When Anime Meets Real Life: Searching for the Guns of Cowboy Bebop on GunBroker.com

The classic anime, Cowboy Bebop, was very detailed in its use of guns. Nearly all firearms in the animated show are based on real firearms, and the level of detail is impressive. When the show was turned into a Netflix live-action show in 2021, it was easy to translate the guns. From a suspiciously nearly absent Beretta 9mm to Spike’s iconic Jericho 941, here are some of the guns of Cowboy Bebop to look for the next time you browse user listings on GunBroker.com.

IWI Jericho 941 R

Spike Spiegel’s main gun of choice is the IWI Jericho 941 R. It is easy to see which version it is, thanks to the slide-mounted safety. Spike’s version has a custom grim with a frame-mounted laser. Interestingly, in the live-action show, the custom grip and laser are gone, and Spike (John Cho in the live-action) uses a stock Jericho 941 R. The Jericho 941 R may not be manufactured anymore, but you can still find newer Jericho models through user listings regularly on GunBroker.com.

Walther P99

Jet Black (played by Mustafa Shakir in the live-action) doesn’t often use a gun in the anime, preferring hand-to-hand combat. However, when he uses a gun, it’s a Walther P99. In the live-action, the P99 is replaced by a Chiappa Rhino 60DS.

Glock 30

Both in the anime and the live-action, Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda in the live-action) uses a 45 ACP Glock 30. She most often uses it as a threat. One significant time she fires it is into the ceiling of the spaceship Bebop after she fails to stop Spike from leaving on what was clearly a suicide mission.

HK USP

Gren, an important character in the overarching plot with Spike and Vicious, uses an HK USP in the first part of the two-part episode “Jupiter Jazz.” The USP is also used by prisoners who take over a prison ship in “Black Dog Serenade” and by officers in “Jamming with Edward.”

Beretta 92FS

Despite the obvious John Woo influences, the Beretta 92 is only in two episodes. Spike uses one in “Ballad of Fallen Angels” after Annie gives him one. He dual-wields it with his Jericho 941 during the fight with Vicious and his men. A member of the Red Dragon Syndicate later uses one in “The Real Folk Blues Part I.”

HK MP5K

Faye uses an HK MP5K during her first episode while trying to escape mobsters. While the firearm was used in the live-action, it was not by Faye. Instead, Red Dragon members use it. They use it in the anime, as well.

Mossberg 500 Cruiser

Spike’s weapon of choice during a major shootout in “The Real Folk Blues Part I” is a Mossberg 500 Cruiser. He retrieves it from a box in Annie’s store, using it as the Red Dragon Syndicate attacks the store.

Find guns from Cowboy Bebop and other shows and movies from user listings at www.gunbroker.com