Alex Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 For those who know this excellent anime series, Cowboy Bebop manages to squeese in a huge number of subtle and overt references to Western pop culture in every episode. I was watching the episode "Jupiter Jazz" today and the Ed Wood reference in that episode is pretty funny. And it's just one of a dozen such references in every episode. It's things like this that make this such an awesome show. It can be enjoyed on a hell of a lot more levels than some other shows (and not just other anime) If you've noticed a reference which amused you, post it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFTF1 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Cowboy. Reference: Western movies about Cowboys Beebop. Reference: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mutant punk hog. When I get around to watching the anime, I'm sure I'll find more. Pete runs away before somebody kicks him in the butt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkenstein Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Thats not what "Bebop" is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFTF1 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Oops. I didn't notice it was just one e... and there I was always having flashbacks to Beebop and Rocksteady whenever I saw this anime title... I know - I suck...I failed...sorry Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignacio Ocamica Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Everybody should have this show on their top 5 anime list Some character designs are based on Lupin III, Spike -> Lupin and Jet -> Jigen. The final scene with the shot couple in the first episode, was taken from "Bonnie & Clyde". The shooting at the bar was taken from "Desperado" with Antonio Banderas. Spike was also based on Bruce Lee, so there are a lot of references to his films. "Way of the Dragon" when Spike uses the nunchakus in the second episode. The homage to Miyazaki and his "Porco Rosso" in episode 19 (Wild Horses) was very fun Those are some of the hundreds of examples!! There are a lot of references to films, other anime, music bands in this series, definitely one of the best anime series ever!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzan Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 For those who know this excellent anime series, Cowboy Bebop manages to squeese in a huge number of subtle and overt references to Western pop culture in every episode. I was watching the episode "Jupiter Jazz" today and the Ed Wood reference in that episode is pretty funny. And it's just one of a dozen such references in every episode. It's things like this that make this such an awesome show. It can be enjoyed on a hell of a lot more levels than some other shows (and not just other anime) If you've noticed a reference which amused you, post it here. Cowboy Bebop is definitely one my favourite shows (not only anime). And you're absolutely right about the myriad references to popular culture. One episode I love is Pierrot La Fou. It not only has a great influence from Batman, but it also has a Pink Floyd cover "ON the Run". Gotta love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronocidal Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Oops. I didn't notice it was just one e... and there I was always having flashbacks to Beebop and Rocksteady whenever I saw this anime title... I know - I suck...I failed...sorry Pete Maybe this is more what you were thinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 (edited) Pierrot la Fou is definitely one of my favourites. The Pink Floyd cover IS pretty awesome. As for Spike, his name is also a reference to Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) whose birth name was Adam Spiegel . The "horror" episode "Toys in the Attic" is a great one for Sci-Fi buffs. This episode references at least a dozen Sci-Fi movies and a few horror flicks. It even goes out on a pretty overt reference to 2001. Edited November 17, 2009 by Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemax151 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Very specifically in Waltz For Venus Roco claims he "flowed like water" which is a Bruce Lee reference. Jupiter Jazz 1&2 happen to be my favourite episodes of the series although pretty much every episode is fantastic in it's own way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFTF1 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Maybe this is more what you were thinking? I know you guys are gonna all laugh at me - and I deserve it.... but honest to gosh - that picture is EXACTLY what comes to mind anytime I hear or read the title "Cowbody Bebop" I guess I need to go watch this anime... