While the world of 2071 is one of advanced technology, it isn’t so different from the world in 2001. One huge difference is that due to the societal and environmental impacts of the Gate Accident, the societies of the world were mixed together.
One of the best representations of this change is perhaps the currency. While the Solar System’s society is divided into planets, they all use a single currency, the Woolong.
One Woolong is worth about what 1 Yen was worth in 2001. Most monetary transactions aren’t done using physical currency, but are instead done using electronic cash cards called Money Cards.
Another big change is the use of biotechnology in the field of medicine. Feats thought to be impossible by modern standards- such as false eyes that work like real ones, limb regeneration, and cold sleep- are all common.
Furthermore, the use of protein-based, nanometer-sized nanomachines is quite common. However, their weaponization is prohibited by international law.
The biggest change from the world of 2001 is that people now live on planets other than Earth. The frontier that man has opened using science has created an everyday world that resembles ours at a glance, yet is completely different.
Perhaps this is best represented by the weather. The weather on Mars is controlled by humans. Within the domed cities of Mars, which are filled with air curtains, this is quite simple. When Spike went out with an umbrella, did he forget to take an umbrella or is he the type who doesn’t pay any mind to the weather? In addition, because Earth is regularly bombarded by meteorites, that’s included as part of the weather forecast.
With a special attachment, Money Cards can be used to do person-to-person transactions
While the currency is Woolong, it’s rare to see actual money being used in transactions
While cars no longer use gasoline engines as a result of technological advancements, they look largely the same on the outside
Unlike today, personal computers take the place of phones and televisions
Spike’s fake eye and Jet’s fake arm are examples of how advanced medical science has become
With a surface temperature of 860 degrees (F) and an atmospheric pressure of 490 bars, Venus is not hospitable to human life. Thanks to countless attempts at Terraforming it, the entire planet can now support human life. However, its atmospheric pressure is two-to-three times that of Earth’s and the temperature averages between 80 and 95 degrees (F), making this sand-covered environment a harsh one to survive in.
In order to accelerate the terraforming process, giant, genetically-modified floating greenery was brought in. One in every thousandth person contracts Venus Sickness due to these plants' spores. Also, due to the atmosphere being rich in helium, you must take a special medicine or else your voice will become high-pitched. The planet’s population is roughly 5 billion, with most people being Muslims from the Middle East or Africa.
As a result of gradual terraforming, the naturally inhospitable environment of Venus became capable of sustaining human life.
Due to the large Muslim population, many giant mosques have been constructed.
Although they cause severe illness in rare cases, the falling spores from the floating plants are quite beautiful.
Not's not just the environment that makes life here harsh. The numerous low lives and gangs make surviving even harder.
As a result of the Gate Incident that occurred in the year 2022, a large portion of the Moon was destroyed. The fragments then caused massive damage to the Earth when they fell. At the time of the story, these fragments still regularly rain down on the Earth’s surface. The Gate Incident also threw off the Moon’s gravity, which will cause it to slowly be pulled toward the Earth.
Currently, there are about 200,000 people living in cities beneath the Earth’s surface. Ten million more live in many smaller, domed cities on the lunar surface.
The feeling of abandonment between humanity and Earth seems to be shared. No reconstruction efforts appear to have been attempted and as a result, the planet has remained in a state of devastation.
People who have fled underground largely rely on the net to connect with the outside world. As a result, many become hackers.
Because of how frequently lunar fragments fall to the surface, it's incredibly difficult to live on the surface.
Due to the Gate Incident, the Moon's gravity was thrown off-balance. It's slowly falling to Earth.
Underground cities seem to predate the Gate Incident, as they show considerable wear-and-tear.
Mars has become the prosperous planet in the solar system. Since it was already in the process of being terraformed, when the Gate Incident rendered the Earth and the Moon largely unlivable, Mars has become the center of the galaxy.
Because Mars lacks the natural oxygen required to sustain life, most cities are built in massive craters and valleys and are covered by a large dome. Within these domes, massive amounts of oxygen are circulated, creating a massive Air Curtain that humans can live within. Unlike the rest of the planet, the skies in these areas are blue. When viewed from outside, these areas look like giant eyeballs.
The environment outside of the Air Curtain, with its harsh terrain, low temperatures, and lack of air, cannot support human life, although there's pockets of livable areas may one day cover the planet.
The planet's population is roughly 3 billion people. Because of a national construction project, about half of the population is of Chinese descent, however, people from a variety of backgrounds, such as Indian, Asian, African, and Russian can be found living on Mars. The architecture is similarly diverse, with styles ranging from Chinese to European.
Half of Mars's population is of Chinese descent, resulting in the architecture having a matching feel. Signs with Chinese characters are everywhere and the port where the Bebop often docks seems to be inspired by Hong Kong. One aspect that does not feel futuristic, however, is the omnipresence of traditional Chinese culture.
As the Gate Incident caused the most damage to America and Europe, the majority of the remainder of mankind seems to be of Chinese ancestry. As a result, it's not unusual to see more signs in Chinese than English.
The area around the Red Dragon's headquarters is quite modern. Mars features a variety of different styles of architecture.
Alba City, where Vincent attempted to commit bioterrorism using nanomachines, has the feel of an American city.
A tall building with modern architecture. Touches like these inject realism into the futuristic setting.
The terraforming of Mars is still on-going. Many cities have sprung up in craters, where it's easier to create an atmosphere.
An "Air Curtain" protects cities from the harsh environment outside. Perhaps one day, one will cover the entire planet.
One of the moon's orbiting the fifth largest planet of the solar system, Jupiter. After the Gate Incident, a large portion of Earth's population moved there, although the planet itself is uninhabitable. As a result, people instead settled on the planet's satellites: Ganymede, Io, and Callisto.
These three moons form the Nation of Jupiter, which has a population of 1.5 billion people split between the three moons.
Io seems to have a particularly warm climate, with strong sunlight during the day. The atmosphere is relaxed and is reminiscent of Mexico and the American West, particularly Texas and Arizona.
The overall impression it gives off isn't a desert, but a wilderness. It seems like there are probably hot and cold spots.
Io has the feel of the American South. Unlike Callisto, which also has an American vibe, life here seems to be quite relaxed.
Cactus actually tastes quite good. This kind of ridiculous sight gag is right at home in "Mushroom Samba."
From shots like this, there's no way anyone would think this was the future. In fact, they'd probably thing it was from the past.
The moon of Jupiter known as Ganymede is mostly covered in water, meaning that most of the population lives in floating cities. The copious amounts of water and the gentle waves are perfect for heavy manufacturing and the massive sea life has led to a robust fishing industry.
The Bebop was originally used to hunt the Ganymede Whale and was purchased by Jet at a discount.
