Lots of people think Cowboy Bebop is a top pick for people who are new to anime, and they’re right. It’s got awesome jazz music, deep characters, and stories that really grab you.
But making something just like Bebop again is tough, even with a fancy Netflix version. Critics and fans didn’t think the remake was as good.
But just because Bebop is unique doesn’t mean there aren’t other shows out there with a similar feel. Fans of Cowboy Bebop have plenty of options to explore, whether it’s other space westerns, sci-fi tales, or crime dramas. Bebop is packed with references, so fans have lots of anime to choose from.
Even the creator, Shinichiro Watanabe, has made more anime that touches on Bebop’s themes. If you love Cowboy Bebop, it’s worth giving other anime a shot.
1) Death Note
Death Note is a classic anime that follows Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who stumbles upon a mysterious black notebook.
This notebook, the Death Note, grants the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Convinced of its power, Light decides to use it to rid the world of criminals and become a god of justice, earning the nickname Kira.
Alongside him is Ryuk, a shinigami, or Japanese god of death, who originally owned the Death Note. As Light’s actions draw attention, the Japanese government enlists the help of L, a highly skilled and eccentric detective, to track him down.
2) Death Parade
For fans of the dark aesthetic of film noir, Death Parade is a must-watch. The series’ grim setting and central plot focus on souls being used as betting currency in a game.
When someone dies, they are sent to purgatory’s bartenders, where they must either ascend into eternity or face banishment into the void.
Death Parade’s origin as a short film titled Death Billiards rather than a manga gives it a distinct edge. Considered one of the best death game anime.
Death Parade delivers tension that keeps fans both eager and scared for the next episode. Its mostly episodic structure allows each episode to tell a complete story, akin to the feeling of completeness in every episode of Cowboy Bebop.
3) Psycho-Pass
One of the biggest draws of Cowboy Bebop is its excellently crafted protagonist, Spike, who is complex, likable, and fully developed.
Throughout the series, viewers explore his backstory, and he’s portrayed as somewhat of an anti-hero. Similarly, Psycho-Pass boasts a compelling protagonist with depth and complexity.
The anime futuristic setting with a noir atmosphere feels familiar and adds to its appeal. While Psycho-Pass leans more towards being a tense thriller, its social commentary and intricate plot will certainly attract fans of Bebop.
The success of Psycho-Pass led to a vast franchise, including two sequel seasons and four movies. While none quite reach the brilliance of the first season, the expansion of the franchise speaks to the show’s strong world-building and enduring appeal.
4) Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann takes place in the far-off future where humans are forced underground by the Spiral King and his army of Beastmen and their powerful Gunmen mechas.
Simon, a digger living in one of these underground cities, teams up with his friend Kamina to fight against the Spiral King’s rule. Little do they know, an even bigger threat lurks beyond the stars.
Cowboy Bebop and Gurren Lagann have some big differences. Gurren Lagann is more of a fantastical sci-fi story with giant mechas and lots of comedy, while Cowboy Bebop is more grounded and has a melancholic tone, especially when reflecting on the past.
However, both shows explore the theme of time. Cowboy Bebop looks at the past with a mix of sadness and nostalgia, while Gurren Lagann is all about looking forward with excitement and hope. Even though they seem different, they both tackle the idea of living life to the fullest in their own ways.
5) Durarara
Durarara is an anime from 2010 that follows a bunch of main characters whose lives connect, making a big story. Each episode tells the story from one character’s point of view, with the narrator adding their thoughts.
The characters are diverse, including students and mythical beings like the dullahan from Irish stories. The anime mixes their personalities and how they affect the world around them really well.
6) Bungo Stray Dogs
Bungo Stray Dogs shares the film-noir vibe that fans enjoy in Cowboy Bebop. It follows the Armed Detective Agency, a team of folks with superpowers who tackle tough mysteries that regular police can’t handle.
One of the Agency’s members is Atsushi Nakajima, a guy with a big heart who can turn into a fierce white tiger.
Bungo Stray Dogs adds more comedy, but it still dives into each character’s personal journey, much like Cowboy Bebop. It’s also told in a one-shot style, similar to Bebop, so you don’t have to watch the episodes in order.
