Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer 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 Cowboy Bebop, his jazz-infused masterpiece. This series follows a motley crew of daring space adventurers navigating the neo-noir expanse of deep space. Cowboy Bebop's iconic soundtrack, composed by Yoko Kanno, has played a pivotal role in its timeless appeal, keeping the series alive through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and more.
The series has significantly shaped cinema and storytelling, with notable 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 citing Cowboy Bebop as a major influence on their work.
6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop
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Cowboy Bebop stands out as one of the few anime series that has garnered a significant following even among non-anime fans. Its impact and longevity make it a cornerstone of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch next after immersing yourself in Cowboy Bebop, here's a curated list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, morally-ambiguous anime to explore.
Lazarus
Adult SwimOur 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 direction and original music from Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus is perhaps the most anticipated anime release of the year. It serves as a stylish counterpart to Cowboy Bebop, revisiting the gritty, underdog sci-fi vibe of that series, which feels strikingly relevant in 2025.
The narrative revolves around a life-saving drug that turns deadly three years after its administration, endangering millions. Our protagonist, Axel, a regular convict and escape artist, must assemble a team to track down the drug's mysterious creator and secure an antidote within 30 days. Brace yourself for a thrilling, dark adventure.
Terminator Zero
NetflixFor a more grounded and somber take on sci-fi, consider Terminator Zero, an impressive addition to the Terminator franchise directed by Masashi Kudō and produced by Production IG. Created by Mattson Tomlin, known for the Netflix film Project Power, this series, while more serious than Cowboy Bebop, captures a similar stylistic flair in its action sequences and gunplay that will satisfy fans of Watanabe's work.
As a contemporary reflection on technology and culture, Terminator Zero stands out in 2025. It's a visually stunning and boundary-pushing series that offers a fresh, Japanese perspective on the Terminator's Judgement Day, making it a must-watch for those seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime akin to Cowboy Bebop.
Space Dandy
CrunchyrollSpace Dandy, another gem from Shinichirō Watanabe's repertoire, sees him stepping back to serve as general director, with Shingo Natsume at the helm. This lighthearted serialized space opera, produced by studio Bones, offers a nostalgic nod to classic Saturday morning cartoons, reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop.
The series follows the titular Dandy, a stylish space bounty hunter on a quest to discover and register new alien species. Alongside his quirky crew—a robot and a cat—Dandy's journey takes unexpected existential turns, exploring the universe's mysteries and his own identity. Though it may not have achieved the global acclaim of Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is beautifully crafted and endlessly entertaining.
Lupin 3rd
Tokyo MovieFor an anime that captures the adventurous spirit and sense of limitless potential found in Cowboy Bebop, look no further than Lupin III. This delightful crime caper, created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, has expanded across manga, anime, video games, and films since its 1965 debut. The best starting point for on-screen adaptations is the 1971 series, introducing the charismatic, laid-back criminal Lupin, inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.
The first season, directed by talents like Masaaki Ōsumi, Hayao Miyazaki, and Isao Takahata, spans 23 episodes. Fans of Lupin III can delve into five decades of stories, movies, and shows, ensuring endless entertainment.
Samurai Champloo
CrunchyrollSamurai Champloo, often considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop, began taking shape while Watanabe worked on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie. Despite its historical setting, the series shares the same thematic concerns as Bebop, focusing on life, freedom, and the struggle with mortality.
The story centers on a trio of morally ambiguous characters: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. Set in the Edo period, Samurai Champloo stands out for its progressive themes of inclusion and tolerance, avoiding nationalistic overtones, showcasing Watanabe's forward-thinking approach.
Trigun
Adult SwimIf the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylish action and the intrigue of a morally complex anti-hero, then Trigun might be your next favorite anime. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's 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 with heightened stakes, following Vash, a man with a massive bounty due to his uncontrollable superpowers that led to the accidental destruction of a city. As the series unfolds, we learn about Vash and those who hunt him, creating a compelling conflict that propelled Trigun to numerous best-of lists and boosted the manga's sales in the US.