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 I know you guys are gonna all laugh at me - and I deserve it.... but honest to gosh - that picture is EXACTLY what comes to mind anytime I hear or read the title "Cowbody Bebop" I guess I need to go watch this anime... Pete You owe it to yourself to do so It's one of the richest animes out there with a sound track that just blows any other away. The music is by Yoko Kanno by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gubaba Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I guess I need to go watch this anime... Pete Yes, you do. Awesome, awesome stuff. I haven't rewatched it in a really long time, though, so I'm struggling to think of specific references that grabbed me... Hmmm. I always liked the Shaft Brothers. And Jet's dream where he was talking to Charlie Parker and Goethe. And I'm not a big Hemingway fan, but I really appreciated the bit where Jet recounted the story of "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bri Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Cowboy Bepop is what Tarantino can only dreams of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coota0 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 (edited) Maybe this is more what you were thinking? Kinda reminds me of Bret Michael Edited November 17, 2009 by Coota0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 And Jet's dream where he was talking to Charlie Parker and Goethe. And I'm not a big Hemingway fan, but I really appreciated the bit where Jet recounted the story of "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." That's also one of my favourite scenes. An in-show reference I noticed was the frog on the stairway in "Mushroom Samba". Is that the same voice actor as Viscious doing his Viscious voice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gubaba Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 An in-show reference I noticed was the frog on the stairway in "Mushroom Samba". Is that the same voice actor as Viscious doing his Viscious voice? Huh...I never noticed...but I always thought the frog's voice sounded familiar somehow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) Huh...I never noticed...but I always thought the frog's voice sounded familiar somehow... On the subjext of in-show references , in episode 3, Spike walks past an old Chanbara film being projected on a massive screen. The subtitle he pauses in front of says "Only a true Samurai can kill him". I really don't think that THAT was a coincidence. Edited November 18, 2009 by Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gubaba Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 On the subjext of in-show references , in episode 3, Spike walks past an old Chanbara film being projected on a massive screen. The subtitle he pauses in front of says "Only a true Samurai can kill him". I really don't think that THAT was a coincidence. Now THAT one, I noticed... Damn, I really need to watch this show again. I bought it all on VHS back when AnimeVillage.com was still running. I should really upgrade to DVD, shouldn't I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) Now THAT one, I noticed... Damn, I really need to watch this show again. I bought it all on VHS back when AnimeVillage.com was still running. I should really upgrade to DVD, shouldn't I? I'm still um-ing and ah-ing over doing that myself. My VHS have served me well, but the thought of Cowbop in glorious surround sound with crisp picture.........but it's like 26,000 everytime I see the collection I want. Speaking of cassettes......havn't seen the episode in a while, but why the hell did Faye record herself on BETA?! Edited November 18, 2009 by Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 IIRC, Beta was much more popular and long-lasting in Japan than the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 IIRC, Beta was much more popular and long-lasting in Japan than the US. I think that's probably true. The second hand shop down the road from me has about 50 used Beta tapes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemax151 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 IIRC Faye's family was also well off and beta is better than VHS but just not as practical for the common consumer. I used to have the DVD box set but I upgraded to the much smaller and compact "Cowboy Bebop Remix: Anime Legends". I think it even has better audio but I don't have a sound setup for my TV. Episode 2: Stray Dog Strut has a Kareem-Abdul Jabbar look-alike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) Episode 2: Stray Dog Strut has a Kareem-Abdul Jabbar look-alike "My Funny Valentine" supposedly had a George Cloone looky-likey in WhitmeJy Hagas Matsumoto. Watanabe always went on about how they could have the biggest name stars for no money. Even the jabbar look-alike looked only vaaaaguely like Jabbar. Edited November 18, 2009 by Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I could be wrong, but I think Cowboy Bebop is the name of a jazz bar in NYC. There appears to be more references to western pop culture than asian. Does that mean Westerners will enjoy the show more than Asians? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkenstein Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 No, it just means the Shinichiro Watanabe is a pop-culture otaku. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzan Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I could be wrong, but I think Cowboy Bebop is the name of a jazz bar in NYC. There appears to be more references to western pop culture than asian. Does that mean Westerners will enjoy the show more than Asians? Bebop was immensely popular in Japan as well as being a breakthrough series in the West. One thing I've always thought helped Bebop, is that it has one of the best english dubs ever for an anime. Normally I always watch anime with subs, but Bebop is one of the few where I can go either way. Hellsing was another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Arms Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Other pop culture references: 1) In the episode with the video Otaku, he is watching Beverly hills 90210(watch for the end credits on his tv) 2) In Heavy Metal Queen- the bounty they are after looks