Does Cowboy Bebop get any better?

[Ape Gone Insane]

So I'm not a huge anime watcher, the only anime shows I've liked have been Death Note, Steins;Gate and Code Geass. I have received endless recommendations for Cowboy Bebop and it generally seems to be praised as the pinnacle of anime as a whole.

I'm 3 episodes in and I'm not really feeling it. There's nothing that's grabbing me about the show (though I like the setting). Am I missing something? Is this one of the shows that takes a few episodes or should I have liked it from the get go? I prefer shows that have an overarching story over multiple episodes.

 

[kazebyaka]

It's okay, but I really had a hard time watching it too. Dunno if it gets any better though.

 

[f0lken]

It not only gets better, it will ruin other animes for you

 

[Twilight Gap]

I've had it on hold at episode 4 for a while now. The animation is superb but it hasn't hooked me.

For comparison, Steins;Gate had me hooked in the first 10 minutes. Easily one of the best.

 

[Dereck]

It's okay, but I really had a hard time watching it too, it's very boring.

.

 

[Ferrio]

It's pretty episodic, but it does have an overall storyline.

Think I'll listening to some "Call me" now.

 

[desertdroog]

The real question is, does it get any better than Cowboy Beebop?

 

[Vesmir]

You may not like things that other people like. It's ok!

 

[Satch]

girl... what?


the first episode was so good what the fuck

the music playing when they go off into the ship and that dude was tweaking the fuck out >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[brianjones]

clearly you've gone insane

 

[Doctor Decimate]

if the lack of an overarching story is your problem, that never really changes. there is one sort of, but the bulk of the series is episodic. the first episode is one of the best of the series, so as far as it getting better? no, not necessarily. but at least watch through episode 5 before you drop it.

For comparison, Steins;Gate had me hooked in the first 10 minutes. Easily one of the best.

except Steins;Gate survives almost entirely on its dialogue because the plot takes a long time to get going.....

 

[Narag]

Give it to the first Vicious eps at least.

 

[Linkhero1]

If you don't the first few eps then you're not going to enjoy the rest of it.

 

[Satch]

If you don't the first few eps then you're not going to enjoy the rest of it.

seriously op just give up now

 

[way more]

I've watched to ep 13 and I think if you don't like it now you won't suddenly like it later. Beyond genre parodies I don't really get it. It would be like if Community did it's genre parodies but wasn't funny.

 

[akira28]

I couldn't last through 5 minutes of Death Note, so it's ok.

mac: it wasn't parody, it was impressionism, improvisation. It was jazz. Anime jazz.

 

[Passive Assassin]

you should watch school days instead.

 

[PHOTOSHOP]

yea i agree i cant finish the series because how boring it is.

But the art style is amazing though

 

[mr2xxx]

I found anime in general to take much longer to enjoy. Give it a few more episodes.

 

[kazebyaka]

I found the scene was MC fell from the church to be the best moment in the whole series. It was beautifully done, it's all downhill from there...

 

[Ferrio]

I couldn't last through 5 minutes of Death Note, so it's ok.

I watched all of Death Note... horrible horrible anime.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

Ep 5 is a turning point in the series. Try to get that far at least.

 

[Empty]

i liked it from the start but i didn't love it till episode five - ballad of the fallen angels. so maybe try till then. that said most episodes are like the first three and its very episodic so it may well not be for you.

 

[brianjones]

It would be like if Community did it's genre parodies but wasn't funny.

..but community isnt funny

 

[B.K.]

Cowboy Bebop is probably the most overrated anime ever. It's all style and no substance.

 

[Strike]

Ep 5 is a turning point in the series. Try to get that far at least.

This.

 

[Dereck]

horrible horrible anime

How

 

[MisterNoisy]

I admit that I can't fathom not digging it, but if you've seen the first 3-5 eps and it's not working for you, it's probably not gonna happen. Either way, follow it up with Black Lagoon.

 

[f0lken]

I found the scene was MC fell from the church to be the best moment in the whole series. It was beautifully done, it's all downhill from there...

That place is reserved for the last minutes of episode 24 "Hard Luck Woman"

"Call me call me, let me know its alright"

T_T

 

[Doctor Decimate]

Ep 5 is a turning point in the series. Try to get that far at least.

um, no it's not. the series doesn't suddenly change after episode 5, it's the same as it was before.

 

[Linkhero1]

I've watched my fair share of anime and I'm not really huge on most shows I've watched. I watched and enjoyed the ones you listed.

Here are some of the anime I've enjoyed that you could check out.

1. Monster (very slow but the end game pays off and the character development is fantastic. I don't think I've become attached to anime characters more than I have in Monster)
2. Baccano!
3. FMA Brotherhood
4. Trigun

 

[Satch]

i hate so much about the things that some of you choose to be

 

[Ezduo]

Episode 5, Ballad of Fallen Angels, is where the series pretty much shows what it's capable of. If you don't like that episode I doubt the show is for you.

 

[LAMBO]

Hellsing Ultimate, best new one in a long time.

And about Beebop

 

[SolarPowered]

I'd be amazed if there were anyone who is not hooked by episode 5. I know it sounds silly because 7.5 billion people and they all like different things, but this is Bebop.

