Netflix‘s live-action take on Cowboy Bebop struggled to leave its mark, but its upcoming adaptation of a highly acclaimed samurai anime can finally make up for its previous mistakes.

Cowboy Bebop‘s adaptation came at a time when Netflix was still finding its feet with live-action remakes of anime. The streaming service had experienced limited success with getting anime adaptations right and was still figuring out the right recipe for delivering memorable live-action takes on beloved anime. Since then, however, Netflix has managed to get a few live-action anime/manga adaptations right.

One Piece‘s two-season success is a prime example of how even some of the best and most fantastical shōnen anime can be translated to the small screen if they remain faithful to the spirit of the source material. After One Piece, the success of an upcoming adaptation of a brilliant samurai anime on Netflix also seems more likely.

After Cowboy Bebop, Netflix Is Adapting Shinichirō Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo

Shinichirō Watanabe is known for being the creative powerhouse behind some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful anime, like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Terror in Resonance, and Space Dandy. Since Cowboy Bebop is easily his most popular work, it was picked for a live-action remake. Unfortunately, the adaptation was underwhelming and barely earned a Rotten Tomatoes score of 45%.

Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop adaptation left a bitter aftertaste, convincing anime fans that the streaming service should leave Watanabe’s anime alone.

Interestingly, though, even after Cowboy Bebop‘s performance, Netflix is going ahead with a live-action adaptation of another popular anime directed by Watanabe, Samurai Champloo. While Cowboy Bebop is often touted as his best work, Samurai Champloo has a fan base of its own because of how incredibly it combines Edo period samurai aesthetics with modern day hip-hop culture.

Instead of being a typical story about heroes battling villains, Samurai Champloo also presents itself as a story about two anti-heroic samurai who, as destiny would have it, join a woman on her journey to find a “samurai who smells like sunflowers.” The show follows an unconventional storytelling format where each episode has a standalone story with subtle connections to an overarching narrative.

Given how incredible Samurai Champloo is with its portrayal of a retro-futuristic Japan and exploration of themes surrounding redemption, grief, and companionship, it is hard not to be a little skeptical about Netflix’s live-action take on it.

Netflix’s failed Cowboy Bebop adaptation also makes it hard not to wonder if the streaming service will be able to get Samurai Champloo right. However, a closer look at Shinichirō Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo suggests that it has far better odds of succeeding.

Why Samurai Champloo’s Live-Action Has Better Odds Succeeding Than Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe is reportedly attached to the live-action Samurai Champloo (via Variety). This alone promises that the anime live-action adaptation will be far better than Cowboy Bebop and prove to be a faithful take on the original anime.

Unlike Cowboy Bebop, which unfolds in the future and demands the use of heavy VFX, Samurai Champloo’s grounded Edo-period setting and stylized realism could make it far easier to translate to live-action.

The samurai anime also features more grounded action sequences in which characters primarily use katanas to duke it out with one another. Matching the anime’s unique fight choreography might still prove to be a challenging feat, especially when it comes to characters like Mugen. However, One Piece proves that even Samurai Champloo‘s live-action can capture the same level of raw energy and fluidity we are used to seeing in anime.

Samurai Champloo‘s primary appeal comes from its main trio’s “road trip” dynamic. Owing to this, its live-action does not even need a very high budget to succeed. It must primarily focus on finding the right cast members to portray its three main characters, Mugen, Jin, and Fuu, who have good on-screen chemistry.

Considering how live-action anime adaptations have been hit-or-miss since the beginning, one must still remain cautiously optimistic about Netflix‘s upcoming take on Samurai Champloo. It cannot be denied, though, it has far better odds of succeeding than most other anime adaptations, like Cowboy Bebop, out there.