Watch Coyote Ragtime Show

In the year 7/4/2031, humanity has expanded its reach to the vast corners of the galaxy, leaving behind their home planet in search of a new era of peace and prosperity. But as is often the case, with great expansion comes great opposition. In the Coyote Ragtime Show, our heroes are in the middle of a struggle between the law and the group of space pirates known as the Coyotes. While the authorities have put a massive bounty on their heads, the crew of the Coyote ragtime ship are ready to do what it takes to secure their survival.

The show follows the crew of the Coyote Ragtime ship, a group of space pirates led by the charismatic and suave Mister Coyote. They have everything an intergalactic pirate crew could desire: a sassy gun-toting bounty hunter, a genius hacker-slash-engineer, an alien mechanic, and a precocious 11-year-old girl that may be the key to unlocking the greatest treasure in the galaxy. The plot starts when the Pirate King has escaped from prison, leaving behind a legacy of treasure that is now up for grabs.

Only one person knows the secrets of the Pirate King's hidden treasure: his daughter, Franca. Desperate and on the run from the law, Franca turns to her father's former compatriots, the Coyotes, for help. From there, the show becomes a race against time as they have to steal the four necessary keys to unlock the treasure, all while being pursued by the authorities. The action is propelled forward by the interplay between the cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets.

Though the premise may seem like more of a light-hearted comedy, the show delves into some darker themes as well. Mister Coyote, in particular, struggles with the ghosts of his past, having made promises to those closest to him that he may no longer be able to keep. Meanwhile, the young bounty hunter Angelica Burns is haunted by the memory of her former partner, a casualty in their line of work. While these heavier themes aren't the central focus of the show, they help to round out the characters and their motivations beyond just the hunt for treasure.

The show also has a distinct art style that captures the high-energy action-packed moments. The character designs are vibrant and memorable, no more so than the intrepid child Franca. The mecha designs and CG sequences, such as the opening scene of the Coyote ragtime ship in action, are crisp and expertly handled. The director, Matsuri Okuda, has a background in mecha-centric anime and brings that expertise to bear in the various space battle sequences throughout the show.

The soundtrack also deserves some attention. Composed by Yoko Kanno, a musician known for her work on The Vision of Escaflowne and Cowboy Bebop, the music of Coyote Ragtime is a jazzy blend of genre and styles that fits perfectly with the show's themes of heists and chase sequences. Though some pieces may seem jarring at first, they quickly become ingrained in the audience’s minds as the show progresses, such as the iconic "Russian Roulette" track that is played during one of the more memorable action sequences.

Overall, Coyote Ragtime Show is a fun and entertaining romp through a galaxy far, far away. While it may not have the emotional weight of some of the more high-profile anime series of the time, it more than makes up for it with its high-energy action and eclectic cast of characters. Whether a long-time fan of anime or just looking for something to scratch that Cowboy Bebop itch, Coyote Ragtime Show is definitely worth a watch.

Coyote Ragtime Show is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between July 3, 2006 and on FUNimation