The Sci-Fi Western Anime Trifecta That Dominated the ‘90s
Western sci-fi anime series Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Outlaw Star carved a niche for themselves in what many consider to be a golden era of anime.
Cowboy Bebop is preeminent. From Firefly to Guardians of the Galaxy to, uh, Cowboy Bebop, its versatile style and charismatic space-faring ensemble have made an indelible mark on science fiction entertainment. The key to the show is its bold, expressive genre fusion. Set in a semi-dystopian future full of outlaws, crooks, and bounty hunters, the show infuses its jazzy noir aesthetics and space-adventure premise with a Western ethos. Something like the Outer Rim from Star Wars, Bebop's space is a richly contested frontier for social and economic expansion. With its unforgettable cast of characters, its wildly colorful animation, and its versatile approach to episodic storytelling, Cowboy Bebop has cemented itself as a stone-cold classic that stands apart from any of its contemporaries. Any, that is, except for Trigun and Outlaw Star.
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