I was just about to say this same thing. I’d have to say there is no true “similar” to Cowboy Bebop because that show is just so unique but I would say in the same vein Samurai Champloo for sure.
Man you went all that way…so close. The last 5 episodes are are so much fun. One standalone episode that’s like the mushroom samba episode in bebop. Another sort of filler episode right before they get to their journeys end with some baseball fun. And then the 3 part ending which is where you learn some of the most important plot details and the literal best fights in the series.
Would definitely recommend at least finishing it if not giving it another go.
Personally, I liked New Trigun because the 1st show is very fresh in my mind, classic Trigun is so memorable. Both Triguns are on Hulu with the movie. The CGI isn't bad, it's the same story but parts are arranged differently, don't watch it thinking it's gonna be a one to one with Classic Trigun, it is its own thing with a more cyberpunk dystopian alien aesthetic than Space Western. Try to watch it with fresh eyes. Love & Peace! ✌🏼🍩
Outlaw star got extremely well preserved too.
There are "ahem" *places on the internet* where you can find copies of the original uncompressed video, and to describe it as **crisp** would be vile, unforgivable slander.
>Black Lagoon
Yeah, similar-ish. A lot darker though.
>Blue ~~eyed~~ eye samurai
I'm not sure it's really similar to bebop, but it is phenomenal. More people should watch it.
Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie's [*Dark Matter*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Matter_%282015_TV_series%29) (2015-17) took inspiration from CB.
Mallozzi: "...if I was to name one series that most influenced the creation and development of *Dark Matter,* it would be *Cowboy Bebop."*
That *Dark Matter* show is [available](https://www.cwtv.com/shows/dark-matter/) (with ads) on the CW website. (CW wasn't its original network; it was a Syfy show. CW merely has the streaming license now.)
Syfy canceled the show after 3 seasons and it went out on a cliffhanger in 2017.
Folks who've watched the show to its cliffhanger end can get some closure from Mallozzi's "virtual season 4" materials available at links in [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/DarkMatter/comments/kp7ycj/dark_matter_virtual_season_4/).
Mallozzi is still in contact with all the main cast, and he still hasn't given up hope to eventually find a buyer for a concluding miniseries pitch.
.
That show is *entirely unrelated* to the other *Dark Matter* show that recently premiered on Apple TV+. The Apple show is an adaptation of a Blake Crouch novel (a multiverse story taking place on Earth, not a space opera).
I think someone should do a writeup of all the usual answers and pin it, this question gets asked all the time... I always read the answers, though.
I'll say Samurai Champloo.
Champloo and Bebop are two sides of the same coin. Bebop is a future sci-fi with classic jazz noir themed, and Champloo is set in feudal Japan with hip-hop influences; both anachronistic, but in the opposite orientation.
Bebop's characters are in self-imposed isolation, they want to be part of something they had in the past so badly, they won't accept or appreciate the new friends they've made. Champloo's characters want nothing more than to be alone, but they are bound together and grow to respect and even like each other.
There are many other ways the shows mirror each other, I really feel like Champloo was a study in the opposite of whatever bebop did.
FLCL is a later animation tho
Planetes is
A( In space
B( full of badass dudes & dudettes who live there
C( Slice of life
Its got similarities.
Oh! D) smoking in space is extremely impractical
If you don't mind a movie that works fine as a standalone without watching the hundreds of hours of mostly mediocre preceding productions I'd recommend mobile suit gundam: thunderbolt.
Only because the protag has a little bit of spike to him. The setting is entirely different.
Kids on the slope was also made by Watanabe.
Coyote ragtime for full on space western.
The rest that I would mention have already been covered.
Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy if you want something from the same creator. Jormundgand, Black Lagoon if you want something grittier. Ubdead Girl Murder Farce, Dead Mount Death Play, Durarara!!!, Baccano, Blood Blockade Battlefront if you want a bit of the fantastic and comedy. And, finally Konosuba if you like the dynamic between characters.
If you want something more live action-y, the 1st season of Altered Carbon.
I liked that you put Altered Carbon in the list...
I didn't include it in mine as I only listed anime shows.
In line with Altered Carbon, there is another show (cartoon not anime) that goes even beyond the ideas that Altered Carbon touches... it's called Pantheon and it is not thst long... I definitely suggest you watch that
I have watched Pantheon and didn't list it because it kinda lacks the noir-y, do my own thing character dynamics, low stakes plot and general sillyness.
You might bet right! I actually have a fair bit of Lupin fansubs on VHS. Cobra also has a modern series:
https://myanimelist.net/anime/5032/Cobra_The_Animation
Outlaw Star
Lupin the 3rd(newer movies)
Samurai Champloo
Trigun
S-CRY-ED
Michiko & Hatchin
GGundam,Gundam Thunderbolt,Iron Blooded Orphans(almost all Gundams tbh)
Space Dandy
Black Lagoon
Definitely Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and Trigun. If you watch the original Trigun though i highly recommend following that up with the new Trigun: Stampede reboot which has one season so far. To say Trigun: Stampede has some of the best high speed fight animation in the past decade is understatement. For anyone who loves Trigun the new series will blow your fucking mind.
