Some time ago, "Cyberpunk 2077", which had been delayed several times, was finally released. As the popularity of games increases, the word Cyberpunk has also become a hot search.

What is cyberpunk?

It probably refers to the future phenomenon where highly developed technological civilization and collapsed and backward social structure coexist.

Stories of this type always feature advanced technology, dilapidated cities, poor people, and thoughts and explorations about technology.

Cyberpunk is not a new borrowed word. As early as the last century, there were many classic animations and novels of the cyberpunk type, such as the well-known "Ghost in the Shell" and "The Matrix"

The author’s “first experience” with cyberpunk was this animation released at the end of the last century (1998): “Cowboy Bebop”.

With its delicate graphics, wonderful soundtrack, and smooth plot, it has successively won the Kobe Animation Award for Best TV Animation of the Year, the Japan Science Fiction Conference Nebula Award, and other awards.

Douban users, who have always been strict, also gave this animation that has been outdated for more than 20 years high scores. As of January 20, 2021, the score of Cowboy Bebop is as high as 9.6, and the theatrical version also has an 8.9 point.

01

"Cowboy Bebop" is actually a very simple story. First of all, it has a cyberpunk story background:

Due to a major accident during the development and testing of a phase difference space gate above the earth in 2022, the earth and the moon were destroyed. of blow.

As the surface of the earth was contaminated by rays, humans gradually immigrated to other planets in the solar system.

The country no longer exists. People with different languages ??and cultures live together, forming communities with unique cultural characteristics on each planet.

In 2071, human settlements have expanded to the entire solar system, and phase difference space gates make travel between planets possible.

At the same time, thieves and robbers are roaming from the earth to the solar system. In order to capture the criminals, the profession of bounty hunter came into being.

The protagonist Spike and his team are bounty hunters wandering in the solar system, and the story tells the story of their pursuit of prey. From the current point of view, they are a group of losers:

Spike, a wanted man on the run from the gang

Jett, the owner of the bebop who lost his left hand

Fei , a greedy woman who has lost her past

Edward, a genius girl who is out of school without a father or mother

Ain, the smartest corgi in bebop

Spike said I hate women, children and dogs the most, but I have all three in my bebop account. After a series of stories, the bebop, carrying four people and one dog, began its journey into the universe.

They have met couples who died for love, lonely and pitiful killing machines, elderly people with dementia who are crazy about chess, fugitives who were betrayed by their comrades... while experiencing an exciting life. At the same time, clues of the dusty past are beginning to emerge.

02

When talking about "Cowboy Bebop", its soundtrack must be mentioned. Yoko Kanno uses excellent jazz music to enhance the animation.

The familiar "Tank!" " Paired with the smooth opening animation, looking back now, it is not outdated at all.

"Space Lion" combined with the ending animation of looking up at the stars, we feel like we are in the shaman in the animation, looking up at the falling stars in the sky, telling the children that those are the tears of a hero.

Space Lion music: COWBOY BEBOP - COWBOY BEBOP I (animation game music)

Not to mention the famous scene in the church, when Spike jumped from the broken window of the church, memories and falls The pictures change in turn. The crisp female voice seems like "Green Bird" is evoking the past that Spike wants to hide.

Corresponding to the excellent soundtrack is the smooth action scene. "Cowboy Bebop" pays tribute to many classic films. In the era when Hong Kong movies were popular, the shadow of Johnnie John and Johnnie can be seen in the gunfight action scenes.

03

The author believes that the reason why "Cowboy Bebop" has become a unique classic is not only because of the excellent action storyboards and jazz soundtrack, but also because it is unreasonable.

This scene is really beautiful

It reminds me of my Chinese language class when I was a student. Teachers always ask students to summarize the theme and central idea of ??the text, as if the birth of each article is accompanied by important meaning and sublimated themes.

Even if the author does not think so, the teaching reference can give a reference answer.

So, does life have a so-called meaning from the beginning?

Camus said that human life is absurd. Human beings are not born for any reason or goal. We should choose to accept absurdity bravely and soberly.

Absurdity is not the end, but the beginning.

Only by accepting reality and creating yourself can you give your life meaning.

The first time I watched "Cowboy Bebop" was in my freshman year, when I was obsessed with Gu Long's novels.

I feel that the animation "Cowboy Bebop" is very similar to Gu Long's novels: they don't like to talk about big things.

There is no love and hatred between family and country, no inspirational preaching, no hoeing the strong and supporting the weak, and no stories are used to reason, but stories are used to create characters.

If the bright line of "Cowboy Bebop" is the adventure of a bounty hunter, then the dark line is the story of Spike, Fei, Jet and the past saying goodbye.

Some people find their past during their journey.

As a victim of the phase difference space door accident, Fei woke up after sleeping for 50 years and was eager to find her past.

Watching the video of cheering for her future self 50 years ago, Fei regained her memory and reunited with her gray-haired classmates.

When she ran towards the home in her memory with joy, there was only a barren land waiting for her.

In 50 years, things have changed.

Some people cannot let go of the past during their journey.

In the animation, Spike emphasized that one of his eyes can only see the past, and the other can only see the future. Spike, who seems to be the most dashing, is the least willing to let go of his past.

The past became a long and inescapable nightmare, until Julia's death made him want to finally confirm whether he was alive.

At the end of the story, the past love and hatred between Spike, Bishas and Julia were frozen in the last gunshot.

Watanabe said that Spike just fell asleep. Maybe one day when he wakes up, he can forget the past and continue to roam the vast universe.

04

With its unique style, "Cowboy Bebop" has become a masterpiece in the hearts of many people.

In recent years, Hollywood has been eyeing a live-action version. All major netizens have complained but have given up hope. After all, everyone is accustomed to Hollywood's magical changes over the years.

When I watched "Cowboy Bebop" before, I didn't understand why the child Edward and the puppy Ein were arranged to leave the bebop a few episodes before the finale.

Blue Music: Yoko Kanno - Cowboy Bebop 5 CD-Box OST Limited Edition CD4

"Cowboy Bebop" is more like an animation for adults. When I rewatched it, I felt that this might be the mercy of the screenwriter, who did not want children to experience the pain of adult separation.

The English name of "Cowboy Bebop" is not space cowboy, but cowboy bebop. Bebop is a genre of jazz with more complex improvisation and more varied accompaniment rhythms.

Isn’t life also an impromptu performance? There is no turning back when the bow is fired. Some people join in the chorus in the middle, and some people may leave.

Even if you make a mistake, you can’t stop. Don’t feel sorry for the wrong note, just keep the rhythm and enjoy the process.

Even if the day comes to an end, there is no need to regret it.

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