During the famine caused by the Gate Accident, the Sea Rat was the only food that was widely available, although a large variety of species can be found in the wild.
A city floating on the water. From Alisa's comments in Session 10, most of the moon's industries seem to be maritime-related.
The seaside feel of the city matches its fishing and shipping-related industries. Befitting the tough nature of the job, a feeling of exhaustion always lingers.
Ganymede's specialty, the Sea Rat. It used to be a cultural dish, but after the food crisis was resolved, it became relegated to a novelty for sightseers and fanatics.
There seem to be massive, sprawling factories within the floating cities, which makes sense given how essential water is to industry.
One of the inhabitable moons of Jupiter, it has a European, specifically Russian feel.
Because of its distance from Jupiter, the terrain is covered in ice and snow and the temperature is quite low. The Titan Civil War had an adverse long-term impact on the economy, resulting in mass joblessness.
The police are largely incapable of handling the rampant crime, resulting in organized crime and criminals with bounties on their heads running wild in areas under their control. The high crime rate make this an extremely dangerous place to live.
On top of that, it also appears that the population contains almost no women.
The city seems to be filled with unemployed people who spend their days doing nothing. There doesn't seem to be much activity in town either.
Many buildings appear to have been abandoned mid-construction. This scenery tells the tale of deeper economic troubles.
Being quite far from Jupiter, it's always snowing there. When visiting, remember to bring a heavy winter jacket.
The unemployed people who live in the town often turn violent or commit robberies, making it a very unsafe place to live.
Titan, the only moon of Saturn capable of supporting life, has a population of 30 million and lacks any big cities.
Though the planet was still developing, the Gate Accident occurred, leading to a mass influx of immigrants. Eventually, a violent civil war erupted between the immigrant population and the Nation of Jupiter, which sought to take control of the moon.
As the war dragged on, it had an impact on Callisto's economy. The situation was worsened further when the Martian Army conducted experiments using viruses as weapons and mafia organizations began to seize control from the shadows.
Though hostilities have calmed down, there's an ever-present feeling of tension in the air and skirmishes are not unheard of.
Countless soldiers lost their lives in the deserts of Titan. These sands hide countless bodies.
Nothing but desert. That's how Titan is described. The violent civil war that occurred only made life here more difficult.
Titan has ties not just to Jupiter, but also was also targeted by the Martian nation.
The harsh deserts of Titan must have been especially hard on the volunteer soldiers, who were no doubt toughened by their experience.
The Asteroid Belt is located between Mars and Jupiter. Located near the gate used to travel to Jupiter is a massive dinner that's frequented by travelers and truckers.
Many asteroids have been modified to support life and about 800,000 people live in asteroid colonies. Additionally, asteroids casinos and Traditional Chinese Medicine shops have been seen and are frequented by tourists.
Asteroids are free from regulation and play host to any number of legal and illegal ventures, particularly shops, of questionable reputation. Many asteroids have also been modified to serve as hideouts for criminals on the run and people looking to recover from injuries, resulting in many pockets of life being spread throughout the Asteroid Belt.
While asteroids have very little natural gravity, rotating gravity blocks can be used to generate it. Additionally, the same terraforming technology used on Mars has been used on asteroids, resulting in the construction of domed colonies like Tijuana.
Of the many asteroid colonies that appear, one of the comparatively hospitable seems to be Tijuana. Built in a dome carved into the surface of an asteroid, artificial gravity is generated by rotating blocks. This gives it a very similar feeling to being on the Earth's surface.
In addition, the style of the colony often reflects the cultures of its residence. For example, Tijuana's large Mexican population is reflected in its overall feel. There are also a notably-large number of China-inspired colonies as well.
The scrapyard settlement that appears in Session 14 and serves as Hex's residence. It seems to also be packed full of various other people.
Gordon's casino, which is located in Martian orbit. The giant roulette wheel gives you a sense of what kind of business it is.
In Session #16, Udai's gang hid themselves in side of an asteroid. They seem to be ideal for hiding out.
An abandoned mine appears in Session #07. This seems to indicate that many asteroids are rich with natural resources.
The massive orbital designer serves as a base of operations for many truckers who travel between Mars and Jupiter.
Hyperspace Gates are used throughout the Milky Way for lightspeed travel. Using a Gate, it's possible to make the 14-month journey from Earth to Jupiter in only a couple of days.
The existence of hyperspace was verified in 2007 by the Blinking Space Ring Theory. In truth, the existence of our world is extremely unstable. It flickers once every 1/48th of a second. Hyperspace exists within that gap. If reality is like a strip of film, regular space is the image captured in the film itself while hyperspace is the gap between those exposures.
While hyperspace is only 1/240th the size of regular space, though time passes normally to the people within it. This difference allows people to reach their destinations in 1/240th of the time it'd normally take.
Gates, however, are quite unstable. The Gate Accident, for example, destroyed a portion of the Moon and caused Earth to become largely uninhabitable. However, the Gates were also integral to mankind's exploration of the Milky Way galaxy.
The hyperspace gates used by The Bebop. In addition to being used to move vessels, they can also be used to transport sunlight to distant planets. Without the warmth of the sun, it would be impossible to terraform planets beyond Mars.
Using solar power collection system orbiting Mercury, sunlight is gathered and then transported to receivers that are positioned at fixed Lagrange Points. In the case of Jupiter, the sunlight is directly reflected off of the planet, warming up the moons around the planet. Without the Gates, life in the Milky Way would not be possible.
From regular space, ships entering hyperspace appear as points of light. The area around the Gate is surrounded by these flashes.
In order to access hyperspace, a gate is necessary. The entrance gates are all ring-shaped.
Gate Travel Times from Earth...
To Mars: 13-24 hours
To Jupiter: 2-3 days
To Saturn: 4 days to a week
To Uranus: 2 weeks
To Neptune: 3 weeks
Using a Gate has become the standard for high-speed transport in 2071, but is naturally quite expensive.
While ships in hyperspace and regular space are visible to each other, they cannot interact because they are in different dimensions.
"Cowboy" is a term for a bounty hunter. After the Gate Accident, international law collapsed, necessitating their rise. As the races and cultures of Earth mixed together as they left their homes for the stars, someone was needed to assist the police with dealing with the explosion of crime that resulted. Thus, the "Bounty System" was established.
Becoming a bounty hunter is easy. It's as simply as turning a questionnaire form into the ISSP. In addition to being able to collect bounties, you're also able to commit various illegal acts in order to arrest a bounty.
There are said to be about 300,000 active bounties in the solar system. It's not unusual for Cowboys to work as a group instead of individually.
It seems like Cowboys are allowed to break certain laws. If you break something valuable, though, you should probably pay for it...
