Los Angeles, CA – Blizzard Entertainment’s recent collaboration with anime studio Sunrise has stirred excitement within the gaming community. The crossover between Cowboy Bebop and Overwatch 2 initially presented in stylized animation received enthusiastic reception. However, when Blizzard unveiled the in-game skins for characters like Cassidy, Ashe, Mauga, Sombra, and Wrecking Ball, some fans found the final designs lacking.
One character, Cole Cassidy, donning the guise of Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel, especially stood out. While the animated concept seemed like a perfect match, the transition to an in-game model left much to be desired. The discrepancy in appearance between Cassidy and Spike as portrayed in the original concept art was striking.
Critics within the Overwatch community swiftly expressed their disappointment with Cassidy’s in-game iteration, particularly focusing on his portrayal as Spike. Comparisons between the two versions highlighted the challenges of translating a 2D design into a 3D character model. Cassidy’s bulkier and less youthful appearance deviates significantly from the lithe silhouette of Spike.
Among the character designs scrutinized by players was Mauga’s portrayal as Jet Black, which deviated from his usual look. While criticisms were directed at various aspects of the designs, Cassidy bore the brunt of the negative feedback on platforms like Twitter and TikTok.
A notable point of contention was Cassidy’s missing hat in his Spike skin, contrasting with his other in-game appearances. According to Overwatch 2’s art director, Dion Rogers, the decision to forego the hat was deliberate to better align Cassidy’s look with Spike Spiegel.
Rogers emphasized that Overwatch 2’s character designs during collaborations are meant to showcase the heroes cosplaying as anime characters rather than transforming into exact replicas. This approach preserves the characters’ unique identities while paying homage to iconic anime figures like Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel.
Maintaining the characters’ distinct art styles and identities across collaborations is a priority for the game’s artists. Overwatch 2’s Cowboy Bebop crossover is now available for players to experience firsthand.