Fans of Overwatch were initially thrilled when Blizzard Entertainment announced a new anime crossover with Cowboy Bebop for Overwatch 2. The animated reveal of the collaboration was met with great enthusiasm. However, when Blizzard released the in-game skins for Cassidy, Ashe, Mauga, Sombra, and Wrecking Ball, fans had mixed reactions.
One character, in particular, drew a lot of attention – Cole Cassidy, dressed as Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel. While the animated concept looked perfect, the in-game model of Cassidy as Spike fell short of expectations. The transition from 2D concept art to 3D character models often leads to significant changes, and Cassidy’s appearance as Spike was no exception.
The Overwatch community quickly voiced their opinions on Cassidy’s in-game model, with many expressing disappointment. Some fans criticized the lack of detail in Cassidy’s appearance, especially in comparison to the original concept art. The decision to remove Cassidy’s hat in-game, despite him wearing one in other skins, also raised eyebrows among players.
Despite the criticism, Overwatch 2’s art director defended the design choices, emphasizing that the characters are meant to be cosplaying as their anime counterparts. This approach allows the characters to maintain their identity and art style while paying homage to the anime collaborations.
While some fans were not entirely pleased with the Cowboy Bebop character skins in Overwatch 2, the game’s artists remain committed to preserving the unique identity of the heroes through various collaborations. The Cowboy Bebop crossover is now live in the game, giving players the opportunity to experience the new skins firsthand.
