The Ultimate Guide to Must-Watch Anime Series for Diehard Cowboy Bebop Fans

Some suggested anime series for fans of Cowboy Bebop include other anime space westerns, grounded sci-fi, and crime dramas. While Cowboy Bebop is unique, there are still options for fans seeking a similar vibe. Shinichiro Watanabe, the creator of Cowboy Bebop, has explored similar themes and ideas in his other works. Therefore, fans should not give up hope and should explore other anime series.

15 Trigun (1998)

• Funimation and Hulu offer Trigun, a genre-bending space western that shares similarities with Bebop. It is filled with comedy and an abundance of heartfelt moments. The story revolves around Vash, a man with a mysterious past and a hefty bounty on his head. Accompanying him are insurance adjusters Meryl and Milly, who act as relatable characters for the audience. While Trigun retains some similarities to Cowboy Bebop, it goes a step further by incorporating a classic cowboy aesthetic. Fans of Cowboy Bebop in search of another space western experience should not miss out on watching Trigun, including its more recent reboot series, Trigun Stampede.

14 Space Dandy (2014)

• Streamable on Funimation, Hulu, and Tubi

• Conceived by Watanabe, Space Dandy is a whimsical and absurd interpretation of Cowboy Bebop. The show is jam-packed with thrilling adventures, high-octane action, and a plethora of chuckles. Taking place in the distant future, the series follows the escapades of Dandy, a space bounty hunter on a mission to uncover uncharted extraterrestrial life forms. As he traverses the vast expanses of the cosmos, Dandy explores remote corners of the universe in his quest to document new alien species. Beyond mere creatorship, Space Dandy inhabits the expansive futuristic world of Cowboy Bebop, offering keen-eyed fans a treasure trove of subtle references.

13 Bungo Stray Dogs (2016 - )

Bungo Stray Dogs, available on Funimation, HBO Max, and Crunchyroll, captures the captivating essence of film-noir that Cowboy Bebop fans adore. While infused with comedy, Bungo Stray Dogs puts emphasis on the unique journeys of its characters, mirroring another prominent aspect of the genre. Similar to Cowboy Bebop, this series adopts a one-shot approach with minimal serialized elements, allowing viewers the freedom to enjoy episodes in any order they choose.

12 Michiko & Hatchin (2008 - 2009)

• Streamable on Funimation

Michiko & Hatchin, also known as Finding Paradise in the West, is a 2008 anime series that draws inspiration from Cowboy Bebop in its stylistic choices. The story revolves around the two main characters, initially presumed to be a mother and daughter, as they escape after a prison break. Through a captivating narrative of intrigue and peril on the outskirts of society, Michiko & Hatchin presents a reimagined version of Cowboy Bebop. Notably, the director of Cowboy Bebop joined as a music producer for Michiko & Hatchin, further solidifying the connection between the two series.

11 Outlaw Star (1998)

Content is available on Funimation and Hulu.

Outlaw Star is an anime that follows the adventures of Gene Starwind and Jim Hawking, a charismatic duo of rogues. Initially, they spend their days taking on various odd jobs on their home planet, Sentinel III. However, everything changes when they are approached by a mysterious woman named Hilda, who hires them as her bodyguards. In true comedic-adventure anime fashion, Gene and Jim quickly find themselves in a heap of trouble, being pursued by law enforcement, pirates, vengeful extraterrestrials, fellow bounty hunters, and an enigmatic assassin.

Amidst all of this chaos, the one asset they have is their exceptional spacecraft, the Outlaw Star, renowned as the most advanced vehicle in the entire galaxy. Similar to Bebop, the true essence of Outlaw Star lies within the eclectic group of individuals that Gene and Jim encounter and gather as their crew over time.

10 Black Lagoon (2006)

Cowboy Bebop sets itself apart by delving into the dark personal tragedies that shape each of its characters. Similarly, Black Lagoon also embraces this unique approach to character development, weaving a captivating and dark narrative. Unlike bounty hunters, Black Lagoon follows a group of mercenaries, and the audience experiences the story through the eyes of Rock, an ordinary businessman who is taken captive. Intrigued by their harsh yet exhilarating lifestyle, he chooses to join the crew after a negotiation gone wrong.

9 Carole & Tuesday (2019)

• Streamable on Netflix

Carole & Tuesday, another anime crafted by the mastermind behind Bebop, Watanabe, takes place in the same universe but in a slightly later timeframe. This series revolves around the musical journey of the eponymous unique duo as they strive to establish themselves as musicians. Fans of Bebop will instantly appreciate the musical themes and realistic characters depicted in Carole & Tuesday. While it may lack the same action-packed elements that made its predecessor famous, it compensates with a captivating portrayal of the transformative power of music. Similar to Bebop, the series fearlessly delves into social issues. Despite being released in 2019, its exploration of AI-generated art resonates deeply in the contemporary era.