like Woody Allen 3) Episode titles are names of songs, movies, and Albums 4) Aisimov and girlfriend both resemble Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek from Desperado 5) Jets old partner looks like Harvey Keitel (Bad Lieutenant) 6) Bull is a homage to Sitting Bull, and he has a playstation console 7) Mushroom Samba has a few homages to Blaxpoitation films and Shaft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklotus Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) This is the only anime I know of that has a anime character that stayed in Singapore as a child. I'm talking about Faye Valentine who saw her childhood recorded on a Sony Beta tape. In one scene, there's a half-lion, half-fish statue. That's our Singapore Tourism Symbol, the Merlion, lock, stock and barrel. And the riverside walkway that she was walking along with her grandma is Victoria Walk, a well-known scenic spot in Singapore. I was laughing and at the same time feeling kinda proud that a Singapore symbol made it into a top-rated anime. Edited November 19, 2009 by blacklotus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzan Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 This is the only anime I know of that has a anime character that stayed in Singapore as a child. I'm talking about Faye Valentine who saw her childhood recorded on a Sony Beta tape. In one scene, there's a half-lion, half-fish statue. That's our Singapore Tourism Symbol, the Merlion, lock, stock and barrel. And the riverside walkway that she was walking along with her grandma is Victoria Walk, a well-known scenic spot in Singapore. I was laughing and at the same time feeling kinda proud that a Singapore symbol made it into a top-rated anime. That episode is so unbelievably sad and poingnant. I hadn't really warmed up to Faye until that point in the story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanzerfan Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 (edited) Cowboy. Reference: Western movies about Cowboys Beebop. Reference: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mutant punk hog. When I get around to watching the anime, I'm sure I'll find more. Pete runs away before somebody kicks him in the butt Actually, bebop was a musical style popularized in the middle of the last century; Buddy Holly's work was a perfect example of bebop. My favorite episode just happens to be "Heavy Metal Queen"; the hangover scene was classic. Edited November 21, 2009 by Wanzerfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzan Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Actually, bebop was a musical style popularized in the middle of the last century; Buddy Holly's work was a perfect example of bebop. My favorite episode just happens to be "Heavy Metal Queen"; the hangover scene was classic. Yeah, loved Spike's hangover cure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 (edited) Actually, bebop was a musical style popularized in the middle of the last century; Buddy Holly's work was a perfect example of bebop. My favorite episode just happens to be "Heavy Metal Queen"; the hangover scene was classic. Sorry but I just have to correct this --- Nothing personal. Actually Buddy Holly (and the Crickets) is pretty much straight Rock 'n Roll, where Bebop ( or just plain bop) is a form of jazz music that originated in the late 30's early 40's. It came out of the Swing era, but it's way different; much more fractured and nervous sounding - mainly due to its increased tempo, complex melodies, and just plain F'd-up phrasing. Think Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker Rather than Buddy Holly. Edited November 21, 2009 by Chas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Arms Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Sorry but I just have to correct this --- Nothing personal. Actually Buddy Holly (and the Crickets) is pretty much straight Rock 'n Roll, where Bebop ( or just plain bop) is a form of jazz music that originated in the late 30's early 40's. It came out of the Swing era, but it's way different; much more fractured and nervous sounding - mainly due to its increased tempo, complex melodies, and just plain F'd-up phrasing. Think Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker Rather than Buddy Holly. I think it is the 2nd or 3rd episode, but Jet even references Charlie Parker. The opening credits elude to Jazz Bebop and that the storytelling in the series will try to follow that style of music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanzerfan Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Sorry but I just have to correct this --- Nothing personal. Actually Buddy Holly (and the Crickets) is pretty much straight Rock 'n Roll, where Bebop ( or just plain bop) is a form of jazz music that originated in the late 30's early 40's. It came out of the Swing era, but it's way different; much more fractured and nervous sounding - mainly due to its increased tempo, complex melodies, and just plain F'd-up phrasing. Think Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker Rather than Buddy Holly. Sorry about that. "Be Bop a Lou Bop" threw me a curve there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gubaba Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 Sorry about that. "Be Bop a Lou Bop" threw me a curve there. It's "Be-Bop-a-Lula," and it was by Gene Vincent, not Buddy Holly. It's also not bebop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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