We've reached the end of the dream, space cowfolks. This podcast was envisioned as a companion to Cowboy Bebop, and with no more live action episodes on the way, it's time to say Howdy (in a Goodbye Way). Jamie, Lauren, and Angela look back on the journey by interviewing each other. We've had a wonderful time hunting bounties, meeting brilliant creators, and bringing new conversations to the community. Thank you, thank you. You're gonna carry that weight.

Cowboy Bebop, our favorite anime of all time, is a masterpiece. No matter what you think of the live action version, the original will always be there. This IP affects other media, pop culture, merchandise, and art. How have fan communities been permanently changed? What can we learn from the past year? What happens now? Join us on a journey through the multiverse with special guest Billy Tringali, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Anime and Manga Studies (JAMS).

We're back with the perfect episode for anyone whose New Year's Resolution is "going green!" Callisto Soul puts a tree-hugging twist on an old fave. We welcome Script Coordinator Naomi Markman, one of Cowboy Bebop's freshest voices, to unravel why Maria Murdock and her "children" are more relevant than ever.

Whether you prefer Betty's Boop or Betty's Bottom, we can all agree: The best part of Dog Star Swing is Ein! We analyze the episode top to, um, bottom, before welcoming the Charlie the corgi, the brightest star in Cowboy Bebop. As much as we love Charlie's barks and woofs, we are also thankful for his human mum, Steph, and his trainer, Rosie, for tagging along.

Grab your favorite teddy and settle in for a Cowboy Bebop podcast jamboree! This week, Jamie and Lauren are joined by Jesse (Sudden But Inevitable) and Andrew (Bebop Tabletop). It truly takes this many voices to unravel the number of bounties and sessions remixed into Venus Pop.

A new era of Cowboy Bebop begins with Cowboy Gospel, an episode that pulls inspiration from Asteroid Blues, Knockin' on Heaven's Door, and more. We can't believe all that Netflix packed in this one, from Faye Valentine's debut to our favorite three old men. Our first live action guest is Visual Effects Editor Kim Huston, who lets us in on tricks of the trade and Easter eggs galore!

The Bebop Beat podcast is back for Season 2! We're kicking it off with a recording of our first LIVE show. Shortly after Netflix's Cowboy Bebop premiered, we recorded our reactions with other fans on Discord. Please pay the howdy toll, then listen to our discussion on the live action performances, themes, and soundtrack.

It's hard to stay on hiatus with so much Cowboy Bebop news popping up! On this mini ep, we chat about the latest from Netflix- The Lost Session, trailers, and promo photos. We have a few of our own hopes and predictions, too! Whatever happens, happens.

This is it, the end of Cowboy Bebop. Thank you to all of the loyal listeners who joined us on this journey. Our guest this week is YOU! Anime fans from all over the star system are here to talk about their favorite characters, stories, and how Cowboy Bebop has affected us all. See you in Season 2 for the Netflix episodes, bounty hunters. Whatever happens, happens!

The end is near! ...The end of The Bebop Beat Season 1, that is. To take us into the Real Folk Blues, we welcome Mike Toole, Editor-at-Large for Anime News Network (ANN). He has a lot to say about Cowboy Bebop's history, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix... lifelong anime fans will love this one!

We keep joking about "space therapy" on the podcast, and clinical social worker Brian Kunde of GaymerX and Take This is finally taking us there. Faye searches for her past, Ed searches for her family, and we search for another box of tissues to cry through. It's Hard Luck Woman, featuring some of the best scenes and music in all of Cowboy Bebop.

The Netflix TUDUM fan event showed us so much new Cowboy Bebop that we just couldn't wait for Friday. This mini ep captures our feelings (Bounties, oh yes! Vicious, oh no!) and explains where our humble podcast is headed. Listen for instructions on how YOU can be in our Season 1 finale!!

Instructions for fan submissions for our finale episode here: https://bebopbeat.com/rfb.html

WHY is the live action Cowboy Bebop LIKE THIS?! We've reached the end of the Netflix series, and we aren't holding back! Lauren and Jamie catch their white whale by interviewing showrunner André Nemec. These are (likely) his last words on Cowboy Bebop EVER, so tune in as he explains major creative choices like Julia, Ed, and what we're missing out on in seasons never to come.

Much of Cowboy Bebop went over our heads when we saw it for the first time (we were so young!) The greatest example of this is Brain Scratch, a haunting commentary on real-life cults. Our guest Sarah Hightower knows just how bold Bebop got concerning Heaven's Gate and Aum Shinrikyo, but the story doesn't end in the 90's...

