There is a general influence of the famous Blue Note LP covers from the
60s. The intro, some of the promotional materials, the use of cigarette smoke
as a design element, and especially the DVD
covers hearken back to Blue Note.
The intro theme references James Bond as well as television intros from
the 60s.
"Asimov" is a reference to Isaac Asimov.
The whole episode is a tribute to the film "Desperado." I totally missed
this one at first, until my dad came in and watched the television broadcast
with me (very rare for him, he never watches "cartoons"). The first
words out of his mouth were, "What is this, an animated version of 'Desperado'?"
and it hit me like a ton of bricks. ^.^;
Obvious references between Spike and Bruce Lee. Spike is a practitioner
of Jeet Kun Do (the art invented by Bruce Lee).
Tribute to the anime "Lupin III" throughout the series, in character designs
(Jet especially) as well as in the feel of the show at times; Spike is a tribute
to Lupin, Jet is a tribute to Jigen.
Jazz/bebop references, in the show's opener,
the title of Jet's main ship (the Bebop), and the background music. The line
about "a club named "Minston's Play House", they play jazz sessions competeing
with each other. . ." is a direct reference Hoarce Silver and the Jazz Messengers
(hint, hint, nudge, nudge if you were wondering where the title of this website
comes from), a group that came together because of their jam sessions at Minston's.
Intrestingly, Silver is considered a hard-bop innovator rather than a bebop
one. Maybe the show should have been named "Cowboy Hardbop." :p Nah, too much
possibility for bad sexual innuendo. . .
The character of Laughing Bull is visually based on Sitting Bull. Here's
a picture if you want to see the resemblance. Thanks
to LadyMercury of the Toonami Digital Arsenal forums for
the pic.
The poncho Spike wears in the fight scene with Asimov is a reference to
the one Clint Eastwood wears in "A Fist Full of Dollars", "For a Few Dollars
More", etc.
The ending credits song "The Real Folk Blues" is a reference to a Howling
Wolf album from the mid 60s
The three old coots' names are 'Antonio', 'Carlos', and 'Jobim', a reference
to the famous Brazilian composer.
If you notice any references that I missed, I would appreciate
it if you e-mail me.