As with many plots that are set in the future, it is compelling for a viewer to compare the present to this fictional world. Regardless, it is hardly a reliable method for predicting the future, which can be highly affected by a writers subjectivity. Faye, for instance, was alive in 2014 - a time when both cryogenic technology and commercial space travel were possible. Other differences in the human culture in the anime differ further from that which is seen in the 21st century.

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Occasionally, though, the show will intersect with the present, either with a feasible technology that fits current standards, or the patterns of human behavior demonstrated in the show that are like those of the present. Today, we're going to examine the moments where Cowboy Bebop resembled our present and times when its future predictions seemed way off.

Lets start with the most obvious- spaceship piloting technology. Given how easy it is to travel outer space within the Bebop universe, it stands to reason that, in the early 30th century, flying in space is just a standard form of transportation.

The dangers of space, itself, are treated casually as well, seeing as is Spike able to quickly transition between ships (without a spaceship, mind you) by holding his breath and plugging his ears. Currently, though, the kind of space travel that is demonstrated in Cowboy Bebop is far more realistic in terms of fiction than it is in actual reality.

In the episode Brain Scratch, the crew learns of a virtual reality tech that has the capabilities to digitalize a human soul and thus turn people into brainless zombies. A plot like this carries immense negative connotations about VR, but the contradictory surge of popularity the technology now receives tells otherwise.

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VR gaming has been particularly successful, since the traction it has gained due to the development of new games that complement this technology. Only time will tell whether it will eventually backfire, as well.

Cryogenic tech has been a common device in plots to explain how a person from the past could exist in the future, sans time-machine. This was no different for Cowboy Bebop, which used the tech to explain how Faye could have been from the past yet look so young.

Sadly, cryogenic tech is still far from the point of being able to revive frozen cells; so its still just a storytelling device.

The main form of currency in the Bebop universe is a Wolong- of which the worth is never fully disclosed. With the occasional watermelon sale as the exception, most of the transactions in Cowboy Bebop are done digitally.

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Bitcoin is, of course, are a clear reflection of this cryptocurrency, even though only one can be used varyingly. You cant buy a watermelon with a Bitcoin.

In a world of regulatory space travel, it is hardly surprising that Cowboy Bebop has visited many different planets in the series. Not all of them were habitable, though, and most of the attention was devoted to Mars (the least being given to Earth).

The very idea that Cowboy Bebop did not bother working in the logic for visiting gas giants, like Saturn, just goes to show the likelihood that this will be the case for actual colonization.

Although some technology in Bebop might not yet be feasible, there is at least a consistency in dynamic responses between old and new tech. The responses between people generally vary with age, though the exception would be tech enthusiasts.

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The episode Speak Like A Child, for example, featured an obsessed technician, who was speechless after Spike kicked a beta max in an attempt to fix visual clarity. Given how delicately people treat technology, though, its hard to not sympathize with the enthusiast.

A common alternative to spaceships on the show are hover cars. The number of people driving hovercars in the series implies as well that they have been in use for a long time; as opposed to their real-world counterparts.

Hovercrafts certainly exist in the world, but they are not applied in the same sense as a car is for distance, which is how the show uses hover cars. This may not be the case forever, though.

Many conversations between Bebop characters were had through screens- either between those who were flying out in space and those in the Bebop or between cowboy and client. The idea of communicating with someone visually was an advanced type of communication, which bombarded representations of a highly technological future.

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Now, however, the common use of Face Time and Skype has dramatically diminished the revolutionary connotations this originally had. Now people have the benefit of seeing up the nostrils of a friends nose, without having to be physically present.

The adorable quality of the corgi Ein automatically grabs attention, and it would seem obvious that most would be happy to have him as a companion. This was not at all the case, however, as his net worth of 2 Wolongs had most turning their nose at him, or worse, think of him in terms of a potential meal.

Watching how little most people thought of Ein, as well as the very idea of eating him, clearly contradicts the devotion that the people of the present demonstrate for their dogs. It could be then that people have outgrown the pleasures of having a pet or regard them more as pests than pals. Ironically, though, Corgis are notoriously expensive.

Lets not pretend that being a bounty hunter in this world is not cool - Spike Spiegel is practically the epitome of being cool. The attractive quality of a freelance cowboy in the Bebop universe has the potential for constant excitement, exploration, and just plain freedom.

The truth is, though, real bounty hunting is not very lucrative, nor is it that attractive, for that matter. Instead of Jet the black dog, you have Dog the Bounty Hunter. In all honesty, though, would you want to live in a world as volatile as Cowboy Bebop? Yeah, I would too.

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Cowboy Bebop: 5 Ways The Anime Predicted The Future (& 5 Things It Got Wrong) - CBR - Comic Book Resources