Shinichiro Watanabe, a renowned figure in the anime world, has achieved legendary status with his impressive portfolio of projects, many of which have become timeless classics in the medium. Among his notable works, Cowboy Bebop stands out as a remarkable anime series that revolves around the adventures of galactic bounty hunters including Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and Radical Ed. In a recent interview, Watanabe delved into various aspects of his career, shedding light on the origins of Cowboy Bebop and revealing that the series was not initially intended to bear that name.
During the interview, Watanabe touched upon the surprising success that Cowboy Bebop has garnered since its debut over two decades ago, acknowledging that its popularity surpassed his expectations. He reflected on the state of anime during that time, emphasizing that it was not widely recognized outside of Japan, with only a few exceptions such as Akira enjoying significant popularity. Watanabe confessed that he had always been drawn to Western-made movies, particularly American and European films, as he found Japanese movies to be excessively sentimental. He expressed his desire to create something “cool” and adopt an international approach, contrasting it with the emotional tendencies he observed in Japanese cinema. Watanabe also shared his reservations about Space Battleship Yamato, citing an overabundance of melodrama as a reason for his lack of affinity towards it.
In the course of his conversation with Forbes, Watanabe unveiled the original intended title for Cowboy Bebop, which was “Nagareboshi Bepop” or “Shooting Star Bebop.” However, due to trademark conflicts, they were compelled to change the name. Even the English version, “Shooting Star Bebop,” faced a similar trademark issue. Consequently, they contemplated the essence of the story, focusing on bounty hunters who could be likened to “cowboys,” leading to the final decision to name it Cowboy Bebop. Watanabe credited Keiko Nobumoto, a collaborator on the series, with the idea of incorporating the term “cowboys” in the title, highlighting their shared taste and understanding that facilitated seamless communication.
As Watanabe looks back on the inception and unexpected triumph of Cowboy Bebop, the revelation about its original title sheds light on the creative process behind one of the most influential and beloved anime series of all time.
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