Whether it be fellow anime space westerns, grounded sci-fi, or just plain crime dramas there are several anime that fans of Cowboy Bebop should check out. Bebop casts a wide net with its web of references, meaning fans really have their pick of the litter when it comes to anime. Even the series' creator Shinichiro Watanabe has revisited many of the themes and ideas that made Bebop so special in a handful of his future works. Every fan of Cowboy Bebop owes it to themselves to at least give a few other anime series a try.

20 Trigun (1998)

Based on the manga series by Yasuhiro Nightow & produced by Studio Madhouse

Much like Bebop, Trigun is a genre-bending space western with a lot of comedy and even more heart. The series tells the story of Vash, a man with a massive bounty on his head and a mysterious past. Following Vash are insurance adjusters Meryl and Milly who serve as audience surrogates in many ways. Along the way, the mysteries of Vash's past alongside greater revelations about the planet the characters find themselves on are uncovered.

Trigun is similar in many ways to Cowboy Bebop, but it is different in that it takes the Western theme much further, featuring the classic cowboy look. Why the cowboy themeing was mostly metaphorical in Bebop, in Trigun it is quite literal. Cowboy Bebop fans who want another space western owe it to themselves to watch Trigun or its more recent reboot series Trigun Stampede.

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19 Space Dandy (2014)

Original anime series by Studio Bones

Also created by Watanabe, Space Dandy is a lighthearted absurdist take on Cowboy Bebop. The series is packed with adventure, fast-paced action, and a bucket-load of laughs. Set in the far future, the series follows a space hunter named Dandy who searches for undiscovered alien lifeforms. This means Dandy visits the furthest corners of the universe in search of unknown life-capable planets in his efforts to document new alien species. More than just created by the same person, Space Dandy actually takes place in Cowboy Bebop's distant future, meaning eagle-eyed fans can catch a few references.

One thing that made Bebop such a hit among Western viewers back when it was airing on Adult Swim was the series' episodic nature. Space Dandy's most remarkable achievement is taking that episodic structure to its logical extreme. What overarching plot Dandy does have is mind-bending and weird in the best way possible, making Space Dandy a strange but fitting followup to similar Watanabe projects like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.

18 Bungo Stray Dogs (2016)

Based on the manga series written by Kafka Asagiri & illustrated by Sango Harukawa

Bungo Stray Dogs is a series that has a lot of the film-noir feel that fans like in Cowboy Bebop. The series follows the Armed Detective Agency, a group of people with supernatural powers who solve mysteries that might be too extreme or dangerous for normal law enforcement to handle. Among the Armed Detective Agency's is Atsushi Nakajima, a kind-hearted man who can transform into a monstrous white tiger.

There's more comedy involved in Bungo, but the plot focuses on individual characters and their personal stories, which is another key feature of the genre. It's also told in a one-shot style with limited serialized elements, a bit like Cowboy Bebop, which means viewers don't necessarily have to watch the episodes of Bungo Stray Dogs in any particular order.

17 The Irresponsible Captain Tylor Excels At Science Fiction Parody

Anime series by Tatsunoko Productions; Based on the light novel by Hitoshi Yoshioka

In the world of Tatsunoko Productions’ The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, while the United Planets Space Force is at war with the Raalgon, Justy Ueki Tylor just wants to take it easy with a cushy office job. However, when Tylor accidentally foils a terrorist plot, he’s immediately put in charge of the crew of the Soyokaze, and while the higher-ups just did it to get rid of him, Tylor somehow keeps winning battle after battle and becomes a major player in the war with the Raalgon.

Just from the title, alone, it’s obvious that The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is an anime that never takes itself seriously, and that makes it great for Cowboy Bebop fans. Cowboy Bebop is just as famous for its comedy as it is for its serious storytelling, and that sort of charm can easily be seen in how The Irresponsible Captain Tylor always works to lampoon the tropes of epic space operas. Add in its stellar cast and great writing, and The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is a great anime to watch for any fan of Cowboy Bebop's more comedic elements.

16 Kids On The Slope Is An Underrated Classic From Cowboy Bebop's Creator

Anime series by Studio MAPPA & Tezuka Productions; Based on the manga by Yuki Kodama

Studio MAPPA and Tezuka Productions' Kids on the Slope is a coming-of-age story starring Kaoru Nishimi who, in the summer of 1966, moves to Nagasaki to live with his extended family. At his new school, the delinquent Sentaro Kawabuchi inspires Kaoru to study jazz, the duo becomes a trio with the introduction of Ritsuko Mukae, whose family runs a record shop, and the story from then on is focused on the development of their love of music and their love for each other, platonic or otherwise.

