Cowboy Bebop.

How do I feel about this one?
How do I feel about this one?!



This is how I feel about it!

What's Your Number? - 5/5

Ed's past catches up to her, and the Bebop crew get wrapped up in a mad dash to find her before the wrong people get there first. We get to meet one of Ed's old hacker friends and watch the crew bicker in the usual fashion about matters of money and friendship. Along the way, Ein is the cutest little corgi you ever did see.

This one is so good. Yeah, it suffers from a few editing issues in the translation (things like “you're” instead of “your”). And, yeah, it doesn't quite have the same charm as the anime due to lacking the aesthetic appeal and amazing soundtrack. But it's by far better than the previous manga issues and it feels so much like the Cowboy Bebop I know and love that I can easily forgive those perceived shortcomings.

I had so much fun with this one, I left it feeling as if I'd just committed an episode of the anime to mind. Where would it fit in continuity? I don't know. Would it fit? Still, I don't know. But, much like the anime movie, I'm willing to accept that it could slot in there somehow and enjoy it for what it is.

Finally getting some hint of Ed's past - aside from the parentage thing that barely took any runtime in the anime - was also entertaining and intriguing. On top of that, the main plot is oddly timely today in a similar way as it was back then, considering it involves people who oppose the influence of the internet on the lives of young people. I thought that was kinda trippy in a fun way.

Fight For Your Right - 4.5/5

Continuing the trend set by the first chapter, this one also feels well suited for an actual episode of the anime. Much like the source I love so much, it has a nice balance between serious drama, fun antics, and comedic relief. And, of course, there's added character depth - this time in a few more hints and allusions to Spike's dark past and how he's privy to some shady things by nature of being a former member of a crime syndicate.

In this one, we meet an older man with a striking resemblance to someone from Spike's past and watch as he gets wrapped up in a very sticky situation involving secret astral gates and mafia families. From cycles of theft to syndicate dealings to hyperspace airship chases to gunfights: this chapter has it all. And some more adult stuff like some full-frontal nudity and a panel of slightly sexual activity and a few characters who curse when upset. Just like the first chapter, it does a really good job of using the media given to try and replicate as much of the Cowboy Bebop vibe as possible.

I had a fun time reading this chapter and loved seeing Spike in action since he felt so perfectly in-character here.

Overall

This volume is basically everything I hoped a manga adaptation would be! Unlike the troublesome first volume and disappointing second, this one really shines. It made me feel nostalgic for the anime and happy for some extra adventures that actually felt worthy of the name Cowboy Bebop. I'm glad I kept reading and didn't give up during the previous volumes!