This anime is worthy of all the praise it recieves. Set in a surprsingly "realistic" futuristic setting, Cowboy Bebop intertwines musical elements - namely blues and hard rock - with a mellow atmosphere in such a way that whole series feels dynamic despite its episodic 5tyle.Indeed, the majority of the episodes are seperate stories by themselves, with character backgrounds and plot devices seldom thrown in. However, in each episode, some room is left for character developement, in which Cowboy Bebop truly shines.

The characters are three demensional and lively; they (with the obvious exception of Ed, though her character is fine) are realistic and natural for the most part, despite the series' occasional comedy relief moments. Moreover, they have interesting pasts, keeping viewers entertained throughout the series especially when the characters show their idiosyncracies.

Another great thing about this anime is the animation. For an anime made in 1998, the ant 5tyle is consistent and edgy, always pleasing to the eye. And unlike many anime in which the characters' eys are as large as golf balls, the characters' eyes in this anime still look anime-esque yet realistic. Of course, eyes aren't the only important thing, since the fluidity of the animation is what really contributes to the visuals. Spike's movements in battle are swift and energetic, easily trumping any cheesy fight moves performed in most shounen anime. And Ed's whimsical jerks and swings while walking accentuate her character's eccentricity. Essentially, there is no room for complaints here.

Finally, the soundtrack is sublime. In fact, it arguably makes the story roll foward. However, that is only realized while watching Cowboy Bebop. So unfortunately, not much can be said about the soundtrack in words. The only problem with this series is that it's too short. It could have been a season longer, with more episodes further deepening the story. Alas, there is no sign of a continuation in the future, though perhaps adding to the story would ruin it.*

Overall, Cowboy Bebop is a fantastic anime that everyone should watch, even people who despise anime. Indeed, this show alone can get anyone interested in anime.

Rating: 9.5/10

*What I said about the music does not constitute as a flaw in this series.