Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the world of sci-fi anime since his early days co-directing the acclaimed Macross franchise, specifically Macross Plus. Over his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most beloved and influential series, including the jazz-infused masterpiece, Cowboy Bebop. This iconic series follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the neo-noir expanse of deep space. The timeless appeal of Cowboy Bebop is significantly enhanced by Yoko Kanno's unforgettable score, which continues to resonate through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and more, keeping the series firmly in the public's consciousness.

Cowboy Bebop has not only captivated anime enthusiasts but has also left a profound mark on the broader landscape of cinema and storytelling. Influential creators such as Rian Johnson of Star Wars fame, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Diego Molano of Victor and Valentino have all cited Cowboy Bebop as a major influence on their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop's appeal extends beyond the anime community, attracting even those who typically don't watch anime. Its enduring popularity and influence make it a cornerstone of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch next after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, here's a curated list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally-ambiguous anime to dive into.

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 one of the most anticipated anime releases of the year. It serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, returning to the gritty, underdog sci-fi vibe of that series, which feels strikingly relevant in 2025.

The series revolves around a life-saving miracle drug that turns fatal three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, who must assemble a team to locate the elusive doctor behind the drug and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Buckle up for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

Netflix

Next, we have Terminator Zero, a grounded and bleak take on sci-fi from director Masashi Kudō, Production IG, and creator Mattson Tomlin. While it's more serious than Bebop and much of Watanabe's work, it offers a stylistic flair in its action sequences and impeccable gunplay that will satisfy your cravings for high-octane action.

Terminator Zero stands out as a contemporary sci-fi series that reflects the technology and culture of our times, making it a must-watch in 2025. If you're seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime that's as visually engaging as Cowboy Bebop, this slick and boundary-pushing series, which reimagines the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens, is a top choice.

Space Dandy

Crunchyroll

Space Dandy, another gem from the Shinichirō Watanabe catalog, sees him stepping back to serve as general director while Shingo Natsume takes the helm. This serialized space opera, brought to life by Japanese animation studio Bones, offers a light-hearted throwback to classic Saturday morning cartoons, evoking the same nostalgia as Cowboy Bebop.

Filled with nods to classic sci-fi and anime, Space Dandy follows the titular character, an outer space bounty hunter on a mission to discover and register new alien lifeforms. With style and swagger reminiscent of Spike and Faye Valentine, Dandy's adventures take unexpected and existential turns as he explores the truths of the universe and his own existence alongside his quirky crew of a robot and a cat. While it may not have achieved the global success of Cowboy Bebop, it remains deeply rewatchable, visually stunning, and incredibly fun.

Lupin III

Tokyo Movie

For a series that captures the adventurous spirit and sense of limitless potential found in Cowboy Bebop, look no further than Lupin III. This delightful crime caper, which debuted in 1965 and was created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, has since expanded into manga, anime, video games, and multiple films. The best starting point for on-screen adaptations is the 1971 anime series, which introduced audiences to the laid-back criminal Lupin, inspired by the legendary fictional gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

The first season, spanning 23 episodes, features directors like Masaaki Ōsumi, and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. It's an excellent entry point into the world of Lupin III, and fans have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore further.

Samurai Champloo

Crunchyroll

Samurai Champloo is often considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed while Watanabe was working on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similarities in art style, structure, and storytelling. However, Samurai Champloo is a historical action tale set in the Edo period, diverging from Watanabe's typical sci-fi genre. Despite the different setting, it explores similar themes of life, freedom, and the struggle with mortality.

The series follows a trio of morally ambiguous heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. One of its standout features is its focus on inclusion and tolerance, a progressive stance for its time, avoiding nationalistic overtones.

Trigun

Adult Swim

If the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylish action and the narrative of a morally complex anti-hero, then Trigun is sure to be your next favorite. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's hit manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US three years later.

Like Cowboy Bebop, Trigun is a noir-inspired space western with heightened stakes, following 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 delve into Vash's character and those who seek to capture him, creating a compelling conflict that earned Trigun spots on numerous best-of-the-year lists and propelled the manga to sell out in the US.