The release of many qualityanimein the last two decades or so has made the genre’s landscape extremely diverse. A lot of these can befound on streaming services like Netflix, and most viewers prefer to follow shows that are similar to ones they’re already fans of.
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Cowboy Bebophas 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.
10Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloois 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 toCowboy Bebopcomes from the aspect of being on the run, asSamurai Champlooalso has characters who need to face their past demons to move on and carve out their path in the present.
9Black Lagoon
Black Lagoonsees 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 Lagoonis a fast-paced and action-oriented show that contains a number of memorable characters, with the likeness toCowboy Bebopcoming from the dynamic of the mercenaries that is similar to the bounty hunters variant in the latter series.
8Ghost In The Shell
Ghost in the Shellis 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 Shellactually has a number of televisionand film adaptations, making it difficult to choose just one that resemblesCowboy Bebop. Regardless, all of the shows share the theme of existential crisis asCowboy Bebopdoes, withGhost in the Shellgiving this particular focus by the premise pointing out that life may be ultimately meaningless.
7Gun X Sword
An anime belonging to the gunslinger genre,Gun X Swordis 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.
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Gun X Swordis a lot bleaker than other shows like it, but the serious premise actually makes for an engaging story to follow. LikeCowboy Bebopfeatures multiple characters accompanying the lead,Gun X Swordsimilarly has a number of supporting characters who join the protagonist on the way.
6Space Dandy
A show that pays close attention to stylish elements,such as a killer soundtrackand action-adventure format,Space Dandysees 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 Dandyis a pretty funny show that will keep viewers entertained with light moments. The series has the far-reaching aspect of its universe asCowboy Bebopdoes, as the protagonist here explores new worlds to see.
5Psycho-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 Bebopfans usually comparePsycho-Passwith their favorite series, owing to the thriller elements and the similarities between the bounty hunters and officers/enforcers. Even on its ownPsycho-Passis a superb series to follow for the mystery that unfolds in each episode.
4Outlaw 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 allowsOutlaw Starto remain fresh and appealing. It goes without saying that the group mentality is whatCowboy Bebopfans will be most attracted by.
3Baccano!
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.
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The series is as intriguing as it sounds, withBaccano!still finding room for some light stories despite the otherwise heavy-handed storyline. The theme of characters finding themselves is similar toCowboy Bebop, along with the ensemble cast format.
2Lupin 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 toCowboy Bebop,this one can be enjoyed with the kidsdue toLupin the Thirdmainly being a comedy.
The reason why it has a likeness toCowboy Bebopcomes down to the the show’s execution.Lupin the Thirdfeatures the main character using his associates to complete his heists and leave people intending to capture him absolutely clueless.
1Trigun
WhileCowboy Bebopconcerns the lives of bounty hunters,Trigunis 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 inTriguncomes 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.
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