Shinichirō Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the realm of sci-fi anime ever since his co-direction of the acclaimed Macross franchise's *Macross Plus*. Over his illustrious 35-year career, Watanabe has crafted some of the most iconic and influential series, including *Cowboy Bebop*. This jazz-infused masterpiece follows a motley crew of space adventurers navigating the cosmos in a neo-noir style. A significant part of *Cowboy Bebop*'s enduring appeal is its timeless score by Yoko Kanno, which continues to resonate through live performances, soundtrack re-releases, and beyond.

*Cowboy Bebop* has not only captivated anime enthusiasts but has also left an indelible mark on global cinema and storytelling. 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* have all acknowledged the series as a major influence on their work.

6 Best Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

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*Cowboy Bebop* is one of the few anime series that has successfully bridged the gap to non-anime fans, contributing to its status as a vital and enduring part of the anime canon. If you're looking for what to watch after your latest (or first) *Cowboy Bebop* binge, we've curated a list of the best space-faring, globe-trotting, and morally-ambiguous anime that you can explore next.

Lazarus

Our first recommendation is Watanabe's latest series, *Lazarus*, which premiered its first episode on Adult Swim on April 5th at midnight. Produced by MAPPA and Sola Entertainment, with *John Wick* director Chad Stahelski overseeing art direction and original music by 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 Watanabe's earlier work, making it highly relevant in 2025.

The series revolves around a life-saving miracle drug that turns fatal three years after its use, endangering millions. Enter Axel, an ordinary convict and jailbreaker, who must assemble a team to track down the elusive doctor who developed the drug and convince him to create an antidote within 30 days. Prepare for a thrilling, dark journey.

Terminator Zero

Continuing with the more grounded and bleak sci-fi genre, *Terminator Zero* is an impressive addition to the *Terminator* lore, directed by Masashi Kudō, produced by Production IG, and created by Mattson Tomlin, the director behind Netflix's *Project Power*. While it may be more serious than *Cowboy Bebop*, its action scenes and gunplay are stylistically reminiscent of Watanabe's work, filling the void left by *Cowboy Bebop* in your anime viewing.

*Terminator Zero* is unparalleled in its contemporary take on sci-fi, making it a must-watch in 2025. If you're seeking an aesthetically pleasing anime that's as visually appealing as *Cowboy Bebop*, this series offers a stunning, sleek narrative, presenting the *Terminator* franchise's Judgment Day through a uniquely Japanese perspective for the first time.

Space Dandy

In *Space Dandy*, Watanabe steps back as general director, allowing Shingo Natsume to take the helm of this comedic serialized space opera from the Japanese animation studio Bones. If you're looking for a light-hearted, nostalgic throwback to classic Saturday morning cartoons, this is the perfect pick.

Filled with homages to classic sci-fi and anime, *Space Dandy* follows the adventures of the titular character, a stylish outer space bounty hunter tasked with discovering and registering new alien lifeforms. As engaging as Spike and Faye Valentine from *Cowboy Bebop*, Dandy's journey takes unexpected and existential turns as he explores the universe and his own existence, making this series deeply rewatchable and visually stunning.

Lupin III

For a series that captures the same sense of adventure and boundless potential as *Cowboy Bebop*, *Lupin III* is an excellent choice. This delightful crime caper, which debuted in 1965 under the pen name Monkey Punch (Kazuhiko Katō), spans manga, anime, video games, and films. The 1971 anime adaptation is a great starting point, introducing viewers to the laid-back criminal Lupin, a modern take on the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin.

The first season, directed by Masaaki Ōsumi and featuring early works from Studio Ghibli legends Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, spans 23 episodes. If you enjoy it, you'll have five decades of stories, movies, and shows to explore further.

Samurai Champloo

Considered the spiritual successor to *Cowboy Bebop*, *Samurai Champloo* began taking shape while Watanabe was working on *Cowboy Bebop: The Movie*. Although it's a historical action tale rather than sci-fi, it shares similar themes of life, freedom, and mortality. The series follows a trio of morally ambiguous heroes: Mugen, an outlaw; Fuu, a tea server; and Jin, a ronin, set in the Edo period.

One of the series' highlights is its progressive focus on inclusion and tolerance, avoiding nationalistic overtones due to its historical setting, which was ahead of its time.

Trigun

If the stylish action and complex anti-hero of *Cowboy Bebop* excite you, *Trigun* is likely to be your next favorite. Adapted from Yasuhiro Nightow's hit manga, *Trigun* debuted in Japan in 1998 and in the US in 2001. This noir-inspired space western follows 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 Vash's story unfolds, so does the narrative of those pursuing him, creating a compelling conflict that earned *Trigun* spots on numerous "best of" lists and propelled the original manga to sell out in the US.