The ISSP aren't the only ones who can place a bounty on someone's head. Individuals are also able to do so.
In the Old West, it didn't matter whether a bounty was dead or alive. However, you're required to bring them in alive in 2071.
In the wake of internationalism collapsing due to the Gate Accident, individual asteroids and planets have become their own nations.
During those chaotic times, criminal organizations spread throughout the solar system, meaning that each police department was forced to content with super international criminals.
In order to combat intergalactic crime, the ISSP was formed. They also chase after bounties, with the combined efforts of bounty hunters and the police trying to keep crime in check.
One of the ISSP's most important roles is circulating information on bounties.
Many illegal experiments, such as the ones that gave Tong Pu his skills in assassination, were found to have been conducted by the ISSP.
In addition to the ISSP, there are also local police departments. Their uniforms are remarkably similar.
One of the reasons Jet left the ISSP was corruption. Fad, for example, turned out to be a rat working for a criminal organization.
Criminal organizations are inextricably intertwined with society in the Milky Way. Following the Gate Accident, lawlessness gave way to the creation of various criminal societies. Many of these organizations are rooted in the ethnicities of groups of immigrants.
A syndicate-like organization like the Red Dragon was able to have several tall buildings in the downtown area of a big city, demonstrating the power that their wield and the various forms that it can take.
While in the past, the Chinese, the Arab, and European (Sicilian and Corsican) mafias fought a half-century war for supremacy, the image of blood-stained mobsters feels outdated.
Seeing that they have many tall skyscrapers in the centers of big cities, it's safe to say that criminal organizations secretly hold considerable influence throughout society.
The elders who control Red Dragon. Rather than being governed by law, they follow a code of honor.
While many thought the era of warring crime bosses had ended, the flames of a new conflict erupted.
As dealing Red Eye is a major source of income for crime syndicates, many try to manufacture their own.
A large variety of eye drugs exist in the underworld of 2071.
By spraying your eyes with these drugs, you enter an abnormal state where everything seems to be moving in slow motion. The user also experiences heightened senses and strength.
In the past, these drugs were used by workers who were building the Gate. These drugs were able to improve their performance at work. However, they were eventually deemed to be unnecessary and fell out of favor. Regular usage also seems to have severe side effects, such as chest pains. Perhaps this was the reason why were outlawed.
Eye Drugs are usually stored in cases that can contain 100-200 tiny, single-use ampules.
The quality of the drug is indicated by its name, which uses color to indicate rank, e.g., Red Eye, Yellow Eye, etc. This is a checker unit.
As you use these drugs, you develop a tolerance and require more to feel the effects. However, when you pass a certain limit, your brain will be destroyed.
The user's vision is dyed in the color of the drug until the effects wear off.
The online world is essential to life in 2071. Officially known as SSW (Solar System Web), the size of this virtual sea eclipses the present day one. The physical and virtual worlds are inseparably intertwined.
This is particularly true on Earth, where residents have been driven underground and rely on the net to stay connected with the world of the surface. As a result, many residents have been come hackers.
There are two types of hackers: Hackers who use programming for their own gain and Divers who swim through the sea of the net. Ed is the latter.
The view of the net through Ed's goggles. She sees the net as a massive sea and the programs she uses have fish-shaped icons.
Ed uses her goggles as a mouse. Rather than simply searching the net, she uses her thoughts to dive into the sea of the net.
Earthlings who live underground use the net to stay connected with the outside world. You'll see signal antennae all over the place.
Old school hacker, Chess Master Hex. His plan was delicately-crafted, but he seemed to be a bit goofy before his grudge was eased.
The military doesn't get the chance to play much of a role in Cowboy Bebop. It can be assumed that each planet that's formed a country likely has one.
In most of the Milky Way of 2071, the impact of the Titan Civil War has not been felt. However, this war between the Nation of Jupiter and a volunteer army of refugees seeking independence also involved the Martian Army. Perhaps that's why it was used as a site for testing nanomachine viruses.
It seems that in the 30 years of chaos following the Gate Accident, many governments have not yet stabilized, although their militaries seem quite power.
Although she was posing as an employee at Cherios Medical, Electra is actually a soldier. She seemed to be able to blend pretty well.
The Martian Army's participation in the Titan Civil War provides hints about the era's balance of power.
Vincent was also a member of the Martial Special Forces. The tattoo on his arm is the emblem of his unit.
Martian Fighter Jets. They don't seem to have issue with dogfighting over a city, if it's in service of destroying their target. They seem to have quite a bit of thrust.
Age: 27, Hometown: Mars, Blood Type: O. An admirer of Bruce Lee, he is a Jeet Kune Do master and quite skilled with handling Mono Machines. He handles hand-to-hand combat with bounties and dogfighting. A man who eats and sleeps well, he isn't a fan of kids, pets, or pushy women.
Multipurpose Glasses: The interior portion of the lenses (?) can display various types of information and can also zoom in.
Oil Lighter: A must-have for any smoker. The dial on the top controls the intensity of the flame and the ignition switch is located on the side of the body.
Combat-use (?) Coat: Spike's beloved trench coat from his days in the Red Dragon. He always wears it during important battles.
Where exactly does Spike’s charm lie?
It has less to do with his cavalier attitude and more with his lack of desire to live a “normal life.”
In order to live with the woman he loved, Spike once tried to reset his entire life. However, that reset instead left him alone and without any proof that he ever existed.
Having lost any meaning in his life, he began to say that he was living in a dream that he couldn’t wake up from. What he was ultimately seeking was to reclaim the feeling of being alive. And thus, his charm comes from the fact that he’s dedicated his entire being to this goal, foregoing the worldly desires of everyday life. Perhaps the fact that he ultimately left behind his chance at a new life with new friends was also one of his charms.
He’s a hard man to grasp.
When you look at the way he throws himself into danger as casually as he’d go shopping, you have to wonder if he even feels like he’s himself.
Because he lost what he treasured most, his heart has been stuck in the past, leaving him to spend his days as if in a waking dream. However, when he reunites with Julia, the person he treasured the most, the final piece of the puzzle he’d been struggling with for three years fell into place. And just like that, Julia died. While he hid the pain in his heart, it’s clear that his heart wasn’t the empty shell it’d been for the past three years. As he headed into his final battle, perhaps his goal wasn’t to simply kill his enemies, it was to settle everything that had happened in his past.
A free and reckless man. Regardless of the danger, his face still carries that same goofy expression. However, this is an unconscious defense mechanism to hide what’s actually inside his heart.
