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, 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 iconic series follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the neo-noir expanse of deep space. Cowboy Bebop's timeless appeal is significantly enhanced by Yoko Kanno's legendary 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 impact on the broader landscape of cinema and storytelling. Esteemed creators 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.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop stands out as one of the few anime series that has successfully drawn in viewers beyond the traditional anime fanbase. 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, we've compiled a list 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 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 by 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 that defined that series, and feels 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 behind the drug and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Brace yourself for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

Next, we have Terminator Zero, a compelling addition to the Terminator saga directed by Masashi Kudō, produced by Production IG, and created by Mattson Tomlin, known for his work on the Netflix film Project Power. While it adopts a more serious tone than Cowboy Bebop, it shares a similar stylistic flair in its action sequences and gunplay, satisfying fans of Watanabe's work.

Terminator Zero stands out for its contemporary take on sci-fi, reflecting current technological and cultural landscapes, making it a must-watch in 2025. If you're seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime that matches Cowboy Bebop's visual appeal, this series delivers with its sleek, boundary-pushing style, offering a fresh perspective on the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens.

Space Dandy

Space Dandy, another gem from Shinichirō Watanabe's catalog, sees him stepping back to serve as general director while Shingo Natsume takes the helm. Produced by the renowned Japanese animation studio Bones, this series offers a light-hearted, nostalgic nod to classic Saturday morning cartoons, reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop's charm.

Filled with references to classic sci-fi and anime, Space Dandy follows the titular character, 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 and existential territories as Dandy uncovers the truths of the universe and his own existence, all while hunting aliens with his quirky crew of a robot and a cat. Though it may not have achieved the same global acclaim as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is highly rewatchable, visually stunning, and incredibly entertaining.

Lupin III

For those seeking the same sense of adventure and boundless potential found in Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III is an excellent choice. This delightful crime caper, which debuted in 1965, was created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch. The franchise has since expanded across manga, anime, video games, and numerous films. 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, was directed by talents like Masaaki Ōsumi, and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. It's an ideal entry point into the world of Lupin III, and fans have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore further.

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is often regarded as the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Conceived while Watanabe was working on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similarities in art style, structure, and storytelling. However, Samurai Champloo diverges into historical action rather than Watanabe's signature sci-fi. Despite the genre shift, it remains deeply concerned with themes of life, freedom, and the struggle to accept mortality.

The series follows a trio of morally ambiguous heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. A notable aspect of Samurai Champloo is its emphasis on inclusion and tolerance, a progressive stance for its Edo period setting, reflecting Watanabe's forward-thinking approach.

Trigun

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 captivate you. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's hit manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and reached the US three years later, at the dawn of the new millennium.

Like Cowboy Bebop, Trigun is a noir-inspired space western, but with heightened stakes. It follows 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 pursue 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.