7) Samurai Champloo
Set in an alternate Edo period, Samurai Champloo chronicles the adventures of three unlikely companions: Fuu, Mugen, and Jin.
When Fuu rescues Mugen and Jin from execution, she enlists their help in finding a mysterious samurai rumored to smell like sunflowers.
Samurai Champloo served as Shinichiro Watanabe’s immediate follow-up to Cowboy Bebop, featuring characters and subtle thematic threads reminiscent of his previous work.
Samurai Champloo, akin to Cowboy Bebop, thrives on its character-driven narrative, gradually unraveling the depths of each character with every episode.
Both shows also excel in their sound-track-driven action and stylish presentation, with Cowboy Bebop embracing jazz and blues while Samurai Champloo opts for hip-hop and lo-fi beats.
Coupled with the similar character dynamics between the two series, it’s evident that Samurai Champloo is an ideal anime for fans of Cowboy Bebop to explore.
8) Terror in Resonance
Terror in Resonance is a thrilling anime led by Watanabe. It follows the hunt for two teenage boys who steal an atomic bomb and threaten to destroy Tokyo unless their mysterious puzzle is solved.
These boys are also products of a secret government experiment to create human weapons, adding another layer of danger.
The story gets even more complex with the unexpected involvement of Lisa, a schoolgirl who befriends the two teens.
With its intense plot and many surprises, Terror in Resonance keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Yoko Kanno composed the music for Cowboy Bebop, adding to its suspenseful vibe. Terror in Resonance, scored by her as well, keeps you on the edge, sticking closely to crime thriller style.
Unlike Cowboy Bebop, it follows a more direct storyline. If you found Carole & Tuesday too light and prefer something with a deeper plot, Terror in Resonance might be your pick. Critics have praised it as one of the top anime series of the decade.
9) Monster
Moving to a more profound level of storytelling, our next suggestion, Monster, stands as one of the best-selling manga series ever. Initially appearing quite different from Cowboy Bebop.
It gradually unfolds into a gripping narrative filled with moral dilemmas. The story centers on Kenzo Tenma, a disgraced brain surgeon who saves a young boy’s life instead of a prominent mayor’s.
When the doctors who advised him to prioritize the mayor are murdered, Tenma finds himself entangled in a chilling mystery.
Monster delves into complex moral questions and keeps you on the edge of your seat, much like Cowboy Bebop.
10) Plastic Memories
Plastic Memories also explores the theme of time, but in a different way compared to Gurren Lagann and Cowboy Bebop. While those shows focus on hopeful futures or reflections on the past, Plastic Memories emphasizes making the most of the present as time ticks away.
Similar to Cowboy Bebop, Plastic Memories has a tragic ending, but the sadness builds up throughout the series rather than appearing sporadically.
Plastic Memories takes place in a city of the near future, where the SAI Corporation makes androids called Giftias. These robots look and feel like humans, but they only live for about 81,920 hours before losing themselves.
Tsukasa Mizugazi works in a team that retrieves Giftias as they near the end of their lives. He’s partnered with Isla, a Giftia on her last legs, and they fall in love as they work together.
The slow-burning romance uses the impending tragedy to tell a touching story about seizing the moments we have before they slip away.
11) Baccano!
If you loved the stylish fight scenes in Cowboy Bebop, then Baccano! is right up your alley. Just like Bebop, this anime is full of jazzy action that’s both classy and chaotic.
Set in 1930s Chicago, it’s praised for its interesting, period-accurate soundtrack. Baccano! tells its story out of order, following an ensemble cast in search of missing bottles containing an elixir for immortality.
But there’s more to the plot than just the main story arc; numerous side stories add depth to the story.
Fans often draw comparisons between Cowboy Bebop and Quentin Tarantino’s works, especially Pulp Fiction. While these comparisons have some validity, Pulp Fiction aligns more closely with Baccano!.
Baccano! shares a similarly dynamic narrative structure, told from multiple perspectives and focusing on a handful of vibrant personalities in a bombastic story.
