The Big O Season Two article in Anime Insider

[Andrew]

I meant to post about this earlier, but with all the Anime Expo excitement it slipped my mind. Anyways, apparently Zac "Mr. Answerman" Bertschy of Anime News Network has written an article on Cartoon Network's airing of The Big O's second season for this month's issue of Anime Insider (which should be out now). I've got no idea what it contains or if it even has any new information in it, though. If someone here regularly purchases/subscribes to the magazine or just happens to see it on a store shelf, could you let us know if it says anything interesting?

[Mysteryinfoman]

I read this issue. It talks about how Cn people made talks with sunrise and how it was possible for Big O 2 to happen. It gives background info on the show. It also says little bits of info of season 2. It mentions Sean Akins but I not sure if he was invovled in the making of the second season, was he?

It also makes a comprasion between Roger and Bruce Wayne.

It is already for sale too.

[DarkMaster]

CN was directly involved with sunrise in production at least that's what representatives said.

[Karl Olson]

The most interesting part of the article IMHO: CN keeps heading back for Japan begging for more Bebop, and that each time, the Japanese budge a little closer to doing more. That sparks two questions:

How long is before they get more Bebop in some form (either an AU story like the manga story, Shooting Star or more inbetweeners like the movie, or just something else in that universe)?

How long before CN heads to Gainax asking for more FLCL, and will Gainax give in?

[Killtacular]

I'm telling you. Reboot. Reboot the series with different stories, like Tenchi TV did, only without lame new gimmick characters. Keep the same dynamic, but introduce the characters differently. Maybe Jet found Faye before he found Spike. What if Spike tagged along with Ed for a while (as seen in a certain fan-comic on the internet)?

There's a billion ideas unrealized in the Bebop universe, and they've got plenty of time to think them out.

As long as there's no "Cowgirl Ed." Sorry, but as a joke it's funny, as a series, it would be really LAME.

[DianaGohan]

Hmmm, intresting stuff about the Big O 2 article, even though I already knew that CN had at least something to do with the production of it. What is intruging is the possibilty of their being new Cowboy Bebop's made exclusivley for AS (Well why else would the Cartoon Network executives ask for more). If there were, I would either say more episodes between 13-23 (which would be great if it was only like 6 or something) or like Matt said, rebooting the series.

[RedTail]

Maybe Jet found Faye before he found Spike. What if Spike tagged along with Ed for a while (as seen in a certain fan-comic on the internet)?

There's a billion ideas unrealized in the Bebop universe, and they've got plenty of time to think them out.

As long as there's no "Cowgirl Ed." Sorry, but as a joke it's funny, as a series, it would be really LAME.

Alternate universes... Ugh! If CB is ever revived in some form, I'd hope it would either be in a prequel or w/ a new cast in the same universe.

- RedTail

[JetMaster5]

So CN IS trying to get more CB eps. I thought they quit a long time ago.

[NewLib]

You got to look at it from Willy's perspective. They have two Animes which have been huge hits with the fans: Cowboy Bebop and InuYashu. That got enough IY episodes to last them for quite a while, but CB its only 26 episodes.

I wouldn't mind seeing a prequel based on Spike and Vicious early years in the syndicate.

[Pepperidge]

My God, they're STILL trying to get more Bebop made? That's horrible! If they even THINK about trying to get more FLCL then... well, I hope they feel just great about embellishing on art.

Geez, CN getting their filthy hands on Bebop was the WORST thing that ever happened to the series.

Cowgirl Ed wouldn't work as a series. However, I think it could work as a 2 episode OVA.

[Misato Tanaka]

My God, they're STILL trying to get more Bebop made? That's horrible! If they even THINK about trying to get more FLCL then... well, I hope they feel just great about embellishing on art.

Geez, CN getting their filthy hands on Bebop was the WORST thing that ever happened to the series.
Cowgirl Ed wouldn't work as a series. However, I think it could work as a 2 episode OVA.

actually I would say it was very good to the series, as many people who would never had seen one of the best animes of all time got to see it nearly uncut. And if a lot of people were like me, I started buying all the dvds, so....

[NewLib]

My God, they're STILL trying to get more Bebop made? That's horrible! If they even THINK about trying to get more FLCL then... well, I hope they feel just great about embellishing on art.

Geez, CN getting their filthy hands on Bebop was the WORST thing that ever happened to the series.

Cowgirl Ed wouldn't work as a series. However, I think it could work as a 2 episode OVA.


STOP OVERREACTING. Geez.

I don't see how a prequel or something of that sort could hurt the series at all as long as it is good. I am sure they aren't going to bring Spike alive as the lead singer of Flock of Seagulls or something that bizzare.

[The Drizzle]

Geez, CN getting their filthy hands on Bebop was the WORST thing that ever happened to the series.

I don't even know what to say about that. :shrug:

I agree with what Matt said. Same characters but in an alternate universe. If it worked for Tenchi it can work for Bebop.

[The Landstander]

I actually don't like the alternate universe thing as much as I would prefer if they went the prequel route, with the pasts of the characters or something (I.E. Spike/Vicious). Also, Bebop coming to CN allowed myself and a lot of other people to see the show who otherwise wouldn't have been aware of its existance, so I wouldn't say its the worst thing to ever happen to the series.

[The Drizzle]

I actually don't like the alternate universe thing as much as I would prefer if they went the prequel route, with the pasts of the characters or something (I.E. Spike/Vicious).

