Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has carved out a legendary path 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 his jazz-infused masterpiece, Cowboy Bebop. This iconic show follows a band of daring space adventurers navigating the neo-noir expanse of deep space. The timeless allure of Cowboy Bebop is significantly enhanced by Yoko Kanno's unforgettable score, which continues to captivate audiences through live performances and soundtrack re-releases.

This groundbreaking science fiction series has profoundly influenced cinema and storytelling, with creators such as Rian Johnson of Star Wars fame, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Diego Molano of Victor And Valentino all citing Cowboy Bebop as a major inspiration for their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

6 ImagesCowboy Bebop stands out as one of the few anime series that has successfully crossed over to captivate audiences beyond the anime community. Its enduring legacy and widespread appeal make it a cornerstone of the anime canon. If you're looking for your next adventure after a Cowboy Bebop binge, here are some top picks that blend space exploration, global adventures, and moral ambiguity.

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, and featuring the artistic direction of John Wick's Chad Stahelski and original compositions by Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus has generated immense anticipation. It serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, revisiting the gritty, underdog sci-fi that defined that series, feeling remarkably relevant in 2025.

The plot revolves around a life-saving miracle drug that turns deadly three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, who must assemble a team to locate the elusive doctor who developed the drug and create an antidote within a mere 30 days. Brace yourself for a thrilling and dark journey.

Terminator Zero

For those who appreciate a more grounded and bleak approach to sci-fi, Terminator Zero offers a compelling expansion of 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's more somber than Bebop and much of Watanabe's work, its action sequences and gunplay are stylistically rich, filling the void left by Cowboy Bebop.

As a contemporary sci-fi narrative that reflects on our current technological and cultural landscape, Terminator Zero is unmatched and a must-watch in 2025. If you're seeking an aesthetically pleasing modern anime as visually appealing as Cowboy Bebop, this series, which reimagines the Terminator's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens, is a top choice.

Space Dandy

Space Dandy is another gem in the Shinichirō Watanabe catalog, where he served as general director alongside Shingo Natsume's direction, produced by the Japanese studio Bones. This series is a lighthearted, serialized space opera that evokes the nostalgia of classic Saturday morning cartoons, much like Cowboy Bebop.

Packed with references to classic sci-fi and anime, it follows the adventures of Dandy, an outer space bounty hunter on a mission to discover and register new alien lifeforms. With the style and swagger of Spike and Faye Valentine, Dandy's journey takes unexpected existential turns as he explores the truths of the universe and his own existence. Though it didn't achieve the same global acclaim as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is highly rewatchable, visually stunning, and delightfully entertaining.

Lupin 3rd

If you're seeking the same sense of adventure and boundless potential that Cowboy Bebop offers, Lupin III is your next destination. Since its debut in 1965, created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, this franchise has spanned manga, anime, video games, and films. The best starting point for its on-screen adaptations is the 1971 anime series, which introduced audiences to the laid-back criminal Lupin, inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

With 23 episodes in the first season, directed by talents like Masaaki Ōsumi and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, this series is a great introduction to the Lupin III universe. Fans can then explore five decades of stories, movies, and shows.

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is often regarded as the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed while Watanabe worked on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similar art styles, 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 ambiguous heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. Watanabe's inclusion of themes of tolerance and inclusivity adds a progressive touch to the historical setting, making Samurai Champloo a compelling watch.

Trigun

If the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylish action and the narrative of a morally complex anti-hero, Trigun will likely become your next favorite. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's popular manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and reached the US in 2001.

This noir-inspired space western follows Vash, a man with a massive bounty due to his uncontrollable superpowers that led to the destruction of a city. As we delve into Vash's story and those hunting him, the series sets up a gripping conflict that earned it spots on numerous best-of lists and propelled the manga to sell out in the US.