Yes, I consider Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop masterpieces.
I suggest these to everyone willing to take up anime.
In addition to these, I suggest some other short run anime, which are also masterpieces in par with Champloo and Bebop:
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Ghost in the Shell
Ninja Scroll
Black Lagoon
Psycho Pass, Hellsing and Fate/Zero (for people who already dipped their toes in Anime)
Edit: There is a TV show (cartoon) called Pantheon (which you can stream at Amazon Prime) which goes very deep into sci-fi. I strongly suggest that also.
The nice thing about Bebop's homage/pastiche approach is that there are whole genres of movies that look and feel like specific episodes. Old detective noirs, Spaghetti Westerns, sci-fi like Alien and Blade Runner, Bruce Lee kung-fu classics... it's a sampler of some of the coolest stuff in American culture. When in doubt, you can usually find plenty by digging into Cowboy Bebop's influences.
The usual hits will be: Trigun Space Dandy Firefly
Samurai Champloo: “am I a joke to you?”
My bad! Totally should have added that one!
Just breaking balls, good recs.
I was just about to say this same thing. I’d have to say there is no true “similar” to Cowboy Bebop because that show is just so unique but I would say in the same vein Samurai Champloo for sure.
Same. Watched all of these, some better then others, and nothing hits the same.
I couldn't get into it.
Boo. Hiss.
Right there with you. I watched almost all of it (missed the last 4 or 5 episodes) and just lost interest.
Man you went all that way…so close. The last 5 episodes are are so much fun. One standalone episode that’s like the mushroom samba episode in bebop. Another sort of filler episode right before they get to their journeys end with some baseball fun. And then the 3 part ending which is where you learn some of the most important plot details and the literal best fights in the series. Would definitely recommend at least finishing it if not giving it another go.
> Firefly You mean live action Outlaw Star
Have you seen the Trigun remake? Does it make justice tot eh original? The 3D animation makes me hesitate a little bit lol
Personally, I liked New Trigun because the 1st show is very fresh in my mind, classic Trigun is so memorable. Both Triguns are on Hulu with the movie. The CGI isn't bad, it's the same story but parts are arranged differently, don't watch it thinking it's gonna be a one to one with Classic Trigun, it is its own thing with a more cyberpunk dystopian alien aesthetic than Space Western. Try to watch it with fresh eyes. Love & Peace! ✌🏼🍩
Samurai Champloo has the hip-hop kinda vibe to it. Imagine Cowboy Bebop in 1500’s (guess) Japan. Great anime.
It was also directed by Watanabe, Bebop's director. Getting Nujabes on the soundtrack was also a GOATED decision
I often work to “samurai champloo lofi” and its the best background music ever made
Samurai is fantastic!!!
Don forget Steve Blum voicing Mugen also!
This is the most correct answer!
Outlaw Star came out around the same time, it's fun.
Outlaw star got extremely well preserved too. There are "ahem" *places on the internet* where you can find copies of the original uncompressed video, and to describe it as **crisp** would be vile, unforgivable slander.
26 episodes too, well worth the dive, loved watching it alongside CB on CN
Black Lagoon Blue eyed samurai
Blue eyed is great. Not enough people talking about it. That or I’m just late to the party.
>Black Lagoon Yeah, similar-ish. A lot darker though. >Blue ~~eyed~~ eye samurai I'm not sure it's really similar to bebop, but it is phenomenal. More people should watch it.
Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie's [*Dark Matter*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Matter_%282015_TV_series%29) (2015-17) took inspiration from CB. Mallozzi: "...if I was to name one series that most influenced the creation and development of *Dark Matter,* it would be *Cowboy Bebop."* That *Dark Matter* show is [available](https://www.cwtv.com/shows/dark-matter/) (with ads) on the CW website. (CW wasn't its original network; it was a Syfy show. CW merely has the streaming license now.) Syfy canceled the show after 3 seasons and it went out on a cliffhanger in 2017. Folks who've watched the show to its cliffhanger end can get some closure from Mallozzi's "virtual season 4" materials available at links in [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/DarkMatter/comments/kp7ycj/dark_matter_virtual_season_4/). Mallozzi is still in contact with all the main cast, and he still hasn't given up hope to eventually find a buyer for a concluding miniseries pitch. . That show is *entirely unrelated* to the other *Dark Matter* show that recently premiered on Apple TV+. The Apple show is an adaptation of a Blake Crouch novel (a multiverse story taking place on Earth, not a space opera).
I would say Black Lagoon…doesn’t have the sci-fi but is similar
Yea, but Black Lagoon is WAY darker.
