Cowboy Bebop Live-Action TV Series Confirmed But Critics Fear It May Flop

Jun 07, 2017 03:18 PM EDT

"Cowboy Bebop," is one of the most popular Japanese anime series in the 90s. This year, it's going to be adapted into a live-action television series by Tomorrow Studios. Many fans are excited about the TV adaptation, but some critics fear it might not perform well.

Live-action adaptions of Japanese anime series have a tendency to flop if a Hollywood studio makes it.  Sunset Inc., the executive producer of the Cowboy Bebop Live Action, teams up with the writer of Thor: The Dark World and the producer of Teen Wolf for the live-action series. Midnight Radio is also co-producing the series.

Sunrise Inc. is the studio behind the original Cowboy Bebop anime.

Some critics, they fear the TV adaptation of Cowboy Bebop would flop. American studio-made Japanese anime fail to reach audience's expectation most of the time. Think about the Last Airbender, Speed Racer and Street Fighter. Their adaptation in live-action series is a complete flop.

In addition, the 2009 flop film "Dragonball Evolution" was a disappointment to fans on so many levels. The adaptation's story, screenplay, and actor performances did not do justice to the famous Japanese manga. In the case of Cowboy Bebop, critics are gravely concerned about a non-Japanese take on a cult-classic series. So, they think it is best the Cowboy Bebop series left untouched.

On the other hand, in an interview with Deadline, Marty Adelstein from Tomorrow Studios said: "The animated version has long resonated with audiences worldwide...with the continued, ever growing, popularity of anime, we believe a live action version will have an incredible impact today."

The events in Cowboy Bebop take place in 2071. It follows the adventures of Spike Spiegel and his gang of bounty hunters in their journey around the galaxy to capture the worst criminals in the universe. The anime version has captivated the Western audiences and is credited for presenting a new genre of anime for the Western market.  It is also considered as one of the best anime series of all time.

The Cowboy Bebop anime 1998 anime series has 26 episodes in total.  Aside from anime, there are two Cowboy Bebop manga series that was released in the same year.

In 2001, "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" was released in Japan. It earned positive reviews from critics and praises from fans.   In fact, it was nominated for the Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film. The movie's total gross worldwide gross totaled $3,007,903.

Sunrise Inc. has not yet revealed Cowboy Bebop Live Action TV Series release date, but we expect it might come out early next year.

Stay tuned with Gospel Herald for more update.