Session #0
This is a transcription of the interviews on the second and third DVD disks. Also, if you happen to have gotten a copy of the untranslated "Session #0", that is where this originally came from. The translation is the one on the disk, I do not vouch for it's accuracy. If you speak Japanese and you have a beef with this translation, tell it to Bandai! ;) These "interviews" were mostly done in a manic, "clippy" style, played for humor.

Bolded text represents the person speaking. Gray text is what is written on the screen. "Quoted" text is the response of the person being interviewed. [Italicized, bracketed] text represents actions. [Bracketed] text is a comment by me.

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Sunrise Staff interviews

[Vitamin C plays]
Animation Front Liners Interview At Sunrise

[Bad Dog, No Biscuit plays in the background]

Yoshiyuki Takei: "We're spending a lot of money. . ."

Kimitoshi Yamane: "It's about the life and love of bounty hunters in space."

Animator: Yutaka Nakamura
Nakamura: "Please watch the show!"

Producer: Yoshiyuki Takei
Q. What's the most difficult task?

Takei: "Well, I have to think about the surrounding environment and situation of each act. . . and the overall depth of each scene before creating the structure. So that, I think, is pretty troublesome.

Character Designs: Toshihiro Kawamoto
Kawamoto: "How 'bout. . . the schedule?! [laughs] That's not it?! No?!

Mechanical Designs: Kimitoshi Yamane
Q. What's the most difficult task?

Yamane: It's like any other work, but trying to come up with a completely new and different vision is the toughest for me."

Cultural/Setting Production: Satoshi Toba
Toba: "Making sure that I'm on top of all important aspects and probably the schedule for my work. I'm comfortable with the rest."

Q. What's "HYPERSPACE?????"
Toba: "It's the black line in between each frame on the film. Actually, there's a rationale behind it. Ask Mr. Kawamori."

[screen clicks off]

Shoji Kawamori Phone Interview

[phone dialing]

Q. Hyperspace: Kawamori's SF setting.
Kawamori: "Well, the story is set in the solar system but we can't take one or two months to get somewhere. And I didn't want to use a warp environment so I wanted to come up with something else. The line between the frames is much thinner than a frame itself. If we were to compare the environment to film, the line between the frames is much skinnier than a frame making up the picture. Compare that to the size of space which is 1/240 in scale. So because you're in a space that's 1/240 in scale of regular space, if you move 1, you'll travel 240 and get where you want to go. That's the rough explanation of the theory."

[phone click]

Shinichiro Watanabe Interview

Director: Shinichiro Watanabe
Q. How did this project start?

Watanabe: "I was told to create something that involved spaceships and submit a concept. They said as long as it portrayed spaceships they wouldn't question anything. So I agreed."

Q. What took a lot of time?
Watanabe: "I had to create a non-existent world step by step, and make it seem as though life actually existed. I had to consider every aspect including trashcans and telephone poles. And usually, I don't think about these things, 'cause it's a pain. . . but when I did, it took a lot of time and effort."

Q. What did you want to express the most?
Watanabe: "I wanted to create something that had never been seen. You've seen a lot in the past, and find things you like. These days, many people try to create what they've seen. That's not what I wanted to do. I probably included what I've seen and liked. . . but the overall picture will become something totally new. Create something never seen before. . . was my goal. . . sort of."

Q. What's the theme of the series?
Watanabe: "Spike's past, or his karma. Part of his life you haven't seen. People wanted to, but we couldn't show it on television. [he's referring to the fact that more than half the episodes were cut for television on CB's first broadcast run.] On video, in the 26 episode series, you see it gradually. It's the underlying theme throughout the show."

Keiko Nobumoto Interview


Series Composer: Keiko Nobumoto
Q. Why did you work on this project?

Nobumoto: "I first worked with the director, Mr. Watanabe, on Macross Plus. Later, I was asked to work on a series directed by Mr. Watanabe. I still don't know what a Series Composer is supposed to do [laughs]. . . I'm writing the scripts for a number of episodes."

Q. How is it different from other anime?
Nobumoto: "The use of gaps. This series makes really smart use of gaps."

Yoko Kanno Interview



[Cats on Mars plays in the background]

Music: Yoko Kanno
Q. How is the music used in the series?

Kanno: "I was so amazed to find. . . this piece used for this scene? Some of the pieces I wish they used for different scenes [laughs] . . . But I didn't find any that were inappropriate. [bowing her head] So I'm happy."

Q. How about the production team?
Kanno: "Everyone is so relaxed [laughs]. . . [lounging back in imitation] like, they're sitting around lazy. [laughing] I don't think they say they're tired. Anime, either commercials or TV, they're all so serious, always arguing. . . 'This scene should be like this. . .' 'No, no, the heroine shouldn't say such a word!' That's my impression. But this team. . . [lounging] They're totally slacking off. . . [laughs] And it shows in this anime!"

Masahiko Minami Interview


Producer: Masahiko Minami
Q. What were your intentions when producing Bebop?

Minami: "I've been doing robot stories, and I wanted to do something different this time."

Q. What's your impression?
Minami: "I watched the rush film. It's solid. We're putting a lot of time and money into it hoping to recoup the costs." [laughs]

"We're going to make a lot of money![laughs]. . . Cut![laughing]

Voice Actor Interviews


Ed: Aoi Toda
Q. What's Ed like?

Toda: "Very smart, and sensitive, but also a little naive. Someone who can make everyone happy."

Q. What do you think about the series?
Toda: "It's deep, not superficial. They're trying to tell you something."

Jet: Unsho Isuzuka
Q. Your first impression of Jet?

Isizuka: "Gosh, a bald and brawny guy. . . why me? I thought Yamadera [Spike] was better suited for the role. I guess not [laughs]. . ."

Q. How's your enthusiasm for the series?
Isizuka: "I think of it as a movie. . . making a movie every week one by one."

"I can take care of it the same day I get my script. [laughing] No, just joking!"

Spike: Kouichi Yamadera
Q. Your reaction to getting the part?

Yamadera: "It said 'protagonist.' I was happy. It's the first time, in over ten years doing an anime series."

Q. Please promote Cowboy Bebop.
Yamadera: "Because they weren't all on TV, it's hard but please watch them all! Not because I'm in it. . . maybe a little [holding his fingers close together as if to say 'a little'] About this much [widening his fingers] [laughs] Anyway, it's a great show. Check it out! Everyone -- ch-ch-check it out!"

Faye: Megumi Hayashibara
Q. Your first impression of Faye?

Hayashibara: "She's a disagreeable woman."

Q. What is Faye like?
Hayashibara: "She's . . . very lively."

Q. What did you pay special attention to?
Hayashibara: "Her sensuality and humanity is the point. . ."

[off camera noise]
[she laughs]
Yamadera: "Excuse me!"
Hayashibara: "That was Spike. . ." [laughing]

Q. What about the unbroadcast parts?
Hayashibara: "Those who watched it on TV every week would definatly want to see more. Your wish will come true. . ."