Forming connections gives us the feeling of being alive. In the past, a single woman gave that feeling to him. However, she one day disappeared and the pain left him feeling like he wasn’t even alive. His heart turned to stone as he decided that his feelings and left no longer mattered. Over time, the idea that he wasn’t alive took root. After Faye and Ed leave, he finds himself drowning his sorrows at the “Loser Bar,” the look in his eyes as he leans on the bar indicates that he’s made a realization: “Perhaps that feeling isn’t something you’re given; it’s something you find for yourself.” Although this realization comes too late.
And so he dies, losing to that time when he felt like he wasn’t alive. In the end, this was the life that Spike Spiegel lived.
Underwear: What he wears while waiting for his laundry. Why he's wearing his tie is a mystery. (#7)
Space Suit: A suit that allows him to survive in outer space. A commonly sold item. (#3, 14)
Sombrero: Mexican-style clothing he wore to avoid tipping off Asimov. (#1)
Cleaners Uniform: The uniform worn by Tortoise Cleaning Company employees. Worn when he infiltrated Cherios Medical. (Movie)
Winter Clothes: A down jacket and scarf combo he wears to protect himself from the cold on Callisto. (#13, 14)
Work Clothes: Clothes he wears when doing maintenance work. Worn while doing dirty work, they're covered in stains. (#9, others)
Age: 36, Hometown: Ganymede, Blood Type: A. The owner of the Bebop and a former ISSP officer. In charge of operation planning, maintenance, and everyday chores like cooking and laundry. His hobby is cultivating bonsai trees and gambling, though he's quite unlucky. He loves jazz and blues music, western cinema, and, surprisingly, small animals and flowers.
Television: Located in the Bebop's living room and primarily used to watch the show "Big Shot."
Transmitter: the Bebop owner's primary form of communication. For some reason, he rarely extends the antenna when using it.
Artificial Hand: While this model is rare in the era of limb regeneration, at very least, Jet doesn't feel any pain. It's unknown what material it's made from.
The partner of a man searching for life is a man who knows what life is. Life is about saving money, making food, and protecting your place to return to. Jet is a man who understands the meaning of life.
Unlike his chaotic comrades, Jet has a very strong sense of normalcy. He has hobbies, he hopes to win big when he gambles, and he complains when that doesn’t happen. To a man whose life has lost meaning, a woman who doesn’t have anywhere to return to, and a self-possessed young woman, Jet serves as a reminder that the true meaning of life is surrounding yourself with people who can help you with what you lack.
His role is to serve as the anchor who stops his friends from drifting too far from reality.
He’s someone who takes others in. Well, maybe his episodes with Alisa and Fad made him into someone who accepts others. Either way, of the members of the Bebop, he definitely treasures connections to others the most.
He went to pick up Faye after she left the Bebop and even tried to stop Spike from heading to his death, although he ultimately let him go after learning what was in his friend’s heart. Handling the cooking, maintenance, and laundry, he is at the center of life on the Bebop. Perhaps his presence on the ship is why the others always end up coming back.
During the incident with Vincent, when Spike and Faye left the ship without a word, he mutters “Just what do they think our relationship is?,” but perhaps the fact that they didn’t say anything is proof of their bond. Then again, in this instance, it’s not like either had much of a chance to contact him…
While he might not live by some naïve sense of justice, he does have a strong sense of compassion for others. While he hates playing by the rules, he does what needs to be done. While his artificial left arm still aches at times, he doesn’t feel the need to replace it. Jet Black is a man who lives by his own rules. And his life as a bounty hunter reflects that. The jobs he takes and the way he handles them are all up to him.
But as he often says, the spirit of freelancing is an antiquated idea. While that spirit can’t be bought with money, it’s more expensive and exhausting than following the crowd. That’s probably why he’s always complaining. The stress and complaints are part of what it means to play the game by your own rules. Whether he knows it or not, that’s just his style.
Winter Clothes: An outfit he wears to protect himself from the cold on Callisto. Between him, Spike, and Faye, his clothes are the heaviest. (#13)
Underwear: Thanks to Faye's trickery, he's left wearing only his underwear (#11)
Casino Suit: For some reason, Jet decided to wear his only nice suit when he went to the casino (#3)
Jet and Ed's Disguise: Worn when sneaking into the hospice where Ronny Spungen is. While Jet is often seen wearing a suit, this is the first and last time Ed is shown wearing something outside of her normal outfit. (#23)
Hippie Jet: Jet's masquerade party disguise. While the motif is a hippie, the hair is questionable. (#22)
Presumed Age: 23, Hometown: Earth, Blood Type: B. A self-centered realist who became a bounty hunter when she boarded the Bebop. She was put in a state of cold sleep after an accident 54 years ago and awoke without any memories of her past. She has medical debt exceeding 300-million Woolongs.
Handcuffs: Used to restrain bounties. However, she also frequently finds herself cuffed.
20-year old Faye: Faye immediately after she is awoken from her cold sleep and realizes that she's lost her memories. She lacks even an ounce of her current toughness.
13-year old Faye: Unlike her present day self, this young, unburdened Faye is embarrassingly optimistic.
A woman who’s lost her memories doesn’t hide the wounds in her heart, rather they’re released into the world. In order to free herself from the shackles of debt and her lost memories, Faye is a woman who uses her anger as a weapon.
Having chosen to walk her own path, she is afraid of trusting people, yet longs to be able to do so. These contradictory feelings are the source of her anger. By throwing her rage at whatever is in front of her, she’s able to confirm her own existence and find balance in her heart.
When she regained her memories however, what was waiting for her wasn’t freedom. Instead, it was an empty reality and, as she eventually realized, the Bebop and people should could trust. However, when those comrades weren’t there, she was probably furious in her heart.
She’s probably a very timid person. Perhaps all of her brashness and selfishness are actually a cover to protect what’s truly important to her.
In the video from 60 years ago, we see a very different Faye. We see an innocent and clumsy girl who treasures her friends. Losing her memories, being shouldered with a massive amount of debt, and being saddled with various pressures immediately after awakening from her cold sleep probably ended up closing her heart while also blowing it right open.
This is what made the Faye Valentine of 2071. Rather than failing to find what she was looking for, she decided to not look for anything at all and instead run away.
While her time on the Bebop was supposed to just be a temporary arrangement, at some point, she was able to discover what really mattered to her. However, it wasn’t her lost memories…
“It gets thicker with time.”
Faye’s worldview was inherited from other people. Really, when you consider how she lost her identity and was shouldered with debt, you could say that her life was suddenly “started” by others. No wonder she’s spent so much time defiantly running from it. While her body is only 20 years old, her experiences have made her tougher. And that’s why she’s so picky about her likes and dislikes and never reflects on her actions. In the end, she is loyal to the tough girl identity that’s thickened after years.
However, she continues to search for the “true self” she’d forgotten. Simultaneously living in a harsh reality in a fairytale, she’s an “Oblivious, Natural Woman.” When she opened her eyes, however, a certain precious man had disappeared.
