This 2nd season is different without Rie Matsumoto

Zelev said:
I like the setup of the first season, but unfortunately it completely neglected the characters. I didn't know anything about them, therefore I didn't care. The first season was crazy fun, but it was also messy. Overall, it didn't really get anywhere.

The second season had better writing, imo. It actually used its full cast, unlike the first one. It was a little more to the point, and I can see why people didn't like that, but the payoff through the characters heavily outweighed it. It just depends what you prefer.

And as for the characters, indeed most of them were not explored that well in the 1st season, but most of them were simply side characters. There's no importance to the plot. Just like how Cowboy Bebop handles its' episodic episodes, some side characters would be introduced & characterized quite well, but nothing more if those characters backstories are not integral to the plot.

Could you elaborate the better writing? Because overall it's not that different to be honest.

In fact, how they handle the antagonists are more predictable & lacks proper characterization.

I agree, the writing is more simplistic than the first one. It flows rather slower & more predictable.

But what what do you mean by "the payoff through the characters heavily outweighed it?" Every episode that dedicates itself to some of the main characters mainly ends up at nothing. There's no payoff. We get to know them better, sure, but they build up to nothing. There's no character development or something along those lines that being told through those episodes that ends with some kind of conclusion. It's more like slice of life episodes.

Yeah, it's indeed mostly about preference. Like I said, this season is not close to bad, but it simply lacks the uniqueness that Rie Matsumoto brought to the table.

Zelev said:

The side characters given screen time in season 2 were still side characters, so I don't see your point there. And these side characters are pretty damn important to the story considering they work with Leo. Without the side characters, then where are the relationships? Where is the character dynamics? It's nonexistent.

What side characters are you referring to in Cowboy Bebop?



Better writing is actually using your characters, for starters.



The antagonists were also predictable in season 1.. Don't really see your point. Our protagonists always win anyway.



I guess it's slower? I prefer it to the mess that was season 1, though.



As I said earlier, it builds character dynamics/relationships. You get a better feel of their intentions, the atmosphere surrounding certain characters, who they are as a person, etc. Character development wasn't really the point, even though they obviously all do gradually start to outwardly show they care for one another.

They were side characters on the 1st season, but since they got more screentime & dedicated episodes for them this season, their roles changed to main characters. Side characters can become main character or the other way around for the sequel. For example, DTB & Eden of the East.
Yes, they're important, but not important enough to warrant backstory. If their backstory somehow intertwined with the plot, then sure. But they're not. So for them to got proper characterization were good enough. More than that could hurt the pacing & the overall focus of the plot. And I am quite sure their relationships with Leo on the first season was quite well-shown. Knowing their backstory wouldn't necessarily make the relationship between characters better.
Well, there were many side characters on Cowboy Bebop, since it's mostly episodic stuff. But just to name a couple, the lady who acted like she's pregnant & her drug-dealing husband. They're characterized quite well without any dedicated scenes to explain their backstory.

But they used their characters on the first season. Do not confuse "using characters" with "giving them backstories." They're different.

On the 1st season, the antagonists usually introduced in a more unique way. Like how on the 1st episode, the antagonist being introduced by how he just wanted to have fun & his silly evil plan by planting the other half of a monster in a flea that reside on the monkey's head. On the 2nd season, the antagonist introduced in a more straightforward manner. For example, the vampire antagonist on episode 2 being introduced by simply met the main characters because the antagonist was walking his dog. That's it. And then the antagonist on the Chain episode introduced by expositions from other characters & the antagonist lacked any proper characterization.

It's indeed slower(except the 1st episode). If you know about how pacing works, you know this season is slower.

I see. Yes, I agree with this season focus on the main characters are quite nice. Nice, but not what I'd call important.

Zelev said:
It saved the show for me. To each their own. Don't really wanna continue this convo. Was fun though.