Thanks, Bebop

I’ve been playing Cowboy Bebop soundtracks over and over. They’re now etched in my memories. I’ll remember the ongoing phase of my life through this music.

This 24-year-old anime series, with all its hip-hop vibe and existential questions, feels indelibly marked on my existence. At some point in listening, I thought ‘it says something about me.’ Even if it makes me sad, I’ll gladly listen.

But it had to be that great

I came across some interesting facts about Cowboy Bebop that show the effort that has gone behind making it, especially the music. Here are some nuggets:

The Cowboy Bebop team hired the composer, Yoko Kanno, to create music for the show. She formed a jazz band, Seatbelts, only for this anime project.
Seatbelts completed the soundtrack for the show before the characters and story were finalized. That means that Cowboy Bebop’s story drew influence from the music and not vice versa.
The music was one of the first things to go into production, even before a lot of characters and stories had been finalized.
Shinichiro Watanabe named each episode after some popular song or band names, like Asteroid Blues (Ep 1), Bohemian Rhapsody (Ep 14), and Hard Luck Woman (Ep 24).
“Bebop” is actually a type of jazz, which makes sense considering a lot of the music and the entire feel of the show.

The series made my head bop, eyes wet, and rubbed off its existential questions on me. It gave me music that has stayed by my side. Perhaps, some courage to be me, too.

I turn 27 this year, as old as Spike was. I’m happy about having watched it. I’m happy about having found this music. What more can I say? Thanks, Bebop.