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At the end of the last episode of Cowboy Bebop, Spike collapses. It's not
clear, but it looks as though he may be dead. Is there a way to know whether
he is alive or dead (something in the background, comments from the director,
a continuation in the story in the manga, etc.)


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2012-12-11T21:01:35.350
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cowboy-bebop
Do we know what happens to Spike at the end of Cowboy Bebop?


According to Wikipedia:

> However, in an interview, Watanabe stated, “I’ve never officially said that
> he died. At this point, I can tell you that I’m not sure if he’s alive or
> dead.”

The link to the source is
[here](http://mrsspooky.net/bebop/TheDailyTexan.pdf). Though it's very hard to
look at it, unfortunately.


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2012-12-11T21:05:06.750
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2013-01-24T16:29:30.270
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Shinichiro Watanabe has stated:

> I've never officially said that he died. At this point, I can tell you that
> I’m not sure if he’s alive or dead

He decided to leave it open-ended, so, even with the many hypothesis on the
internet, I guess the real answer is to ask yourself.

Source is the same as in Rapptz's answer:
<http://mrsspooky.net/bebop/TheDailyTexan.pdf> at the top of page 5.


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2012-12-11T21:09:37.480
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In [this more recent interview](http://youtu.be/Y4Z1uvexzrQ?t=7m15s) to
Shinichiro Watanabe by Red Carpet News TV on MCM London Comic Con 2013, around
minute 8 he says:

> I've never actually said whether he is alive or dead in that final scene.
> That's up to the person watching to decide. I think that people who watch
> that and think that Spike is asleep are probably right. Just sleeping.

Although he still leaves the matter up to the viewer's interpretation, he
seems to suggest that he is more likely to be alive.  
Later on on the interview he also states that Spike is his favourite
character, but then again, that does not mean he can't die at the end.


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2013-05-26T18:23:47.080
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I feel it was made pretty clear when the star winked out at the end. Spike
died. Based on the quotations posted above, however, it seems the creator is
giving you permission to believe that Spike is alive if you want to.


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2015-10-09T02:02:39.817
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