Thank you so much to everyone that has joined me so far as I rant about things I love, primarily writing. I remember when I was hesitant to share my opinions on the internet because I wasn't "qualified." You have all shown me I was very wrong about that assumption. Also, if you want to support the channel, you can support on Patreon and get access to longer videos a week early. www.patreon.com/flyingwalrus

if i had a nickel for every cowboy bebop video essay titled “you’re gonna carry that weight”, i’d had 3 nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it happened thrice.

There's a writing rule for dialogue that says characters should never say exactly what they mean. Everything they say should be filtered through who they are as a character. Nobody on the beebop ever says exactly what they mean. It's always a "story" they heard or a joke. Everyone is indirect. It's so well done

I think Ed has the most chances of changing her life. She is young and doesn't carry as many regrets and memories as the rest of the crew. I think, that's why her leaving Bebop felt so significant. The mood shifts immediately.

To me they are all parts to a single person the grounding father figure, the rebellious teen, the self destructive stoic and the whimsical child. To me they represent the stages of growing up.

What I found most compelling about this show (though I didn't realize it when watching, tbf) was this theme of moving and moving without actually reaching your goals, being lost in the process and being fullfilled by that alone while still experiencing the loss of not accomplishing what you set out to do in the first place, but accepting it as part of life

When Ed joined the crew, me: what an annoying character. When she and Ein left: crying my eyes out. This episode, them leaving, Fay drawing and laying down in her imaginary bed, the silent egg eating massacre (with 5 plates!) and then, THAT song, must still be one of the most heartbreaking things I ever watched. And later, one of the best finales to any show I know.

I think what really draws me into Bebop is how human the characters are. It’s a small step beyond just relatable. But really human and “real”, like I’m looking into their lives and how deep it all gets for them. From Faye literally missing out on her entire life, or Spike having to try to leave everything behind for the woman he loved, just everything. Absolutely love it.

This show really got me, it simply was and then simply wasn't, fizzling out as each got both closure and the melancholic acceptance that it will not and cannot be the same as it once was because regardless time will continue to move forward even while you yourself remain stuck in the past.

Cowboy Bebop came into my life during THE darkest time in my life. 2003, I'd always wanted to see a "real" anime as the Dragonballs and Digimons of the world didn't appeal to me yet. Having started the series on Session 5 Ballad of the Fallen Angels, I was hooked. How a show could be melancholy but humorous with a soundtrack and provide characters that stood out above anything else that was on TV. Granted, I was only 13 years old at the time but a head above the rest so to speak. It was a soothing adventure with characters I was slowly growing attached to. Then I watched the Hard Luck Woman. See, I was essentially homeless at the time. Living in my aunt's garage, abandoned by my mother. So that sense of belonging really hit hard. REALLY hit hard. Cowboy Bebop was my rock from then forward. Many anime came and went but that was my mainstay. Rewatching in it's entirety 40 maybe 50 times, I kid you not. I was lucky enough to meet the cast a few years ago at a convention. They were fantastic. And at that point it felt like my life had come full circle. I was working, living on my own, looking forward to the future. Sorry for the boring story, but tremendous video and for some unexpected spilled tears remembering the weight I used to carry.

cowboy bebop is the only show that can be a western, sci-fi, mafia, bounty hunt, but every moment feels real

"Call Me Call Me" was my favorite song. I think it expresses the yearning for someone to call you home and ease the frustration of both having no place to belong to in the universe and not knowing how to find that place either. The way Faye tries to cling to her forgotten past is kinda like how someone might reminisce on foggy childhood memories and use the nostalgia to remember what home feels like. The song playing over the sunset scene hit me hard, as if it was a song I used to listen to long ago and had been longing to listen to again.

The fridge episode is a one off, but it also showcases the main theme of the show in 20 some minutes. When you put things off for too long, they’ll catch up with you.

A big point of Faye’s last conversation was her accepting and coming to terms with the fact that she was in love with him romantically not just that she considered him his family. The story he tells her about his eye and how he had died once before was his way of telling her that she wanted something he could not give her. It’s her accepting that which she already knew, the man she loved could not love her back the way she wished he would or could. Her sadness is about losing Spike in two ways. She knows that he’s not only not coming back but also that he doesn’t/can’t love her the way she loves him. It’s heartbreaking on multiple layers.