As she screamed and wept, she revealed the real her: A supple and gorgeous and tragic woman.
Homewear: The clothing she wears while relaxing around The Bebop. (#6, 9, 24, others)
Coat and Dress: The dress she wears when going to meet Mao at the opera, it has an extremely low-cut chest area. (#5)
Casino Dealer: Her outfit when she was working at Gordon's casino as a blackjack dealer. (#3)
Bathrobe: What she wears after getting out of the tub. (#11, 16)
Swimsuit: Her outfit when sunbathing on Ganymede. She's also wearing sunscreen. (#15)
Spacesuit: Her outfit when she has to do work in outer space. (#4, 14)
Dress: The dress she wore during her last date with Hagas Matsumoto. (#15)
Normal Clothes: The clothes she wore when she went to the library as a 20-year old. (#15)
Bomber Jacket: The jacket she wore on Callisto to protect herself from the cold. While it's a men's jacket, it looks good on her. (#12, 13)
Usual Clothes - Modified: Improvised after Vincent cut the clasp off her her blouse. (Movie)
Brain Scratch Cult Member: Worn by believers, she wears this while infiltrating Scratch. (#23)
Western Dress: A Western Dress worn during the masquerade. It fits perfectly with Andy's room. (#22)
Age: 13 (self-identified), Hometown: Earth, Blood Type: AB. She gave herself that name, as her really name appears to be Francoise. A Net Diver with prodigious skills, she handles hacking and searching the web. She spends the rest of her time sleeping or flailing her around like a mollusk.
Lantern Mask: Based on a traditional Halloween Jack-o'-lantern. The reason for the cape is unknown.
Ed's Computer: Ed's home-made PC. The name "Tomato" comes from the empty box that she uses instead of a normal case.
Ed's Goggles and Personal Seal: The goggles use eye movement tracking to act as a mouse. Naturally, Ed drew her own icon.
Sex: Male, Age: 2. While he appears to be a regular Welsh Corgi, he's actually an experimental Data Dog. He seems to possess human-like intelligence and has shown talent in using a computer and playing shogi. In truth, he possesses the most common sense out of everyone on the Bebop (?).
Ed was always alone. Even if she met people through the net, there was never anyone around her. And yet, she probably never felt lonely. What she was looking for was people who treated Ed as Ed.
It’s not like Ed was searching for a family when she boarded the Bebop. Having lost her sense of self from always being alone, what she was looking for was people who saw her not as “The Legendary Hacker,” but as “Ed the Human.”
And that’s why Ed loves Ein so much. No matter what happens, Ein will always see Ed as Ed. And in return, Ed will always see Ein not as a dog, but as Ein.
Ed is always meowing and purring. Whether that’s part of her nature or just her having fun is unknown. Ed also always seems sleepy. It seems like when she’s bored, she goes to sleep. Ed forced her way onto the Bebop. It’s unclear why though. Probably because she thought it seemed like a fun thing to do.
Jet seems to enjoy having Ed around and sometimes Spike does too. Faye, however, doesn’t seem to really interact with her. Ed’s favorite, though, is definitely Ein. In addition to working together sometimes, they’re also often left behind to look after the Bebop.
As raucous as the two were, there’s no doubt things were lonelier on the Bebop after their sudden departure. As Ed searches for her own path with Ein in tow, Spike and Jet silently devour eggs, demonstrating the size of the hole left by their absence.
The name she gave herself, Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivruski IV, is a ridiculously long hodgepodge. And it’s also a male name, defying norms. And very much the same way, her heart is also a mysterious hodgepodge.
Her oblivious dad dropped her off and forgot her when she was about six years old. To a child that young who is still learning to individuate themselves from others, that situation must have left her confused. Later, as she surfed the net, she was exposed to any number of things without the filter of a fully-developed ego. And so she integrated any number of things: Knowledge and information, feelings and logic.
“After all, Ed is Ed!”
Her real name is Francoise, even though she’s a girl. Of course, Ed doesn’t seem to be aware of that. That’s because she can be anyone or no one in particular. Guided only by what she thinks is good or bad, there's only one way to describe this girl with no filter: She’s Ed.
Machine Spec: Total Length: 142m / Total Width: 69.2m / Total Height: 45.6m / Weight: 1567t. Unarmed. Despite its sharp-angled silhouette, the ship's whale-like volume doesn't exactly scream "Speed." The bridge is located directly above the shutter door-equipped hanger and two Power Arms are attached to a ring-shaped block that generates gravity by rotating.
Rear View: Large vertical tailfins are attached to above and below a set for four giant thruster nozzles. Because it's designed for interstellar travel, it lacks horizontal fins for lift control. The deck is still visible when looking at the ship from the upper-rear.
Power Arm: A view of the extended right-side Power Arm. This extendable, double-jointed arm can be used for labor and can reach beyond the ship's bow.
Marking: Located on the front-left side below the bridge, it displays the ship's name and registration number. The large, spray-on letters are less than masterfully written.
Underside View: Because a landing gear would be unable to support a ship the size of The Bebop, it has to land on water. As a result, the underside is keel-shaped.
Acting as a mothership for Spike and co, Jet is this ship’s owner. More than likely, Jet is also the one who named it and was the one who painted “Bebop” on the side. For those who don’t know, bebop was a style of music created by jazz saxophone legend Charlie Parker. Its musical style, which involves extensive improvisation and complex rhythm and tempo, reflects the freewheeling life of a Cowboy. The “268170” seems to be an identification number of some kind and doesn’t appear to have any deeper meaning.
This ship wasn’t originally Jet’s. It was actually a discounted second-hand model. Originally, it was actually an interstellar fishing vessel named Kobayashimaru which was used to hunt the Ganymede Whale. An interstellar fishing vessel is a ship that travels from planet to planet in order to catch fish and therefore must be both powerful enough to make the catch and large enough to store its prize. It must also be able to survive prolonged space travel and enter and exit the atmosphere (Although, in some depending on a planet’s gravity and air pressure, a large booster may be required to assist it. Exiting Earth’s atmosphere is one such case.). For a Cowboy looking to chase bounties across the Milky Way, a dependable ship like this is absolutely necessary.
Although the ship serves as a transport and home base, it doesn’t seem to have been modified for bounty hunting. Outside of the name and strengthening the thrust and communications equipment, it doesn’t seem like Jet made any major changes to the ship. Since it isn’t equipped with any weapons, the Swordfish and Red Tail have to handle any combat. Two large Power Arms are mounted behind the bridge, but they seem to be for loading and unloading cargo containers, a holdover from its fishing vessel days. More than likely, Jet and company use it for similarly dull purposes.
