Not even Spike Spiegel was crafty enough to weather the storm of critical backlash that plagued Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop series. But unfortunately, a shot at redemption isn’t in the cards. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that the streaming service has canceled the show after one season.
After years of anticipation, Cowboy Bebop finally premiered its initial 10-episode run on Netflix last month. Though not without a few defenders, early reviews compared it unfavorably to the original anime series. In fact, many critics argued that it was too faithful to its source material. They specifically took aim at the writing, visual effects, and fight choreography, which evidently didn’t translate well in live-action. However, other critics praised the performances of the main cast, which included John Cho as Spike, Mustafa Shakir as Jet Black, and Daniella Pineda as Faye Valentine.
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All things considered, Cowboy Bebop actually did reasonably well in its first week of release. During this time, it managed to attract nearly 74 million viewing hours. But these numbers dropped by 59% during its second week on the platform. As THR explains, Netflix weighed these figures against the cost to make the show and ultimately decided that a second season wasn’t worth the risk.
News of the cancellation is bound to disappoint any viewers who were intrigued by the first season’s cliffhanger ending. The creators (including showrunner André Nemec) clearly had bold plans for the series’ future. Regardless, these are destined to go unresolved. The new series notably featured the original anime’s director’s, Shinichirō Watanabe, as a consultant. Composer Yoko Kanno also returned to provide the show’s music.
Are you sad to hear that Cowboy Bebop isn’t returning for another season? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Cowboy Bebop: The Anime TV Series and Movie: Pocket Guide
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