The reason why I love CB so much is the arrangement of characters. The four main characters are one confused by the past (SPIKE), one living in the past (JET), one searching for the past (FAYE), and one not caring about the past (ED). In the end, those who are confused by the past and look for the past make a break with their past, and those who live in the past and don't care about the past accept their past and move on. You can literally apply this to life. In your teenage, you barely remember things when you were kid, just like Ed did. Nothing struggles you, or you might not even understand what your past means to you. After you grow up, you become more like Jet, in which you need to deal with the past that haunts you, take responsibility, and more. Later on, you forget things just like Faye. The memories are lost, and the people you used to live with are no longer vivid in your head. And finally, life comes to an end. Seeing all those stages of life joined together really got me. Feels like we met different friends and finally went our separate ways, which is exactly how life goes. Because after all, we're gonna carry that weight.

Faye's video still makes me tear up. I never knew "You're gonna carry that weight" was referring to the audience. Bravo! Thanks for making me revisit feelings I didn't know I had for this show. I too was going through tough times and loved great shows like this to get me through.

25:45 That was my favourite side episode. The writing was and symbolism was just top notch. The kid is someone out of time, who can't die. He's accepted his fate, and is just essentially living as an empty husk, waiting for the day that will kill him. He's symbolic of Spike, and when Spike finally kills him, he reaction forshadows spikes at the end.

I think what makes this anime so particularly special is how well they make you feel melancholy sadness throughout the entirety of the show. The anime was so good I wish I never watched it. Now I have to live the rest of my life knowing how good it was and live with the fact that its over forever. We're all going to carry that weight.

“See you cowgirl, someday somewhere” I’m not crying 🤧🤧🤧🤧

Yeah, yes to all that. Can you carry the weight? The weight of the crime, the betrayal, the death of someone by your own hand? Can you carry that pain, metamorphose it into wisdom, even joy? Will you be able to move on? Or will it be a stone weight in your pocket, dragging you deeper into the quagmire of your existence as you add more and more stones in your coat - another man killed, another betrayed, the loss of your ethics, your code ... will you drown, pulled down by the weight of your mistakes? What will it be? Either way, You're gonna carry that weight.

i remember finishing this show for the first time and just feeling completely broken. i didn't understand why it hurt so much but you and the other two carry that weight video essays have helped me articulate it and really appreciate cowboy bebop

This video gave me chills along the way. It sure did change my perspective of the show. I love this very much.

Firstly, your video essay was fantastically structured, edited and presented. As someone who was only ever loved by and only loved one woman, her willingly leaving my life for reasons I couldn't control left me on a numb state for years, unwilling to live and at a point, being a literal step away from suicide. All my dreams and plans had vanished in the most horrible way, and the depression that I had been lifted from, had violently taken me back to the darkest depth I ever knew. Being a weeb, I was told so much about CB and it's main character and his get-go attitude derived from "whatever happens, happens" that it made hard for the entire show to entice with me despite it being an audiovisual _marvel_ Then the entire thing changed as Spike's attitude turned 180 fucking degrees when he learnt that Julia was alive. That Spike, _that_ Spike was the *true* Spike. And when I realized that people had awfully misinterpreted the meaning of him and his ways, _it all clicked together._ I had been there. I had lived that. I had, and then still was, feeling that. I spent years longing for a past that would never come back. To say that I understood him would be a huge understatement. Spike wanted to live again after his death. The death I too, lived. I've been carrying the weight for years. Debt, anxiety, brutal depression. It's a lot lighter now. No love since, but I've got out of debt, established in my job and career, grew, matured I'd have been a good fit in the Bebop. And I would hunt a few bounties and drink some beers the true bro, Spiegel. Thanks for your video and sorry if I went on too long - much like you said, it's uncommon for anime in particular to have this kind of story and it didn't hit close to home - it entirely demolished it. See you, space cowboy.

basically one of the best video essays ever?! u rly capture what makes bebop so special, which is an accomplishment anybody should be proud of

Cowboy Bebop is among my favorite series, and it's a bit of an anomaly among those. It's by far the oldest series in my top 10 and the only one to really meander in its storytelling, since it doesn't so much tell a continuous story as it does wander through the lives of the crew of the Bebop. It also doesn't really stay there because of its set pieces - though it does have big moments and grand scenes, I think this show is at its best in its quieter, more introspective moments. Cowboy Bebop is one of those classic series that distinguishes itself by being something different, not in a huge, bombastic way but in its subtleties, in its characters, and in how they interweave throughout a story that should constantly pull them apart. Even as endings get bigger and more cinematic, it's the simplicity of this ending, as well as all the complexity behind it, that leave me feeling truly in awe of the series. Love it, and thank you so much for the rundown, brings back great memories. The ending is one of my favorites in any story.

