Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the realm of sci-fi anime since his co-direction of the acclaimed Macross franchise entry, 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 iconic series follows a group of rugged space adventurers navigating the cosmos in a neo-noir style. The timeless appeal of Cowboy Bebop is significantly enhanced by Yoko Kanno's legendary score, which continues to captivate audiences through live performances and soundtrack re-releases.

Cowboy Bebop's influence extends far beyond anime, impacting creators across various genres. Notable figures 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 it as a major influence on their work. This renowned sci-fi series has played a pivotal role in shaping modern cinema and storytelling.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

6 ImagesCowboy Bebop's broad appeal has even attracted viewers who typically aren't anime fans, cementing its status as a vital and enduring part of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch next after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, here are some of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally-ambiguous anime to dive into.

Lazarus

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, with John Wick's Chad Stahelski overseeing art direction and original scores by Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus is one of the most anticipated anime releases of the year. It's a stylistic counterpart to Cowboy Bebop, bringing back the gritty, underdog sci-fi vibe that Watanabe's fans adore.

The story revolves around a life-saving drug that turns deadly three years after use, putting millions at risk. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker tasked with assembling a team to track down the drug's creator and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Buckle up for a thrilling, dark adventure.

Terminator Zero

Next, we have Terminator Zero, a gripping addition to the Terminator saga directed by Masashi Kudō and produced by Production IG, with Mattson Tomlin as the creator. While more serious than Cowboy Bebop, it shares a grounded and bleak sci-fi perspective, delivering stylish action and precise gunplay that will satisfy fans craving similar thrills.

Terminator Zero is unmatched in its exploration of contemporary technology and culture, making it essential viewing in 2025. Its visually stunning and boundary-pushing style, combined with a unique Japanese perspective on the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day, makes it a compelling watch for fans of Cowboy Bebop's aesthetic.

Space Dandy

Another gem from Watanabe's catalog is Space Dandy, where he served as general director alongside Shingo Natsume's directorial work. Produced by Bones, this serialized space opera is a lighthearted tribute to classic Saturday morning cartoons, offering a nostalgic experience akin to Cowboy Bebop.

Space Dandy follows the eponymous bounty hunter on a quest to discover and register new alien species. With a style and swagger reminiscent of Spike and Faye Valentine, Dandy's adventures take unexpected and existential turns, exploring the truths of the universe and his own existence. Though it may not have achieved the global success of Cowboy Bebop, it remains a visually appealing and endlessly fun watch.

Lupin III

For fans seeking the adventurous spirit and boundless potential of Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III offers a delightful crime caper. Since its debut in 1965, written by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, the franchise has expanded across manga, anime, video games, and films. The 1971 anime adaptation, directed by Masaaki Ōsumi, Hayao Miyazaki, and Isao Takahata, introduces the charismatic Lupin, a laid-back thief inspired by the fictional gentleman thief Arsène Lupin.

With 23 episodes in its first season, Lupin III is a great starting point, and fans can explore five decades of stories, movies, and shows.

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo serves as the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed during Watanabe's work on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similar art style, structure, and storytelling, but shifts to a historical action setting rather than sci-fi. The series explores themes of life, freedom, and mortality through the journeys of morally complex heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin.

Watanabe's focus on inclusion and tolerance, inspired by the Edo period setting, adds a unique layer to the narrative, making Samurai Champloo a standout in his oeuvre.

Trigun

If you're drawn to Cowboy Bebop's stylish action and morally complex anti-heroes, Trigun is an excellent next choice. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and reached the US in 2001.

This noir-inspired space western follows Vash, a man with a massive bounty due to his uncontrollable superpowers that once destroyed a city. As Vash's story unfolds, so do the motives of those pursuing him, creating a compelling conflict that earned Trigun multiple accolades and boosted the manga's success in the US.