Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

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

The impact of Cowboy Bebop extends far beyond its fanbase, influencing creators across various genres. 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 testament to its influence underscores the show's role in shaping contemporary storytelling and cinema.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop is not just a favorite among anime aficionados; it has also captured the attention of many who typically do not watch anime. This broad appeal, combined with its enduring legacy, cements its status as a vital entry in the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, here are some of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, morally-ambiguous anime to dive into next.

Lazarus

Adult Swim

Our first recommendation is Watanabe's latest series, Lazarus, which premiered on Adult Swim at midnight on April 5th. Produced by MAPPA and Sola Entertainment, and featuring the artistic direction of John Wick's Chad Stahelski along with original compositions by Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus is generating significant buzz as one of the year's most anticipated anime releases. This series serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, returning to the gritty, underdog sci-fi that defined the earlier work, and feels particularly resonant in 2025.

The plot revolves around a life-saving miracle drug that turns fatal three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict turned jailbreaker, who must assemble a team to find the drug's creator and develop an antidote within just 30 days. It's a dark and thrilling ride that you won't want to miss.

Terminator Zero

Netflix

Next on our list is Terminator Zero, a new addition to the Terminator franchise directed by Masashi Kudō, produced by Production IG, and created by Mattson Tomlin, known for his work on Netflix's Project Power. While it's more serious than Cowboy Bebop, it maintains a stylistic flair in its action sequences and gunplay that fans of Watanabe's work will appreciate, filling the void left by Cowboy Bebop's action-packed scenes.

Terminator Zero is a standout for its contemporary take on sci-fi, addressing the technology and culture of our times. It's a must-watch in 2025, especially for those seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime that matches Cowboy Bebop's visual appeal. The series reimagines the Terminator saga's Judgement Day through a uniquely Japanese perspective, making it a fresh and boundary-pushing entry into the genre.

Space Dandy

Crunchyroll

Space Dandy, another gem from the Watanabe catalog, saw him stepping back to serve as general director while Shingo Natsume directed this comedic space opera, brought to life by the animation studio Bones. If you're looking for a light-hearted yet nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic Saturday morning cartoons, Space Dandy is the perfect pick.

This series is packed with references to classic sci-fi and anime, following the adventures of Dandy, a stylish space bounty hunter on a mission to discover and register new alien lifeforms. His journey takes unexpected existential turns as he explores the universe and his own existence alongside his charming crew—a robot and a cat. While it may not have achieved the same global acclaim as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is highly rewatchable and visually stunning.

Lupin 3rd

Tokyo Movie

For an anime that captures the adventurous spirit and boundless potential of Cowboy Bebop, consider diving into Lupin III, a delightful crime caper that has been entertaining audiences since its debut in 1965. Created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, Lupin III has expanded into manga, anime, video games, and numerous cinematic releases. The best entry point is the 1971 anime adaptation, which introduced the world to Lupin, a laid-back criminal inspired by the fictional 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's an excellent starting point for exploring the Lupin III universe, and fans will be pleased to know that five decades of stories, movies, and shows await further exploration.

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 similarities in art style, structure, and storytelling. However, Samurai Champloo takes a historical approach, focusing on the Edo period rather than sci-fi. Thematically, it delves into life, the cost of freedom, and the struggle with mortality.

The series follows a group of morally ambiguous heroes—Mugen, an outlaw; Fuu, a tea server; and Jin, a ronin. A notable aspect of Samurai Champloo is its emphasis on inclusion and tolerance, a progressive stance for its time, avoiding nationalistic overtones.

Trigun

Adult Swim

If the stylish action and morally complex anti-hero of Cowboy Bebop excite you, Trigun should be your next anime obsession. 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, centered on 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 we delve into Vash's story, we also uncover the motives of those pursuing him, setting up a compelling conflict that propelled the anime to the top of many best-of lists and boosted the manga's sales in the US.