That was the most impactful, succinct yet thorough, honestly best Bebop essay. Amazing job

Thank you for this- it’s hard to put my love of this show into words, or explain to anyone WHY it’s so incredible- and you’ve made this so eloquent and compelling ❤ Now off to show this to my friends that are so tired of me trying to convince them to watch it😅

I don't know what to say except... never have I cried by watching an video essay. great job man

The show struck my soul because what the crew went through, is exactly what I did. Frozen in time, unable to accept and move on from the past. Stuck in a stoic nature, and floating across life as it had no meaning anymore. Showing you can't just live like that anymore, a conclusion I had to come to myself. Like Faye, just accepting the past is gone, and that it's better not to know the full answer. Like Jet where you learned to let go and moved on, and an old part of me that "died" upon letting go. It struck me deep when kt said "You're gonna carry that weight" because no matter what, you need to. It kinda made me realize the half decade I wasted frozen in time. This show cut like no other, and with that is definitely a toptier show for me. You're gonna carry that weight.

I work at a wedding venue sometimes and this perfectly illustrates it. We see ppls lives change and are unaffected all while floating through our own crap day by day and loving the crew even though were all fumbling our ways through and growing all to eventually leave and the story to end. I'm gonna share this with some of them

I think the great thing about the final title slide "You're Gonna Carry That Weight" is that it can mean so many things. To me, not only did it represent the weight the past brings on to us until we can finally face it, but it also represent a sort of melancholy optimism. It feels like it's trying to say that it may be tough, and it may be a hard journey, but in then end you WILL carry that weight; it's a dual message I think myself and a lot of others really needed to hear at the time of watching the show. Side note, I can never hear "Blue" and not immediately begin at the very least tearing up if not outright crying, so I think that's pretty exemplary of how I feel about the show.

I'm glad that I waited till I'm old enough to watch Cowboy Bebop. I know it's something that my younger self could not comprehend - love, friendship, compassion, and so much more. When I knew I had to carry that weight, I find myself listening to Green Bird, hopelessly bawling my eyes out, knowing that I had lost a fictional friend who had already made his mind on a journey without return.

I was in college when this show on was playing on adult swim, early 00s. We had watch parties every time it was on. Basically the common room would get filled up while we watch. Yet nobody really spoke about the topics here. The show is so well done that you can get caught up in the absurdity and intensity to the point where these topics, as blunt as they are, can struggle to resonate. It took me a few viewings of the series to really focus on it and find out why I liked it so much. Most people can relate to holding onto the past in an unhealthy way, even when they don't realize that is what they are doing. Even when they don't realize how close to home the show might make them feel.

If you want a similar crushing, hopeless despair as Real Folk Blues pt2, where the writers twist the knife in your back while laughing, I would recommend Arcane. Different characters and setting but a really fundamental similar view on tragedy.

I watched the show on Adult Swim back when we chiseled letters into stone. There weren't even hipsters back then. I loved this show so much. It is both brilliant and funny that you have rightly explained what I loved so much when I wasn't aware of it to this degree. Thank you. I have to go watch the series again.

Bebop captured me immediately upon its American Release. I was a teenage outcast that loved jazz, modern art, westerns, and sci-fi...it was as if the entire Story was written just for me. I rewatch it every 18 months, like clockwork. You're gonna carry that weight... It is the seminal life lesson that shows what an objective moral basis can be, an understanding that no matter what you do, you will eventually have to carry the entire weight of your actions for good or ill. If pretend you aren't carrying that weight it will catch up to you. If you face that weight, accept it, you can die with a smile on your face. If you ignore it, it will crush you.

If you've never watched Anime before. Watch Cowboy Bebop. It's just a breathtaking series but you only realise it after it all ends. Fey's episode made me cry and cry and cry. Words cannot describe the pure vision Watanabe has. He apparently had the end scene in his head and worked backwards. Thank you for this.

The show was there for me during some dark times in my life. At the time I was too young to fully understand all of its meanings. With every rewatch over the years I seemed to pick up on something new. This last round has been particularly emotional for me as I have been dealing with the loss of a spouse who had been my best friend since childhood.

