With Netflix's Cowboy Bebop exactly one month away from premiere, the streaming giant has released what might be called a standalone short for the upcoming anime adaptation, giving fans a feel for what to expect in the new live-action show.
Cowboy Bebop: The Lost Session is a two-minute special presentation that's a little bit Tarantino, a little bit Scott Pilgrim. Opening with a 70s-style title card complete with film grain, the trailer features Spike, Jet, and Faye exchanging quips and trading barbs as they battle thugs and jump from one scene to the next.
Official trailer in 1 week.
Until then, may we humbly present… THE LOST SESSION. #cowboybebop #thelostsession pic.twitter.com/EeWxfPjfSP
— Cowboy Bebop (@bebopnetflix) October 19, 2021
While it's presented as a "lost session" with its own story, it functions as more of a sizzle reel that attempts to convey the overall vibe of the show. It features plenty of snippets that should be familiar to fans of the anime: stylish martial arts, Spike sneaking off to grab a bite to eat, and even a quick vision of Vicious — the katana-wielding villain from the anime who plays as Sephiroth by way of The Godfather.
The presentation is intentionally heightened, with various characters leaping from one cel to another, or even using scene dividers to bludgeon foes. The effect is akin to the original opening, which memorably established the series' mood with sharp lines and stylized silhouettes.
Being a "lost session," this trailer is likely to be separate from the full show, functioning more as a promo for the final release. On that note, an official trailer will be released next week.
The Cowboy Bebop live-action adaptation was first announced in 2018, with John Cho taking on the role of its lead character, the bounty hunter Spike Spiegel. Over the past few months, we've seen stills of Cho as Spike, as well as the official opening. It's clear that the live-action adaptation is at pains to capture the flavor of the anime, even as it changes certain elements such as Faye's outfit.
Cowboy Bebop debuts on Netflix on November 19.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN