#keiko nobumoto

[thedepartmentofdiscoveries]

#cowboy bebop #spike spiegel #edward wong hau pepelu tivrusky iv #faye valentine #jet black #ein the dog #late 90s #sci fi anime #cyberpunk anime #90s anime #shinichiro watanabe #keiko nobumoto #1998-1999 #neo noir #space western

[lazulilu]

Cowboy Bebop for Newtype, June 1998

#anime #90s #cowboy bebop #shinichiro watanabe #sunrise #keiko nobumoto #toshihiro kawamoto #newtype

[theinternetisaweboflies]

#hana tokyo godfathers #i would die for hana #tokyo godfathers #miyuki tokyo godfathers #gin tokyo godfathers #christmas movies #anime movies #satoshi kon #keiko nobumoto

[loveneverfades]

Spike and Julia

Art by Jesse

#cowboy bebop #the real folk blues #spike x julia #spike siegel #julia cowboy bebop #see you space cowboy #bebop #shinichiro watanabe #keiko nobumoto #toshihiro kawamoto #カウボーイビバップ #スパイク・スピーゲル #ジュリア #スパイク #posted with permission #I have the contractual right to post this art as per arrangements made with the artist

[haveyoureadthismanga-poll]

#wolf's rain #keiko nobumoto #toshitsugu iida #2003 #2000s #complete #seinen #magazine-z #adapted from animation

[acquired-stardust]

Anime Spotlight #2: Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (2001)

Happy Halloween! Acquired Stardust's second anime spotlight caps off our two-part Halloween spotlight special. Join Ash for a look back at her favorite Halloween movie to celebrate the season.

Growing up, September ushered in my favorite time of year. Summer heat began to give way to the chill of an upstate New York fall and before you knew it October was here, the gateway to the holiday season, which meant a constant rotation of Halloween movies on the living room television which my mom would have on at virtually all hours of the day. Little traditions like that have colored my early childhood and remained something I enjoy keeping up and coming up with new ones. Eventually, I was overjoyed to be able to share my own favorite Halloween movie with my mother one year when we sat down to watch this together, and I distinctly remember her enjoying it and especially taking a liking to the lovable catlike hacker Radical Edward, a very popular and enduring character actually based on series composer Yoko Kanno. But perhaps we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

Sometimes getting the band back together isn't all it's cracked up to be. People change. Sometimes creative desires diverge. For many bands there are distinct before and afters. Cowboy Bebop, with director/creator Shinichiro Watanabe's process of thinking of his works in the context of music, was a hell of a series. Anime conquered the west in several steps, from the college campuses importing laserdiscs to Toonami and then Adult Swim, Cowboy Bebop holds a special place in that movement particularly as a bridge for the uninitiated - because it was heavily inspired by western media and of an extremely high quality people into anime often used it to bring those unfamiliar into the fold to great success. Cowboy Bebop has a pretty enduring legacy of not just being the favorite anime of many, but also being the first anime of many who were turned off by the more battle shonen stylings of Dragonball Z that had swept countless youth up into anime fandom in the early 2000s. It's inspired countless people in their own creative endeavors such as the late Monty Oum of Haloid, Dead Fantasy and RWBY fame, and Adult Swim classic The Boondocks also featured tributes. The recent Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade also features an unmistakable musical allusion to Yoko Kanno's work on the series in a chase scene backed by a several-movement jazz track.

Sometimes it's hard for a band to recapture exactly what made it so special in its heyday, but that's absolutely not the case for Knockin' on Heaven's Door, the movie released in 2001 in Japan. Much of what makes the original series work so well, such as an iconic soundtrack and impeccable script, not just returns for the movie but is in top form. A large cast of distinct characters, including several introduced in this movie, are all utilized very effectively. Iconic anime dubbing studio Animaze knocks it out of the park yet again with not only returning actors reprising some of the most iconic roles in all of English-language dubbing but also impresses with Dave Wittenberg as hacker Lee Samson and even the rare anime role from Jennifer Hale before she became quite as ubiquitous as she is now.

Animation and art direction are in top form as well, with plenty of attractive uses of lighting and the framing of shots. Small details such as the hair or clothes blowing in the wind or the falling of an ashtray aboard the spaceship Bebop manage to be almost as impressive as some of the mesmerizing fight scenes. There are also some extremely dynamic uses of the point of view even in slower exposition scenes. You've also got the soundtrack that sees series composer Yoko Kanno return with plenty of the iconic and bombastic jazz the series is known for along with some other auditory treats, and vocalist Mai Yamane also returns for two tracks that are among her best contributions to the series which really says a lot.

