Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a pioneering force in sci-fi since his co-direction of the acclaimed Macross franchise, Macross Plus. Over his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most beloved and influential series, including Cowboy Bebop, his jazz-infused masterpiece. Cowboy Bebop follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the neo-noir depths of space. The series' timeless appeal is significantly bolstered by Yoko Kanno's iconic score, which has kept the show in the public's heart through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and more.

This renowned science fiction show has profoundly influenced cinema and storytelling, with creators like Rian Johnson of Star Wars, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Diego Molano of Victor and Valentino citing Cowboy Bebop as a major influence on their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop is one of the few anime series that has captured the attention of even non-anime fans, cementing its place as a vital and enduring entry in the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, we've compiled a list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, morally-ambiguous anime for you to explore next.

Lazarus

Adult Swim

Our first recommendation is Watanabe's latest series, Lazarus, which premiered its first episode on Adult Swim at midnight on April 5th. Produced by MAPPA and Sola Entertainment, with John Wick director Chad Stahelski overseeing the art and original compositions from Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus is possibly the most anticipated anime release of the year. It serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, returning to the gritty, underdog sci-fi that defined that series. Set in 2025, the plot follows the invention of a life-saving drug that turns fatal three years later, putting millions at risk of sudden death. Our hero, the convict Axel, must assemble a team to find the doctor who created the drug and develop an antidote within 30 days. Buckle up for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

Netflix

Next, we have Terminator Zero, a grounded and bleak addition to the Terminator lore from director Masashi Kudō, Production IG, and creator Mattson Tomlin. While more serious than Bebop, it shares a stylistic flair in its action and gunplay that will satisfy fans of Cowboy Bebop's action-packed scenes. Set in 2025, this series offers a contemporary take on sci-fi, making it essential viewing. Its visually stunning and boundary-pushing style makes it a compelling choice for those seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime akin to Cowboy Bebop. It presents the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day through a uniquely Japanese perspective for the first time.

Space Dandy

Crunchyroll

Space Dandy, another gem from Shinichirō Watanabe's catalog, sees him stepping back to serve as general director while Shingo Natsume directs this serialized space opera produced by Bones. If you're nostalgic for classic Saturday morning cartoons, Space Dandy is the perfect choice. Filled with nods to classic sci-fi and anime, it follows the stylish bounty hunter Dandy, who searches the cosmos for new alien lifeforms. While the premise may seem simple, the show delves into unexpected and existential themes as Dandy uncovers truths about the universe and his own existence. Though it didn't achieve the same global reach as Cowboy Bebop, it's highly rewatchable, visually appealing, and incredibly entertaining.

Lupin 3rd

Tokyo Movie

For a series that captures the adventurous spirit and boundless potential of Cowboy Bebop, look no further than Lupin III. This delightful crime caper, which debuted in 1965, was written by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch. The franchise has since expanded across manga, anime, video games, and numerous films. The best starting point is the 1971 anime adaptation, which introduced audiences to the laid-back criminal Lupin, inspired by the fictional gentleman thief Arsene Lupin. Directed by Masaaki Ōsumi, and featuring contributions from future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the first season spans 23 episodes. If you enjoy it, you have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore.

Samurai Champloo

Crunchyroll

Samurai Champloo is often considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed while Watanabe worked on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similar art styles, structures, and storytelling techniques. However, it's set in a historical context rather than the sci-fi genre Watanabe is known for. The series explores themes of life, freedom, and mortality through the journey of three morally complex characters: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. A unique aspect of Samurai Champloo is its focus on inclusion and tolerance, avoiding nationalistic overtones in its Edo period setting.

Trigun

Adult Swim

If Cowboy Bebop's stylistic action and morally complex anti-hero captivate you, Trigun is likely to become your next favorite anime. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 2001. This noir-inspired space western follows Vash, a man with a massive bounty on his head due to his uncontrollable superpowers, which led to the accidental destruction of a city. As the series unfolds, we learn about Vash and his pursuers, creating a compelling conflict that earned the anime multiple spots on best-of-the-year lists and propelled the manga to sell out in the US.