I have "You're Gonna Carry That Weight." tattooed down the underside of my left arm. I know what you mean, it's hard to put it into words, much less a UKposts comment. Just know it's always nice to find someone else who gets it. Great vid 🙂

another detail im lowkey obsessed with is how so many of the stories orbit around one major event: the the astral gate disaster. like it impacts everyone in some way, starting from the first episode where the old guys complain about having had to build it. and it just keeps getting mentioned in the background, with earth being mostly uninhabitable, impacting how ed grew up, why other characters lived on mars and ganymede (and why mars was so poor and crime-ridden and the issp came about.) its also why that kid was immortal. its the reason theres no info about fayes past. the gate explosions effects pop up so many times, and i think its such a cool world-building detail that really sets the vibe to the show of people just trying to survive the past however they can.

I’ve watched this show on repeat for years, never claimed it to be my top 3 but has been my consistent go to for processing pain and what ever suffering I am going through, as well as a nice lullaby before bed. Watching this video unlocked/articulated so much of my love for this show it’s eye watering good. As much as I may have known about Bebop it’s nice to see someone else’s perspective and appreciation as having a new take adds further to my own appreciation. Thank you for this, it’s fitting for this show.

Finally someone able to put into words the invisible and intangible feeling this shows lingers us with

Beautifully put together 😢 Emotions ran through me with each passing minute of this video…and just as the final goodbye, left me longing for just one more time with the crew. To me it’s more of “I want to see them happy. I don’t want them to have a sad ending. I want them to stay together and be happy” but such is life.

Fantastic analysis, sir! I’ll always go back to this show for the lessons, experiences and emotions that come with it. There is something very special about the crew of the Bebop that you just can’t find anywhere else. Thank you for your work 🙏

I’ve never been able to put exactly how this show makes me feel into words. Thank you for doing that wonderfully.

Great video. Enjoyed every second of it. I couldn't agree more with you. Having just finished watching it for the first time I'm already experiencing that longing to go back to the BeBop. Thank you for this.

People who arent deep into anime dont realize its a culmination of some of the best anime talent up until that point. One of which is Watanabe, his pedigree is working on other great sci fi anime such as many of the Gundam titles and a Macross movie, very premiere and top franchise of the age, and still are today. He also a huge music enthusiast, especially western music, and a very good ear for it, even working just on the music parts of many anime shows in the future. Another thing many people gloss over is many of the animators of the show are animators of Gundam. The studio that made CB is Sunrise, the very same studio that has made the scifi mech space opera Gundam franchise since 1979, even to this very day. Many people outside anime dont realize how large this IP of Gundam is, one of the top 25 earning media franchises in the world. Without throwing unheard of names and events to you guys, their quality of their works has always been very high when they make a new show or movie, thats why Gundam has been so very popular over the decades to today. I dont want to go into a huge essay about it but trust me, we are fortunate that Cowboy Bebop is the culmination point of some of the greatest talent in the anime industry at that point in time.

What I’ve always loved about the show was how there’s almost zero exposition. And the exposition there is is relating to things that just don’t really matter. It’s a show AFTER everything interesting has already happened. You just get to know about these people through what happened in their “after”. Their “Mexico” if you will. As someone whose gone through a bunch in life and is on their way to making their mexico, that always resonated with me as a kid. Before I even got out of all that. Now that I’m out, I need my ship, partners and dog I don’t like so to speak. Once I get there I’ll probably be able to let go of that weight. Maybe not. Either way whatever happens happens.

Cowboy Bebop for me hits so hard, because just like them, i can’t let go of the past...

Amazing that you caught me in the same place you were- a few months removed from watching the show, and feeling the longing to watch it again. This video is beautiful, thank you.

Out of all of them, I feel the worst for Faye. Jet and Spike may have their pasts, but they could settle them one way or another. Faye has... nobody. The few people she knew from her time are all old, and the only one she has left is Jet - no home, no family, no real friends either aside from him. Plus, it's a lot easier to settle your past when it doesn't involve a huge debt. It's been a while since I watched the show and really gave it the big think, but her story just felt like the saddest of them all to me.

This is the first video of yours that I've watched but I loved it! Thank you for a great recap of a wonderful show that I grew up with. You really brought out some feels.

