“I felt resistant to the idea”: Cowboy Bebop Designer Revealed Why Netflix’s Faye Valentine Wasn’t Allowed to Wear the Original Skimpy Design from the Anime

The anticipation surrounding Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop was immense, as the beloved 1998 classic by Shinichirō Watanabe had a significant cultural impact. However, following its premiere, the adaptation faced numerous backlash for multiple reasons; from pacing issues, and cast selections to the overall direction of it. Among them, perhaps one of the most criticized parts was the casting of Faye Valentine — played by Daniella Pineda.

Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise

From appearance to costume selection; literally everything about Pineda was heavily criticized, to the point that the actress even apologized to fans through Instagram for not living up to their expectations. However, the costume designer for Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop, Jane Holland, later addressed the concerns regarding Faye’s outfit choices and offered insight into the decision-making process behind her more practical attire.

Why Faye Valentine’s Costume Change Raised Eyebrows in Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop?

When Daniella Pineda was first revealed to play Faye Valentine’s role in Cowboy Bebop‘s live-action, fans quickly pointed out the differences in their appearances, claiming that she wasn’t suited for this role due to her height and other physical features. The criticism was further emphasized by her costumes, that was drastically different from the original designs by Shinichirō Watanabe.

Daniella Pineda as Faye Valentine | Credit: Tomorrow Studio

Faye’s original design in the anime featured a skimpy yellow top, matching high-cut shorts, white ankle boots, flesh-colored stockings, and a loose red jacket. This outfit, combined with her bold personality and sharp wit, solidified her as one of the most memorable femme fatale characters in anime.

However, in the live-action adaptation, Faye’s outfit was noticeably more conservative. The costume was changed to a brown jacket over a yellow top, navy pants, and brown shoes. The watering down of Faye’s outfit received flak from audiences, as they pointed out that Faye’s original costume was part of her identity, demonstrating her confidence and disregard for societal norms. The backlash intensified as fans compared the live-action version to the anime, prompting the show’s creators to defend their choices.

Jane Holland’s View on Faye Valentine’s Toned-Down Outfits

In an interview with Insider, Jane Holland, the costume designer for Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop, addressed the criticism and explained the reasoning behind Faye’s new look. She revealed that while she sought to remain faithful to the essence of the original anime, she also felt strongly about not s*xualizing the character to the extreme level. In her own words,

As a woman, I felt resistant to the idea of the lead female character being gratuitous or overtly sexualized. It’s not about it not being revealing, it’s not about any of that, it’s actually got all of those elements. But my take on it is that it’s designed by a woman and it was made by a lot of women, and it’s worn by a woman. So the same elements are there but they have just manifested in a different way.

Holland’s approach wasn’t about censoring the character’s s*xuality or diminishing Faye’s strong personality. Instead, it was about finding a balance while acknowledging the realities of a live-action adaptation.

Also, one of the major challenges in adapting an anime like Cowboy Bebop to live-action is the practicality of the costumes. While anime characters can wear anything, no matter how impractical or uncomfortable it may be, live-action actors need outfits that allow them to perform stunts, and fight scenes as well as maintain comfort over long periods of filming.

Faye Valentine | Credit: Studio Sunrise

Faye’s new look was required for filming as well as a nod to aesthetics. Holland wanted to ensure that Pineda could move comfortably and perform her stunts without the restrictions of the anime’s original outfit.

While some fans may have initially felt disappointed by the differences in her costume, Jane Holland’s explanations reveal that these changes were made with respect for the character and the practicalities of live-action filmmaking. According to her, Faye Valentine’s essence as a strong, independent, and confident woman in Cowboy Bebop remains intact, even if her outfit is less revealing.

Cowboy Bebop Live-action is currently available to watch on Netflix.