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Disappointment in Cowboy Bebop?

I recently bought and watched all of Cowboy Bebop after hearing absolutely nothing but praise of it by just about all of my favorite anime critics. I finished it, and I felt a little dissapointed. I knew many things going into it, that the music was a big part of the story, that the characters were the main draw, and that it was mostly episodic in nature, but I still didn't really get into it very much. There were parts that I really like, like Pierrot le Fou, Speak Like a Child, The Real Folk Blues, and The Ballad of Fallen Angels, but most episodes left me feeling... "meh".
It's odd too, because I see no reason intellectually why this didn't work for me, I loved all the characters, I really enjoyed most of the music choices, and when it really delve into Spike and Viscious' story, I got into it quite a bit. Still, almost every episode left me feeling nothing. A lot of the dialogue was fun, but most of the stories seemed superfluous without any real depth or emotional draw. I find that rewatching some episodes help me enjoy them more, but I can't help feeling like I'm missing something. It has been hailed as the anime messiah, but I wouldn't give it more than a 6 or 7 out of ten. So what do you think, ANN community, am I missing something (in which case please explain to me) or did any of you feel the same way?

kennykillek wrote:

I recently bought and watched all of Cowboy Bebop after hearing absolutely nothing but praise of it by just about all of my favorite anime critics. I finished it, and I felt a little dissapointed. I knew many things going into it, that the music was a big part of the story, that the characters were the main draw, and that it was mostly episodic in nature, but I still didn't really get into it very much. There were parts that I really like, like Pierrot le Fou, Speak Like a Child, The Real Folk Blues, and The Ballad of Fallen Angels, but most episodes left me feeling... "meh". It's odd too, because I see no reason intellectually why this didn't work for me, I loved all the characters, I really enjoyed most of the music choices, and when it really delve into Spike and Viscious' story, I got into it quite a bit. Still, almost every episode left me feeling nothing. A lot of the dialogue was fun, but most of the stories seemed superfluous without any real depth or emotional draw. I find that rewatching some episodes help me enjoy them more, but I can't help feeling like I'm missing something. It has been hailed as the anime messiah, but I wouldn't give it more than a 6 or 7 out of ten. So what do you think, ANN community, am I missing something (in which case please explain to me) or did any of you feel the same way?

I'm guessing, so don't take offense, but maybe it's because of your age? please let me ask, did you grow up with these, and are they familiar to you?

Honky Tonk Woman (Honky Tonk Women or Session 3 on the dvd case)
Sympathy for the Devil (Session 6)
Toys in the Attic (Session 11)
Bohemian Rhapsody (Session 14)
My Funny Valentine (Session 15)
Wild Horses (Session 19)

They're the names of episodes, sure, but they're not - they're The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Queen, and "My Funny Valentine" I've heard from Miles Davis, and Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio. The first set that was released has artwork on the discs that make them resemble a vinyl lp.

If I didn't recognize my own American culture and music being paid tribute to, reflected back, and paid homage to here, then of course I'd be inclined to say that I was missing something too. There's also homage to the iconic Bruce Lee, an NBA basketball player, Jazz, the Blues, and the use of hallucinogenics thrown in for good measure. These are things the Director and the creators were obviously aware of when they set out to make this. Are they fans of American pop culture? It sure seems like it to me.

As for the characters. Each has a past (or a past they are seeking), a former life, a history. For what it's worth, if I was a twenty something this aspect about them probably wouldn't have the same effect on my viewing experience as it does now (now that I'm almost 50! egads). I like to and want to believe that nowadays I have a better understanding that mistakes get made, life happens, and other things can come back to you like they did for Spike. At least that's part of what I got from this show. It's not perfect, no show is, and not every show I watch will be one that I instantly 'click' with, or immediately take a liking to. But at the same time, I try not to waste time fretting over it, and just do my best to enjoy whatever it is that I'm watching, anime or otherwise.

Also there are less defenders of the show here than I expected, most people are taking a neutral stance, making this far less hysterical then I had initially hoped

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kennykillek wrote:

....

If you watch it now then it won't amount to much. It was given praise because it was the first of its kind that did it right. Anyway, watch more anime and you'll appreciate it more lol

Also you contradict your self so make up your mind.

ShinobiX wrote:

kennykillek wrote: .... If you watch it now then it won't amount to much. It was given praise because it was the first of its kind that did it right. Anyway, watch more anime and you'll appreciate it more lol Also you contradict your self so make up your mind.

Are you telling him to go watch bad anime so he likes this more by comparison? If so that seems like a good way to waste your time.

NegativeGate wrote:

ShinobiX wrote: kennykillek wrote: .... If you watch it now then it won't amount to much. It was given praise because it was the first of its kind that did it right. Anyway, watch more anime and you'll appreciate it more lol Also you contradict your self so make up your mind. Are you telling him to go watch bad anime so he likes this more by comparison? If so that seems like a good way to waste your time.

I don't see why you'd reduce the advice "watch more anime" to "watch bad anime". Bad would be one of many subjective conclusions kennykillek would form after watching various anime. Watching more anime would mean he would be able to see for himself how CB measures up against other anime in general. First hand knowledge/experience is generally better than taking word of mouth/hype at face value.

"It was given praise because it was the first of its kind that did it right" implies others did it wrong.

would seem to mean that in order to properly appreciate the advances of cowboy bebop you would need to experience what the medium was like beforehand.

"watch more anime and you'll appreciate it more" would seem to mean that in order to properly appreciate the advances of cowboy bebop you would need to experience what the medium was like beforehand.

...reading reviews beforehand, where people criticize a work, causes you be more critical of the work...

Took the words right out of my mouth. It is this reason why I will never see [insert any heavily discussed creative work here] in my lifetime.