I'm glad the show was there for you during your dark times man, and I hope you're doing better. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share your passion. You clearly have talent and are inspiring.

Just finished the series again for the 2nd time after about 7 years, felt like the first time again. Beautiful video and couldn't agree more about the feelings this show conveys in oneself.

I liked Cowboy Bebop because it seemed ahead of its time with episodes about AI, intergalactic wars and corrupt police/government, and even the movie that had the airborne virus. It was like a futuristic action show and everything about it made it exciting especially Spike's episodes. The way you felt personally invested in finding out the mystery behind the character's lives and how they ended up made the show grab your attention. Also I liked the ending, it wasn't some cliche everybody lived happily ever after, achieved their goals and all the conflicts ended with a Disney resolution. It had a realistic ending and the characters were forced to make decisions about events that occurred in their past, whether good or bad. Even with the ambiguity of Spike's death, it felt fitting in a sense

It hurts to say goodbye. That's one of the universal rules of life.

Thank you. You summed it up perfectly. It's funny, even through your explanation, I found myself reacting to the scenes in the background. Lots of aws, oh nos, and laughs of rememberance. It's amazing how much impact this show has for being so short. Short and sweet. The key ingredient to almost anything truly impactful.

Two things, and THANK YOU for this review. -The First is that when you said "Spike wants to know if his choices were worth it', especially in the world of silent outer space, I then thought back to Sir Antonius Bloch, the knight from The Seventh Seal (1957), who while playing chess with Death himself, is also asking 'were all my choices in life worth it?' That hit me hard, too. -The Second, is--can you do a review of Outlaw Star? I know, compared to Cowboy Bebop, it is kinda a shallow, wacky cartoon, and yet I've watched the series four or so times now (plus the edited one on Toonami) and I keep thinking to myself 'why the heck is this show so charming?' Unfortunately, I don't think I can sedge it out. So if you need any ideas, I suggest a review of Outlaw Star!

Damn! I don’t know why, but most video essays about Cowboy Beebop I watched somehow hit hard but in a good way.

I felt this explanation in my soul...it's my all time favorite series, and the Bebop crew were there for me (for comfort, laughs, and lessons) whenever I didn't even have a friend. So glad you articulated this perfectly. I also believe, in addition to carrying the weight of these characters' stories, it's a lesson in life. What you do, how you treat others, and how you see yourself...it all comes back around...and no matter what, we all gotta carry that weight ❤💯

Awesome video, I first watched Bebop when I moved into my dorm for college last year and it helped me deal with being away from home and family and friends. I rewatched it again at the beginning of fall semester this year because my family fell apart and this show reminds me of the good times and is a comfort show for me (I can see the parallels to the show lol). Great analysis

This video essay came at the perfect time for me. I just watched the finale of Cowboy Bebop for the first time last night, and safe to say I can feel that weight. Thanks for putting this out there to help me process it.

god this show is a beautiful pain.

Thank you for this man. Great play by play. One of my favourites growing up and i could never quite describe to people why they should get into it but i always remember the feelings the show gave me.

The Edward Faye Ein segment made me cry it was legitimately moving.... Thank you for the experience. I am sending this video to my sister because I don't think she has taken in the ramifications of the series. You have done a great thing here. Never stop.

I'm with you, I've rewatched CB soooooo many times. And every time I do, I feel something new.

I've watched this show for so long, since adult swim late at night on cartoon network during college, all the way up to now as I try to figure out what I want next in life. Everytime I watch it, I think I have something memorized and understood, but then I see something old in a new perspective. Catching the subtle meanings of different situations, realizing how my early bias led me to ignore something significant, and experiencing the roller coaster of emotions with substantially more impact. Just hearing "call me" brings me to tears, seeing Ed meet her father again and playing chess with the chess master brings so much joy, and seeing Spike struggle on with that fake smile reminds me of the depression he's hiding... Can go on and on. Your video captures all of this.

It's a great review and adds more to a collection of commentaries of high quality and much feeling. I have a specific praise: your part "in defense of the clowns" so to speak, of Ein and Ed. Well done.

