Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop （Note: This meets the 50-character limit and keeps "Cowboy Bebop" as a proper noun while being natural and optimized for international news style.)

Shinichirō Watanabe first made waves in anime through his collaborative work on Macross Plus. Over his 35-year career, he has crafted some of the medium's most iconic series, including his jazz-infused masterpiece Cowboy Bebop—a neo-noir space adventure following a ragtag crew of misfits. The show's timeless appeal owes much to Yoko Kanno's legendary soundtrack, which continues to resonate through live performances and soundtrack reissues.

This influential sci-fi series has left an indelible mark on global storytelling, inspiring creators like Rian Johnson (Star Wars), Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko (Avatar: The Last Airbender), and Diego Molano (Victor and Valentino).

6 Must-Watch Anime Similar to Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop holds the rare distinction of captivating both anime enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. If you're searching for more globe-trotting, morally complex adventures after finishing the series, here are six outstanding alternatives worth exploring.

Lazarus

Watanabe's latest project, Lazarus, premiered on Adult Swim in April. Produced by MAPPA and Sola Entertainment with Chad Stahelski (John Wick) overseeing art direction, the series features original music by Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobo. Set in a gritty sci-fi world, Lazarus follows ex-convict Axel as he races against time to find the creator of a deadly miracle drug before it claims millions of lives. A spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop's underdog spirit with a contemporary edge.

Terminator Zero

This Netflix original from director Masashi Kudō (Production IG) and creator Mattson Tomlin (Project Power) delivers sleek action and existential themes. While tonally darker than Watanabe's work, its fluid animation and gunplay will satisfy fans of Bebop's combat sequences. The series reimagines the Terminator saga through a Japanese lens, offering one of 2025's most visually striking sci-fi experiences.

Space Dandy

Watanabe served as creative director for this lighthearted space odyssey from studio Bones. Following alien hunter Dandy and his quirky crew, the series blends Saturday-morning cartoon energy with existential musings. While less renowned than Bebop, its vibrant aesthetics and rewatchability make it a hidden gem for fans of stylish, episodic adventures.

Lupin the 3rd

This classic franchise (debuting in 1971) captures Bebop's freewheeling spirit through the escapades of master thief Arsène Lupin III. Early episodes were directed by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata before their Studio Ghibli days. With decades of content spanning films, games, and manga, the series remains a goldmine for fans of charismatic antiheroes and globetrotting capers.

Samurai Champloo

Watanabe's feudal Japan epic serves as Bebop's historical counterpart, blending hip-hop aesthetics with swordplay. Following three misfits—outlaw Mugen, ronin Jin, and tea server Fuu—the series explores mortality and freedom with Watanabe's signature stylistic flair. Its progressive themes on tolerance remain remarkably relevant today.

Trigun

This 1998 space western follows Vash the Stampede, a pacifist gunslinger framed for destroying a city. Like Bebop, it balances action with philosophical depth, earning critical acclaim and commercial success for its manga source material. Ideal for viewers drawn to morally ambiguous protagonists and richly detailed worldbuilding.