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 beloved and influential series, including Cowboy Bebop, his jazz-infused masterpiece. This series follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the cosmos with a neo-noir flair. Cowboy Bebop's timeless appeal is largely due to its iconic score by Yoko Kanno, which has kept the series alive through live performances, soundtrack rereleases, and more.

This renowned science fiction show has significantly influenced cinema and storytelling. 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

Cowboy Bebop stands out as one of the few anime series that has captured the attention of non-anime fans. Its enduring popularity and impact make it a vital part of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, here's a curated list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, morally ambiguous anime to dive into next.

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 director Chad Stahelski overseeing the art and original compositions by Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus has generated more anticipation than perhaps any other anime release this year. It serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, revisiting the grungier, underdog sci-fi feel of that series. Set in 2025, Lazarus follows the aftermath of a miracle drug that turns fatal three years after its use, putting millions at risk. Our hero, Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, must assemble a team to find the drug's enigmatic creator and secure an antidote within just 30 days. Prepare for a darkly thrilling journey.

Terminator Zero

Next, we have Terminator Zero, a grounded and bleak take on sci-fi from director Masashi Kudō, Production IG, and creator Mattson Tomlin. While it's more serious than Bebop, it shares a stylistic flair in its action and impeccable gun-work that will satisfy your cravings for thrilling action. As a contemporary sci-fi reckoning with current technology and culture, Terminator Zero is unmatched in 2025. Its visually stunning and boundary-pushing approach makes it an excellent choice for fans of Cowboy Bebop seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime. The series reimagines the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens.

Space Dandy

Space Dandy, another gem from Watanabe's catalog, sees him stepping back to serve as general director, with Shingo Natsume directing. This humorous serialized space opera, brought to life by Japanese animation studio Bones, offers a nostalgic nod to classic Saturday morning cartoons. The series follows the titular Dandy, a stylish outer space bounty hunter on a mission to discover and register new alien lifeforms. Though it may not have reached Cowboy Bebop's global acclaim, Space Dandy is deeply rewatchable, visually stunning, and incredibly entertaining, with existential themes that add depth to its seemingly simple setup.

Lupin III

If you're seeking the same adventurous thrill and sense of boundless potential as Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III is your next stop. This delightful crime caper, which debuted in 1965, was created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch. The franchise spans manga, anime, video games, and multiple films. Start with the 1971 anime adaptation, which introduced audiences to the laid-back criminal Lupin, inspired by the legendary fictional gentleman thief Arsene Lupin. Directed by talents like Masaaki Ōsumi, Hayao Miyazaki, and Isao Takahata, this series offers a gateway to five decades of captivating stories, movies, and shows.

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is often considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed while Watanabe worked on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similar art style, structure, and storytelling. However, it diverges into a historical action tale set in the Edo period, focusing on themes of life, freedom, and mortality. The series follows a trio of morally compromised heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. Watanabe's focus on inclusion and tolerance adds a progressive touch to this period setting, making it a standout series.

Trigun

If Cowboy Bebop's stylish action and morally complex anti-hero captivate you, Trigun should be your next watch. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 2001. This noir-inspired space western follows Vash, a man with a massive bounty on his head due to his uncontrollable superpowers that inadvertently destroyed a city. As the narrative unfolds, we delve into the lives of Vash and those who pursue him, creating a compelling conflict that earned Trigun multiple accolades and propelled its source manga to sell out in the US.