Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the sci-fi genre since his co-direction of the acclaimed Macross franchise, specifically Macross Plus. Over his 35-year career, he has crafted some of the most cherished and influential series, such as Cowboy Bebop, his jazz-infused masterpiece. This series follows a band of eclectic space adventurers navigating the cosmos with a neo-noir flair. The iconic score by Yoko Kanno has significantly contributed to the series' timeless appeal, maintaining its presence in the public eye through live performances, soundtrack rereleases, and more.

Cowboy Bebop has not only captivated anime fans but has also left a profound mark on creators across various genres. Notable figures 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 have all cited Cowboy Bebop as a major influence on their work, underscoring its significant impact on cinema and storytelling.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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Cowboy Bebop also stands as one of the few anime series that many non-anime fans have explored. Its enduring appeal, combined with its influence on creators and fans alike, makes it a cornerstone of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch next after your latest (or first) Cowboy Bebop binge, here's a curated list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, 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, and with John Wick director Chad Stahelski overseeing art direction 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 grungier, underdog sci-fi vibe of that series, which feels strikingly relevant in 2025.

The series revolves around the invention of a life-saving miracle drug that turns fatal three years after its use, putting millions at risk of sudden death. Enter our hero, Axel, a regular convict and jailbreaker who must assemble a team to locate the enigmatic doctor who created the drug and persuade him to develop an antidote within just 30 days. Buckle up for a darkly thrilling ride.

Terminator Zero

Netflix

Continuing the trend of grounded and bleak sci-fi, next up is Terminator Zero, an impressive addition to the Terminator lore from director Masashi Kudō, Production IG, and creator Mattson Tomlin (director of the Netflix film Project Power starring Jamie Foxx). While it's more serious than Bebop and much of Watanabe's work, it offers a stylistic flair to the action and impeccable gunplay that will satisfy that particular craving, filling the Cowboy Bebop-shaped void in your action-anime viewing.

When it comes to contemporary sci-fi that engages with the technology and culture of our times, Terminator Zero stands out as a must-watch in 2025. It's also a visually stunning and boundary-pushing series, offering a fresh, distinctly Japanese perspective on the Terminator franchise's Judgement Day.

Space Dandy

Crunchyroll

Another gem in the Shinichirō Watanabe catalog, Space Dandy, saw the visionary taking a step back to serve as general director alongside Shingo Natsume's direction. Brought to life by Japanese animation studio Bones, this series offers a hilarious serialized space opera that harks back to classic Saturday morning cartoons, evoking the same nostalgia as Cowboy Bebop.

Packed with nods to numerous classic sci-fi and anime, this charming adventure follows 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, all while hunting aliens with his robot and cat crew. While it may not have reached the global success of Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy is deeply rewatchable, visually beautiful, and incredibly fun.

Lupin III

Tokyo Movie

If you're seeking a series that captures the same sense of adventurous joy and endless potential as Cowboy Bebop, look no further than the delightfully fun crime caper Lupin III. Debuting in 1965, created by Kazuhiko Katō under the pseudonym Monkey Punch, the franchise has since expanded into manga, anime, video games, and numerous cinematic releases. The 1971 anime adaptation, directed by Masaaki Ōsumi and featuring future Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, is the perfect starting point. It introduces viewers to Lupin, a laid-back criminal inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

With 23 episodes in the first season, Lupin III offers a treasure trove of stories, movies, and shows for fans to explore over five decades of content.

Samurai Champloo

Crunchyroll

Samurai 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. While set in a historical context rather than Watanabe's typical sci-fi, the series explores themes of life, the cost of freedom, and the struggle with mortality.

The story revolves around a group of morally ambiguous heroes: an outlaw named Mugen, a tea server Fuu, and a ronin named Jin. One of the series' notable aspects is its focus on inclusion and tolerance, reflecting Watanabe's forward-thinking approach to avoid nationalistic overtones.

Trigun

Adult Swim

If the allure of Cowboy Bebop lies in its stylish action and morally complex anti-hero, then Trigun is likely to be your next favorite anime. Adapted from the hit manga by Yasuhiro Nightow, which ran in Monthly Shonen Captain, Trigun debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US three years later.

This noir-inspired space western ups the stakes with its protagonist, Vash, who carries a massive bounty due to his uncontrollable superpowers that led to the accidental destruction of a city. As the series unfolds, it delves into the lives of those pursuing Vash, creating a compelling conflict that earned Trigun spots on multiple best-of-the-year lists and propelled the manga to sell out in the US.