Set largely between Halloween and the day before culminating in a tense action sequence at a Halloween parade, Knockin' on Heaven's Door sees the bounty hunting crew of the spaceship Bebop attempt to catch a large bounty in the wake of a mysterious terrorist attack on a freeway. Each character splinters off in their own direction as is series standard, chasing down their own individual leads through their own processes which helps to illustrate not only why this crew contrasts so well in its very distinct members but also showcases a strength of the series in its oozing of characterization with action and dialogue alike.

The captivating push and pull of dialogue between characters that the series is known for is never stronger than in this film, which is a real testament to not only the talents of the late frequent Watanabe collaborator Keiko Nobumoto but the returning writer-voice director duo of Marc Handler and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, respectively, along with the incredible voice cast. There is a reason that Cowboy Bebop is widely believed to have one of if not the strongest English language dubs of any anime, and while other examples in that upper echelon come to mind for me I find it hard to disagree with anyone who finds it to indeed be the finest. Remarkable parity between the television series and movie is a common thread, and the movie even features a number of long running cameos, at least one of which pays off in a big way.

For anime fans of a certain age, Cowboy Bebop is held with an extreme reverence and often tops the list of favorites. While it may not be my personal favorite, it's pretty high up there. Regardless it's impossible to dispute the sheer quality in every single aspect of the series, and Knockin' on Heaven's Door exemplifies so many of the strengths of the series at an impressive feature-length runtime. It's also a tradition around our house to watch this every Halloween in celebration, inspired by all the movie marathons around my house growing up. The stunned silence I watched this film in for the very first time as a child will be something I never forget, and it goes without saying that it's my favorite Halloween movie pretty easily. Hopefully it will be an experience you don't forget any time soon either.

A gem hidden among the stones, Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door is undoubtedly stardust.

-Ash

#anime #retro anime #90s anime #halloween #halloween movies #adult swim #cowboy bebop #cowboy bebop: the movie #knockin on heavens door #acquired stardust #ash #anime spotlights #anime recommendation #studio bones #shinichiro watanabe #keiko nobumoto #yoko kanno

[princepsed]

The road keeps on telling me to go on, something is pulling me, I feel the gravity of it all.

#fanart #wolfs rain #wolfs rain Kiba #keiko nobumoto #anime #digital painting

[roskirambles]

(Archive) Christmas Movie of the Day: Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

Originally posted: December 10th, 2021

Ah, Christmas. A holiday marked by prosperity. Where families gather together to sing and dine, where children laugh while they exchange presents and colorful lights envelop the celebration. So what does a man like Satoshi Kon do for such a season? A film that is none of these things yet still manages to surpass most movies about this festivity by a landslide.

Well, to say there's none of those things is a bit of a hyperbole, but let's be real: this is a movie about outcasts, a group of people that can't afford them for one reason or another. It's an alcoholic hobo, a transsexual and a runaway teenager finding an abandoned baby. On Christmas eve. So… joy to the world!

Don't underestimate this offbeat set up, however, as it isn't just off beat for off beat's sake. It allows the story to delve into the parts of society people often forget, even in the times where it's said people should look out for the poor. A tale of the marginalized getting a glimpse of where they don't fit while also showing them with sincerity and humanity, never looking down on them. And the thing is, despite the lacks and needs of some people, the personal flaws of others and some heart-wrenching hardships they have to endure, the film is still hopeful, heartwarming and genuinely funny.

Seriously, when this movie isn't tugging your heartstrings it's making you laugh with some outlandish gags and deadpan humor. The main trio really bounces off each other in funny and compelling ways; the more you learn about them, the more you want them to heal the issues they carry with them. And there is a hopeful light waiting for them.

It's a movie about reunions, compassion, doing the right thing expecting no reward, and finding the ways to forgive yourself. In a nutshell, Satoshi Kon captured what many fail to even grasp in more pompous attempts: What is universally meaningful about Christmas and what makes for a good Christmas miracle.

