Rally Vincent VS Spike Spiegel.

Just the other day i was having a discussion about the role playing game Mutants and Mastermind. And this lead to the discussion about anime characters. [Shows what a nerd i am] The thing was that i was trying to come up with idles for a good low power super hero. So i thought i would base the character off of a Bounty Hunter.

So i started to think about Anime Bounty hunters. (Sense Dog the bounty hunters sucks ass)

And i came down to two Examples.

#1. Rally Vincent. From Gunsmith cats. [If you have not seen in, Go watch the 3 OVA's online, and read the Manga. (THERE IS ALLOT OF MANGA)

#2. Spike Spiegel. Of Cowboy Bebop Fame. [Now most anime buffs know how this guy is]

And we got into a discussion about.

A: Who is a better Bounty Hunter.

B: Who would win in a fight.

C: Who was cooler.

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OK So before i start on my anime editorial hear. I need to say this.

MOST the time when two+ Anime Fans start a discussion like this it will end badly, BUT me and my friend both know how to have a Discussion / Debate on a topic without just flaming.

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And the other thing is that one of the questions at hand is VERY easy to answer.

One is basically a matter of opinion.

And the other is largely up to Conjecturer.

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So in order.

A: "Who is a better Bounty Hunter."

OK we both kind of agree that this is really no contest. To be totally honest Spike is a Terrible Bounty hunter. He in fact never once in the show brings in a decent bounty. They all almost always get Killed, Escape or caught by some one else.

Yes he captures some hear and there but they are for the most part small fish. And he lets some of them get away for very dumb reasons. (Catching Eni in the 2nd episode as a example)

Its not really that spike is not good at his job, It's simply that he does not care. He just is not trying.

Rally on the other hand almost always gets her bounty.

And is very professional.

So we both agree that regardless of what the other two answers are this is a easy call.

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B: "Who would win in a fight."

OK so this is a MUCH tougher fight.

But we decided that we would look at it in a couple areas to figure it out.

1: Gunfight.

2: Hand to hand.

3: All out fight.

4: A Race.

5: Backup.

6: Every Thing Considered.

OK so first up.

1:Gunfight.

Now we both agree that Rally is the heavy weight in this ring. Spike is by no means a bad shot. Far From it. It's simply that Rally is a Phenom with any kind of gun. And her guns are for the most part better then spikes. (Not to mention that she carry's many guns vs spikes one)

2: Hand to hand.

OK so the exact reverse.

Wile Rally is a talented hand to hand combatant spike has her hands down. And by that i mean that the gap between the two is a bit wider in this area then in the gun fight area. Wile spike does from time to time take a beating, he is much like Rally a Phenom in this area. (The fight in the cowboy bebop movie was awesome but really a bit unfair)

3A: All out fight.

OK so if you put them up against one another. We did Agree on a few things.

#3B. The two would in fact most likely not fight. I would pose the point that this would be like a Goku VS Superman Fight. The two would just not fight to be honest. Spike doesn't seam like the kind of guy to hurt a lady without a damn good reason. (And i would actually put Rally in the lady box) And Rally isn't the kind of girl to fight for no good reason.... That and spike is quite a charmer, and rally is actually very shy so i think he could defuse a situation just with that.

#3C. Both of these characters are made of something MUCH MUCH tougher then normal people. Both take a pretty savage beating on a regular occasion and just seam to keep going.

#4C. Both are so Awesome that it is largely conjecture who would win.

I contest that in a all out fight Rally would win. For two reasons. First: Guns are just more dangerous then fists/feet. And Rally is tops in this area. Second: Spike is just TO DAMN NICE. And Rally is not.

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4: A race. What the crap are we on about? Simple both Rally and Spike are incomplete with out there modes of transport. Spike with his Swordfish II. And Rally without her Car. (First a blue 1967 model Shelby Mustang Cobra GT500, Then latter a Mustang II Cobra) Which is almost the spaceship of cars.

I got to say that in a fight this is no contest, but in the discussion of coolness it is. I almost have to go with the GT500.

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5: Backup. Now what we mean is of cores supporting cast hear.

And wile i have a soft spot for the crew of the Bebop i also must say this. I am Terrified of May Hopkins. (Rally's partner) Who is like a mad genius with explosives. and really.... really irresponsible with them. She would likely destroy everything/one involved in a fight.

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All considered i would actually side with spike on this to be honest. He is just all around a bad ass and rally is as well, but Spike just seams to not care to such a extent that its like he's not trying most the time. And that's what REALLY worries me about him.

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And as for the answer of who is a cooler character?

Well that is of coarse a matter of opinion. And allot of it will depend on what you consider cool. And what kind of setting you consider cool.

I for one follow this train of thought.

Fist fights are cooler then gun fights.

Bad ass cars are cooler then bas ass space ships.

Explosives are cooler then hackers.

I love spike he is a great character and to be fair has a much better back story. The show is in fact much more character driven, if you read the Gunsmith cats Manag then Rally becomes a very well developed character as well.

But in the end. I hate to say it. I got to go with Rally. (My friend went with Spike)
And my reason is two fold.

The BIG reason is that there are just not that many Females leads that are. 'Bad ass' that i really truly buy and like. Its not that i don't like the idle, its just that the delivery is often botched. Because the makers try to make the character more appealing by making them fit into a few stereotypes.

Rally is having none of that shit. She fits into almost no Stereotype. And is quite frankly a very Un-Japanese anime, anime character. And she is unlike allot of anime female leads. NOT DRESSED LIKE A WHORE! (Not going to point out that she ends up in her underwear at the end of fights more then once in the manga/anime) And that she is seen naked in the manga at least twice. And that there is a... kind of weird kidnapping thing with bondage. (No sex mind you, just a really creepy stalker) thing going on. So there is a bit of fan service.

But the character herself is not going for this. She in fact largely pushes right throw it and kicks ass the whole time.

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And the other reason? Well let me say something before i type this out. I am BY FAR not the kind of guy who falls prey to fan service animes. For the most part i find them very crass and unimpressive.

But.. Gunsmith cats is not that kind of anime for the most part.

And there is just something... something about Rally...

I mean something about a confident tough woman. Who is not a merry sue bitch. But rather a very reasonable compassionate and respectful person. Thats nice.

And you add Guns... And Bad Ass cars... And lets say that it makes me feel things...

So on the who is cooler question I'm going to have to go with my Cave Man side and say the Hot Chick With the Gun in the Muscle Car is Cooler.