12) Blood Blockade Battlefront
Based on a manga by Yasuhiro Nightow, Blood Blockade Battlefront also known as Kekkai Sensen immerses viewers in a world of secret organizations, monsters, gods, and thrilling adventures.
Just like Cowboy Bebop, it features a fantastic soundtrack filled with jazz tunes that enhance the viewing experience.
The ending theme, featuring the main characters dancing together, perfectly captures the energetic and playful tone of Blood Blockade Battlefront.
Like Cowboy Bebop, Blood Blockade Battlefront meticulously crafts its fight scenes to be both well-produced and dynamic.
While Blood Blockade Battlefront incorporates more fantastical elements, its tone and setting make it a seamless companion for fans of Cowboy Bebop.
Infused with Yasuhiro Nightow’s distinctive themes of pacifism and the toll of violence on individuals, Blood Blockade Battlefront is a series that shouldn’t be missed.
13) Banana Fish
Banana Fish is a popular anime in the Boys’ Love (BL) genre. It tells the story of Ash Lynx, a 17-year-old gang leader in New York, and Eiji Okumura, a photographer from Japan.
Eiji gets involved in the gang conflicts and violence he’s meant to photograph, and he forms a close bond with Ash along the way.
This anime is packed with action scenes, shows a growing love, and dives into Ash’s struggles with his troubled past. It’s a sad tribute to lovers who couldn’t be happy together while they were alive.
14) FLCL
FLCL, also known as Fooley Cooley, is beloved by many anime fans. Even though it’s short, with only six episodes, there are more shows and seasons related to FLCL that fans can enjoy.
The story revolves around Naota Nandabe, whose life changes dramatically when a mysterious person shows up. The first season is all about growing up, but as the series progresses.
It becomes more complex. Starting with a mysterious character who’s supposed to be an alien hunter, it’s no wonder FLCL is so highly praised.
15) Trigun
Just like Bebop, Trigun mixes genres, blending space western with comedy and a ton of heart. It follows Vash, a guy with a huge bounty on his head and a mysterious history.
Meryl and Milly, insurance adjusters, join him on his journey, representing the audience in many ways. As they travel, they unravel the mysteries of Vash’s past and discover big secrets about the planet they’re on.
Trigun shares a lot in common with Cowboy Bebop, but it goes even deeper into the Western theme, sporting that classic cowboy style.
While Bebop used the cowboy theme more symbolically, Trigun takes it pretty literally. Fans of Cowboy Bebop who dig the space western vibe should definitely give Trigun or its newer series, Trigun Stampede, a watch.
16) Megalobox
Even though Megalobox was released in 2018, its art style and editing give it a vibe similar to 90s anime like Cowboy Bebop. But there’s more than just the art style that connects these shows.
Both feature grounded science-fiction settings, determined protagonists, and soundtracks heavily influenced by hip-hop.
It’s almost surprising that Watanabe, the creator of Cowboy Bebop, wasn’t involved in making Megalobox.
While you can see the influence of works like Cowboy Bebop in Megalobox, it also stands out as its own unique anime.
Megalobox is set in the near future and follows Junk Dog, a young fighter who competes in rigged megaloboxing matches.
In this world, megaloboxing is the top sport, where fighters battle wearing mechanical exoskeletons called Gear.
Initially fighting under a false identity in the slums, Junk Dog adopts the name Joe after sneaking into a prestigious megaloboxing tournament in the big city.
The anime explore themes like found family and social class, with the second season adding layers by exploring addiction and the challenges of fame.
17) Great Pretender
Wit Studio’s Great Pretender centers around Makoto Edamura, an aspiring pickpocket who targets someone he believes to be an easy target, only to discover that the person is actually a skilled con artist named Laurent Thierry.
Impressed by Makoto’s potential, Laurent, also known as Edamame, takes him under his wing. He teaches Makoto the tricks of the trade, and together they go on a journey to swindle villains out of their ill-gotten gains.
Although Great Pretender and Cowboy Bebop explore different themes and settings, they share a similar energy. Both series feature eccentric and roguish characters whose interactions are enriched by witty dialogue.
