Ein
Summary
Ein is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who joins the Bebop crew after Spike brings him aboard following a failed bounty attempt. Classified as a "data dog," Ein possesses drastically enhanced intelligence, a fact hinted at in the anime but explicitly shown in the manga where Ed accesses data stored in his brain via a virtual reality interface. He demonstrates abnormal cognitive abilities by answering the phone, steering a car, using an SSW, and playing shōgi, though he never speaks human language during the series. However, he breaks this silence in Session 18, "Speak Like A Child," telling Spike, "Next Episode: Wild Horses," after the credits. He can also communicate with other species, such as speaking to a cow in Session 17, "Mushroom Samba," with their dialogue presented through subtitles. While the other crew members dismiss Ein as a mere pet, Ed seems to understand his capabilities. Ein initially bonds with Jet but quickly attaches himself to Ed after she joins the crew. The two often swap roles, with Ein displaying human-like expressions while Ed regresses to a feral state. When Ed leaves the crew, Ein accompanies her, likely due to his strong attachment. His name is a pun on the Japanese word for dog (inu) and the German word for "one," but it may also reference Albert Einstein, reflecting his extraordinary intellect.
