I know Cowboy Bebop is typically considered to be cyberpunk but I just don’t see it. Yes, they’re low-lifes living in space, but is that enough to qualify as cyberpunk?
I guess yes, Jet has a cybernetic arm, and yes Radical Edward is a hacker, but it still just doesn’t feel cyberpunk to me. Part of the problem may be that technology never really feels dehumanizing, and society never feels on the verge of collapse. The show is also considered to be a space western and I can see that more than the cyberpunk label, honestly. For the most part, people don’t seem to be beaten down by society; they seem more like they’re just kinda lazily doing their own thing. That feels more “western” to me than “cyberpunk”. It’s weird how a lot of the tropes (like cybernetic limbs and hackers) can be present but I just don’t think the themes are there.
What do you think? Am I crazy? Would you classify Cowboy Bebop as more cyberpunk or more space western? Obviously I’m referring to the anime classic Cowboy Bebop here and not the mediocre live-action Cowboy Bebop.
I guess here’s a trailer if you’ve never watched it. It’s streaming on Tubi, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.
I would say the themes are there. The first episode deals with a drug dealer selling a stolen combat drug. There’s an episode about ecoterrorists fighting the destruction of nature. Faye’s backstory has her indebted to a ruthless mega corporation. Jet is a disillusioned ex cop with cyberware constantly complaining how broke they are. Ed makes friends with an AI military satellite and has a genetically engineered corgi as a companion. Spike is an ex mob lowlife on the run from his past. That’s all cyberpunk as fuck to me.