Now that we've gotten all of our fandom flailing out of the way, it's time to REALLY tackle Knockin' on Heaven's Door, The Cowboy Bebop Movie. Was this film actually good? Virus and vaccine expert Chise leads a fascinating discussion on Vincent's terrifying mission. Plus, we ask our friends to tell us about sakuga!

We can hardly believe it, but Knockin' on Heaven's Door, The Cowboy Bebop movie, was released 20 years ago! To celebrate, the legendary Jennifer Hale joins the party this week. Hear Electra herself discuss the film, her character's inner feelings, and what it takes to be a Disney princess, Jedi, and Commander of the Normandy.

We went on a board game game bounty hunt and purchased every Cowboy Bebop title we could find: Board Game Boogie, Space Serenade, and the Spike and Vicious UFS card game. A whole crew of real-life friends joined us to play and review the games. Then, we got the pleasure of meeting Eric Price, CEO of Japanime Games! Let's play, cowfolks.

Son of a gun, did somebody say podcast collab?? Dennis, Garrett, and Kate from the Vintage Anime Club podcast join us this week for Cowboy Funk. The studio may be full of fans with strong opinions, but we promise, we get along way better than Spike and Andy.

Boogie Woogie Feng Shui is a unique Cowboy Bebop episode that drops spirituality into a sci-fi setting. It is notoriously not a fan favorite, but with a character named Kimmie Black in the upcoming Netflix show, we're all SORTS of interested in Jet as a father figure! We ask an astrologist and a cultural consultant all the important questions, from "What's your sign?" to "Who's your daddy??"

Before Five Nights at Freddy's, there was this OG theme park animatronic terror: Pierrot Le Fou. Illustrator, author, and designer Sean Dove joins us this week to talk French New Wave, Batman villains, and how everyone seems to have a story about killer carnival rides. Buckle in and keep your arms and legs safely inside the car, bounty hunters. This is a scary one!

When the creative minds behind Cowboy Bebop start referencing NASA, who ya gonna call? Our friend Travis Sauder, a former engineer for the Space Shuttle program! We draw a line from real-life aeronautics straight to the Swordfish II. Did today's billionaire space race cause the future seen in Cowboy Bebop?? ... probably not. We also reflect on the Columbia disaster, and whether Wild Horses can still be watched the same way.

Our favorite bounty hunters dive deep underground and into Faye's past, but you don't need a Betamax player to hear an incredible interview! Voice artist Wendee Lee has given life to hundreds of characters, including Lady Luck herself, Faye Valentine. Her career precedes the Adult Swim era, making her the absolute expert on anime cons, women in the industry, and Cowboy Bebop's impact on the world. 

Mushroom Samba is a fan favorite episode, but does it hold up? We tackle two major topics: psychedelics and Blaxploitation films. Dr. Austin Lim joins us to unbox just how much society's views have changed since the 1970s. Let's kick the beat! 

Cowboy Bebop brings us a flashback episode this week, where we get all of our questions answered, from "How did Spike meet Julia" to "Vicious shaves WHERE??" Plus, we welcome our youngest-ever guest to the studio: Molly Moriarty, who played original Netflix character Kimmie Black.

What's up, sweetcakes?? We had such a great time talking about anime music that we had to come back for more! The folks at Strawberry Hill Music generously put us in touch with vocalists Raj Ramayya (Ask DNA) and Scott Matthew (Is It Real?), plus the woman who wrote a whole book on the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, Rose Bridges. Join the conversation!

Cheers, to the podcast that charmed the devil! Cowboy Bebop gives us a true film noir tribute this week. Joined by film reviewer Ruben Rosario, we learn the truth behind Jet Black- his habits, his arm, and his iron codes of honor. Also, what's the deal with barcode tattoos??

Faye Valentine finally opens up a bit about her past, and it's a sad love story, indeed. We adore Faye. Anyone who hurts her deserves to get DUNKED ON. For this task, we welcome Trin Garritano, relationship expert from the Friendshipping podcast. Topics include trauma bonding, debt, and SPOILED ENTITLED DUDES LIKE WHITNEY WHO WE TOTALLY HATE.

Check out Friendshipping here!: https://friendshipping.transistor.fm/

Checkmate, bounty hunters! Though the Bebop crew keeps capturing his henchmen, criminal mastermind Chessmaster Hex proves very elusive. To help us better understand this brilliant bounty, we've enlisted the help of local Chicago chess champ, Tony Gentry. If you could forget the past and live a Bohemian life free of grudges, would you?