Bebop dawg

I've had it on hold at episode 4 for a while now. The animation is superb but it hasn't hooked me.

For comparison, Steins;Gate had me hooked in the first 10 minutes. Easily one of the best.

I'm on episode 6 right now and loving it. It's definitely not in Bebop's league to me, though.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

um, no it's not. the series doesn't suddenly change after episode 5, it's the same as it was before.

It sets up and foreshadows the ending. Before episode 5 you don't even know if Spike is headed anywhere meaningful.

Bebop's very very episodic but there is an arc there for every character, it's not just 'villain of the week,' even though some of those episodes are incredible, like Pierrot Le Fou.

 

[akira28]

I watched all of Death Note... horrible horrible anime.

Hey, it's his fave. Bebop may not be for him.

 

[Transhuman]

Cowboy Bebop is probably the most overrated anime ever. It's all style and no substance.

I think I know what substance you're full of.

 

[Jacob]

It took me a few episodes to really get into Cowboy Bebop too. The first episode certainly grabbed my attention and the ending lingered in my mind all the next day, but I think it was episode six that really convinced me that the show was great. Definitely watch at least to episode five though, that introduces most of the (fairly few) plot threads that tie the entire series together.

Also, I've found that I appreciate a lot of episodes more going back and rewatching them now. Not only do I have a greater appreciation for the characters, but I pick up on all sorts of little things each time I watch one again. Bebop is not my favorite series (and it's not done any favors by its most fervent evangelists), but it's definitely in my top five anime.

 

[Doctor Decimate]

It sets up and foreshadows the ending. Before episode 5 you don't even know if Spike is headed anywhere meaningful.

Bebop's very very episodic but there is an arc there for every character, it's not just 'villain of the week,' even though some of those episodes are incredible, like Pierrot Le Fou.

the show returns to its episodic format right after that so i fail to see how it's a turning point of any kind. a brief change of pace, maybe. you've got character episodes strewn throughout, but there's no definitive change in the storytelling.

 

[Twilight Gap]

if the lack of an overarching story is your problem, that never really changes. there is one sort of, but the bulk of the series is episodic. the first episode is one of the best of the series, so as far as it getting better? no, not necessarily. but at least watch through episode 5 before you drop it.



except Steins;Gate survives almost entirely on its dialogue because the plot takes a long time to get going.....

Not necessarily. It is quite dialog heavy, but I felt like it all meant something and set up the mad rush that was the latter half of the show. Compare that to Fate/Zero, where I found myself nodding off between the high moments.

I'll pick up Cowboy Bebop again soon, as it's not the only show I've returned to (and enjoyed) after a long time.

 

[beyond_death]

I felt exactly the same way as OP when I tried to watch the show years ago. Maybe it was because of the episodic nature but nothing really made me feel like I NEEDED to watch the next episode. It being so highly praised made me feel like I was doing something wrong. Guess I'll give it another go some time soon.

 

[TheChits]

That place is reserved for the last minutes of episode 24 "Hard Luck Woman"

"Call me call me, let me know its alright"

T_T

Probably my favorite episode of any show, or at least the most emotional one for me.

 

[SolarPowered]

It sets up and foreshadows the ending. Before episode 5 you don't even know if Spike is headed anywhere meaningful.

Bebop's very very episodic but there is an arc there for every character, it's not just 'villain of the week,' even though some of those episodes are incredible, like Pierrot Le Fou.

"Sympathy for the Devil"

I'm pretty sure this was the first episode I ever saw. It was love at first sight.

It took me a few episodes to really get into Cowboy Bebop too. The first episode certainly grabbed my attention and the ending lingered in my mind all the next day, but I think it was episode six that really convinced me that the show was great. Definitely watch at least to episode five though, that introduces most of the (fairly few) plot threads that tie the entire series together.

Also, I've found that I appreciate a lot of episodes more going back and rewatching them now. Not only do I have a greater appreciation for the characters, but I pick up on all sorts of little things each time I watch one again. Bebop is not my favorite series (and it's not done any favors by its most fervent evangelists), but it's definitely in my top five anime.

My man

 

[sixteen-bit]

I enjoyed the show, but it does meander for a bit. Just stick to the story episodes?

 

[bjork]

iirc this was recommended to me by Sera many years ago. As usual, she wasn't wrong. Took me until episode 3 to warm up to it, but after that I was hooked. One of the best series around, still.

 

[Doctor Decimate]

Not necessarily. It is quite dialog heavy, but I felt like it all meant something and set up the mad rush that was the latter half of the show. Compare that to Fate/Zero, where I found myself nodding off between the high moments.

I'll pick up Cowboy Bebop again soon, as it's not the only show I've returned to (and enjoyed) after a long time.

i really don't see how when the vast majority of those early episodes is the characters goofing off and doing things of little-to-no importance to the plot, but i'd rather not derail this into talking about Steins;Gate.

 

[blame space]

apologize.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

"Sympathy for the Devil"

I'm pretty sure this was the first episode I ever saw. It was love at first sight.

Another favorite. Probably gonna dig up my old DVDs tonight and watch this + Speak LIke A Child."

 

[negreenfield]

I didn't know there was anyone who didn't like Cowboy Bebop, learn something new everyday. As for me, like another poster said, it ruined all other anime for me.