In that sense, this ship serves less as a tactical nerve center and more as a home for its crew. In their minds, the Bebop is more like a house than it is a machine.
Aircraft Hanger Door: The interior view of the shutter. For whatever reason, it's become a frequent site for arguments and it isn't usual to hear people yelling about anything number of things, both big and small.
Hanger Interior: The Swordfish is stored on the floor while the Red Tail is stored suspended from overhead. Because the deck beyond the shutter is so narrow, ships have to be launched one at a time.
Living Room: A versatile space that can be used for anything from meals, to naps, the gambling and more. The three adults relax on the sofa while kids and pets use the chairs.
Living Room Hallway: The circular door at the far end of the hall leads to the hanger. This area is used to move to the kitchen or to peek in on the living room.
Kitchen: Has a small selection of essential appliances. Jet has only been seen using a wok to cook, while Spike only uses the spit.
Jet's Room: Also known as "The Bonsai Room." Since there's no bed, this room is mostly used for Jet's hobby. While people often come by to complain, nobody ever comes to see the bonsai.
Toilet Doorway: You can sometimes hear the groaning and complaining of a woman coming from inside. When you factor in the expiration dates of the food onboard and the fact that the bathroom is often used to imprison bounties, this area is not for the feint of heart.
Bathroom: Features a standard bathtub. Unsurprisingly, it's usually occupied by Faye, who likes to read while relaxing in the tub. Those who complain will be shot.
Toilet Interior: Unsurprisingly for a spaceship, it doesn't look very comfortable. If you're expecting a long stay, be sure to check for any women who want to talk about their past hanging around in the hallway.
Faye's Room: The embodiment of the idea that a room and the world are easier to live in when they're a little bit dirty. This room does not seem easy to live in.
The Bebop is almost more like a home than it is a ship. While this is of course true in a figurative sense, it also applies in a literal sense too.
Formerly an interstellar fishing vessel called the Kobayashimaru (It even has the heavy, circular door that can be used to stop flooding), the ship has quite a large amount of living space. While you'd expect most of it to be in the gravity block, there actually seem to be quite a few rooms onboard. In addition to changing the name of the ship to the Bebop, Jet and company have made an innumerable number of little changes, even adding a "Forbidden Room," as seen in Session 11.
Each member seems to have found their own way to enjoy themselves on the ship. Everyone appears to have their own room, and Jet has a room dedicated to his bonsai trees. Interestingly, however, we never really see any of these private spaces. Spike's room doesn't even appear once. Actually, the spaces that we most often see are actually the public ones - the living room, the bathroom, and the kitchen. The living room in particular is the host of many activities, with crew members doing everything from eating to napping to gambling.
When you think about it that way, the Bebop's living room plays a central role in the stories theme. While the crew members all seem to be the types who shout "Leave me alone!" when they want privacy, they all come together to spend time in the living room, whether they're doing something important or just killing time. One of the highlights of the series is watching how the members interact with each other when they're together in this area. Let's try something: When someone says "Cowboy Bebop," what's the first scene that pops into your head?
Maybe it's the main characters hunting a bounty. Or a story about Spike's past and present. No matter what scene comes to mind, the odds are that at least part of it takes place in that living room.
Machine Spec: Total Length: 13.8m / Total Width: 13.3m / Total Height: 4.8m (Includes gunpods) / Weight: 8.4t. Weapons: Underside-mounted plasma cannon x1, wingtip-mounted twin 12.7mm anti-air gunpods x2. From the MONO Pod to the construction materials, every part of this craft is startlingly efficient, with almost no waste. Its sharp-angled silhouette, designed to maximize speed, and anachronistic straight winged-frame give it a unique shape.
Rear View: When seen from below, you get a clear sense of how large the propulsion unit behind the MONO Pod is. The main cannon is mounted on a rotating turret and can shoot down any horizontally-aligned target.
Main Legs: Landing gears that fold out from the underside. The size of the main cannon means that the craft has almost no ground clearance. As a result, the suspension has been reinforced, although it has extremely poor shock absorption.
Main Cannon Mount: During regular flight, the cannon is partially-stored in a section that was cut out of the underside.
When Parked: Its ability to fold its wings is likely so that modifications can be made at the same time as restocking the weapons when its docked with a carrier craft rather than for racing.
Spike’s beloved MONO racer. Befitting its origins as a racer, it’s equipped with a nuclear fusion-powered Air Spike Motor and several short-distance booster nozzles. As a result, it boasts the fastest top speeds of any civilian craft and can even compete with military fighter planes.
However, Spike notes that Swordfish has been his partner for over 10 years and it certainly couldn’t be mistaken for any of the modern ships of 2071. Based on Miles’ comments, it’s a one-off machine that was built completely from scratch by Doohan. That commitment to craftsmanship is evident in the ship’s construction. For example, this unit lacks fuel injection silencers used to reduce vibrations and noise as well as auto navigation. In order to maximize performance, this peaky machine features only the most essential systems. Spike is the only person shown to be able to handle the G’s and it’s entirely possible that he’s the only person who can unlock its full potential.
When it comes to weapons, its undermounted plasma cannon is no slouch. Equipped with a large Martian Ruby at the end, this cannon can deliver the power of one ton of TNT across a distance of 1000 km (However, due to its extended recharge time, it cannot be fired recklessly). Naturally, this cannon wasn’t present during the ship’s racing day. If you look at pictures in Doohan’s office, which show the Swordfish in its racer days, you won’t see any evidence of it. Likely, it was a modification made when he gave the craft to Spike. Because the turret is longer than the craft itself, it has to be extended before firing, meaning that this weapon can’t be used without some consideration first. The landing gears also do not seem to provide much stability. Ultimately, it embodies the idea of “a ridiculous craft.”
Coincidentally, the name “swordfish” doesn’t just belong to an animal, it also belongs to the Fairey Swordfish, a torpedo bomber that was used by the British military beginning in 1936. While there isn’t much of a resemblance, it’s fun to imagine that perhaps Doohan was inspired by it.
Front View: Total Length: 21.5m / Total Width: 12.3m / Total Height: 7.7m / Total Weight: 15.3t. Unarmed. Although the Pod's field of vision is fairly narrow, the reinforced armor on the front of the ship makes it seemingly-impervious to head-on attacks. The design's motif is a tug boat, but its large size and sturdy build feel reminiscent of an American car.
Anchor Rod: With the Power Lift deployed, the anchor rod at the tip can be launched into a target, piercing it and hooking it. Originally, this arm was mostly likely equipped with a winch.
Head Claw: Below the front section is a set of Head Claws that can be deployed. The resemble a shark's teeth, don't they?
Rear View: The four large nozzles give the impression of unstoppable power. The power lift base's drive cylinder is also notable. It has a wide range of motion.
