Netflix cancels Cowboy Bebop after one season

Cowboy Bebop Netflix series
(Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix has canceled the live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop after just one season, reports THR.

The TV series based on the iconic anime and manga debuted on Netflix less than three weeks ago on November 19. Season one consisted of ten episodes, and apparently Netflix has seen enough.

It isn't clear from THR's report exactly why Netflix doesn't want a second season of Cowboy Bebop, but one only needs to check out the first season's less than stellar Rotten Tomatoes score for one indication. The series currently sports a 46% Tomatometer (critics' rating) and 54% average audience score, which isn't awful, but isn't exactly promising either.

On the other hand, Netflix's take on Cowboy Bebop certainly has its fans, who will be disappointed not to see another season. GamesRadar's review awarded the series 4/5 stars, calling it "a stellar remix that hits all the right notes," despite some so-so fight scenes and the odd pacing issue.

"The live-action adaptation of Shinichirō Watanabe‘s seminal 1998 anime was always going to face an uphill struggle, partly due to its passionate fanbase and the streamer's so-so record with ropey first seasons," writes Bradley Russell. "But thanks to its razor-sharp dialogue and inspired casting choices, Cowboy Bebop is overflowing with charm, personality, and style – becoming a worthy companion piece to the original series."

Cowboy Bebop reportedly garnered a healthy 74 million viewing hours during its first week, but that number shrunk by 59% for the week of November 29 to December 5. It's likely Netflix took the lukewarm reception and ran the viewership numbers against the development costs and decided it wasn't worth continuing.

For everything else to stream, here's our roundup of the best Netflix shows available now.

Jordan Gerblick

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer, I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

Read more
Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai season 6, part 3 has dropped almost 9 million views from part 1 on Netflix
The Sandman final season promotional poster featuring The Endless posing against a silhouette of Morpheus/Dream
The Sandman to end with season 2 as Netflix cancels the Neil Gaiman adaptation
Noah Centineo in The Recruit season 2
Star of Netflix thriller show reveals sudden cancellation after two seasons: “Such a bummer”
Halo
Halo gets a surprise new streaming home on Netflix – but what does that mean for season 3?
Catherine Sarah Hook and Zac Burgess in Cruel Intentions
A TV remake of a '90s cult classic movie has been canceled by Prime Video after only one season
The cast of The Franchise
Canceled TV shows in 2025: every series that has been scrapped by Netflix, Apple, Disney Plus, and more this year
Latest in Entertainment
channing tatum gambit in deadpool and wolverine
Marvel fans are hoping Channing Tatum's Gambit return in Avengers: Doomsday will be different from Deadpool and Wolverine
Spider-Man 4
There might be an obvious reason why Tom Holland's Spider-Man wasn't announced for Avengers: Doomsday
Patrick Stewart in X-Men
Marvel fans are already theorizing how Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden's X-Men will be integrated into Avengers: Doomsday
Daredevil: Born Again episode 6
Daredevil's Charlie Cox isn't in the Avengers: Doomsday cast list – but Marvel fans have an idea about how he might still show up
Chris Evans in Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Doomsday release date, cast, plot, and more news
Simu Liu in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Simu Liu had the best reaction to Shang-Chi’s announcement for Avengers: Doomsday, but fans think it's "criminal" there hasn’t been a direct sequel
Latest in News
Nintendo Switch 2 controller slot
Best Buy Canada just confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date, and there's only days left to wait
Mario & Luigi: Brothership trailer still
"They are really feelin' the pressure": Former Nintendo staff think today's Direct, just 6 days before the Switch 2 Direct is a "bad idea strategically"
channing tatum gambit in deadpool and wolverine
Marvel fans are hoping Channing Tatum's Gambit return in Avengers: Doomsday will be different from Deadpool and Wolverine
Final Fantasy 16 protagonist Clive uses magic in closeup screenshot
Despite fans begging for Tifa, Final Fantasy 16's Clive is "significantly more popular" than any other Tekken guest fighter
Spider-Man 4
There might be an obvious reason why Tom Holland's Spider-Man wasn't announced for Avengers: Doomsday
Patrick Stewart in X-Men
Marvel fans are already theorizing how Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden's X-Men will be integrated into Avengers: Doomsday