Cowboy Bebop spawned two video games: A rails shooter for the PS1 and a brawler/RPG/flight sim/puzzler/??? for the PS2. We play and review both this week, plus share a few of our favorite Bebop tributes and Easter eggs. "See you, space cowboy" is used absolutely EVERYWHERE! Our industry expert is Derrick Fields, the anime-inspired Creative Director of Waking Oni Games.

The second half of Jupiter Jazz is intense, somber, peak Cowboy Bebop. We've been wondering how Netflix will take on this legendary episode. Here to give us the reassurance we DESIRE (get it?) is Mason Alexander Park, the actor who plays Gren in the live action adaptation. They shine a spotlight on gender nonconformity, the queer experience, and a future (not just in science fiction!) that has space for all.

As the crew searches for a wayward Faye Valentine, Spike hears a familiar name- Julia. Jupiter Jazz introduces Gren, perhaps the most famous Cowboy Bebop character outside of the main crew. We tracked down David Thomas (a.k.a. Robert Matthews), the artist who provided Gren's English voice. As we eagerly await Netflix's modern, nonbinary Gren, we talk to a true original about gender, saxophone, and... talking to animals?!

We're taking a break from the anime to discuss the many ways Cowboy Bebop has been published on paper. Artbooks! Light novels! And yes, five volumes of sometimes-canonical, sometimes-good, sometimes-absolutely-awful manga. We review, we roast, and we meet E. K. weaver, comic artist and letterer better known to the fandom as Big Big Truck.

E.K. Weaver: http://big-big-truck.com/

Surprise! It's our first-ever bonus ep. As we researched our upcoming episode, The Books of Bebop, we discovered that many fans have never read the Cowboy Bebop manga. So, we do our best to summarize 5 volumes of out-of-print stories. If you have read the manga before, you can skip this one and still be caught up on Friday. If you have never read the manga (and are comfortable with spoilers), join Lauren and Jamie on this weird journey. Wee-wee towels!!

Cowboy Bebop

vol. 1:

• It's Showtime
• We Will Rock You
• Cheap Trick
• Black Diamond

vol. 2:

• She's a Rainbow
• Great Deceiver
• Bebop Special Short
• Thinking Bird, Happy Song
• Like a Rolling Stone

vol. 3:

• What's Your Number
• Fight For Your Right

Shooting Star

vol. 1: 

• You Only Live Twice, The Kid Stays in the Picture, Dog Day Afternoon, The Sting, Funny Girl, Behind the Bebop, the Untold Story

vol. 2: 

• The Man Who Would Be King, Midnight Cowboy, The Great Escape, In Cold Blood, The Hustler, Behind the Bebop, the Untold Story

Don't start a podcast about topics you don't understand: That's the lesson! For this fan favorite episode of Cowboy Bebop, we bring in Symphony Sanders. You've heard her voice on Welcome to Night Vale, Good Morning Night Vale, and Jackbox Games. Now, she schools us on the many ways Toys in the Attic pays tribute to the horror genre. Please check your fridge before listening!

Find our guest today @SymphonySanders

Check out Good Morning Nightvale: http://www.nightvalepresents.com/goodmorningnightvale

If you're hungry for more Cowboy Bebop stories, check out the latest from Titan Comics! With the help of writer Dan Watters, we chase down a brand new bounty with suspiciously good luck. Expect a full review of issue 1 from Lauren and Jamie, plus our hopes and predictions for the rest of the 4-part comic book miniseries.

Our most well-known guest yet joins us this week: Beau Billingslea, legendary voice of Jet Black in English dub! We talk Cowboy Bebop, Final Fantasy, Adventure Time, and whether Beau keeps bonsai trees. Plus, Lauren and Jamie unbox Ganymede Elegy, the story of a jilted ex who totally isn't bitter or anything.

Radical Edward is FINALLY on-screen! The crew is complete as our favorite hacker sets her sights on the Bebop and won't be denied. Our guest this week is Terry Gant, comic shop owner and podcaster extraordinaire. As we discuss how COVID-19 has affected his work, we slowly realize we've all spent a year floating around as lonely satellites...

References

Third Coast Comics: https://thirdcoastcomics.com/

Team Bebop is in top form this week, catching bounties galore! While on the hunt, Spike falls in with Roco, a classic baddie with a heart of gold. We know a lot about anime, but to truly "be like water," we needed a martial arts expert. Interactive media producer Eddie Doty is in the house to talk Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do, firearms, and ammunition. 

Content warning: This episode contains discussions of firearms, ammunitions, and the effects on the human body. Please listen with care.

