Cowboy Bebop Episode [7] Heavy Metal Queen

This episode took a departure from the morose mood that permeated throughout the past two episodes. A break from despair is always fine; I understand that Bebop needs be light hearted from time to time.

Decker was a spitting image of Woody Allen. To think a notorious criminal would love the atmosphere of a children’s ice cream parlor… The whole mix-up between criminals was amusing because where of the location. If it were anywhere else, say a bar, it would have lost a lot of comedy.

The concept of space tractor trailers is pretty ingenious to me, making the series seem more modern than futuristic. However, the music that accompanied was more for show than it was to provide accompaniment to the scenes. I know the music is there for a reason, but it was too loud and overbearing, and out of place with other episodes. I miss the classier sounds of earlier.

I would have never guessed V.T. to be a woman at all. Honestly, it figures that Spike would be the one with enough intuition to see through her. I mean, if Faye were the one to decipher V.T., Spike would lose credibility. He has to be put on a pedestal sometime. All in all V.T. was an decent character; she didn’t really impress me beyond the fact that she was a cross dresser. She seems to be like Spike in the respect that she is burying her past and forging a new life. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is mentioned again.

The scene at the Linus Mines = very entertaining. Shooting a gun to move through space is one of the smartest things anyone could ever imagine. I can tell that Faye will never be taken seriously at all. She isn’t too air headed; I guess it’s just the fact she’s so stubborn.

Final Score: 7/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [6] Sympathy for the Devil

I’m disappointed that there was no reference to Episode 5 because I was hoping a little that the content presented might be further explored. I was totally wrong. Yet, this episode was intriguing and dark, continuing the mood set earlier.

Wen was a phenomenal character; I was completely afraid of Wen and then somehow I felt sympathy for him at the end. His evilness is at an all time overload, as he manipulates the basically unconscious Zebra. He was like one of those possessed children out of a horror movie that they always put on the movie trailer and I will have nightmares.

When Spike reached Giraffe too late, it further cemented my theories of fate. He can’t save everyone. He’s not your typical hero that can miraculously wipe out the baddies and save the day. Spike comes across as a regular person who is trying to combat what is thrown at him the best way he can.

The interaction between Spike and Jet mirrored much of The Ballad of Fallen Angles. There was tension and many unspoken words that showed a deep friendship between the two.

I was somewhat sorrowful when the tear rolled down Zebra’s cheek, and I never really am a person that becomes deeply involved in a storyline. They managed to keep the episode’s humor at a minimum, allowing emotion to accumulate, which I approve, because although comedy is fun, it often pulls away from the story at hand.

The execution of Wen’s death was fitting. Perhaps death is really the ultimate problem solver. I could not feel any sympathy for him because eternal life is no reason to kill whatsoever. He was so unbelievably demented that he was a character that could have a major presence throughout a series.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Kemonozume Episode [3] The Night of the Salty New Moon

Not a particulary fast moving episode. Yuka has expressed a great deal about her past, feeling confined to the fate her mother has left her. At times she acts in a child-like manner, referring to the name of her friend’s dog and the way she interacts fluidly with the children. She seems to have lost what was her childhood due to her “condition.” The mention of her friend Midori makes me now believe that the shokujinki are quite widespread. Will we meet any more on the interaction level as Yuka?

Toshihiko on the other hand discloses nothing about himself and I am waiting for him to do so because when he does we will also learn more about Kazuma. I don’t believe that Kazuma’s hatred towards Toshihiko is simply that Toshihiko is not blood-related. There had to have been something else that happened before the whole Yuka incident. Did Juzo give preferential treatment? This is probably the most reasonable explanation.

I liked the snippets of dialouge expressing the relationship between Toshihiko and Kazuma. It’s almost ideal to simply fast forward through what would be overdone scenes. An interesting technique.

The appearance of the “giant” man made me confused because it was never explained why he was so massively huge. However, by his presence it is shown that Toshihiko is basically outlawed and on the run with Yuka.

The state of Yuka’s uncle’s villa was decrepid and foreign, resembling the not so normal like Yuka has been leading. Except for the encounter with the children, there was no one there at all, creating detachment. The whole place is similar to Yuka in general.

