The visual language of the Cathedral scene is unmatched

Was rewatching this episode and the use of chiaroscuro (the contrast between light and dark) during the final confrontation is peak cinema. It’s not just about the action; it’s about how the church’s architecture frames the inevitable tragedy between Spike and Vicious.

The way the stained-glass is used to symbolize their broken past while the "Green Bird" track plays... it’s a masterclass in atmospheric direction. I wonder if modern digital compositing can ever truly replicate the "weight" of these hand-painted cels.

Does anyone else feel like the framing in this specific episode influenced basically every "rival" encounter in anime for the next two decades?

#CowboyBebop #Cinematography #ClassicAnime #Direction