The previous video I did at “The Twin Logs” spot on this reservoir walk: https://odysee.com/@Jinnmago:3/trim.A5EA4F35-DAC8-424F-A18D-016A47A182CF:7 My mentioning of “hitting rock bottom” alludes to this experience: https://odysee.com/@Jinnmago:3/-AUDIO--Reflections-On-A-Nomadic-Journey---England-to-Hong-Kong:3

"I've been working on the framework and foundation for this piece for over two years, which has changed far too constantly. It was also one of the few pieces that overwhelmed me, in creation and expression (during performances). Many friends have given me a great deal of aid during this time of sculpting and resculpting (of this composition). I admit, there was a time when I felt like giving up on "Battle of Wits" completely. Something happened during this time and I began to understand what was meant by "The Magician must be greater than the effect". As a human being I started expanding, shedding skin, transforming, being. Looking back I saw the framework was already there. What was missing was my expression, which I had yet to realize back then. Now this composition has found it's place as one of my classics. A piece that has defined my flavour. A composition that I'm known for. The Magician must be greater than the effect. And "Battle of Wits" has taught me so much. Now at least, like a good whiskey, it only gets better."

Session XX, also known as Mish-Mash Blues, is the 13th and final session that was aired when Cowboy Bebop was being cancelled during its original TV run in Japan. The reason that it has never received much debate amongst fans is three-fold: visually, it’s just a literal mish-mash of scenes from all 26 sessions and produces nothing new, plot-wise, that may be worthy of speculation and debate. The montage of scenes also runs like a jazz bebop session wherein the characters offer random and unconnected musings on life. Finally, this session was never televised in the US, resulting in severe under-exposure within the fandom compared to other sessions. The lack of attention on Session XX is a shame because when I finally caught it on Youtube recently, I was amazed at not only the never-heard-elsewhere Kanno music but also at how revealing this seemingly random session actually is about the key themes, the characters in Cowboy Bebop, and the production team's intent. In fact, Session XX elucidates quite a few things that were never fully addressed in the main 26 sessions. So here’s the video and the transcript for Session XX: Mish-Mash Blues for those who want a closer look. SESSION XX: MISH-MASH BLUES #1 “Food for thought” SPIKE: Nothing lasts forever. All things must come to an end. That is the so-called way of Nature. It's rather sudden, but this is the last episode, so I would like to take this opportunity to remember all the things that have happened and think about them. Food is very important. After all, you are what you eat. Suppose there was a human clone of me, and he had never eaten anything other than hamburgers. That guy and I would genetically be the same but we would be completely different people. "Hamburger Spike" might be more short-tempered than me, or might be the kind of guy that goes to church on Sundays; he might be a violent bounty head, or a man that irons his white shirts before wearing them. At any rate, the "Hamburger Spike" would be a different person from me. In other words, when choosing your food you have to think about it carefully. I'll have the boiled lobster miso. #2 “Fools gold” JET: There's a lot to “bonsai”. It's not as easy as just cutting; each bonsai has its own personality, and you have to let those live. A foolish person will try to cut anything and everything off just the same. They just cut and cut and cut the parts that stick out. Yet those parts that stick out are its personality and its true originality. People who can't even figure that out don't have the right to hold a pair of scissors to the bonsai. I feel sorry for the bonsai. #3 “Que Sera Sera” FAYE: I hate men with no thought, but I hate men who force their thoughts on others even more. I hate men with pyorrhea too. You can’t even kiss a man if his breath is bad. I love dangerous men, but I had to think about the ones that are too dangerous. I hate weak men; I love men who know their own weakness. I love optimistic men; I can't imagine trying to predict what happens in advance and then living pessimistically… Life, no matter how it falls, will probably turn out exactly as it was going to turn out. #4 “Heartless World” ED: Space is very fast. Ed is traveling to find the truth of space. When I walk barefooted, it feels electric. The network sea is so spacious that there are lots of fish. When I put something on my head I get excited. When I think there is a truth and look for it, I can’t find it. When I don't think there is a truth, I can't find either. I can't get a hold of what I want, but I did get a hold of what I need. #5 “Key of life” SPIKE: Humans live by their heart’s beat; the beat is a systematic repetition. In other words, rhythm. Ideed, whatever you're doing rhythm is the most important. When walking, when eating, when fighting, when making love, when talking… rhythm is essential. #6 “Doggy dog world” ED: Hey, Ein. Hey, hey, Ein. Why are you so furry? I know! Because you're sensitive to the cold! Hey Ein, why aren't you laughing? Ah, that is because you're nihilistic. Hey Ein, why are you so happy? Ah, it's because Ed is happy, isn't it? #7 “Walk this way” JET: "The greatest respect that writers can give their readers is to not write anything that they expect." That's what Goethe said. He also said this, "whether it's a manmade or natural piece of work, we have to pay special attention to its original intent." That guy says some good things. Who would've thought that I would quit being a cop and become a bounty hunter? All my friends are surprised, saying, "You totally defied my expectations." That's fine. I want to do something that nobody else would think of. Seeing things you’ve never seen, hearing stories you never heard; my comrades enjoy it quite a bit. #8 “A natural woman” FAYE: I hate simplicity. I hate over cleanliness. Being at least a little dirty makes your room and the world easier to live in. They say that "white skin hides seven blemishes" but I hate