Cowboy Bebop Officially Revives Spike Spiegel’s Iconic Ride for 28th Anniversary

In the Cowboy Bebop anime, Spike Spiegel’s personal spacecraft, the Swordfish II, makes an appearance in nearly every single episode. In tribute to this iconic vehicle, a major Japanese toy company is releasing a highly detailed 1/48-scale replica that is an absolute must-have for Bebop fanatics.

Per Toy People News, MECHA SMILE — a brand dedicated to collectible Mecha figures and model kits — has recreated the Swordfish II as part of its popular MODEROID DX-Scale series. As depicted in images of the completed prototype, virtually every physical attribute of the spacecraft is included, from the subtle partition lines on the wings to the retractable landing gear.

The model also comes with a special, multi-angle display stand, allowing the stylish vehicle to be positioned in a variety of different ways. CBR readers can check it out below.

Cowboy Bebop’s Iconic Swordfish II Gets Highly-Detailed 1/48-Scale Replica

The Swordfish II features a stylish, yet unconventional design worthy of its equally iconic pilot. Modified from the body of a high-speed space cruiser, the aircraft boasts a high-performance fusion engine and a large plasma cannon ideal for interstellar space battles. When completed, MECHA SMILE’s is approximately 36cm (or 14.2 inches) in length. The wings, from tip to tip, are approximately 30 cm (or 11.8 inches). The individual parts are crafted with metal and, like other products in the MODEROID series, are pre-painted.

Each Swordfish II model also comes with two detachable cockpits (one pre-painted and one clear) along with two miniature Spike figures. Modeled in a seated position, one of these figures is designed to fit inside the cockpit. The other is designed to stand alongside the Swordfish II without a base.

This replica, developed as part of Cowboy Bebop’s ongoing 28th Anniversary celebration, was created under the supervision of legendary mecha designer Kimitoshi Yamane. In addition to creating mechanical designs for numerous installments in the Mobile Suit Gundam anime franchise, Yamane also served as the main mechanical designer for Cowboy Bebop and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001). While both works were directed or co-directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, Yamane is credited as the primary designer for the Swordfish II.

Director Watanabe’s one-of-a-kind space western revolves around Jet Black and Spike Spiegel — a pair of bounty hunters who travel across the stars hunting down criminals on various space colonies. As time passes, their ragtag operation expands to include a Welsh Corgi named Ein, a moody femme fatale named Faye Valentine, and an eccentric cyberhacker named Ed. A genre-bending fusion of action and drama accentuated with noir elements, Cowboy Bebop is universally hailed as a timeless anime masterpiece.

MECHA SMILE’s Swordfish II model kit is scheduled for release in December 2026. The current retail price is approximately 9,800 yen (or US$61.05). While MECHA SMILE and its parent company, Good Smile, are based in Japan, the former does have an online storefront that ships internationally. While awaiting the release of Spike’s iconic ride, the Cowboy Bebop anime series is available to stream on Crunchyroll.