"Whatever happens, happens."
We found out late last night that Netflix has decided not to renew Cowboy Bebop for a second season, cancelling the anime adaptation just three weeks after its premiere on the streaming service.
The show didn't seem to be embraced by many fans of the classic anime series, and critics were decidedly mixed (we enjoyed it, for the most part). This probably didn't factor too heavily into Netflix's decision, however, as plenty of worse-reviewed shows are still on the air. No, it's all about the numbers, and even though Bebop was reportedly among the top 10 TV shows on the streamer the week after its debut, it posted a steep drop-off in viewership the following week.
This obviously won't bother anyone who wasn't invested in the show, but for fans, it's a shame we won't get to see the story continue after the finale left things wide open with the introduction of Eden Perkins' Radical Ed (the fan-favorite hacker would have had a prominent role in the second season).
Perkins has yet to comment, but fellow cast members John Cho (Spike Spiegel), Mustafa Shakir (Jet Black), Daniella Pineda (Faye Valentine), Elena Satine (Julia) and Mason Alexander Part (Gren) have shared their reactions via social media.
What did you guys make of Cowboy Bebop? Were you surprised by its cancellation? Drop us a comment down below.
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.