I never understood why people refer to Spike as a cool character. Its been a while since I've seen the show but I remember him yelling and complaining a lot; he would walk with his hands in his pockets and his head to the ground as if he lacked confidence. How is it he tops nearly every "coolest anime characters" list? What makes him cooler than the likes of L Lawliet or Alucard?
Why, I resent that innuendo!
Starfighter Pilot
Kung Fu Master
Ace Marksman
Kind Hearted
Easy Going
Fast Draw
Nice
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Death is the road to awe.
As if he lacked confidence
I always find it funny when people think stereotypical posturing is what makes someone come across as "confident". I think it's more in your actions and how you react to and handle things.
I find that people who put an emphasis on posturing are more often than not putting up a front.
"Bulls**t MR.Han Man!!"--Jim Kelly in Enter the Dragon
Then doesn't that negate the statement that Spike isn't confident as well?
Either way, it proves my point.
Aside from all his skills, he has the one uber, mega-cool quality of not being afraid of (almost) anything (he still fears for Julia's life and safety in the end, but that lasts for a couple of episodes tops). And most importantly, he's not afraid of his own death. Of course, that is the case because he's a man with pretty much nothing left to lose, but that's typical for the cool characters.
Ain't many kinds of people in this world who don't know fear - they are the religious people, the brave and wise, some idiots and those who have already lost everything. But the brave and wise, if they truly exist, are too wise to mix with such a naive label. The religious ones will always be one god short of cool, idiots are totally out of the question.
Which leaves the burden to be cool on the shoulders of the poor schmucks.
(what I am saying is that Spike being downcast and him being cool are not in the least exclusive of each other)
there's a highway that is curling up like smoke above her shoulder
It's all in the hair.
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It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .
I think Spike's cool because he flirts without being a creep, he never gets too dark and depressing, he's non-judgmental and minds his own business, and he's mature enough to admit that he used to be fearless but that as he got older he understood that death will come for him. He's easy to relate to and the kind of person you want to hang out with.
shareI think you defined it better than anyone else here.
I would add too, that many of the characters on Bebop dont ever say more than what is needed. And that is cool. Its "uncool" when people make small talk awkward or constantly try to fill the void with incessant talking.