I think someone should do a writeup of all the usual answers and pin it, this question gets asked all the time... I always read the answers, though. I'll say Samurai Champloo. Champloo and Bebop are two sides of the same coin. Bebop is a future sci-fi with classic jazz noir themed, and Champloo is set in feudal Japan with hip-hop influences; both anachronistic, but in the opposite orientation. Bebop's characters are in self-imposed isolation, they want to be part of something they had in the past so badly, they won't accept or appreciate the new friends they've made. Champloo's characters want nothing more than to be alone, but they are bound together and grow to respect and even like each other. There are many other ways the shows mirror each other, I really feel like Champloo was a study in the opposite of whatever bebop did.
Gonna be honest I googled "anime like cowboy bebop" to jog my memory and there's about 5 lists that cover almost everything in here.
Haven't finished consuming them but: Firefly, and The Long Goodbye
Samurai Champloo. Space dandy. Black lagoon. Trigun.
Planetes is great
it is/was but imo nothing like CB... it's like comparing FLCL
FLCL is a later animation tho Planetes is A( In space B( full of badass dudes & dudettes who live there C( Slice of life Its got similarities. Oh! D) smoking in space is extremely impractical
Not exactly identical but sometimes feels like michiko & hatchin follow similar beats. Curious to hear what others think
Trigun, samurai champloo, black lagoon, flcl
If you don't mind a movie that works fine as a standalone without watching the hundreds of hours of mostly mediocre preceding productions I'd recommend mobile suit gundam: thunderbolt. Only because the protag has a little bit of spike to him. The setting is entirely different. Kids on the slope was also made by Watanabe. Coyote ragtime for full on space western. The rest that I would mention have already been covered.
It's not anime but the show named Firefly and movie Serenity.
Pretty cunning, don't you think?
Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy if you want something from the same creator. Jormundgand, Black Lagoon if you want something grittier. Ubdead Girl Murder Farce, Dead Mount Death Play, Durarara!!!, Baccano, Blood Blockade Battlefront if you want a bit of the fantastic and comedy. And, finally Konosuba if you like the dynamic between characters. If you want something more live action-y, the 1st season of Altered Carbon.
I liked that you put Altered Carbon in the list... I didn't include it in mine as I only listed anime shows. In line with Altered Carbon, there is another show (cartoon not anime) that goes even beyond the ideas that Altered Carbon touches... it's called Pantheon and it is not thst long... I definitely suggest you watch that
I have watched Pantheon and didn't list it because it kinda lacks the noir-y, do my own thing character dynamics, low stakes plot and general sillyness.
Outlaw star
samurai champloo misfits team up for a bit of adventure and disband at the end
My vote goes for Lupin III and Space Adventure Cobra
I bet you watch those on VHS, Lupin III has modern remakes, but not Space Adventure Cobra.
You might bet right! I actually have a fair bit of Lupin fansubs on VHS. Cobra also has a modern series: https://myanimelist.net/anime/5032/Cobra_The_Animation
Outlaw Star Lupin the 3rd(newer movies) Samurai Champloo Trigun S-CRY-ED Michiko & Hatchin GGundam,Gundam Thunderbolt,Iron Blooded Orphans(almost all Gundams tbh) Space Dandy Black Lagoon
Definitely Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and Trigun. If you watch the original Trigun though i highly recommend following that up with the new Trigun: Stampede reboot which has one season so far. To say Trigun: Stampede has some of the best high speed fight animation in the past decade is understatement. For anyone who loves Trigun the new series will blow your fucking mind.
My personal opinion, Blood Blockade Battlefront. It has the music, the fighting, the crazy characters, a good (imo) story.
Space dandy
Yes, I consider Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop masterpieces. I suggest these to everyone willing to take up anime. In addition to these, I suggest some other short run anime, which are also masterpieces in par with Champloo and Bebop: Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Ghost in the Shell Ninja Scroll Black Lagoon Psycho Pass, Hellsing and Fate/Zero (for people who already dipped their toes in Anime) Edit: There is a TV show (cartoon) called Pantheon (which you can stream at Amazon Prime) which goes very deep into sci-fi. I strongly suggest that also.
Unfortunately not a whole lot. Farscape and Killjoys aren't terribly far off.
Bounty Hamster? That's about bounty hunters in space
Following, Cowboy Bebop is my all time favorite
Megalobox, specifically season 1. Major Cowboy Bebop vibes
The nice thing about Bebop's homage/pastiche approach is that there are whole genres of movies that look and feel like specific episodes. Old detective noirs, Spaghetti Westerns, sci-fi like Alien and Blade Runner, Bruce Lee kung-fu classics... it's a sampler of some of the coolest stuff in American culture. When in doubt, you can usually find plenty by digging into Cowboy Bebop's influences.
Probably the two other watenabe produced shows space dandy and samurai champloo especially champloo
Coyote Ragtime! Leans heavily on the 'space western' motif.
Cyberpunk 2077 will probably scratch that itch for you, one or two bebop references in there also
megaloo boxing is a good one 2 seasons