The characters are all very well rounded and interesting, each with their own pasts which are revealed slowly as the series progresses. Character design is nicely done with realistic proportions and design, unlike so many anime that have been released in recent years. Cowboy Bebop seems heavilly influenced by City Hunter, though set in a very different world. The writers and artists have done an unbeleivably good job of creating a world that seems both plausible and fantastic, and populating it with interesting and diverse characters. CG animation is blended almost seamlessly with traditional animation, which is beautifully drawn, inked and colored.
Animation is fluid and smooth, and direction of scenes is solid.
If you're just a general fan of anime, it's more than worth checking out. The menu layout is interesting and quick to load, though I wish someone would devise a way for the music not to cut out between menues.