8 Baccano! (2007)

Currently not available for streaming, Baccano! is the perfect choice for fans of Cowboy Bebop's stylish fight scenes. This anime is filled with jazzy action scenes that are both classy and chaotic. Set in 1930s Chicago, Baccano! is praised for its captivating and period-accurate score. The narrative is presented out of order and follows an ensemble cast as they search for missing bottles that hold the secret to immortality. Alongside the main story arc, there are several side stories that add depth to the overall plot.

7 Psycho-Pass (2013 - 2019)

Content is available on Funimation, Hulu, and Tubi. One of the most captivating elements of Cowboy Bebop is its well-developed, likable, and multi-dimensional main protagonist. Throughout the series, viewers delve into his past, and Spike is portrayed as a somewhat unconventional hero. Psycho-Pass also boasts a supremely crafted protagonist. Additionally, the show's futuristic setting with a distinct noir ambiance is both familiar and engaging. While Psycho-Pass leans more towards being a crime-thriller, its thought-provoking social commentary and skillfully crafted storyline will undoubtedly captivate any fan of Bebop. The immense success of Psycho-Pass led to a sprawling franchise, including two sequel seasons and four movies.

6 Gungrave (2003 - 2004)

Gungrave is a captivating anime series available on Funimation and Hulu. It follows the story of two friends, Harry and Brandon, who find themselves embroiled in the criminal underworld. After betraying Brandon, Harry teams up with him to rise to power in the underworld, while also dealing with themes of revenge. With its beautiful yet intense storytelling, Gungrave can be compared to the gritty narrative of Cowboy Bebop. Created by Yasuhiro Nightow, the mastermind behind Trigun, Gungrave is a must-watch for fans of his work. Although it gained popularity through the PlayStation 2 video game, the anime series itself is a compelling and worthwhile watch.

5 Coyote Ragtime Show (2006)

• Streamable on Funimation

Cowboy Bebop has garnered a devoted fanbase who appraise its outlandish yet captivating action and thrilling adventures. And for those fans who are particularly drawn to its stunning visuals, they owe it to themselves to explore Coyote Ragtime Show. This anime delves into the story of Mister, a criminal with a penchant for space travel, who finds himself freed from prison by his partners Bishop and Katana, just days before his scheduled release. The series is filled with mysterious treasures, relentless federal agents, a criminal syndicate, and deadly android assassins.

4 Blood Blockade Battlefront (2015 - 2018)

You can watch Blood Blockade Battlefront, also known as Kekkai Sensen, on Funimation and Hulu. This exciting series, based on a manga by Yasuhiro Nightow, combines secret organizations, monsters, gods, and thrilling adventures. Similar to Cowboy Bebop, it has a wonderful soundtrack that incorporates jazz tunes. The well-crafted and action-packed fight sequences in this anime show are reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop. With its fantastical elements and captivating tone, Blood Blockade Battlefront is a great choice for fans of Cowboy Bebop.

3 Death Parade (2013, 2015)

Death Parade, available on Funimation and Hulu, offers a captivating series for those who are drawn to the dark aesthetic of the film noir genre. The plot revolves around a grim setting where souls become betting currency in a high-stakes game. As individuals pass away, they are entrusted to the purgatory's bartenders, who decide their fate: eternal ascension or banishment in the void. What sets Death Parade apart is its origin as a short film named Death Billiards, rather than being based on a manga, lending it a distinct and compelling edge.

2 Gun X Sword (2005)

• Streamable on Funimation

This exceptional anime blends the Western genre in a unique way, tackling similar themes as Cowboy Bebop but with its own twist. Van, a remarkably detached anti-hero, is fully dedicated to seeking revenge. While this trope has been extensively explored in classic American Western films and anime Westerns, Gun X Sword excels at it, preserving the distinctive anime and Western stylistic elements that fans adore from both genres.

1 Samurai Champloo (2004 - 2005)

• Streamable on Funimation and Hulu

During an alternate rendition of the Edo period, Samurai Champloo unravels the adventure of three unconventional individuals, Fuu, Mugen, and Jin. In a daring act, Fuu, a young girl, rescues her companions from a certain execution, leading her to persuade the unpredictable Jin and the reserved Mugen to aid her in finding a mysterious samurai with a distinctive scent of sunflowers. Created by Shinichiro Watanabe as a direct successor to Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo exhibits resemblances in both its characters and the subtle underlying themes that thread through the plots.

Similar to Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo is also a character-driven story that unveils more about each character with every episode. Both shows share the commonality of having action and style driven by their soundtracks. Cowboy Bebop uses jazz and blues, while Samurai Champloo incorporates hip-hop and lo-fi music. The characters in both shows are motivated by a constant desire for money and food.

Cowboy Bebop was truly a unique and exceptional creation, but that doesn't mean there aren't other anime series with a similar appeal. Whether it's Samurai Champloo's fight scenes fueled by music, Trigun's adventures in a space western setting, or Gun X Sword's charming antihero, fans can find all the elements they love about Bebop in abundance elsewhere. Anime is a diverse medium, and considering Cowboy Bebop's varied influences, it's only logical that there's a plethora of anime for fans to explore.