I’ve been doing a good bit or writing lately and I find it funny how much of it is inspired by this video. I’ve never seen the show mind you, and yet you’ve portrayed it in a way that’s very captivating. Thank you

Just when I thought I'd watched all the great videos on Cowboy Bebop, I get hit with another absolute banger with this one. Great show, great take, and amazingly well structured. There's a reason why I have "You're gonna carry that weight" tattooed on my arm. It's so good to know that there are other people around who understand and value this show as much as I always have. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have another go around with the Bebop.

going through a hell of a depression currently...thank you for reminding me how this show comforted me as well, time for a re-watch. amazing breakdown as well, hit all the right points

Really well done, the editing was great. Your words impactfull, brought tears to my eyes on a few occasions. Well done!

I love how passionate you are about films and stuff, you have opened a different perspective on how I view films And I've never really cared to consider such deep thoughts and emotions about things like this. Thank you and please don't stop.

Wow, this resonated with me DEEP.. I had almost the exact experience as you when I first watched CB. I saw it on adult swim and never thought too much about it until a few months later... After I binged it I was in tears that everyone went their separate ways and hated the creators for ripping my heart out. But after rewatching it a 3rd time everything clicked, the point of the show.. was that your past will have consequences on your future. you're gonna carry that weight. Thank you so much for putting this into words in the best way and letting me relive the feeling of the show.

I’m glad I’m not the only one that this show is special too, cowboy bebop is the greatest show ever not just anime

This video left me in tears. Just incredible work. Thank you

Great job dude that's a wonderful listening experience but also beautiful to watch! You're probably the first channel I subbed to after just 1 video!

Really well made video. It brought all emotions back. Thank you.

Ever since I heard that line "whatever happens, happens" I've loved it. Beacuse it's true for just about everything. Dwelling on it isn't going to change what happens, it just... Happens. No matter what you think of it.

@Flying Walrus - That final message was deeply relatable, It also helped me find peace between storms, thank you for putting it so eloquently and it was wholesome to watch, thanks!

If i hadnt seen this vid in my recommended I would have never watched this breathtaking philosophical journey. Thanks man. Im glad i got this new weight to carry around

Thanks for writing this. It's a pretty solid explanation of the "feeling" of the show, which is I think what attracts a lot of people. The drifting, the meaninglessness of life without love, the horror of knowing that every day thousands of people with whole lives and beautiful stories die and nothing about the world changes, like our little lives are nothing in the grand scheme of things. I still use the metaphor of each soul being like sand falling through god's fingers like it fell through the Native woman's hands while she decribes Spike's end. It captures that feeling of being indifferent to your own existence, searching for something that will finally remind you that you're alive, and that maybe that matters. Even if you never find meaning in existence, the search means something. I first watched Bebop on adult swim when I was about 8. I absolutely fell in love with it, but I wasn't nearly old enough to understand the show or why it struck such a chord in me. Well, it turns out I was already suffering from serious depression, n the show made me feel at home, like I was with people who understood what it felt like to drift listlessly through existence with no tangible meaning to hold onto until we find people who get it. We find others who are searching, or just drifting too, n at least there's comradery in the emptiness. We're all damaged in some way, n it's always related to our pasts. I don't know how I vibed with the show so much at 8, but as I got older, over and over, I found something new to relate to every time. Honestly, I think i started smoking at 12 because I identified so much with Spike. I was a depressed but romantic kid hiding from his own emotions. N waddya know? I fell for a girl who gave my life meaning for 5 years, n when we broke up because of my self destructive tendencies got out of control, once again, life lost all meaning. I'd do anything just to feel something. I don't know how many times I've watched the show. Pobably at least 10 times in 20 years. The older i get, the more i realize how magnificent it is. It's like a more self aware, Japanese Hemingway novel lol. On its surface it promotes this "devil may care" ideal of masculinity. One so many young men aspire to. When you dig deeper, though, it's a biting critique of stunted men who can't move on in life because we've lost the only thing we've ever felt safe enough to expose ourselves to. We're so all or nothing. These days I often play it for girls who are in love with me, or at least their idea of me. Maybe I'm in love with the idea of me that I built based on this show too lol. If they get it, if it at least resonates, I know I'm in good company. If it doesn't, we'll it's not a deal breaker, but I know they're not in love with my romanticized self destruction. Anyway, long story short, every time I rewatch the show, I find something new. To me, that's the mark of true art. I mean I'm sure it's been studied in literature classes before, but if not, it should be. Bebop is a masterpiece, n yeah you can call me an annoying hipster, but it will always be my favorite anime.

i didn't think it was possible to for me to love cowboy bebop more than i already do, but you've done it. you've put into words things that were only feelings before, and thus given me an even deeper appreciation of something very meaningful to me already. thank you.

