Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the realm of sci-fi anime ever since his co-direction of the acclaimed Macross franchise, Macross Plus. Throughout his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most cherished and influential series, including Cowboy Bebop, his jazz-infused masterpiece that follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the vast expanse of the cosmos in a neo-noir style. The iconic score by Yoko Kanno has played a pivotal role in keeping Cowboy Bebop timeless, resonating with fans through live performances, soundtrack rereleases, and beyond.

This renowned science fiction series has significantly influenced cinema and storytelling, inspiring creators like Rian Johnson of Star Wars fame, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Diego Molano of Victor And Valentino, who have all cited Cowboy Bebop as a major influence on their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop is one of the few anime series that has captivated even non-anime enthusiasts, cementing its place as a vital and enduring part of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop marathon, here is a curated list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally-ambiguous anime to explore 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 art and original compositions from Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobo, Lazarus has garnered significant anticipation as one of the year's most hyped anime releases. It serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, echoing the grungy, underdog sci-fi vibe of that series, making it shockingly relevant in 2025.

The series follows the aftermath of a life-saving drug that turns deadly three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict turned jailbreaker, who must assemble a team to find the drug's creator and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Brace yourself for a thrilling, darkly adventurous journey.

Terminator Zero

Next on our list is Terminator Zero, a gripping addition to the Terminator universe directed by Masashi Kudō, produced by Production IG, and created by Mattson Tomlin (known for directing the Netflix film Project Power). While it takes a more serious tone than Cowboy Bebop and much of Watanabe's work, it offers a stylish action flair and impeccable gunplay that will satisfy fans of Cowboy Bebop's action sequences.

As one of the most contemporary takes on sci-fi, Terminator Zero stands out in 2025 for its timely reflections on technology and culture. Additionally, if you're seeking an anime that's visually as appealing as Cowboy Bebop, this stunning and boundary-pushing series, which reimagines the Terminator's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens, is a must-watch.

Space Dandy

Space Dandy is another gem from the Watanabe catalog, where he served as general director to Shingo Natsume's direction. This lighthearted, serialized space opera, brought to life by Bones, offers a nostalgic nod to classic Saturday morning cartoons reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop.

Filled with references to classic sci-fi and anime, the series follows the titular Dandy, an outer space bounty hunter dedicated to discovering and registering new alien lifeforms. With his stylish demeanor akin to Spike and Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop, Dandy's adventures take unexpected and existential turns as he uncovers truths about the universe and his own existence. While it may not have achieved the same global acclaim as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is highly rewatchable, visually appealing, and incredibly entertaining.

Lupin III

For those seeking the same sense of adventurous joy and limitless potential as Cowboy Bebop, look no further than Lupin III. This delightfully fun crime caper, created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, has expanded across manga, anime, video games, and multiple films since its 1965 debut. The 1971 anime adaptation is the perfect starting point, introducing audiences to the laid-back criminal, Lupin, inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

The first season spans 23 episodes, featuring directors like Masaaki Ōsumi and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. It's an excellent gateway to the Lupin III universe, offering fans a rich tapestry of stories, movies, and shows to explore over the past five decades.

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo stands as the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Conceived during Watanabe's work on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similarities in art style, structure, and storytelling. However, Samurai Champloo diverges into historical action, set in the Edo period, yet it remains deeply concerned with themes of life, freedom, and mortality, much like Watanabe's other works.

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 focus on inclusion and tolerance, a progressive stance for its 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 an anime you'll likely adore. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's hit manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 2001.

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.