Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the sci-fi genre since his co-direction of the acclaimed Macross franchise, Macross Plus. Over his illustrious 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most beloved 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. The iconic score by Yoko Kanno has played a significant role in keeping Cowboy Bebop timeless, resonating through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and more.

Cowboy Bebop has significantly influenced cinema and storytelling, with creators like Rian Johnson of Star Wars, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Diego Molano of Victor and Valentino citing it as a major inspiration for their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

6 ImagesCowboy Bebop is one of the few anime series that has captured the attention of even non-anime fans. Its enduring appeal 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 list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, morally-ambiguous anime to dive into next.

Lazarus

Adult SwimOur first recommendation is Watanabe's newest 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 vibe of that series, which feels strikingly 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 find the elusive doctor who created the drug and develop an antidote within just 30 days. Buckle up for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

NetflixFor a more grounded and bleak take on sci-fi, consider Terminator Zero, 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 Bebop and much of Watanabe's work, it offers a stylistic flair in its action and impeccable gunplay that will satisfy your cravings for action-packed anime.

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

CrunchyrollThis addition to the Shinichirō Watanabe catalog saw him stepping back to serve as general director, with Shingo Natsume directing this hilarious serialized space opera produced by Japanese animation studio Bones. If you're looking for a light-hearted throwback to classic Saturday morning cartoons that evokes the same nostalgia as Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is a fantastic choice.

Filled with nods to classic sci-fi and anime, this charming adventure 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 journey takes unexpected and existential turns as he explores the truths of the universe and his own existence alongside his robot and cat companions. While it may not have achieved the global success of Cowboy Bebop, it's highly rewatchable, visually stunning, and incredibly fun.

Lupin III

Tokyo MovieIf you're seeking a series that captures the same adventurous spirit and sense of limitless potential as Cowboy Bebop, look no further than the delightfully fun crime caper Lupin III. Since its debut in 1965, written by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, the franchise has expanded across manga, anime, video games, and multiple cinematic releases. 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 fictional gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

The first season spans 23 episodes and 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

CrunchyrollSamurai 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, it's a historical action tale set in the Edo period, rather than the sci-fi genre Watanabe is known for. Despite the different setting, it explores themes of life, the cost of freedom, and the struggle to overcome and accept mortality.

The series follows a trio of morally complex heroes: the outlaw Mugen, the tea server Fuu, and the ronin Jin. One of its standout features is its focus on inclusion and tolerance, inspired by the period setting, which helps avoid nationalistic overtones.

Trigun

Adult SwimIf the stylistic action and morally complex anti-hero of Cowboy Bebop excite you, Trigun is likely to become your next favorite anime. Adapted from the hit manga by Yasuhiro Nightow, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, the series 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 we delve into Vash's story, we also explore the motivations of those hunting him, creating a compelling conflict that earned the anime multiple spots on best-of-the-year lists and propelled the manga to sell out in the US.