Cowboy Bebop's unique setting and mood, innovative music, and excellent action has earned it a top spot among many anime watchers. The space adventures of Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed have all made it not only to domestic release outside of Japan, but also as one of the few anime series to be televised on Toonami's Adult Swim programming block. Because of this and much more, Bebop has become popular in more ways than one. Here you'll find a little basic information on the Cowboy Bebop series.

Cowboy Bebop is an action/sci-fi anime based on the writings of Hajime Yadate. In its setting, man has acheived the ability to travel through space, but with their technological advancement has come a price, as an accident with the moon causes disaster for the earth. As with any expansion into new frontier, there is a certain amount of lawlessness that comes with the territory, where despite attempts to keep order, many crooked people try to do what they want. That's where the bounty hunters come in. Sometimes referred to as "Cowboys", the bounty hunters attempt to bring order to earth and space, some for their own profit and some out of a sense of justice.

The story focuses on the adventures of 4 such space bounty hunters - Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine, Jet Black, and Radical Ed - as they struggle to make ends meet in their ship, the Bebop - an old beater put together from ancient parts. Each one of them has a troubled past, and all of them, with the exception of the rather carefree Ed, are very jaded about the present and future as a result. In between the adventures of capturing various criminals on the run, the audience finds out about the skeletons in each of the characters' closets, and, as each of them find out, the past is definitel something that can catch up to you sooner or later.

Bebop's characters are definitely not of the stock of characters one would normally see in terms of those who bring criminals to justice. The idealism and innocence of "superhero" characters is scrapped in favor of bringing us characters who are gritty, realistic, and even amoral in what they do. The mercenary way of Spike, Jet, and the others is more often than not a commentary on the society that they have been thrust in - a society that thrives on decadence, advancement for one's own gain, and corruption. This adds a twist to the environment and theme of Bebop.

Bebop is comprised of 26 episodes, and while many of them are "one-shots", or individual episodes that have no overhanging plot connection, there is a few plot points in the series that are explored over its course, such as the syndicate past of Spike, Faye's lost memory, and Jet's days as a cop. Each episode also seems to explore the facets of the characters further with each appearance. The result is a series which is highly episodic but is still very deep in terms of character development and story.

Bebop's exposure has extended to general release by Bandai Entertainment outside of Japan, and even to television on the Cartoon Network. As such, it has received lots of attention and praise from many people. It's definitely a series worth watching and gathering more information on.