When Parked: The thruster units on the sides fold up when the ship is parked. Since the craft is so large, the goal is to make it as compact as possible.
Though Jet often stays behind to manage operations, when he does sortie, he rides this powerful MONO Boat. Originally, this ship was called Sax Fish and was a "catcher," a type of small space fishing vessel that uses a harpoon to hook fish. Jet overhauled the machine, upgrading the engine to a larger model in order to improve its overall power. However, because this unit isn't equipped with any firearms, it can't be used for dogfighting. As a result, it doesn't get to shine as often as the Swordfish or Red Tail, but that doesn't mean that it's nothing but a big hunk of junk. In many ways, its lack of weapons actually makes it better-suited to bounty hunting.
Its greatest advantage is of course its size, which is the largest of the ships on the Bebop. While it may not look like it, Hammer Head's rear thrusters alone are bigger than the entirety of the Red Tail. Smaller opponents must be shocked when this ship's incredible thrust and horsepower allow it to catch up. At close range, this ship's background as a catcher ship comes into play. After snaring a target using its Anchor Rod and reeling them in using the winch, the Head Claws mounted under the front of the ship restrain its catch in place. Thanks to the Power Lift, captured targets are rendered completely powerless. In situations where Jet is facing a larger MONO Ship, he can use the Anchor Rod and winch to latch on to a target and pull the ship in so Jet can board them to engage in guerilla tactics, as demonstrated in Session 16. In situations, such as bounty hunter, where targets have to be brought in alive, this tactical versatility is more valuable than firepower.
And of course, this is the style that best suits Jet, reflecting his personality and his reputation as "A Black Dog Who Bites and Doesn't Let Go." A brash machine that pursues its prey with sincerity. That's the Hammer Head.
Front View: Total Length: 8.6m / Total Width: 7.2m / Total Height: 5.4m (Includes guns) / Total Weight: 7.2t. Weapons: 6-shot pump-action launchers, 30mm vulcans x 2. Outside of the MONO Pod and the weapons, this simple ship leaves just the basic frame and thruster units. Since it doesn't have wings, its movements are different from those of an airplane's.
Underside View: The ship has a wide field of vision when looking down. Are those belts attached to the Weapons Unit for the 30mm vulcans?
When Parked: The landing gears deploy from the Weapons Units and behind the pod.
Side View: Modifications have made this ship surprisingly compact, even when compared to a person's size. It could almost be described as a "Flying Pod."
Work Arms Equipped: Labor-use Arms equipped in Session 7 after the Weapons Unit was destroyed. This is a glimpse of the base ship's customizability.
Faye pilots a MONO Carrier, which I think was a mass-market, customizable personal craft. Equipped with two hydrogen-powered movable three-step engines and one nuclear fusion engines, this ship is able to fly both within and outside of the atmosphere. Thanks to the lift thrusters, the craft is also capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). Though not as fast as the Swordfish, this ship is extremely nimble and easy to handle. Its specialty is making swift emergency maneuvers and hover, which are reflected in its appearance.
On this topic, let's take a look at the unique way in which the cockpit is mounted. Rather than being integrated into the chassis, the cockpit instead protrudes outward, appearing to be hanging from the frame. As a result, the ship as a very wide field of vision in the front, which is essential, given that the ship's VTOL capabilities and ability to easily move left or right mid-flight. Conversely, the cockpit does not seem to have any bulletproofing to protect it from head-on attacks. Given its origins as a personal-use craft, this makes sense.
However, because Faye is the owner, craft has been refitted for combat. The base machine touts a high degree of customizability and Faye has taken advantage of this versality to equip it with weapons systems. While the ship has standard, mass-market weapons, it also appears to have some irregular ones as well. Let's take a look at its armaments: The hard points on the underside of the ship have weapons pods containing 30mm vulcan guns and pump gun launchers, with one pod on each side of the ship. The launchers can be equipped with a variety of types of missiles, but the ship's 12-tube launcher is a beyond what a civilian craft would carry. The rear portion also has a chaff dispenser, which releases metal particles to scramble a missile's guidance systems. Using these weapons in conjunction, Faye can pull off tricky maneuvers like trapping a target in a smokescreen and then raining down firepower or fleeing. This makes the ship the perfect companion for Faye when she's out chasing large bounties.
By the way, a "red tail" is a type of catfish, but whether this is name of this line of ship or one given by Faye is unknown. Based on Spike's research, one of these ships appears to cost about 400,000 Woolongs.
Front View: All pods are essentially the same, though there are a variety of ways that it can be mounted on a ship. For example, in the case of the Swordfish, a canopy is used to cover the pod. This is probably due to its origins as a racer. The canopy is designed to improve aerodynamics. When you contrast this with a ship like the Red Tail, you can see a real difference in design philosophy.
Ignition Key: While they all look the similar, they've been programmed so that they can only be used with their respective ships.
Console: Shows updates, notifications, and shows equipment status and controls. The ignition keyhole is also commonly mounted here.
Pod (Front View): A full view of the pod. The interface and life support system are designed to be as compact as possible.
Pod (Rear View): A nozzle can be see in the rear of the pod. In an emergency situation, it can be used as an escape pod. For some reason, it also has a self-destruct system.
30mm Gatling Indicator: A feedback screen that appears on the console. This screen belongs to the Red Tail and is its default weapon.
AAM Indicator: Anti-air missiles used during atmospheric combat. While the touch screen can be used to make a selection, a keyboard can also be used. The weapons and settings can be freely changed.
AAM (Outer Space) Indicator: Anti-air missiles used during outer space combat. Based on the options on the screen, the left and right launchers can be fired independently.
ASM Indicator: Air-to-surface missiles. The cylindrical symbol in the upper-right corner indicates how many rounds remain, with the screen above showing only one shot remaining.
In 2071, ships in the Milky Way, including the Bebop use the MONO System, which stands for Machine Operation, Navigation of Outer Space. In other words, it's a system that's used to control ships in outer space. It can be said that trying to navigate through space without it is tantamount to suicide. In 2071, everything from the largest transport ship to the smallest Air Car uses a version of the MONO System. As a result, the term "spaceship" has been replaced by the phrase "MONO Machine."
A notable feature is that the system seems to be completely standardized. This is shown in Session 19 when the computer virus used by the space pirates is able to affect every ship with a MONO Computer, which points to all of the systems being the same.
This can also be seen in small ships like the Swordfish and Red Tail, which use the same type of pod-style cockpit. It's pretty impressive that the entire MONO system can be contained in such a small package. This cockpit pod is known as a MONO Pod and are interchangeable on smaller craft. As a result, the Pods can be swapped out when changing ships, freeing the user from having to redo all of their personalized settings. In the modern day, it's more and more common that only these small craft are called "MONO Machines."
