Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the sci-fi genre since his co-direction of the renowned Macross franchise, specifically Macross Plus. Throughout his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most cherished and influential series, including his jazz-infused masterpiece, Cowboy Bebop. This iconic show follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the cosmos in a neo-noir style. The timeless appeal of Cowboy Bebop is significantly enhanced by Yoko Kanno's unforgettable score, which has kept the series in the public eye through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and more.

Cowboy Bebop's impact extends beyond its fanbase, influencing creators across various media. Notable figures such as Rian Johnson of Star Wars, 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. This series has not only shaped cinema and storytelling but has also attracted a broad audience, including many non-anime fans, cementing its place as a vital and enduring entry in the anime canon.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

6 Images

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 to keep the adventure going.

Lazarus

Our first recommendation is Watanabe's latest series, Lazarus, which premiered on Adult Swim on April 5th at midnight. Produced by MAPPA and Sola Entertainment, with John Wick director Chad Stahelski overseeing the art direction and original compositions by Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus is one of the most anticipated anime releases of the year. Stylistically, it echoes the gritty, underdog sci-fi vibe of Cowboy Bebop, making it a fitting companion piece, especially when compared to Watanabe's more recent works like Carole & Tuesday.

The series centers around a groundbreaking drug that, three years after its initial use, turns deadly, threatening millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, tasked with assembling a team to track down the drug's elusive creator and develop an antidote within a tight 30-day deadline. Buckle up for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

Continuing with the theme of grounded, bleak sci-fi, Terminator Zero, directed by Masashi Kudō and produced by Production IG with creator Mattson Tomlin (known for Project Power), adds a compelling chapter to the Terminator saga. While it adopts a more serious tone than Cowboy Bebop, its action sequences and gunplay offer a similar adrenaline rush, filling that specific void left by Watanabe's series.

Terminator Zero stands out for its contemporary take on sci-fi, reflecting the technology and culture of our times, making it a must-watch in 2025. Visually, it matches the aesthetic appeal of Cowboy Bebop, offering a sleek, boundary-pushing narrative that reimagines the Terminator's Judgement Day through a uniquely Japanese perspective.

Space Dandy

Space Dandy, another gem from Watanabe's repertoire, sees him stepping back to serve as general director, with Shingo Natsume directing. This series, brought to life by the Japanese animation studio Bones, is a light-hearted space opera that evokes the nostalgia of classic Saturday morning cartoons, reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop's charm.

Filled with homages to classic sci-fi and anime, Space Dandy follows the adventures of Dandy, a stylish outer space bounty hunter on a mission to discover and register new alien lifeforms. While the premise may seem simple, the series delves into unexpected existential territories as Dandy uncovers the universe's truths and his own existence, all while accompanied by a robot and a cat. Though it didn't achieve the same global acclaim as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is highly rewatchable, visually stunning, and immensely enjoyable.

Lupin III

For an anime that captures the adventurous spirit and limitless potential of Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III is an excellent choice. This delightful crime caper, which debuted in 1965 and was penned by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, has since expanded into manga, anime, video games, and numerous films. The 1971 anime adaptation is the perfect starting point, introducing viewers to Lupin, a laid-back criminal inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

The first season spans 23 episodes and features directors like Masaaki Ōsumi, as well as future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. It offers a great introduction to the Lupin III universe, and fans have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore afterward.

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo serves as the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed while Watanabe was working on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, this series reflects similarities in art style, structure, and storytelling. However, Samurai Champloo ventures into historical action rather than Watanabe's typical sci-fi genre. Thematically, it explores life, the price of freedom, and the struggle to accept mortality.

The narrative revolves around a trio of morally ambiguous heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. A notable aspect of the series is its emphasis on inclusion and tolerance, inspired by its Edo period setting, which helps it avoid nationalistic overtones.

Trigun

If the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylistic action and the narrative of a morally complex anti-hero, then Trigun is a perfect follow-up. Adapted from the popular manga by Yasuhiro Nightow, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 2001.

Like Cowboy Bebop, Trigun is a noir-inspired space western with heightened stakes, following Vash, a man with a massive bounty due to his uncontrollable superpowers, which led to the accidental destruction of a city. As viewers uncover Vash's story, they also learn about his pursuers, creating a compelling conflict that earned the anime spots on numerous "best of" lists and boosted the manga's sales to sell-out levels in the US.