Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the realm of sci-fi anime since his early days co-directing the beloved Macross franchise, specifically Macross Plus. Over his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most iconic and influential series, including Cowboy Bebop, his jazz-infused masterpiece. This series follows a group of eclectic space adventurers navigating the neo-noir expanse of deep space. Cowboy Bebop's timeless appeal is significantly enhanced by the iconic score composed by Yoko Kanno, which has kept the series relevant through live performances, soundtrack rereleases, and more.
The influence of Cowboy Bebop extends far beyond anime, shaping the work of 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. These creators have cited Cowboy Bebop as a major influence on their storytelling and cinematic techniques.
6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop
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Cowboy Bebop is one of the few anime series that has attracted a significant following even among those who typically don't watch anime. This, along with its enduring impact, makes it a vital and long-lasting entry in the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch next after diving into Cowboy Bebop, here is a curated list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally ambiguous anime series to explore.
Lazarus
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 direction and original compositions from Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobos, Lazarus is one of the most anticipated anime releases of the year. This series serves as a stylistic companion to Cowboy Bebop, returning to the gritty, underdog sci-fi vibe of that series, making it feel remarkably relevant in 2025.
Lazarus follows the story of a life-saving drug that turns deadly three years after its use, endangering millions. Our protagonist, Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker, must assemble a team to track down the drug's enigmatic creator and secure an antidote within just 30 days. Brace yourself for a dark and thrilling journey.
Terminator Zero
Continuing with the grounded and bleak approach to sci-fi, Terminator Zero is a compelling addition to the Terminator franchise. Directed by Masashi Kudō, produced by Production IG, and created by Mattson Tomlin, this series, though more serious than Cowboy Bebop, offers a stylistic flair in its action sequences and impeccable gunplay that fans of Watanabe's work will appreciate.
Terminator Zero stands out as a contemporary sci-fi narrative that reflects the technology and culture of our times, making it a must-watch in 2025. Its visually stunning and boundary-pushing style offers an aesthetic experience comparable to Cowboy Bebop. The series reimagines the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day through a distinctly Japanese lens, making it a unique and captivating watch.
Space Dandy
Another gem from Shinichirō Watanabe, Space Dandy, sees him stepping back to serve as the general director, with Shingo Natsume taking the helm as director. Produced by the renowned Japanese animation studio Bones, this series offers a lighthearted and nostalgic take on classic Saturday morning cartoons, reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop.
Packed with references to classic sci-fi and anime, Space Dandy follows the adventures of the titular character, an outer space bounty hunter on a quest to discover and register new alien lifeforms. With style and swagger akin to Spike and Faye Valentine, Dandy's journey takes unexpected and existential turns as he explores the universe alongside his robot and cat companions. While it may not have achieved the global success of Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is rewatchable, visually stunning, and immensely entertaining.
Lupin III
For those seeking the same sense of adventure and boundless potential as Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III is a delightful choice. This charming crime caper, created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, has been captivating audiences since its debut in 1965 through various media, including manga, anime, video games, and films. The best starting point for on-screen adaptations is the 1971 anime series, which introduced the world to Lupin, a laid-back criminal inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.
The first season, directed by Masaaki Ōsumi and featuring early works by future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, runs for 23 episodes. If you enjoy this, you have a wealth of stories, movies, and shows spanning five decades to explore further.
Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo, considered the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop, began taking shape while Watanabe was working on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie. Although it adopts a historical action setting rather than sci-fi, the series shares similar themes of life, freedom, and the acceptance of mortality. The story revolves around a trio of morally complex heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin.
Set during the Edo period, Samurai Champloo stands out for its focus on inclusion and tolerance, avoiding nationalistic overtones. This aspect, combined with Watanabe's signature storytelling, makes it a compelling watch for fans of Cowboy Bebop.
Trigun
If the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylistic action and the narrative of a morally complex anti-hero, Trigun is the next anime you should watch. Adapted from the hit manga by Yasuhiro Nightow, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US three years later, at the dawn of the new millennium.
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, we delve into Vash's world and the forces pursuing him, making Trigun a critically acclaimed series that propelled its source manga to sell out in the US.
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