Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a visionary in the realm of sci-fi anime since his early days co-directing the acclaimed Macross franchise, specifically Macross Plus. Over his illustrious 35-year career, Watanabe has crafted some of the most iconic and influential series, such as Cowboy Bebop. This jazz-infused masterpiece follows a group of daring space adventurers as they navigate the neo-noir expanse of deep space. Cowboy Bebop's timeless appeal is largely attributed to its iconic score by Yoko Kanno, which continues to captivate audiences through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and beyond.

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

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop's allure extends to those outside the typical anime audience, making it a vital and enduring part of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch next after your latest or first binge, here are the best space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally-ambiguous anime series to dive into:

Lazarus

Adult Swim

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's 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 that defined the earlier series—distinct from his more recent works like Carole & Tuesday—and feels strikingly relevant in 2025.

The series centers on the invention of a life-saving drug that turns fatal three years later, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, who must assemble a team to track down the drug's creator within 30 days to develop an antidote. Brace yourself for a thrilling, darkly intense journey.

Terminator Zero

Netflix

For fans craving more grounded, bleak sci-fi, Terminator Zero is an impressive addition to the Terminator universe. Directed by Masashi Kudō, produced by Production IG, and created by Mattson Tomlin (known for the Netflix film Project Power), this series may be more serious than Cowboy Bebop, but its action and gunplay are stylishly executed, filling the void left by Bebop's action-packed scenes.

Terminator Zero is a standout for its contemporary take on technology and culture, making it essential viewing in 2025. If you're seeking visually stunning anime that matches Cowboy Bebop's aesthetic appeal, this series offers a sleek, innovative take on the Terminator saga's Judgment Day from a distinctly Japanese perspective.

Space Dandy

Crunchyroll

Another gem from Watanabe's portfolio, Space Dandy, sees him stepping back as general director to Shingo Natsume's directorial role. Produced by Bones, this serialized space opera is a light-hearted throwback to classic Saturday morning cartoons, evoking the same nostalgia as Cowboy Bebop.

Filled with homages to classic sci-fi and anime, Space Dandy follows the stylish bounty hunter Dandy as he searches for new alien species to register. Alongside his quirky crew—a robot and a cat—Dandy's adventures take unexpected and existential turns, exploring the universe's mysteries and his own existence. While not as globally successful as Cowboy Bebop, it's highly rewatchable, visually appealing, and immensely enjoyable.

Lupin III

Tokyo Movie

For an anime that captures the adventurous spirit and boundless potential of Cowboy Bebop, look no further than Lupin III. This fun crime caper, created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, debuted in 1965 and has since expanded into manga, anime, video games, and films. The 1971 anime adaptation is the perfect starting point, introducing viewers to the charismatic thief Lupin, inspired by the legendary Arsène Lupin.

The first season, spanning 23 episodes and featuring directors like Masaaki Ōsumi and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, is a great entry point into the expansive world of Lupin III. With five decades of stories, movies, and shows, fans have plenty to explore.

Samurai Champloo

Crunchyroll

Often considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo began taking shape while Watanabe worked on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie. While its genre shifts to historical action, the series retains the art style, structure, and storytelling that fans love. It explores themes of life, freedom, and mortality through the journey of three morally complex heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin.

Set in the Edo period, Samurai Champloo stands out for its focus on inclusion and tolerance, avoiding nationalistic overtones and showcasing Watanabe's progressive vision.

Trigun

Adult Swim

If Cowboy Bebop's appeal lies in its stylish action and morally complex anti-hero, then Trigun is the next anime you should watch. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and the US in 2001.

Like Cowboy Bebop, Trigun is a noir-inspired space western but with heightened stakes, following Vash, who carries a massive bounty due to his uncontrollable powers that led to the destruction of a city. As the series unfolds, we delve into Vash's character and those pursuing him, creating a compelling conflict that earned Trigun spots on numerous best-of lists and propelled the manga to success in the US market.