed version of the movie (it’s funnier). The downside to watching the dubbed movie is that Vincent is MUCH more annoying. I can’t figure out if it was the actor’s voice, his performance or if he was just more talkative in the dub.

But the movie… definite YAY.