Final Score: 8/10

Kemonozume Episode [2] Hardship’s Farewell

There was not a lot of dialogue in the beginning, and I rather liked it, as the music and the images told what was happening and made it all more believable. I enjoy the romance between Yuka and Toshihiko.

Everyone has finally discovered Yuka’s secret, and I am quite surprised it happened this early, as I thought it would be drawn out longer. The tension occurring with Yuka during the dinner after the viewing only strained the relationship between Toshihiko and his family. Of course, Toshihiko will more than likely fight for his girl until the very end and never give in.

The stomach aches Toshihiko has before he can finish off a shokujinki must be related to Yuka somehow, distantly. I surmise that he has never been able to completely kill one before. The image of the “mother” that appears looks a lot like Yuka. I wonder about that and how Toshihiko came into his adopted family in the first place.

I cannot figure out Rie. She seems timid and manipulative, but somehow I think she only acted the way she did because of her father’s death. I will keep my thoughts about her in the back of my mind until later.

All of the men at the dojo are very, very creepy. Most of them look like they have huge, round fish heads! That’s the style though.

I believe that Yuka’s ex-boyfriend (or whatever he is) killed the father. It all makes sense; he wanted Yuka for himself and he could easily frame her for it. We shall see if this is so.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [5] Ballad of Fallen Angels

Completely and utterly breathtaking! This is the true potential the Bebop can ascertain. After the previous episode this makes me think where in the hell did this come from? I don’t really need to know the answer because it was stupendous. The animation quality was raised very noticeably. Faye’s dress at the opera flushed with color and intesified her beauty. Even the church caught my eye, although it was all drabby and the like.

I must have watched Spike’s fall at least five times; I couldn’t help rewinding! The music that accompanied the scene enchanted me, drawing me away from the darkness presented, just as Spike’s mind is closing itself to the outside world and delving deep into hauting memories. A mysterious woman permeates all his memories, though we have never seen her, and I can assume that she hold meaning to Spike. Because she has been missing since the beginning, no doubt they are estranged.

Vicious, a no doubt intricate character that has a long history with Spike. His killings in the beginning surprised me, as it made the plot take such a depth of darkness that was lacking. He barely seems human and the crow that accompanies him reminds me of something that just walked out of the crypt. I want to know more about him…much more. He reminds me of Sephiroth from FFVII completely.

The whole episode reminded me of a movie, presenting unforgettable characters, such as Annie, who trickle in much needed backstory. No actions were overdone throughout; everything was so subtle, lacking the predictability of previous episodes. Fate took over the characters and everything fell into place because nothing was inserted to cushion the plot. This made Ballad of the Fallen Angels ten times more engrossing to watch because I had no idea what would happen.

Faye became vulnerable, which is out of the ordinary for her, but then gave her more intricacy. The dead Mao sitting next to her was something out of a horror movie. It surprised me! I suppose it was all for the presentation of Spike’s obscure past, which I believe to be filled with immorality and death, as the whole episode ebbed despair. Such an effective mood of gloominess throughout that made it so mysterious that I can’t wait to find out more.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [4] Gateway Shuffle

After viewing this, am I uttering a weak laugh devoid of any true humor or understanding of what actually took place. Sea rats, of all things to choose. Who knew they could be so lovable? Worth to die for? To kill others for? Maybe it was supposed to be funny. A great big satire of environmentalists. Somehow, I could barely bring myself to watch. Fast forward until the last five minutes. Oh goodness where to start…

The anticipation surrounding the virus was a decent plot line, I will give the writers that, as it is a comprehensible for threat for the future. The threat of utter destruction can manipulate characters in many differing ways that could have made the episode. However, what failed was that the ones releasing the virus were not a bunch of misanthropes bent on total destruction, but an environmental group gone horribly, horribly wrong. There humor that was supposed to be present made me cringe and wonder why.I will admit the costumes were somewhat funny, albeit scary in true nightmare fashion.