I personally think something like that would make a better OVA or movie than a full-fledged 26 episode series. 13 episodes could work though.

[Karl Olson]

I'm telling you. Reboot. Reboot the series with different stories, like Tenchi TV did, only without lame new gimmick characters. Keep the same dynamic, but introduce the characters differently. Maybe Jet found Faye before he found Spike. What if Spike tagged along with Ed for a while (as seen in a certain fan-comic on the internet)?

There's a billion ideas unrealized in the Bebop universe, and they've got plenty of time to think them out.

As long as there's no "Cowgirl Ed." Sorry, but as a joke it's funny, as a series, it would be really LAME.

Exactly. This is a particularly good option in the case of Bebop, as they the alternate universe Cowboy Bebop manga, Shooting Star, is just begging for TV. It's a fresh play with the universe, and besides, the manga got caught short, and it was definetely heading somewhere cool. The only hitch is that Ed is a boy in the Shooting Star universe IIRC.

[Tienshin]

If CN was somehow able to squeeze blood from a stone and get a quick 6 ep arc with no filler of CB that would a huge coup for them. The possibilities for some sort of addition to CB definitely exist. Whether or not it should be done...I don't know. Its a precendent now in place in the case of Big O, But I cant imagine them trying to do that with FLCL, which should be HUGE for WS.

Quick question, since Big O2 picks up where the action left off as far as continuity is concered, did all of the main original VA's come back?

[RedTail]

I personally think something like that would make a better OVA or movie than a full-fledged 26 episode series. 13 episodes could work though.

Yes, the best course of action would be a short prequel detailing Spike's time in the syndicate in the form of an OVA. Thirteen episodes would even be pushing it though. I'd expect even less. As for perfering an alternate universe, they'd probably never consider it. They're already very reluctant to mess w/ their masterpiece. (Although I'm biased on the issue because of my personal belief that most alternative universe **** are complete bastardizations designed to turn out a crappy series that simply plays off the success of the original or to expand the demographic so that they can sell toys.)

- RedTail

[RedTail]

Quick question, since Big O2 picks up where the action left off as far as continuity is concered, did all of the main original VA's come back?

http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=80531

- RedTail

[Mynd Hed]

If CN was somehow able to squeeze blood from a stone and get a quick 6 ep arc with no filler of CB that would a huge coup for them. The possibilities for some sort of addition to CB definitely exist. Whether or not it should be done...I don't know. Its a precendent now in place in the case of Big O, But I cant imagine them trying to do that with FLCL, which should be HUGE for WS.

Quick question, since Big O2 picks up where the action left off as far as continuity is concered, did all of the main original VA's come back?

I don't know if the Big O's precedent really applies to Cowboy Bebop-- Big O was a show that had already had a second season planned, including complete drafts of the first couple scripts written, only to be cut off at a cliffhanger because it wasn't doing well enough in Japan. Cowboy Bebop, on the other hand, is a show that has had its run, both in Japan and the U.S., and has had a proper conclusion, one which is perfectly satisfying both to the creators and a good majority of the fans. I don't know that you can really compare the two. Big O would be a better comparison to another show that ended on a cliffhanger, like, say, Berserk. (Although the chances of CN picking that show up, making it a ratings hit, and then saving it from undeserved oblivion, a la Big O, are pretty much nil.)

As regards your VA question, you could follow the link RedTail has so generously provided, or I could just tell you that all the original VAs will be returning except for the very talented gentleman who voiced Norman (Roger's butler), and that there is no word yet on who is to replace him.

[oranthal]

Is CN asking for more CB episodes considered a slap in a face to the writer/director/creator? They plan on creating a 26 episode series and it was made and ended. If they wanted to make more episodes, they would have, but CN asking for more episodes seems a little bit disrespectful. What do you think of it?

[NewLib]

It isn't considered a slap in the face that someone enjoys your work they want you to make more of it. America isn't a place big on finales. I mean if a story can't have a sequel, we make prequels or something else. This is true for Movie, TV, and somewhat books.

[Tienshin]

I don't know if the Big O's precedent really applies to Cowboy Bebop-- Big O was a show that had already had a second season planned, including complete drafts of the first couple scripts written, only to be cut off at a cliffhanger because it wasn't doing well enough in Japan. Cowboy Bebop, on the other hand, is a show that has had its run, both in Japan and the U.S., and has had a proper conclusion, one which is perfectly satisfying both to the creators and a good majority of the fans. I don't know that you can really compare the two. Big O would be a better comparison to another show that ended on a cliffhanger, like, say, Berserk. (Although the chances of CN picking that show up, making it a ratings hit, and then saving it from undeserved oblivion, a la Big O, are pretty much nil.)

As regards your VA question, you could follow the link RedTail has so generously provided, or I could just tell you that all the original VAs will be returning except for the very talented gentleman who voiced Norman (Roger's butler), and that there is no word yet on who is to replace him.

Thanks for the info on the VA question, I'll look around next time before asking such hard hitting questions :-)

As for Big O, I guess what I said about a precendent being set is clearly not accurate, and in the case of its creators it must very gratifying to be able to finish thier story. I guess I was considering this in terms of CN simply asking for more eps purely from a supply/demand perspective, which would maybe be annoying to a any creator who considers their work i.e. CB to be a finished piece. Who knows the almighty yen may roar yet.