Top Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the sci-fi genre since his co-direction of the beloved Macross franchise, specifically Macross Plus. Throughout his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most iconic and influential anime series, including his jazz-infused masterpiece, Cowboy Bebop. This series follows a group of unconventional space adventurers navigating the vastness of space with a neo-noir flair. The timeless appeal of Cowboy Bebop is significantly enhanced by Yoko Kanno's iconic score, which continues to resonate with audiences through live performances and soundtrack re-releases.

Cowboy Bebop has significantly influenced the world of cinema and storytelling. 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. This widespread impact underscores Cowboy Bebop's status as a seminal work in the anime canon.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop's appeal extends beyond anime enthusiasts, attracting a diverse audience. Its enduring legacy makes it a pivotal entry in the anime world, inspiring a list of space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally-ambiguous anime for fans 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 the art and original compositions by Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus is one of the most anticipated anime releases of the year. It serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, revisiting the gritty, underdog sci-fi that defined that series, and feels strikingly relevant in 2025.

The series centers around a life-saving miracle drug that turns fatal three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, tasked with assembling a team to track down the drug's creator and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Brace yourself for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

Continuing with the more grounded and bleak takes on sci-fi, Terminator Zero is an impressive addition to the Terminator lore, 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 serious than Cowboy Bebop, it shares a similar stylistic flair in its action sequences and gunplay, satisfying fans' cravings for high-octane action.

Terminator Zero stands out as a top-tier sci-fi series that reflects contemporary technology and culture in 2025. It's a visually stunning and boundary-pushing series that retells the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day from a distinctly Japanese perspective, making it a must-watch.

Space Dandy

Space Dandy, another gem from Watanabe's repertoire, saw him taking the role of general director while Shingo Natsume directed this lighthearted space opera produced by Bones. If you're looking for a nostalgic yet refreshing take on classic Saturday morning cartoons, Space Dandy is the perfect choice.

Filled with references to classic sci-fi and anime, this charming series follows Dandy, a stylish outer space bounty hunter dedicated to discovering and registering new alien species. While his mission might seem simple, the show delves into 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

For those seeking the same sense of adventure and boundless potential found in Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III offers a delightful crime caper. Since its debut in 1965, created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, the franchise has expanded across manga, anime, video games, and numerous films. The 1971 anime adaptation, featuring directors like Masaaki Ōsumi, Hayao Miyazaki, and Isao Takahata, is the best starting point.

This series introduces viewers to Lupin, a laid-back criminal inspired by the fictional gentleman thief Arsene Lupin. With 23 episodes in the first season, fans can dive into five decades of stories, movies, and shows following their initial journey.

Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is often considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed while Watanabe worked on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similarities in art style, structure, and storytelling. However, Samurai Champloo is a historical action tale rather than sci-fi, exploring themes of life, freedom, and mortality through the journey of a ragtag group of morally compromised heroes: Mugen, the outlaw; Fuu, the tea server; and Jin, the ronin.

Unique to its setting, the series emphasizes inclusion and tolerance, steering clear of nationalistic overtones, and showcases Watanabe's ability to weave contemporary themes into historical contexts.

Trigun

If the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylistic action and complex anti-hero, then Trigun should be your next anime obsession. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's hit manga, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US three years later.

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, which led to the accidental destruction of a city. As the series unfolds, it delves into the lives of Vash and those pursuing him, earning acclaim and boosting the manga's success in the US.