The Troubled Past of Cowboy Bebop's Spike Spiegel
Early Life
Spike Spiegel was born to a human mother and an undisclosed father. His background is riddled with mystery, as his father is not discussed within the series. He was raised on Mars, and joined in the military as a child, serving as a junior officer. Spike was originally part of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate, in which he too held a high ranking position.
Essential Trauma
Spike's relationship with Julia was a tremendous source of turmoil in his life. As it turns out, Julia was part of the Red Dragon, as was Spike for a time. Their relationship seemed destined from the start, but they found themselves unable to escape their past. They were both part of a violent crime organization, and this often got in the way of their relationship.
New Start
With a heavy heart, Spike broke off his ties with the Red Dragon and left for a new life as a bounty hunter. It was on his journey that he met the members of the Bebop crew: Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and Edward Wong. This team of misfits would help to set him on a new path and ultimately become his family.
Final Transformation
Spike ultimately decided to take on a new form and change his original identity forever. He dyed his hair blue, burnt his Red Dragon tattoo into his arm, and changed his name to Spike Spiegel. This act of self-actualization is symbolic of his redemption and the power of moving on from one's troubled past.
Living with the Past
Through his journey, Spike learns to cope and reconcile with his past. Though he is a troubled man, there is something noble and heroic about his pain. He is a man determined to make peace with his past, and in doing so, he learns how to embrace the present.