Both shows boast incredible art, animation, and direction throughout. Great Pretender captures the stylistically cool vibes that are central to Cowboy Bebop’s appeal, making it a perfect match for fans of either series to enjoy.
18) Kids On The Slope
Kids on the Slope, from Studio MAPPA and Tezuka Productions, is a coming-of-age tale centered on Kaoru Nishimi. In the summer of 1966, he relocates to Nagasaki to stay with his extended family.
At his new school, he befriends Sentaro Kawabuchi, a bit of a troublemaker who ignites Kaoru’s passion for jazz. Later, they meet Ritsuko Mukae, whose family owns a record shop, and together, they form a trio.
The story follows their journey as they discover their love for music and each other, whether it’s friendship or something more.
Kids on the Slope is a unique gem from Shinichiro Watanabe, even though it’s not an original creation. It’s still fantastic in its own right.
The animation and direction are consistently top-notch, and for fans of Cowboy Bebop, the focus on jazz music strikes a chord.
Jazz is a big part of Cowboy Bebop’s vibe, and Kids on the Slope captures that essence beautifully. Even though Watanabe didn’t create it, his touch is evident throughout, making it a must-watch for any Cowboy Bebop fan.
19) Space Dandy
Space Dandy, also made by Watanabe, is like a fun and silly version of Cowboy Bebop. It’s full of adventures, quick action, and loads of laughs.
The anime is set way in the future and follows Dandy, a space hunter who hunts for new alien life forms. He travels all over the universe to find planets where new aliens might live.
Interestingly, Space Dandy is actually set in Cowboy Bebop’s far-off future, so sharp-eyed fans might spot a few references.
One reason Cowboy Bebop was a hit on Adult Swim was because of its episodic style. Space Dandy takes this style even further.
While Dandy does have an overarching plot, it’s pretty mind-bending and wonderfully weird. This makes Space Dandy a quirky but perfect follow-up to other Watanabe shows like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.
20) Carole & Tuesday
Carole & Tuesday, another creation by the mastermind behind Bebop, Watanabe, actually shares the same universe. It’s set a bit later in the timeline when society has somewhat stabilized.
The anime follows the music duo Carole & Tuesday as they strive to succeed in the music industry. Fans of Bebop will find familiar musical themes and relatable characters in Carole & Tuesday.
While Carole & Tuesday may not have the same action-packed vibe as its predecessor, it offers a compelling portrayal of the influence of music.
Like Bebop, it bravely addresses challenging social issues. Despite being released in 2019, its exploration of AI-generated art remains relevant today.
Fans of Bebop will surely appreciate its more laid-back counterpart, finding much to love in the journey of Carole and Tuesday.
21) Black Lagoo
What sets Cowboy Bebop apart is how each character’s story often revolves around a personal tragedy. Black Lagoon shares this approach, with careful character development and a dark undertone.
While Black Lagoon follows a group of mercenaries rather than bounty hunters, it offers an equally intriguing and gritty story.
In Black Lagoon, the audience follows Rock, an ordinary businessman who gets caught up with mercenaries. After a deal gone wrong, he opts to join the crew, intrigued by their adventurous and perilous lifestyle.
Rock becomes the group’s negotiator, using his business skills to navigate their criminal endeavors. Unlike Bebop, Black Lagoon is not science fiction; it’s a gritty crime thriller set in a realistic world.
22) Michiko & Hatchin
Michiko & Hatchin, also known as Finding Paradise in the West, is a 2008 anime series that shares stylistic similarities with Cowboy Bebop.
The story revolves around the two main characters, Michiko and Hatchin, who are initially believed to be a mother-daughter duo.
They’re on the run after a daring prison escape. Despite their age difference, Michiko is fiery and impulsive, while Hatchin is more thoughtful.
Their contrasting personalities create an engaging dynamic that keeps viewers hooked episode after episode.
Michiko & Hatchin is a story filled with suspense and peril on society’s edge, somewhat akin to a revamped Cowboy Bebop.
What’s intriguing is that the director of Cowboy Bebop joined the team to produce music for Michiko & Hatchin, solidifying the connection between the two series.