References

Firearms wiki:

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Cowboy_Bebop

Bruce Lee documentary:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11394168/

Palladium's Ninjas and Superspies:

http://palladium-store.com/1001/product/525-Ninjas-and-Superspies-RPG.html

People can't help but get pulled into the Bebop crew's misadventures! This time, a cargo-hauling, metal-loving, trucker queen joints the bounty hunt. Our podcast studio is full of folks, too, including Lauren's dad (yes, you read that right) and Melodee Spevack, the legendary voice of VT herself!

Cowboy Bebop successfully balances science and the supernatural, superstition and spirituality. No Session does this better than Sympathy for the Devil. Mary Strawser, creator of The Jazz Messengers, shares how her opinions on the episode have evolved since the early days of fandom.

Our favorite Bebop resource and Mary's house:

http://www.jazzmess.com/

If you're local to Texas, adopt from Animal Allies of Texas!:

https://animalalliesoftexas.rescuegroups.org/

Cowboy Bebop combines jazz, blues, country, rock, even heavy metal. who better to discuss this genre-bending soundtrack than Steve Conte, vocalist from some of the anime's most famous jams? He honored us with an interview, and even after this awesome episode, we STILL aren't sure if we're done talking about Cowboy Bebop's music...

Find Steve Conte online:

http://stevecontenyc.com/

and search up his music on Spotify or Apple Music!

Check out Save Our Stages:

https://www.saveourstages.com/

and remember to support your local venues and musicians however you (safely!!) can.

It's Swordboi vs. Sadboi as we unbox one of Cowboy Bebop's most famous episodes. Reddit mod Marshall Banana joins us for an AMA, which dives into the anime industry, building fan communities, and why this week's big fight takes place in a church.

Join the Cowboy Bebop reddit and discord:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboybebop/

What's the difference between a monkey and a great ape? Where is Chicago in the Cowboy Bebop universe? What is a seinen anime? Was Tainted Donuts real or just a weird dream we had? This week, we (badly) answer these questions and more with otaku journalist Lauren Orsini. 

References:

Lauren Orsini's website:

https://www.otakujournalist.com/

Vulture's Gig Economy article:

https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/cowboy-bebop-2020-gig-economy.html

Tainted Donutes ;) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9e_WIoJJnI

This week, we welcome Faye Valentine into our lives and talk to a real-life casino dealer/supervisor. Jeremy Hulse answers our questions on casino culture and gives us an expert's insight into Cowboy Bebop's portrayal of it all. What does it mean to be notorious at a casino? What's the biggest win he has ever seen? Should we put the chips in our mouth?

Find the answers and more in today's episode!

References:

Wah's blog, Analog Housou: https://analoghousou.com/

The Jazz Messengers: http://www.jazzmess.com/

Email us! BebopBeatPodcast@gmail.com

This week on The Bebop Beat is "hard corg," as they say. We'll be chatting about corgis with our guest, Linda Moore. She is the president of Pet's Second Chance Corgi Rescue in Missouri. She answers our questions about Ein, our favorite furry friend on the Bebop. You'll also here a few "words" from Jamie's corgi, Watson!

Pet's Second Chance Corgi Rescue:

www.petssecondchance.org

E-mail us! BebopBeatPodcast@gmail.com

LET'S PARTY! Pierrot Le Fou just might be the most memorable episode of Cowboy Bebop, and we were shocked to see it adapted for live action on Netflix. We go to our happy place this week with Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who not only wrote this episode, but also brings stories from his incredible career on LOST, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and season 3 of The Witcher.

We've finally arrived! Welcome to the Bebop Beat. Your hosts Lauren and Jamie introduce themselves, the Spike Spiegel Sad Show, and episode one of Cowboy Bebop — Asteroid Blues. Whether you love sword bois or Breaking Bad, this podcast is for you.

Email us at BebopBeatPodcast@gmail.com

Send your opinions, insights, and anecdotes to BebopBeatPodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BebopBeat

Our guest this week is known for kicking a lot of ass! Stunt Coordinator Allan Poppleton is in the studio with a behind-the-scenes look at Cowboy Bebop's biggest fights, including his work with John Cho post-injury. Galileo Hustle is Lauren and Jamie's favorite live action episode, so saddle up for a great time. ...After you call your mom and tell her you love her, of course.

Free your mind! Spike Spiegel may be trapped in a repetitive time loop, but Binary Two-Step introduces one of Netflix's biggest changes to Cowboy Bebop: Mel. This sexy, intelligent mechanic is played by our guest this week, Jade Harlow. She spills all the details about what's between Mel and Faye, but doesn't stop there. Our conversation touches on inclusivity, artists' compensation, and the value (or not!) of labels.