The main villain in Cowboy Bebop draws inspiration from a beloved Japanese space hero

Vicious, the major antagonist in Cowboy Bebop, has often been compared to various other villains, but it turns out his distinctive look was actually inspired by a beloved Japanese space hero.

Throughout Cowboy Bebop, Vicious serves as Spike’s archenemy, though he only appears in a few episodes. Formerly friends during their time in the syndicate, Spike and Vicious become enemies when Spike decides to leave. Vicious is also entangled in a complex love triangle involving Spike and Julia, adding further tension to their dynamic. Additionally, Vicious is shown to have fought in a war on Saturn’s moon Titan, where he meets Gren. Notably, Vicious stands out by wielding a katana instead of a firearm, and he is often accompanied by a mysterious bird perched on his shoulder.

The inspiration for Vicious’s design can be traced back to Captain Harlock, a character from the late 1970s manga and anime series Space Pirate Captain Harlock. A comparison between the two reveals striking similarities: both characters possess brooding personalities, long unkempt hair, and don heavy, ornate black coats with high collars. However, the most significant parallel lies in the presence of a bird, as both Vicious and Captain Harlock have a large black avian companion. Vicious even adopts a throne reminiscent of Harlock’s. While Captain Harlock is the protagonist of his series, he is still a pirate and outlaw, making the inspiration align with Vicious’s villainous nature. While fans often draw comparisons between Vicious and Final Fantasy 7’s Sephiroth, another silver-haired, sword-wielding villain, it is important to note that Cowboy Bebop was in production prior to Final Fantasy 7’s release.

There is another intriguing connection between Cowboy Bebop and Captain Harlock that strengthens the association with Vicious. In the game Super Robot Wars T, which features crossovers between various anime properties, Faye, Spike, and Jet from Cowboy Bebop appear, tasked with pursuing the bounty on Captain Harlock, the legendary space pirate. This places Harlock in the role typically occupied by Vicious and sets up a confrontation between Spike’s crew and the iconic hero. While Spike hesitates to engage Harlock in battle, recognizing his skill, they ultimately team up to face a greater threat together. Although Spike does not comment on the resemblance, the encounter mirrors the gun-to-sword fight between Spike and Vicious in the original series.

While Vicious may not be the most captivating character in Cowboy Bebop, every great hero needs a formidable villain. Given Spike’s morally ambiguous nature, it seems fitting that his adversary takes inspiration from a revered hero, adding depth to their conflict.

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