Twinkle’s matriachy could have interested me if her so-called sons weren’t so annoying. Honestly, I didn’t care at all. I did find it amusing that her fate was the complete opposite of her objectives, but then again I didn’t really care that she received justice.

When Spike kept messing around with the virus container it threw me back to Stray Dog Strut, as he has no idea of what is truly happening around him. It makes it more realistic in the sense that no one can truly have comprehension of an entire situation. Spike is far from omniscient.

The ending sequences were the only part that entertained me at all. It’s almost sad that the only thing I liked was the flying spaceships, missles, and guns.

Final Score: 5.5/10

Kemonozume [1] The Taste of Blood

What an interesting and innovative show. For the first few minutes I was not sure what to make of Kenomozume, as the animation seemed subpar and certainly unrefined compared to other shows; one might even call it crude. But, by the ending, its style no longer did bother me, and I felt that it couldn’t have been the same if it were drawn much like other new series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The tone has been set to dark and fleeting, but there are glints of subtle humor that I was surprised to view. Be warned that the last few minutes were a little steamy, but tasteful.

All of the characters were…different. I’m not sure how to exactly explain it, but I suppose that there was no one who was stereotypical, perhaps the grandfather though. It almost felt disjoint at times, but the story wasn’t static. Everyone appears to have their own motives and are more veiled than the typical anime character that spouts their emotions and knowledge. The monkey was just strange. He was very cute and my best guess is that he will have some major role later on.

The idea of the shokujinki, the humans who transform into monsters, is not necessarily innovative in itself. But! A relationship between Yuka, who by the end is obviously one of them, and Toshihiko will possibly make for a massively intricate and interesting plot. The episode touched on the rivalry between Toshihiko and Kazuma that will no doubt come up later.

Kifuuken is the name of technique that Toshihiko has mastered, and it seems that only one can possess its full power. I certainly don’t grasp it well, but there seems to be something mystical, unknown hidden within it. Because Toshihiko has practically mastered the techniques it gives him a sense of mystery surrounding his actions and personality, and I feel that there is something latent within him.

Surprisingly, I want to watch even more. Though the artwork of Kenomozume may have turned me off in the beginning, there is something that is pulling inside me to keep watching. I liked the mixture of real-life images with the animation, especially the ocean water. I loved when the camera angle was solely fixated on Yuka’s face when she and Toshihiko first met. It was like you were watching from inside of Toshihiko!

Final Score: 9/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [3] Honky Tonk Woman

After viewing this episode various times, I don’t think that Faye was introduced in the best manner. She was treated much like a minor character. I would have liked it better if Spike and her were actually competing for a bounty, not just a chip. In the very beginning when she’s blowing everyone away you can feel her spunky personality. But as a card dealer? Not so much. She seemed too desperate.

All in all I liked her character. I opt for the mischievous woman over the naive one. I think it was hilarious to chain Faye up in the bathroom, or should I say more of a noveau non-portable/portable john? Very degrading for a woman of her mental caliber. Haha.

The whole chip plot was altogether…unsatisfying. Why was it ever put on a poker chip? Sure you own a casino and it makes it easier, but to make it exactly the same as millions and millions of other chips? Way too high of a risk. And to trust Faye, not the most trusted of all women. Come on Gordon, you were way too stupid.

The fight scene in space wasn’t too shabby. Spike can still kick some butt in zero gravity. That takes some skill.

I couldn’t believe that Spike got rid of the chip at the very end. It killed me because the whole episode revolved around this thing and we don’t even get to see what it really is! I would have kept it if I were him. When you’re having money problems everything is an option.

Jet brought up a quote from Goethe, who if you don’t know was part of the Sturm und Drang movement in Germany, basically romanticism: “Only hands can wash hands. If you want to receive, you must first give.” This makes me think. I interpret it to be referring to past events that have scarred Spike. He is repressing something that he can only resolve. Also he will remain closed and detached if this “something” is not fixed. A reasonable thought? But why was this brought up this early in the series? A hint, maybe? There was nothing in this episode to imply anything of sort. But why romanticism?

Was Gordon not the most stereotypical casino-owning man you have ever seen? I just wanted to point that out.

