The release of many quality anime in the last two decades or so has made the genre’s landscape extremely diverse. A lot of these can be found on streaming services like Netflix, and most viewers prefer to follow shows that are similar to ones they’re already fans of.
Cowboy Bebop has remained popular for a long time since its release, and it’s an easy bet that any show that has elements reminiscent of it will be just as good. To this end, it’s worth checking out what the genre has to offer, with anime that vary in presentation while retaining the same thematic qualities.
10 Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is set in an alternate history of Japan where three characters with entirely different personalities are brought together. After they inadvertently turn themselves into wanted criminals, the three go on the run to find a “Samurai who smells like flowers.”
Some of its resemblance to Cowboy Bebop comes from the aspect of being on the run, as Samurai Champloo also has characters who need to face their past demons in order to move on and carve out their path in the present.
9 Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon sees a team of pirate mercenaries who discreetly smuggle goods around the continent. However, they are constantly threatened by outside forces such as law enforcement and gangs, against whom the group tries to go around to continue their operations.
Black Lagoon is a fast-paced and action-oriented show that contains a number of memorable characters, with the likeness to Cowboy Bebop coming from the dynamic of the mercenaries that is similar to the bounty hunters variant in the latter series.
8 Ghost In The Shell
Ghost in the Shell is set in the late 21st century at a time when technology has progressed so far that people can essentially become cyborgs. The main backdrop sees members of Public Security Section 9 attempting to counteract skilled hackers from gaining too much power.
Ghost in the Shell actually has a number of television and film adaptations, making it difficult to choose just one that resembles Cowboy Bebop. Regardless, all of the shows share the theme of existential crisis as Cowboy Bebop does, with Ghost in the Shell giving this particular focus by the premise pointing out that life may be ultimately meaningless.
7 Gun X Sword
An anime belonging to the gunslinger genre, Gun X Sword is a road series, in that the backdrop keeps changing as the protagonist keeps moving places. The core story takes place on the Planet of Endless Illusion where the main character seeks vengeance against the man who killed his wife.
Gun X Sword is a lot bleaker than other shows like it, but the serious premise actually makes for an engaging story to follow. Like Cowboy Bebop features multiple characters accompanying the lead, Gun X Sword similarly has a number of supporting characters who join the protagonist on the way.
6 Space Dandy
A show that pays close attention to stylish elements, such as a killer soundtrack and action-adventure format, Space Dandy sees a man actually known as a dandy in space who seeks out rare aliens to confront. Due to the nature of his journey, he ends up being pursued by a number of enemies.
Although the series is marketed as a space opera, Space Dandy is a pretty funny show that will keep viewers entertained with light moments. The series has the far-reaching aspect of its universe as Cowboy Bebop does, as the protagonist here explores new worlds to see.
5 Psycho-Pass
In this dystopian thriller, the future society is governed as such that citizens who have high potentials to become criminals are preemptively hunted down by the Crime Investigation Department of the Ministry of Welfare's Public Safety Bureau, where inspectors are paired with enforcers who used to be criminals themselves.
Cowboy Bebop fans usually compare Psycho-Pass with their favorite series, owing to the thriller elements and the similarities between the bounty hunters and officers/enforcers. Even on its own Psycho-Pass is a superb series to follow for the mystery that unfolds in each episode.
4 Outlaw Star
Another show set in the future, this series features spacecraft that have been modified in such ways that they can traverse space faster than the speed of light. As a result, a group aboard the Outlaw Star ship heads out in search of a mysterious treasure.
The focus here is on the sense of adventure the characters’ journey brings, with each character giving off a confident outlook that allows Outlaw Star to remain fresh and appealing. It goes without saying that the group mentality is what Cowboy Bebop fans will be most attracted by.
3 Baccano!
An anthology series of sorts, Baccano! has an interesting premise, in that the characters weave in and out at regular intervals. Set within America across different timelines, a number of people with different backgrounds eventually interact with one another due to an immortality elixir.
The series is as intriguing as it sounds, with Baccano! still finding room for some light stories despite the otherwise heavy-handed storyline. The theme of characters finding themselves is similar to Cowboy Bebop, along with the ensemble cast format.
2 Lupin The Third
Lupin III is a gentleman thief who announces where he will be conducting his next robbery but still manages to pull it off due to his genius mind. Unlike other series similar to Cowboy Bebop, this one can be enjoyed with the kids due to Lupin the Third mainly being a comedy.
The reason why it has a likeness to Cowboy Bebop comes down to the the show’s execution. Lupin the Third features the main character using his associates to complete his heists and leave people intending to capture him absolutely clueless.
1 Trigun
While Cowboy Bebop concerns the lives of bounty hunters, Trigun is the opposite in that it has its protagonist face off against them. The story is about a gunman named Vash the Stampede whose mysterious past resulted in him earning an enormous bounty on his head.
The main hook in Trigun comes from the uncertainty about Vash’s past. Seeing as the protagonist can’t remember how he got to where he is, the gradual uncovering of his origins serve as the main crux of the story.