Without its English-language dub, it’s unlikely thatCowboy Bebopwould have become as popular as it did outside of Japan, especially in the United States. While hardcore anime fans—like those who flocked toCowboy Bebopduring its original run — might prefer subtitled versions, they wouldn’t have been able to convince a broader, more mainstream audience to watch the show without the accessibility that dubbing offered. Though dubbing is now commonplace, during the show’s original run, the process was not unlike one of the bounty missions Spike, Jet, and Faye often took on in the series.
The English dubbing process for anime has become largely standardized, thanks to improved translations, advanced recording and mixing techniques, better hardware, established best practices, and a professional voice acting community with many actors dedicated to the genre. However, this wasn’t always the case. At the turn of the century, while American audiences had enjoyed anime for decades,the broadcast versions were often edited and rewritten for American viewers. More importantly, their dubs were almost always poorly funded, poorly organized, ad-hoc operations that tended to attract only the most hardcore anime fans while repelling more casual viewers.
The Cowboy Bebop English Dub Was Anything But Smooth
A Fascinating Look Behind the Curtains of an Iconic Show
This was the state of anime dubbing when the creators ofCowboy Bebopdecided to broadcast it in the U.S. in 2001. The industry was far from standardized—bordering on dysfunctional, in fact. Moreover, since anime itself did not yet have a large following, dubbing episodes wasn’t seen as lucrative work by actors, translators, and technicians. As a result, it didn’t attract top talent in these fields. Much like the bounty hunting trade inCowboy Bebop, dubbing tended to draw a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and levels of experience, brought together for a “pop-up” operation in need of staffing.
As revealed inSlashFilm’s history of the originalCowboy Bebopdub,the English dub staff comprised a “motley crew.“Led by an experienced voice actor directing a dubbing operation for the first time, the team included individuals hired on the spot or without auditions. Among theCowboy BebopEnglish voice acting staffwere an aspiring on-camera actor and a studio mailroom worker with a commanding voice. United by the thrill of the opportunity, the promise of adventure, and a steady paycheck, few anticipated that this project would launch their careers in voice acting.
“And then one day he asked me if I wanted to do anime, and I said, ‘Yeah, that’d be great. What’s anime?'” - Beau Billingslea
Beyond assembling a competent voice acting staff,the creators ofCowboy Bebopfaced the daunting task of organizing and operating multiple other areas, including translations, screenwriting, and the crucial “automated dialog replacement” (ADR). To tackle these challenges, they relied on an eclectic mix of individuals. One was an experienced music and sound engineer with no background in post-production, while another was a seasoned ADR professional who would be traveling extensively abroad during production.
How The Wild Production Mirrored The Cowboy Bebop Story
The Cowboy Bebop Dub’s Impact On Anime
Fans of the series will likely recognizethe similarities between the English dubbing process and a typical bounty hunt inCowboy Bebop. Just like those hunts, the dubbing operation was often a spur-of-the-moment affair, chaotic and unpredictable. Rarely did things go according to plan, and the team faced a constant barrage of unique challenges that tested their abilities to the fullest. It also makes one wonder if the final product ever truly matched the original vision.
Finally, there are striking similarities between the crews themselves. Spike Speigel, Jet Black,and Faye Valentineembody the quintessential “ragtag” group, united by a shared sense of adventure and financial gain. Despite their apparent incompatibility, they tap into their synergy while on mission, leveraging their diverse skills to achieve success. In doing so, they also confront and overcome – at least partially – the personal demons that haunt and hinder them.
TheSlashFilmarticle points out that the dubbing process wasn’t all struggle and frustration. In fact, it highlights the personal growth of the dubbing staff as they overcame the many obstacles they faced. Their efforts not only produced a one-of-a-kind dub that forever changed anime and anime dubbing, but also helped each member achieve a level of personal success they might never have reached if theCowboy Bebopdubbing project hadn’t come their way.
Source:SlashFilm
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a 1998 animated series set in 2071, where humanity has colonized the Solar System following a catastrophic event. As crime surges, bounty hunters known as “Cowboys” are employed by the Inter Solar System Police to capture criminals in exchange for rewards.