I remember catching these episodes when I could as a kid. . Had very little idea what was going on but the music was great and the characters were intriguing. . . Watching it three more times when I got older and it only became more appealing to me . . Great job here!

This. All of this. Thank you. I've felt this way about CW since it first came out. I first watched this about 20 years ago, and nothing, absolutely nothing has come close. I even have most of the music in my commuter playlist, so I listen to it almost every day. ♥

This show means so much to me and I'm glad there's people who still love it as much as I do

We all carry the weight, it's the cost of living and memories. Cowboy Bebop has a special place in my soul too. I think it's truly perfection. But it also couldn't be without the music which has a huge responsibility of symbolizing what words can't. The heavy jazz, light hearted funk, opening & closing themes, it wouldn't be where it is in history without it. Thank you for your content which is incredibly thoughtful and composed. Edit: I'd love to know your thoughts on the movie. I thought it could have easily fit into the series and wonder if it was originally planned to be/that it was cut because it was too long for one episode.

Thank you for this. Ive been afraid to watch this for some time, but Im glad I finally did.

Really love your video essay dude. Brought tears to my eyes!

What's crazy is just seeing the scene where the Woman and her Husband are fleeing in the ship with the Red Eye, For a second, literally triggered me to start crying.

Dude that final episode gives me goosebumps when it says you're going to carry that weight that stuck to me to this day ever since I finished the show rest in peace Spike you'll never be forgotten

This is a wonderful analysis of a show that I watched perhaps a little too young to fully get the message. I’ve always wanted to do a proper re-watch and this video has really made me committed to do that now.

Nice job! The effort you put into tone, pacing and emotional continuity really made this piece quite impactful.

Jupiter Jazz is the best, some of the best television storytelling ever and of course it has the best track Space Lion to put the cherry on top. The Real Folk Blues is a perfect ending in a logical, simple, and tidy fashion. Shows like Breaking Bad have a lot of strings to pull in order to make that perfect ending, but Bebop has simplicity on its once you break things down as shown in this great video. Also to accompany the finale there is the song Blue which just nails every feel and every genre making it the ideal melting pot of sounds to send off viewers. I watched the show about this time last year, it has stuck to me like glue. I have listened to Space Lion when I'm feeling melancholic and Blue when I need that shot of dramatic emotion to get me off my ass. It'll be a year now and those tracks are part of my daily listening along with Waltz for Zizi, Goodnight Julia, Tank!, and so many more (I'll probably be in the Seatbelts' top 1% of listeners when Spotify wrapped comes out). The marriage of music with themes is greatly emphasized when those big episodes happen. I had to rewatch this month and that Jupiter Jazz ending just lands like punch to the stomach (feels like it too). Love this show and while I've seen this same analysis done before, you did a great job. good vid. see you internet guy

Thank you for putting this video together. It really cemented the series into a far better place in my mind than I had at all after having digested it all. Initially, I hated the series because I was looking for a normal, flowing story that introduces characters that're probably in the middle of their lives, with motivations and pasts that drive them, culminating in resolutions along the way, or some big final plot to clear away at the end of the series. Which was something the series just doesn't give you, because as you explained in your review - the story's already over and were just along for the ride. This video definitely makes the series have such a bigger impact. And it's definitely made me want to appreciate the series more now. To see the beauty in its writing that got buried in what was probably a bit of an ambitious presentation that only shines if you read into the meaning you're being presented.

I'm happy that I found this video , because that's the way I've always perceived cowboy bebop and that's exactly why I love it , and I love how you presented such an important aspect of the show , if not the most important , not so many shows really deal with matter of moving on from the past and letting go the way cowboy bebop did it , absolute classic and an amazingly well done video

I love Cowboy Bebop and your channel its been one of my best discoveys in youtube

bebop is special. As dark of a story it is still a story about love.

Really great video essay. Today was my day off and I randomly decided to lay in my hammock and watch this show again from start to finish. It definitely hits much harder then when watched it as a kid. Back then I thought of it as you described in the beginning. "It's alright, but I don't see all the hype" however this show keeps coming back to me and rewatching. It really does hit on a very human level. "I'm not going there to die. I'm going there to find out if I'm even alive."

Thank you so much for the time you took to make this and thank you for the genius you brought to this masterpiece. Much love @FlyingWalrus 👍🤙🖖🖖