Tweet Sparks Debate Over Faye's Costume in Netflix's 'Cowboy Bebop'

Whenever there's an live adaptation of a beloved book, movie, or anime series, there's bound to be some backlash whether it's about the casting, plot changes, or the wardrobe. Sometimes characters are left out. Sometimes they're invented. And sometimes a costume inspires the ire of fans who expect everything to look exactly the same. It's no surprise that the Netflix adaptation of Cowboy Bebop is garnering some of this shallow criticism. For one, John Cho (49) is receiving flack for playing Spike, who is 27 years old in the series. But the discrepancy that is receiving the most attention on Twitter is Faye Valentine's outfit.

Netflix with millions / a girl with 100 dollars. pic.twitter.com/zmND86cBQX
— Angry Crow - Open Commissions (@AngryCrow24) August 30, 2021

As one can gather from this tweet from Twitter user @AngryCrow24, Faye's outfit in the live action series is a little different from that of the manga - which is pretty accurately represented by a cosplayer in the right panel. Apparently there are an awful lot of fans who think the more modest and functional garb worn by Daniella Pineda is, frankly, unacceptable. This isn't the first time Danielle Pineda's appearance has been scrutinized by Bebop lovers. Where the character is supposed to be tall, incredibly busty, and sporting an unrealistically small waist, the Mexican-American actress is very petite and B-cupped. And from one of her Instagram videos, it's clear the differences aren't lost on her:

"First, I wanted to apologize to the fans that I did not anatomically match the Faye Valentine character," Pineda says. "Six-foot, double-D sized breasts, two-inch waist. You know, they looked everywhere for that woman, and they couldn't find her. It's kind of weird. So they just went with my short ass."

As for the outfit, Pineda has been blunt about the anger it's been inspiring. She explained that she'd attempted the stunts but that the getup had been "slurped up in my various crevices, never to be retrieved again." It's a funny visual, but a serious example of why fan's expectations are simply unrealistic for real-life portrayal. I mean, where the hell is she supposed to keep her guns? While the debate has been going on since the first images from the series dropped, it's still smoldering online. But fortunately there are some smart and opinionated souls working to fight the oft-misogynistic nitpicking and whining. And we're 100% here for the takedowns.

Posted by Ada Elder