Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the realm of sci-fi anime since his work on the Macross franchise, particularly with Macross Plus. Over his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most cherished and influential series, such as Cowboy Bebop. This jazz-infused masterpiece follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the neo-noir expanse of deep space. The iconic score by Yoko Kanno has played a significant role in keeping Cowboy Bebop timeless, resonating through live performances and soundtrack re-releases.

Cowboy Bebop's influence extends far beyond its immediate fanbase, shaping the landscape of cinema and storytelling. Esteemed 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 have all cited Cowboy Bebop as a major influence on their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

6 ImagesCowboy Bebop is not just a favorite among anime aficionados; it's also one of the few anime series that has captured the attention of non-anime fans. Its enduring appeal and significance 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 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's a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, returning to the gritty, underdog sci-fi vibe of that series, and feels strikingly relevant in 2025.

The story revolves around a life-saving miracle drug that turns deadly three years after its use, putting millions at risk. Our protagonist, Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, must assemble a team to track down the mysterious doctor who created the drug and develop an antidote within 30 days. Get ready for a thrilling and dark journey.

Terminator Zero

NetflixNext up is 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, the series offers a stylistic flair in its action and gunplay that will satisfy fans of Cowboy Bebop's action sequences.

Terminator Zero is a contemporary sci-fi reckoning with current technology and culture, making it a must-watch in 2025. If you're seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime that's as visually striking as Cowboy Bebop, this series, which reimagines the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens, is a top pick.

Space Dandy

CrunchyrollIn Space Dandy, Watanabe served as the general director alongside director Shingo Natsume, brought to life by the Japanese animation studio Bones. If you're craving a light-hearted throwback to classic Saturday morning cartoons with the same nostalgia as Cowboy Bebop, this is the perfect choice.

This series is filled with nods to classic sci-fi and anime, following the stylish bounty hunter Dandy as he discovers and registers new alien lifeforms. While the premise might seem simple, the show delves into unexpected and existential themes as Dandy uncovers truths about the universe and his own existence. Though it may not have reached the global acclaim of Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is highly rewatchable, visually stunning, and incredibly entertaining.

Lupin III

Tokyo MovieIf you're seeking the same sense of adventure and boundless potential as Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III is a delightful crime caper to explore. 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 is the best starting point, introducing audiences to Lupin, a laid-back criminal inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

Directed by Masaaki Ōsumi and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the first season spans 23 episodes. If you enjoy it, you'll have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore.

Samurai Champloo

CrunchyrollSamurai Champloo is often seen as the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Conceived while Watanabe was working on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similar art styles, structures, and storytelling. However, it's a historical action tale set during the Edo period, focusing on themes of life, freedom, and mortality.

The series follows a group 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 period setting, adds a forward-thinking dimension to the narrative.

Trigun

Adult SwimIf you're drawn to Cowboy Bebop's stylish action and morally complex anti-hero, Trigun is likely to become your next favorite. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's manga, the series debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 2001.

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 that led to the destruction of a city. As we delve into Vash's world and those pursuing him, the series delivers compelling conflicts, earning it spots on numerous best-of lists and boosting the success of its source manga in the US.