Final Score: 7/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [2] Stray Dog Strut

I love animals so this episode made me all warm and fuzzy inside. I like how Ein is not presented as a typical anime “pet.” He god forbid doesn’t talk, change into different forms, cast magical spells, etc. Though altered by technology, he is still in essence just a dog. I don’t think fantastical pets really make a series any better, as sometimes I feel they are put in “just because” the formula works, and Ein goes against all of that idea.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get much of Abdul. There was really no backstory or anything to heighten my interest. [However, he reminded me of that black guy in some Bruce Lee movie (I don't remember the name). Anyone know what I'm talking about?] Because the so-called villian didn’t arrive with too much background, there was not a lot of interaction between him and Spike, and thus the plot in the episode was at times quite dull and flat in storyline.

The scientists could have been developed more, and because they were not, their presence was unneccessary. Unfortunately, I felt this episode was lacking of much development in any kind that was in the previous episode.

The fortune telling bird in this episode and Bull in the last episode make me sense an underlying current of fate. It just makes me wonder that the characters will no doubt be faced by circumstances they are unable to control…hmm…sounds like a plot…

The irony interlaced with Ein! I liked how Spike and Jet viewed Ein as completely worthless. Now I will be desperately waiting for them to really discover his wonderful greatness. However, it displays how Spkie and Jet do not have this unreasonable high amounnt of luck but are unaware of what is occurring; fate is controlling them. The whole time Spike spent chasing Abdul he came up with supposedly nothing, yet ended up with something almost priceless. Spike has failed at his bounty again and is stuck at the bottom; will he be like this the whole series, in destitude? We shall see.

Final Score: 6.5/10

Cowboy Bebop Episode [1] Asteroid Blues

Cowboy Bebop is an episodic anime; not terrible, but not my favorite. Be advised that each episode follows a similar plot structure. However, the people met and places seen make it unforgettable (I sound like a commercial). Though I’m sure you have heard wonderous things about the series I will not sit here and say I think it is the best, as I believe other series do surpass it. Yet it still remains notable.

The very first thing that sets Bebop apart from an average anime is presented right in the opening sequence: the electrifying, addicting jazz music. In my opinion the majority of music in all anime could be lumped in one big category of repetitive ballads and quirky pop music. But, Bebop’s edginess brings a vivacity to the series as well as maturity.

There is nothing necessarily innovative or out of the ordinary in Asteroid Blues. Yet, Spike Spiegel and Jet Black don’t seem very similar to other anime characters. Juxtaposition is presented between the two already by their dialogue and actions. Jet is reliable. Spike is unpredictable. Their differences work together, but I do not think their camaderie can last forever, as this contrast is stark.

I like how Spike is a loner, but doesn’t necessarily embody the loner personality. He’s upbeat and not a sullen, overdone morose character. I give him some points on my book for personality. Spike has a slight sense of comedy to him, displayed when he steals Katrina’s food. There is something latent within him but it’s covered up.

Katrina. Her demise was greatly unexpected and I felt sorry for her. She was so close to her freedom, but I suppose she felt an intolerable guilt for her past. There was no way she could have forgot all the terror of Asimov…yet could anyone? Katrina might have thought her new life might have been guided on deceit. How is she supposed to tell her child that its father was some hopped up drug addict that killed way too many? That wouldn’t go over too well. And come to think of it she was probably scared shitless about safety. I all makes sense in the end.

Asimov was defintitely a different kind of “bad guy.” He managed to creep me out badly and his horrible personality only made my sorrow for Katrina better. He deserved ten times over what he got in the end.

One question I have is this: how does Jet find Spike after Asimov knocks him out? His parental sense? He seemed to just come out of nowhere. But hey, whatever works to keep the episode rolling.

The action sequences were very entertaining, always accompanied by energizing music. The song that plays during Spike and Asimov’s air chase is a little chilling; however it fits beautifully and makes me appreciate that the producers are not trying to overhaul on jazz music.

Bull was very cute for an Indian. I’m sure we will see him somewhere in the future.

Final Score: 8/10