Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the realm of sci-fi anime ever since his co-direction of the acclaimed Macross series, Macross Plus. Over his illustrious 35-year career, Watanabe has crafted some of the most cherished and influential anime series, including Cowboy Bebop. This jazz-infused masterpiece follows a group of intrepid space adventurers navigating the neo-noir expanse of the cosmos. The series' iconic score, composed by Yoko Kanno, has played a pivotal role in its enduring appeal, keeping Cowboy Bebop relevant through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and more.

Cowboy Bebop's impact on the world of science fiction and storytelling is profound, influencing 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. This renowned series has not only shaped cinema but has also attracted a significant following among non-anime fans, cementing its place as a vital and enduring entry in the anime canon.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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If you've just finished binge-watching Cowboy Bebop and are seeking your next adventure, we've curated a list of the best anime series that echo its space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally-ambiguous essence.

Lazarus

Adult Swim

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's director Chad Stahelski overseeing the art direction and original compositions from Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus has generated significant buzz as one of the most anticipated anime releases of the year. This series offers a stylistic nod to Cowboy Bebop, returning to the gritty, underdog sci-fi that defined it, yet feels strikingly relevant in 2025.

Lazarus follows the story of a life-saving drug that turns deadly three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, tasked with assembling a team to find the drug's creator and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Buckle up for a thrilling, darkly intense journey.

Terminator Zero

Netflix

Continuing with the theme of gritty sci-fi, Terminator Zero is a compelling addition to the Terminator universe, directed by Masashi Kudō and brought to life by Production IG and creator Mattson Tomlin. While more serious than Cowboy Bebop, it boasts a stylistic flair in its action sequences and exceptional gunplay that will satisfy fans of Watanabe's work.

As a contemporary sci-fi narrative that reflects our current technological and cultural landscape, Terminator Zero stands out as a must-watch in 2025. For those seeking a visually stunning and boundary-pushing anime akin to Cowboy Bebop, this series offers a fresh take on the Terminator saga through a distinctly Japanese lens, focusing on the events leading up to Judgment Day.

Space Dandy

Crunchyroll

Another gem from Shinichirō Watanabe, Space Dandy, sees him stepping back to serve as general director, with Shingo Natsume taking the helm. Produced by the renowned Japanese animation studio Bones, this series offers a light-hearted, nostalgic nod to classic Saturday morning cartoons.

Filled with references to classic sci-fi and anime, Space Dandy follows the titular character, a stylish space bounty hunter on a mission to discover and register new alien lifeforms. While the premise might seem simple, the series delves into unexpected and existential themes as Dandy explores the universe and his own existence alongside his quirky robot and cat crew. Though it may not have achieved the same global acclaim as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is a delightful, visually appealing, and highly rewatchable series.

Lupin 3rd

Tokyo Movie

For those seeking the same sense of adventure and boundless potential found in Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III is a delightful choice. This crime caper series, which debuted in 1965, was created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch and has since expanded into manga, anime, video games, and numerous 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. With 23 episodes directed by Masaaki Ōsumi and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, this series offers a comprehensive introduction to the Lupin III universe. Fans have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore further.

Samurai Champloo

Crunchyroll

Samurai Champloo serves as the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Conceived while Watanabe worked on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, this series shares a similar art style, structure, and storytelling approach. However, Samurai Champloo is set in a historical context, diverging from Watanabe's usual sci-fi themes, yet it remains deeply concerned with life, freedom, and the acceptance of mortality.

The story revolves around a group of morally ambiguous heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. Set in the Edo period, the series stands out for its progressive themes of inclusion and tolerance, avoiding nationalistic overtones and showcasing Watanabe's forward-thinking approach to storytelling.

Trigun

Adult Swim

If the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylish action and morally complex anti-hero, then Trigun is the perfect follow-up. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's hit manga that 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.

This noir-inspired space western 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 learn about Vash and those who pursue him, creating a compelling conflict that propelled Trigun onto numerous best-of-the-year lists and boosted the manga's success, leading to sell-outs in the US.