Kids on the Slope is a rare anime from Shinichiro Watanabe that wasn't an original work, but it's still plenty good. The animation and direction are consistently great, and for fans of Cowboy Bebop, Kids on the Slope's focus on the ins and outs of jazz music resonates very strongly with Cowboy Bebop, as jazz is famously a big part of Cowboy Bebop's aesthetic. Even though Shinichiro Watanabe didn't create Kids on the Slope, all of the usual hallmarks of his work are there, so any fan of Cowboy Bebop is sure to get a lot out of it.

15 Michiko & Hatchin (2008)

Original anime series by Studio Manglobe

Michiko & Hatchin, sometimes known as Finding Paradise in the West, is a 2008 anime series that takes many stylistic cues from Cowboy Bebop. The plot follows the two titular characters—initially implied to be a mother and daughter duo—on the run following a prison break. The two form an interesting pair, as Mitchiko, despite being older, is the hot-headed and impulsive one, while Hatchin is far more likely to think situations through. The result is a heartwarming dynamic that will make viewers want to watch episode after episode.

A tale of intrigue and danger at the fringes of society, Michiko & Hatchin is, in some ways, a revised version of Cowboy Bebop. Interestingly enough, Cowboy Bebop's director signed on to produce music for Michiko & Hatchin, strengthening the link between the two series.

14 Outlaw Star (1998)

Based on the manga by Takehiko Ito & produced by Sunrise

Outlaw Star is another anime featuring a group of likable rogues, namely Gene Starwind and Jim Hawking. The two heroes spend their days performing all sorts of odd jobs on their planet of Sentinel III. All of this changes, however, when a mysterious woman named Hilda recruits the two as bodyguards.

As is often the case in these kinds of comedic-adventure anime, in no time the pair are in a world of trouble, including being wanted by the cops, pirates, angry aliens, other bounty hunters, and a mysterious assassin. The only thing they do have going for them is their ship, the Outlaw Star, the galaxy's most advanced spacecraft. Much like Bebop, the real heart of Outlaw Star is the crew Gene and Jim accumulate over time. The show features great character development and should scratch the space outlaw itch for any fan of Cowboy Bebop looking for something a little more out there.

13 Black Lagoon (2006)

Based on the manga series by Rei Hiroe & produced by Studio Madhouse

What makes Cowboy Bebop unique is that the story behind each of its characters commonly revolves around a dark personal tragedy. The same careful, considered character development and an underlying feeling of darkness are to be found in Black Lagoon. The series boasts an equally interesting and dark story, though Black Lagoon follows a rag-tag band of mercenaries as opposed to bounty hunters.

The audience's point of view character is Rock, an average businessman who gets captured by mercenaries. He decides to the crew after a negotiation goes awry, as he's curious to live the harsh yet adventurously eventful life the others lead. Rock essentially serves as the group's face, using his business acumen to negotiate on behalf of his crew. In contrast to Bebop, Black Lagoon isn't science fiction and is a straight-up crime thriller.

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12 Carole & Tuesday (2019)

Original anime series directed by Shinichiro Watanabe & produced by Studio Bones

Another anime created by Bebop mastermind Watanabe, Carole & Tuesday is actually set in the same universe as Cowboy Bebop, although slightly further along the timeline when society has clearly stabilized at least somewhat. The series follows the titular odd-couple music duo as they try to make it as musicians. Fans of Bebop will instantly appreciate Carole & Tuesday's musical themes and more grounded characters.

Though the series does lack much of the action that makes its predecessor so famous, it makes up for it with a compelling depiction of the power of music. Also much like Bebop, Carole and Tuesday isn't afraid to tackle difficult and complex social issues. Though Carole & Tuesday was released in 2019, its discussion of AI-generated art feels particularly relevant in the modern age. Fans of Bebop definitely will find a lot to love about its chiller sister series with Carole and Tuesday.

11 Baccano! (2007)

Based on the light novel series by Ryohgo Narita & illustrated by Katsumi Enami

Those who enjoyed the stylish fight scenes in Cowboy Bebop need not look further than Baccano! Much like Bebop, this anime is jam-packed with jazzy action scenes that are classy and chaotic. The show is also set in 1930s Chicago, and it's been lauded for its enrapturing, period-accurate score. Baccano! is told out of order and features an ensemble cast on the hunt for missing bottles that contain the elixir for immortality. The main story arc isn't all there is, however, with many side stories padding out the overall plot.

Fans have often compared Bebop to the works of Quentin Tarantino in general and Pulp Fiction more specifically. While the veracity of these comparisons has some merits, it's definitely easier to compare Pulp Fiction to Baccano! which features a similarly bombastic story told from multiple perspectives and centers around a handful of explosive personalities.