23) Gungrave
Gungrave chronicles the story of two best friends, Harry and Brandon, who are drawn into a life of crime after getting in too deep with underworld activities.
Early on, it’s revealed that Harry betrayed Brandon. The series then delves into their journey to becoming crime bosses before exploring the complex theme of revenge.
With its beautiful yet bleak storytelling, Gungrave shares a narrative approach reminiscent of the almost nihilistic style of Cowboy Bebop.
Created by Yasuhiro Nightow, the mind behind Trigun, Gungrave is sure to attract fans of that series as well.
Nightow’s distinctive designs give Gungrave a unique aesthetic that may feel perfectly reminiscent of the mid-2000s era, making it a nostalgic treat for fans of the Adult Swim anime lineup that introduced Western audiences to classics like Bebop, Trigun, and Outlaw Star.
While Gungrave may be more famous for its PlayStation 2 video game, the anime series is definitely worth checking out.
24) Outlaw Star
Outlaw Star is another anime with a crew of charming misfits, led by Gene Starwind and Jim Hawking. They make a living doing odd jobs on their planet, Sentinel III.
But everything shifts when a mysterious woman named Hilda hires them as bodyguards. In typical comedic-adventure fashion, Gene and Jim find themselves in a heap of trouble, chased by cops, pirates, aliens, bounty hunters, and a mysterious assassin.
Their only saving grace? The Outlaw Star, the most advanced spacecraft in the galaxy. Similar to Bebop, the heart of Outlaw Star lies in the crew Gene and Jim gather along the way.
With excellent character development, it’s sure to satisfy any Cowboy Bebop fan craving more space outlaw adventures.
25) Desert Punk
For those seeking a futuristic adventure with a comedic twist, Desert Punk fits the bill. Set in a post-apocalyptic world after a nuclear disaster.
It follows Kanata Mizuno, also known as Desert Punk, a mercenary finding the harsh wasteland. Despite its earthly setting, it offers plenty of laughs and action-packed escapades.
While Desert Punk may not share the same intergalactic backdrop as “Cowboy Bebop,” its protagonist faces similar challenges in a lawless future.
Both shows explore themes of corrupt governments and rugged individuals. The main distinction lies in the scale Cowboy Bebop portrays a humanity that has expanded across the cosmos.
While Desert Punk focuses on the remnants of society on Earth. If you’re a fan of Cowboy Bebop, you’ll likely find Desert Punk appealing too, although be prepared for its more risqué humor.
26) GetBackers
Initially, GetBackers appears quite different from Cowboy Bebop. The characters rely more on superpowers than firearms, and there’s no interstellar travel involved.
Instead of a futuristic wasteland, the setting revolves around a cluster of condemned buildings. However, atop the Limitless Fortress, a secret awaits that tests the characters’ understanding of reality.
Despite the surface disparities, both shows share elements of mystery and intrigue that fans of Cowboy Bebop might appreciate in GetBackers.
GetBackers shares striking similarities with Cowboy Bebop. It revolves around Ban Mido and Ginji Amano, known as the GetBackers, who run a repossession service.
Their seemingly routine jobs often spiral into danger, revealing their mysterious pasts and the lawless nature of their world. Similar to Cowboy Bebop, the series introduces a diverse supporting cast alongside the quirky duo.
Additionally, both shows feature a jazz-inspired score, reminiscent of Watanabe’s iconic style. If you’re a fan of Cowboy Bebop, you might find GetBackers equally interesting.
27) Macross
Studio Nue’s Macross is a sprawling anime franchise with over 40 years of history. It all began with 1982’s Super Dimension Fortress Macross, produced by Artland and Tatsunoko Productions.
While the plots may differ, common elements include humanity’s conflict with alien races, giant robots, love triangles, and plenty of musical performances that play an important role in the storyline.
Despite their distinct narratives, Cowboy Bebop and Macross do share some intriguing similarities. Like Cowboy Bebop, especially in Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross strikes a balance between intense space battles and the quirky antics of its characters.
