Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop series got canceled shortly after its first season back in late 2021. If there was still any hope for a return, that’s all gone now, as original Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe recently shared his thoughts on the series.
In a recent interview with Forbes, the legendary anime director shared lots of interesting insights about his career.
Though what interested many fans the most is his opinion on the Netflix live-action show.
As you may have expected, Watanabe was not happy with the adaptation.
Cowboy Bebop Live-Action: Canceled After One Season
Cowboy Bebop is one of the most popular anime of the 90s, and to this day, its popularity endures.
Many even consider Cowboy Bebop to be one of the best anime ever thanks to its memorable characters and thematic depth.
In its push to find new flagship shows, Netflix produced a live-action adaptation of the classic anime.
The series was released in November 2021 and starred John Cho as Spike, Mustafa Shakir as Jet, and Daniella Pineda as Faye.
Many live-action anime adaptations are not well-received by critics and fans alike, and this was also the case with Cowboy Bebop.
While the show got mixed critical reviews, many fans of the anime were not happy with the show’s direction.
Review scores weren’t the only things low about the series, as reports suggested that its streaming numbers fell off following its premiere.
While no specific reason was given, many believe this to be the reason the show was canceled after just one season.
ALSO READ: Fixes for the Cowboy Bebop Live-Action From the Hit Anime
Shinichiro Watanabe’s Reaction to the Series
When asked about the live-action adaptation, Watanabe mentioned in the interview that Netflix sent a copy of the show to check.
While he checked out the first episode’s scene in the casino, Watanabe found it very tough to continue watching.
He mentioned that the show was “clearly not Cowboy Bebop” and that he stopped soon after seeing that scene.
These are rather scathing words, but his thoughts are similar to what many fans of the original think about the live-action series.
While the live-action adaptation does try its best to emulate the anime’s feel, it isn’t able to capture it properly.
Given how the series flopped, there’s little to no chance that we’ll see another adaptation of Cowboy Bebop anytime soon.
But maybe that’s for the better, as the original still stands up well to this day.
Discover the latest anime news and info by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime.
READ NEXT: Spy x Family Releases Cowboy Bebop-Inspired Music Video to Celebrate Finale
Source: Forbes
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!