Another interesting detail about MONO Machines is that they come in a wide variety of styles, much like modern day cars. For example, Spike's Swordfish is a MONO Racer (High Speed Fighter Plane), Faye's Red Tail is a MONO Carrier (Armed VTOL Craft), and Jet's Hammer Head is a MONO Boat (High-powered Towing Craft). Much like with modern day auto manufacturers, these distinctions seem to be made by the manufacturers themselves.
Boiled Eggs: The men of The Bebop silently expressed their feelings when they ate these in silence during that famous scene.
Barbeque: To think a flamethrower could be used to cook barbeque... This truly is a man's home cooking! It seems like it's pretty burnt though.
Bell Peppers and Beef: You can't call it "bell peppers and beef" if you can't afford the beef. Those are just cooked vegetables.
Dog Food: A barbequed-flavored trophy in a contest of strength. On The Bebop, you have to secure your own treats.
Chinese Noodles: If I get money, I'm hitting the horse track → If I make a profit, it's time to eat. Is this Faye's philosophy?
Miso-cooked Lobster: If you have money (or plan on having it), you eat good food. If you don't, you don't. That's the foundation of freelancing.
What is the most important thing that a human needs to survive? The answer is food. Just like you have to work to eat, you have to eat to live. Thus, this truth is at the center of not just human life itself and is embodied in the free-wheeling lives of the bounty hunters in Cowboy Bebop.
We see this rule demonstrated right at the beginning of Session 01, in which we see Spike training and Jet cooking. While Jet serves his "Special Bell Peppers and Beef," there's no meat to be found anywhere (Can you even call it "bell peppers and beef"?). This sets the plot in motion. In order to be able to afford meat, they have to hunt a bounty. The bounty is Tijuana, but that doesn't seem appealing. Until they remember that Tijuana is known for having delicious meat, ultimately motivating them to go.
In Knockin' on Heaven's Door, Spike is motivated to chase after Vincent by the fact that he's only eaten cup ramen for three days straight. And in Session 26, the reason he returns to the Bebop in order to eat.
In Hard Luck Woman, when Jet worries that the women on the ship lack energy from eating sukiyaki without meat, it demonstrates his belief in the importance of nutrition and the kindness in his heart.
These aren't the only examples, of course. Food is featured in various ways throughout the series, deepening the sense of realism.
We also get a sense of what each main character likes to eat throughout the series. Spike prefers animal protein, especially loves meat, and Jet prefers Chinese food. Faye seems like the type who will eat any food put in front of her. Ed seems to enjoy when there isn't food.
One of Cowboy Bebop's main ideas is "People are alive." Thus, it's only natural that the work shows this by showing the importance of food in everyday life.
Glock 30: Faye's favorite gun. Its body is made of plastic. Its small size and low recoil make it easy to handle. Its magazine capacity is less than ten rounds.
Jericho 941 Custom: Spike's weapon of choice. A customized model with a laser sight mounted to the upper-right of the hammer. Holds 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Colt Peacemaker: A single-action revolver used by Andy. It holds six bullets and cannot be fired automatically.
Walther P99: Jet's preferred sidearm. The latest automatic pistol manufactured by Walther. Holds 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Throughout Cowboy Bebop, many weapons used by real-life armies and police forces appear.
The same can be said about each of the guns used by the main characters. From looking at their choice of weapon, we can learn a bit about their personalities.
Spike has been seen using an Uzi submachine gun, the large-caliber Desert Eagle pistol manufactured by IMI (Israel Military Industry), and the Jericho 941 Custom. One notable thing about his Jericho is that it has a laser sight. This laser sight is used in quick-draw situations where he has to aim and shoot targets quickly. This emphasis on dispatching as many targets as possible gives us a glimpse of Spike's blood-stained days in the syndicate.
Faye's weapon of choice is a Glock 30, manufactured by an Austrian company. A more compact version of the Glock 21, it fits a woman's hand as comfortably as a man's. Despite its small size, however, its .45 ACP rounds make it quite powerful. This combination makes the weapon a good fit for Faye.
Jet uses the largest handgun among the main three. The German-made Walther P99 is a modern handgun that uses several new technologies. A new style of coating allows the gun to be fired in any kind of weather or climate and the accuracy and reliability meet modern standards. This dependable gun is perfect for a man like Jet.
Outside of the Bebop crew, another character whose weapon matches their style is Andy. Matching with his Old West style, he uses a Colt Peacemaker, which was used by lawmen back in then. Truly, it's a weapon that fits his authentic (?) Cowboy Style.
Because someone who carries a gun has to be able to trust it in life-or-death situations, it's no surprise that users are drawn to guns that reflect their personalities.
The world of Cowboy Bebop is very similar to ours, which is reflected in the variety of ethnicities and cultures that are represented throughout the series.
Depicting race is difficult in animation. Characteristics either end up being understated or dangerously overstated. Toward the end of the series, we find out that Faye is from Singapore, but it's hard to tell whether she's of Eastern or Western descent from what we're shown.
This isn't the case, however, with the side characters who appear. The diverse casts of side characters is a key part of establishing each location's motif and giving it a sense of realism.
For example, Amjad, who appears as a television commentator in Session 09, is wearing a turban, befitting his Indian heritage. As you know, India in the modern day is a haven for computer technology. Therefore, when you see an Indian person talking about computer hackers in a work set decades later, it creates a bridge to reality through continuity that deepens the world.
Knocking on Heaven's Door takes it a step further, depicting many distinctly-European and African people. The opening credits in particular, which eschew the usual deformation of animation, are startlingly realistic. This unconsciously gives the feeling that Alba City is similar to modern day New York or Paris, again making the setting feel more realistic and organic by using existing models.
Going back to the series, when Spike and Jet are playing shougi, the word is written in katakana, which are used for depicting foreign characters. The way it's pronounced is also similar to modern English. It's interesting to wonder if all of the characters have been speaking English this whole time, isn't it? When Spike and Rasheed are talking on Moroccan Street, the Japanese words are pronounced with an accent as well. Cowboy Bebop is a series that's filled with little details like those.
Amjad: An Indian computer technician who seems appropriately modern.
Tiny Bird Fortune Teller: A Chinese tiny bird fortune teller. His bald head and long, white beard give him a stereotypically Chinese appearance.
Running Bull: A Native American fortune teller. He lives a traditional lifestyle in a tent.
Punch: Given that there weren't any black cowboys in the old west, his existence is a bit strange.
Donnelly: A colleague of Jet's when he was a police officer on Ganymede. An elderly black man who enjoys smoking cigars.
Old Man at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Shop: He seemed to have a pretty thick accent when he was speaking with Faye in Session 03.