Meet the Bounty Hunters of Cowboy Bebop - A Character Analysis Posted Dec 9, 2023

Cowboy Bebop is an anime series that has captivated millions of fans around the world and introduced them to anime for the first time. Its thrilling and stylish blend of sci-fi, action, comedy, drama, and music make it one of the best anime of all time. Set in the year 2071, the series follows the exploits of a ragtag group of bounty hunters, who travel across the solar system in search of criminals and rewards. In this article we will dwell into its complex and relatable main characters and find more interesting facts and their backstory.

Spike Spiegel: The Laid-Back Martial Artist

Spike Spiegel is the main protagonist and the leader of the Bebop crew. His character history is rich, because he is a former member of the Red Dragon Syndicate. It is a powerful crime organization, where he was a partner and a friend of Vicious, who is the main antagonist of the series.

Spike also had a romantic relationship with Julia, a mysterious woman who was involved with both protagonist and antagonist of the series. Spike had to fake his death to leave the syndicate, which tells us about his complexity as a character. This membership still haunts him and eventually catches up with him as the story progresses.

As we go deeper in his character, we can note that Spike is a skilled martial artist and marksman, who uses a Jericho 941 as his weapon of choice. Additionally, he pilots the Swordfish II, a modified racer that is fast and agile. He has a cybernetic right eye that only sees the present, while his natural left eye only sees the past. The eye is a symbol for his struggle to move on from his past and live in the present. Spike is often aloof and sarcastic, but also compassionate and loyal.

In the anime, we can note that Spike cares deeply for his friends, especially Jet, who is like a brother to him. He also develops a close bond with Faye, who shares his sense of loneliness and cynicism. Spike's favorite hobbies are martial arts, shooting, and sleeping. He is often seen practicing his fighting skills, shooting at cans, or taking a nap on the couch. He also enjoys watching TV, especially a show called Big Shot, which features information about bounties.

Jet Black: The Father Figure and the Captain

Jet Black is the co-protagonist and the owner and captain of the Bebop, the spaceship where the crew lives and works. He is a former officer of the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP), who lost his left arm in an ambush and replaced it with a cybernetic one. He also lost his partner and his girlfriend, who betrayed him and left him. Jet became disillusioned with the corrupt system and decided to become a bounty hunter, hoping to find some justice in the chaotic world.

In the anime, we can note that Jet has a pretty good skill as a hacker and mechanic, who can fix and upgrade anything from spaceships to computers. He is also a good cook and a gardener, who likes to prepare meals for the crew and grow bonsai trees. He is usually calm and rational, but also stubborn and protective. He acts as a father figure to the rest of the crew, especially Spike, who he considers his best friend. He also cares for Faye, Edward, and Ein, who he treats like his family. Jet's favorite hobbies are gardening, cooking, and listening to jazz music. He is often seen tending to his plants, preparing food, or playing his favorite tunes on a cassette player. He also likes to read old books and magazines, especially about history and philosophy.

Faye Valentine: The Seductive Gambler and the Con Artist

Faye Valentine is the female lead and the most mysterious member of the Bebop crew. She is a woman who was cryogenically frozen for 54 years after a space shuttle accident. She suffers from amnesia and has no memory of her past. She also has a large debt to pay off, as she was tricked by a man who claimed to be her lawyer and charged her for the medical fees. Faye is a cunning and seductive gambler, who often cheats and steals to get what she wants. She pilots the Red Tail, a modified fighter that is equipped with various weapons and gadgets. She is usually selfish and cynical, but also vulnerable and lonely.

Faye has really big trust issues, as she has been betrayed and abandoned many times. She develops a close bond with the Bebop crew, especially Spike and Jet, who she sees as her only friends. She also has a soft spot for Edward and Ein, who she often teases and plays with. Faye's favorite hobbies are gambling, shopping, and flirting. She is always looking for a chance to win big, whether it is at a casino, a racetrack, or a card game. She also likes to buy expensive clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics, often using the Bebop's money or credit. She also enjoys flirting with attractive men, sometimes using her charm to get information or money from them. If you want to be like Faye in real life, be sure to check the best Neteller sites where you can find the most exciting games online.

Edward Wong: The Eccentric Hacker and the Genius

Edward Wong, or Ed for short, is the youngest and the most eccentric member of the Bebop crew. She is a young and prodigious hacker, who goes by the alias Radical Edward. She is a self-proclaimed "cowboy" who hacks into various systems for fun and curiosity. She joins the Bebop crew after helping them catch a hacker bounty, who turned out to be her father.

In the anime, we find out that Ed is a very energetic and playful character, often annoying the others with her antics. Most notable characteristics are her intelligence and creativity, who she uses for inventing various gadgets and programs.

Her relationship with the crew are pretty interesting. Ed has a very close friendship with Ein, the data dog, who she can communicate with through a computer interface. Her admiration for Faye is big, who she calls "Faye-Faye", and tries to emulate her style and attitude. Same can be said about her relation with Spike and Jet, who she calls "Spike-Spike" and "Jet-Jet", and often ignores their orders or requests. Ed's favorite hobbies are hacking, inventing, and playing with Ein.

In the anime, Ed’s main motivation is to find a new challenge or a new discovery, whether it is hacking into a satellite, a military base, or a museum. Additionally, she also likes to create various devices and software, such as a chess program, a fishing rod, or a video game. You will really enjoy watching her play with Ein, who she considers her best friend and partner in crime. She often takes him on adventures, such as riding a scooter, flying a kite, or exploring a planet.

Ein: The Smart and Loyal Data Dog

Ein is the mascot and the pet of the Bebop crew. A Welsh Corgi by race who was genetically engineered to have human-like intelligence. His backstory starts as he was stolen from a research facility by a group of hackers, who intended to use him for a hacking scheme. Later, the modified dog was rescued by Spike and Jet, who decided to keep him as a pet. He is very smart and loyal, often helping the crew with various tasks. One of his best capabilities is to hack into computers, operate machinery, and even play chess. What is really noticeable when you watch this anime is his communication with Edward through a computer interface, and also understands human speech and emotions. This modified dog is pretty cute and adorable, often attracting attention from strangers and other animals.

Ein's favorite hobbies are eating, sleeping, and barking. He is always hungry and loves to eat anything, especially dog food, meat, and snacks. Like every dog, Ein likes to sleep on the couch, on the bed, or on the floor. Furthermore, he likes to bark at things that interest or annoy him, such as birds, cats, or intruders. In the end, Ein really enjoys playing with Edward, who he follows everywhere and joins in her mischief.

Conclusion

These are the main characters of Cowboy Bebop, each with their own unique personality and background. They form a dysfunctional but lovable family, who face various challenges and dangers in their quest for bounties and answers. If you are a fan of Cowboy Bebop or just started this anime, we hope that his info we provided inspired you to love even more these amazing characters.