#roskirambles #christmas movies #satoshi kon #keiko nobumoto #toru emori #yoshiaki umegaki #aya okamoto #animated films #anime and manga #tokyo godfathers

[in-g-major]

My ATLA "Dream Project"

Avatar: The Last Airbender Directed by: Shinichiro Watanabe, Giancarlo Volpe Produced by: Masahiko Minami, Aaron Ehasz Written by: Keiko Nobumoto (before her unfortunate passing a few years ago), Elizabeth Welch Music by: Michiru Oshima *Sigh*

#atla #shinichiro watanabe #aaron ehasz #masahiko minami #keiko nobumoto #elizabeth welch #michiru oshima #giancarlo volpe #what could have been

[satthirasstrikes]

Clearing out the DA gallery in protest of their horrible AI bot, and I forgot to post Darcia here!

#wolfs rain #darcia iii #darcia #traditional art #prismacolor pencils #prismacolor #prismacolor premier #fanart #wolf #heterochromia #wolfman #purple wolf #keiko nobumoto #studio bones #retro anime #anime fanart #canine art #wolf character

[her-windy-smile]

#cowboy bebop #spike x julia #julia cowboy bebop #spike spiegel #faye valentine #the real folk blues #keiko nobumoto #shinichiro watanabe #see you space cowboy #bebop

[thedepartmentofdiscoveries]

Spike is a Cancer ♋️, Faye is a Leo ♌️, Jet is a Sagittarius ♐️ and Ed is a Capricorn ♑️.

Spike Spiegel

Gender: Male

Birthdate: June 26, 2044

Birthplace: Mars

Age: 27

Height: 6ft. 2in.

Blood Type: 0

Sign: Cancer ♋️ 🦀

After working for the Red Dragon Syndicate on Mars. Spike faked his own death and gave up a life of crime to become an interstellar bounty hunter.

Faye Valentine

Gender: Female

Birthdate: August 14th, 1998

Age: 73. (She spent 50 years in suspended animation)

Birthplace: Earth

Height: 5ft. 7in.

Blood Type: B

Sign: Leo ♌️ 🦁

A femme fatale with a body to die for. Faye may fancy Spike, but she fancies money much much more.

Jet Black

Gender: Male

Birthdate: December 3, 2035

Age: 36

Birthplace: Ganymede

Height: 6ft. 3in.

Blood Type: A

Sign: Sagittarius ♐️ 🏹

Spike's right hand man is a tough guy with a soft spot. A former cop, he serves as both the pilot and the cook on his ship.

Ed

Gender: Female

Birthdate: January 1st, 2058

Age: 13

Birthplace: Earth

Height: 4ft. 6in.

Blood Type: AB

Sign: Capricorn ♑️

Ed can usually be found hanging with her dog Ein. A goofy young tomboy, she can hack into any computer system like child's play.

#cowboy bebop #manga #anime #character dossiers #character zodiac signs #sci fi anime #cyberpunk anime #spike spiegel #faye valentine #jet black #ein the dog #radical edward #Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV #yutaka nanten #shinichiro watanabe #keiko nobumoto #kuga cain #90s anime #90s manga #late 90s #manga art #neo noir #space western #decided to type out each character bio so you're welcome

[lazulilu]

Illustration by Toshihiro Kawamoto for Animage, April 1997

#anime #90s #animage #cowboy bebop #toshihiro kawamoto #sunrise #illustration #shinichiro watanabe #keiko nobumoto

[piratew0lf]

#wolfs rain #wolfs rain anime #wolf art #keiko nobumoto #wolves #toboe #toboe wolfs rain #digital art #digital illustration #digital painting #digital drawing #furry art #clean furry

[loveneverfades]

In Jupiter Jazz, Spike declares that Julia is his woman. The phrase has a special significance. Nobumoto uses it to single Julia out as the person that Spike loves. His other half as Spike proclaims in The Real Folk Blues.

The fact that Nobumoto continued to define Julia as Spike's woman in an interview following the end of the series is very revealing. It gives insight into how Nobumoto and thus Spike saw Julia.

#cowboy bebop #spike x julia #spike spiegel #julia cowboy bebop #jet black #faye valentine #jupiter jazz #the real folk blues #keiko nobumoto #shinichiro watanabe #bebop #see you space cowboy #カウボーイビバップ #スパイク・スピーゲル #ジュリア

[theinternetisaweboflies]

Tokyo Godfathers is free on YouTube right now.

#satoshi kon #christmas movies #tokyo godfathers #free movies #youtube movies #keiko nobumoto