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 space adventurers navigating the cosmos with a neo-noir flair. Cowboy Bebop's timeless appeal is significantly enhanced by Yoko Kanno's iconic score, which has kept the series alive in the public's mind through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and more.

The impact of this renowned science fiction show extends far beyond its immediate fanbase, influencing creators such as Rian Johnson of Star Wars, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Diego Molano of Victor and Valentino. Their works reflect the profound influence of Cowboy Bebop on modern storytelling and cinema.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop is not only a staple in the anime community but also one of the few series that has attracted a significant number of non-anime fans. Its enduring popularity and influence make it a cornerstone of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, here's a curated list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally ambiguous anime to dive into next.

Lazarus

Adult Swim

Our first recommendation is Watanabe's latest series, Lazarus, which premiered its first episode 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 from 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, returning to the gritty, underdog sci-fi that defined that series, and feels remarkably relevant in 2025.

The series revolves around a life-saving miracle drug that turns fatal three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, who must assemble a team to track down the elusive doctor who created the drug and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Buckle up for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

Netflix

Next, we have Terminator Zero, a grounded and bleak take on sci-fi from director Masashi Kudō, Production IG, and creator Mattson Tomlin. While it's more serious than Bebop and much of Watanabe's work, it offers a stylistic flair in its action and impeccable gunplay that will satisfy your cravings for high-octane action.

Terminator Zero stands out as a top-notch sci-fi series that reflects on the technology and culture of our times, making it a must-watch in 2025. If you're seeking an aesthetically pleasing contemporary anime that's as visually appealing as Cowboy Bebop, this series, which reimagines the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens, is a perfect choice.

Space Dandy

Crunchyroll

Space Dandy, another gem from the Shinichirō Watanabe catalog, sees him stepping back to serve as general director while Shingo Natsume takes the helm. This hilarious serialized space opera, brought to life by Japanese animation studio Bones, is a delightful throwback to classic Saturday morning cartoons, evoking the same nostalgia as Cowboy Bebop.

Filled with nods to classic sci-fi and anime, the series follows the titular Dandy, an outer space bounty hunter on a mission to discover and register new alien lifeforms. With style and swagger reminiscent of Spike and Faye Valentine, Dandy's adventures take unexpected and existential turns as he explores the truths of the universe and his own existence alongside his quirky crew of a robot and a cat. While it may not have achieved the global success of Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is highly rewatchable, visually stunning, and incredibly entertaining.

Lupin 3rd

Tokyo Movie

For a series that captures the adventurous spirit and boundless potential of Cowboy Bebop, look no further than Lupin III. This delightful crime caper, which debuted in 1965 and was created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, has since expanded into manga, anime, video games, and multiple films. The best starting point for on-screen adaptations is the 1971 anime series, which introduced audiences to Lupin, a laid-back criminal inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

The first season, spanning 23 episodes, features directors like Masaaki Ōsumi, and future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. It's an excellent entry point into the world of Lupin III, and fans have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore afterward.

Samurai Champloo

Crunchyroll

Samurai Champloo is often considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop. Developed while Watanabe was working on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, it shares similarities in art style, structure, and storytelling. However, Samurai Champloo is a historical action tale set in the Edo period, diverging from Watanabe's usual sci-fi themes. Despite the different setting, it explores similar themes of life, freedom, and the struggle to accept mortality.

The series follows a trio of morally ambiguous heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. One of its standout features is its focus on inclusion and tolerance, a progressive stance for its time, avoiding nationalistic overtones.

Trigun

Adult Swim

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 love. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's hit manga, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, 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 that led to the accidental destruction of a city. As the series unfolds, we delve into Vash's character and those who seek to kill 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.