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, 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. This series follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the cosmos in a neo-noir style. The iconic score by Yoko Kanno has played a significant role in keeping Cowboy Bebop timeless, resonating through live performances, soundtrack rereleases, and more.

Cowboy Bebop has significantly 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 it as a major influence on their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

6 ImagesCowboy Bebop is one of the few anime series that has captured the attention of even non-anime fans. Its enduring appeal and influence make it a cornerstone of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, here's a list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, morally-ambiguous anime to dive into next.

Lazarus

Adult SwimOur 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, feeling remarkably 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 who created the drug and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Buckle up for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

NetflixFor a more grounded and bleak take on sci-fi, consider Terminator Zero, a compelling addition to the Terminator lore directed by Masashi Kudō, produced by Production IG, and created by Mattson Tomlin (known for directing the Netflix film Project Power). While it's more serious than Bebop and much of Watanabe's work, it offers a stylistic flair in its action and impeccable gunplay that will satisfy fans of Cowboy Bebop's action sequences.

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

Space Dandy

CrunchyrollThis addition to the Shinichirō Watanabe catalog saw him stepping back to serve as general director, with Shingo Natsume directing this humorous serialized space opera produced by the Japanese animation studio Bones. If you're looking for a light-hearted throwback to classic Saturday morning cartoons that evokes the same nostalgia as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is an excellent choice.

Filled with nods to classic sci-fi and anime, this charming series follows the titular Dandy, 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 universe and his own existence alongside his robot and cat companions. While it may not have achieved the global success of Cowboy Bebop, it's highly rewatchable, visually stunning, and incredibly entertaining.

Lupin III

Tokyo MovieIf you're seeking a series that captures the same sense of adventure and limitless potential as Cowboy Bebop, look no further than the delightfully fun crime caper Lupin III. Since its debut in 1965, written by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, the franchise has expanded across manga, anime, video games, and multiple cinematic releases. The best starting point for on-screen adaptations is the 1971 anime series, which introduced audiences to Lupin, a laid-back criminal 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 afterward.

Samurai Champloo

CrunchyrollSamurai 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, it's a historical action tale set in the Edo period, rather than the sci-fi genre Watanabe is best known for. Despite the different setting, the series explores themes of life, freedom, and mortality, much like his other works.

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

Trigun

Adult SwimIf you're drawn to Cowboy Bebop's stylish action and the allure of a morally complex anti-hero, Trigun is likely to become your next favorite anime. Adapted from the hit manga by Yasuhiro Nightow, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, the series 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 we delve into Vash's story, we also explore the motivations of those hunting him, creating a compelling conflict that earned the anime multiple accolades and boosted the manga's success in the US.