Cowboy Bebopis a household name when it comes to anime series. There’s nothing quite like it, and the show is a unique piece of media in general. The huge amounts of creative impact and influence from Cowboy Bebop’s creation have brought aboutsome of the best animein the 21st century. This series engrains itself in the audience’s minds, making it unforgettable.
RELATED:Top Cowboy Bebop Episodes, Ranked
In the Cowboy Bebop community, many fans and avid watchers of the show ultimately enjoy the heart-pumping and noir-esque atmosphere. Finishing its first episode utterly hooks you into the space western alone. Even though the series is one-of-a-kind, you’ll luckily be able to find some perfect shows that are similar to Cowboy Bebop — all of them with the same exact atmospheric feeling in one form or another.
10Great Pretender
The score and vibrant color scheme make this Netflix Original enticing. It truly scratches a special kind of itch for fans of Cowboy Bebop. The outlaw elements and vibrant characters feel like a fitting tribute to Cowboy Bebop.
Following Japan’s greatest swindler, Makoto Edamura, we watch as our main character attempts to con a world-class crook. But, Edamura ends up getting more than he bargained for. Great Pretender’s arcs are called “cases,” the chunks of content easily flowing to make it a quick binge-watch. It emits a movie-like feel, having audiences unable to turn away from the exhilarating fights and smooth combat.
9FLCL (Fooly Cooley)
FLCL (also referred to as Fooley Cooley) holds a special place in a lot of anime fans' hearts. The series is short, only having six episodes throughout its entire run. However, additional shows and seasons tied to FLCL are readily available.
RELATED:Best Mecha Anime, Officially Ranked
We follow the journey of Naota Nandabe, whose life is turned around when a mysterious figure arrives. The first season focuses on a coming-of-age story, later extending the universe into something far more intricate. With how our first impression of the series starts with a mysterious and supposed alien hunter, it’s not surprising that FLCL has been so acclaimed.
8Outlaw Star
Featuring bounty hunters who spend their days going about odd jobs, Outlaw Star is completely unique. The series is mainly praised for its fantastic balance of dramatic and comedic elements. Defined as a space opera/western, Outlaw Star is similar to Cowboy Bebop in a lot of ways. Yet, at the same time, it utterly stands out on its own.
Set in the “Toward Stars Era” universe, the characters go on a galactic adventure as they search for a legendary outer space treasure trove. On their advanced ship, the crew navigate the stars and brave the frontier.
7Black Lagoon
The main cast of characters, and their darkish backstories, remind fans of those in Cowboy Bebop. Black Lagoon isperfect for binging, each episode keeping you on the edge of your seat. The progression and action movie-like feel makes it one of the finest comparable anime to Cowboy Bebop.
Infusing quirky characters together, the story follows a four-member team on a mission to smuggle goods. Each character has their own set of skills, showcasing a heist story that truly goes the distance. Nautical battles and all, Black Lagoon’s tale is one inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s classic films.
6Lupin The Third
With Lupin the Third known as such an iconic comedic heist franchise, it’s no wonder it is in the same range as Cowboy Bebop. Similarly, Lupin the Third has been ingrained in the anime community for decades.
Considered the world’s greatest thief, we’re connected to the journey of Arsène Lupin III. Having his right-hand man by his side, the pair go on a journey entailing deception and a lot of trickery. Lupin the Third premiered way before Cowboy Bebop. Because of this, Lupin likely influenced Cowboy Bebop — and vice versa when it came to the more recent additions to the Lupin franchise.
5Space Dandy
Space Dandy takes the cake for being the more light-hearted and comedic version of Cowboy Bebop. The show centers around Dandy, a stylish space explorer, who goes on an endless amount of celestial adventures. We accompany Dandy, and his sidekicks, to find aliens as he strives to earn great rewards.
RELATED:Best Anime Movies Of All Time
Exploring the deepest depths of the galaxy, Dandy stops at nothing to get what he desires. However, he isn’t the only one striving to get these prizes. Taking you on an entertaining ride, Space Dandy is a memorable series for any Cowboy Bebop fan looking for a lighter and laid-back experience.
Although short, Baccano! is incredibly reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop. Having stylistic fight scenes, this anime is perfect if you love the more combative side of Cowboy Bebop. Vibrant and wacky, this series has its fair share of attention-grabbing action.
Having a non-linear storyline, Baccano! feels a bit hard to follow. However, this is a masterful way to get you to stay on your toes. Following several events that may seem unrelated, everything starts coming together when we realize that it’s all part of a much bigger story. With a war between the mafia, the heist atmosphere is more than present.
3Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Passis on the gorier side of things. Like Cowboy Bebop, the story takes place in the future with a group banding together and setting their futuristic weapons a-blazing. Law enforcement steps in to catch those who are psychologically a danger to society, determining their likelihood of committing a crime.
This anime takes things in a deeper and more dramatic direction. Emotions and a concept of morality take hold of the atmosphere. The series is excellently fleshed-out, having a one-of-a-kind story. Emitting a noir environment featuring a protagonist with a mysterious backstory, Psycho-Pass is incredible to dive into.
When one thinks about an iconic space western, many gravitate towards both Trigun and Cowboy Bebop. However, Trigun differs by taking the liberty of going further into the Western theme. The look of the characters alone reminds viewers of the classic cowboy look.
In the 32nd century, we get a view into the life of Vash the Stampede. He’s earned a hefty bounty on his head after accidentally attacking a city with his supernatural powers. Vash showcases a pacifist personality, avoiding anything lethal at all costs. Trigun’s elements of pursuit and danger make this show a perfect and heart-pumping experience.
1Samurai Champloo
Directed by the same mastermind behind Cowboy Bebop, Shinichiro Watanabe brought the same enticing atmosphere of the space-centric anime — this time with a hip-hop samurai twist. Set in an alternate Edo Period of Japan, the story follows three heroes who yearn to find the “samurai who smells of sunflowers.”
Being easy to watch, there’s a lot of heart at Samurai Champloo’s core. Having admirable fighting scenes, magnificent voice-acting, and an inspiring soundtrack, Samurai Champloo is a masterpiece. Because of its influence on recent anime, this series is worth watching for any anime fan.
