A petition has been created to keep the recently cancelled Netflix live-action version of Cowboy Bebop cancelled.
Cowboy Bebop was cancelled less than a month after the show premiered on Netflix in the middle of November. The show’s cancellation was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter who claimed insiders informed them that “the decision was made by balancing the show’s viewership and cost.”
According to Netflix’s Top 10 website, the show had 21.6 million hours viewed in the first week it debuted on the platform. In its second week that number would jump to 36.9 million hours viewed.
However, by week three, it plummeted to 15.2 million hours viewed, and by week 4 it wasn’t even on the top 10 list anymore with its hours viewed dropping below 11.1 million, which was the hours viewed for Selling Sunset: Season 4, the 10th most viewed show on the platform for the week of December 6th to December 12th.
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In reaction to the cancellation a petition was launched to save the show by Ryan Proffer on Change.org.
Proffer’s petition simply stated, “For those people who want a second (or more) of the live action cowboy bebop. It wasn’t a direct copy of the anime but the world they put together was amazing and deserve a second season.”
As of writing, it’s been signed by 48,671 individuals.
However, another petition was also created to ensure that the show remains cancelled. This petition was created by YouTuber Nina Infinity.
She announced the creation of the petition on Twitter writing, “I have created a petition to keep the Live Action Adaptation of Cowboy Bebop cancelled.”
“She added, “Please sign and share, far and wide! Thank you!”
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The petition, which is also on Change.org, states, “The Anime Cowboy Bebop is a masterpiece. The Netflix Live Action adaptation is an empty shell that doesn’t capture anything from the anime that reflects the soul, heart, humor, noir, or substance of it in any way shape or form.”
“It butchers the story and the characters, namely Spike and Faye; who’s character was completely butchered. The story was a jumbled mess with HORRIBLE writing. It truly defies logic when you think HOW on Earth can anyone mess something up THIS bad when they have a literal blue print in front of them. Well… I’ll tell you why,” it continues.
The petition then points to comments made by the original anime’s creator Shinichirō Watanabe, “In a 2019 interview with the creator of the Anime Cowboy Bebop, Shinichirō Watanabe, regarding the live action adaptation said: ‘I read the initial concept and provided my opinions,’ explained Watanabe. ‘But I’m not sure if they will be reflected in the final product.’”
“And later, following up on the director’s seeming lack of confidence in Netflix’s adaptation, Takahashi next inquired, ‘As the original creator, how would you feel if what you saw in the original scenario pitch and what was broadcasted differed?’ Watanabe replied, ‘That would leave a sour taste in my mouth,’” the petition explains.
The petition goes on citing Watanabe’s comments, “’However, for example,’ Watanabe also reasoned, ‘When transitioning a manga to an anime, if the original author speaks out on various points, it makes the work for the anime staff and it won’t necessarily make it a good product.'”
“Concluding his thoughts on the adaptation, Watanabe asserted, ‘That’s why I have no choice but to pray and hope that it will turn out good (lol),’” states the petition.
It concludes Watanabe’s comments with him saying, “’Also, for ‘Cowboy Bebop’ I don’t have any right to stop it,” he subsequently clarified. ‘Those rights are in the hands of Sunrise, so if you have a complaint, please send it to them (lol).’”
The petition then declares, “Well as it happens, his prayers were not answered, because The Netflix live action adaptation is an abomination. And to think, that the studio had Shinichirō Watanabe at their disposal and just “took notes” and decided, hey, you know what? why don’t we just not do anything he said and do our own thing? Cause, I bet you, if the creator had anything to do with this, this would not have been the final result.”
“Anyway, please, let this putrid adaptation remain a distant memory of a thing that we never talk about. And just go and enjoy the anime version,” the petition states.
It concludes, “Lastly, I understand that there are a minority of people that want it to come back, but I felt my soul die when I watched it and I think there are many who agree with me, so I’m asking for you to sign my petition to keep it cancelled. Thank you.”
The petition has been signed by 134 individuals at the time of writing.
Do you plan on signing the petition to keep Cowboy Bebop cancelled? Or will you sign the petition wanting a second season?