Fans of one series are likely to enjoy the other. Interestingly, Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe began his directorial career with the OVA series Macross Plus.
So, for those curious about the influences behind Cowboy Bebop, Macross is definitely worth exploring.
28) Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo might seem worlds apart from Cowboy Bebop at first glance. Its animation might not be the slickest, and it didn’t exactly sweep the critics off their feet.
Trying to dissect its characters seriously could end up with some pretty intense teasing. In this story, we’re joining Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo as he tries to stop the bad Chrome Dome Empire and their mean head-shaving ways.
He’s got some friends helping him out Beauty, who’s like the typical hero girl, Gasser, a loud teenager, and Don Patch, who thinks he’s super great. Bobobo uses his nose hair to fight, and it’s pretty amazing.
The themes of Cowboy Bebop and Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo are totally different. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo is like a big joke on every kind of anime, and it never slows down.
But, both shows have weird characters, and Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo is so crazy that it feels like the story might explode.
If you took the funny parts of Cowboy Bebop and went even crazier with them, you’d end up with Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo.
29) Gun X Sword
Gun X Sword is an exceptional anime that blends Western themes, much like Cowboy Bebop, albeit in a distinct manner.
The protagonist, Van, is an incredibly aloof anti-hero driven by a quest for revenge after the murder of his beloved.
While this revenge storyline is a common trope in classic American Western films and anime Westerns, Gun X Sword excels in its execution, maintaining the stylistic elements of both anime and Westerns that fans adore in both genres.
In addition to its other features, Gun x Sword stands out as a mecha series. This adds a larger and grander scale to Gun x Sword compared to Bebop.
While Bebop excels in spaceship battles, Gun x Sword offers a refreshing twist with its mecha fights, giving the series a unique and appreciated flair.
30) Lupin The Third
TMS Entertainment’s Lupin the 3rd is a sprawling multimedia franchise focused on Lupin III, the grandson of the renowned phantom thief Arsene Lupin.
Lupin has established himself as a master thief. In each tale, Lupin and his friends, some of whom may betray him, collaborate on major heists while evading arrest by Inspector Zenigata of Interpol.
Occasionally, they also go on missions to save the world. Despite lacking science fiction elements, Lupin the 3rd is a fantastic anime for any devoted Cowboy Bebop fan.
It epitomizes the concept of lovable rogues chasing wealth, which is at the heart of Cowboy Bebop’s narrative. Shinichiro Watanabe’s involvement as a music producer on Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine further underscores the similarities in style between the two series.
As such, Lupin the 3rd is an effortless recommendation for fans of Cowboy Bebop.
31) The Irresponsible Captain Tylor
In The Irresponsible Captain Tylor from Tatsunoko Productions, the United Planets Space Force is battling the Raalgon.
Justy Ueki Tylor, though, isn’t interested in war he just wants a cozy office job. But when Tylor accidentally stops a terrorist plan, he’s suddenly made captain of the Soyokaze crew.
It’s more of a punishment from the higher-ups, but Tylor surprises everyone by winning battles and becoming a key player in the war against the Raalgon.
From its title alone, it’s clear that The Irresponsible Captain Tylor doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a hit with Cowboy Bebop fans.
Just like Cowboy Bebop, it mixes comedy with serious storytelling, and you can see this charm in how Tylor pokes fun at epic space opera tropes.
With a fantastic cast and clever writing, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is a must-watch for fans who love the comedic side of Cowboy Bebop.
32) Coyote Ragtime Show
Fans of Cowboy Bebop, particularly those drawn to its visually stunning and action-packed sequences, should definitely give Coyote Ragtime anime a try.
The anime follows Mister, a space-faring criminal who finds himself freed from prison by his partners, Bishop and Katana, just days before his scheduled release.
Coyote Ragtime anime is packed with lost treasures, federal investigators, a criminal guild, and android assassins. Similar to Trigun, Coyote Ragtime fully embraces both its science fiction and cowboy themes, going even further than Bebop in this regard.
The outcome is a space western filled with excitement and adventure. Despite being underrated, Coyote Ragtime anime is a gem that fans of Bebop should definitely explore.
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