FINISHED

Good news, space cowboys! Cowboy Bebop is a fully completed series, offering a definitive journey from start to finish. It originally aired with 26 captivating episodes between 1998 and 1999, providing a conclusive story without the need for additional seasons or spin-offs that alter its powerful ending.

Watch Order

To fully appreciate Cowboy Bebop’s unique storytelling and character development, it’s highly recommended to watch the episodes in their original broadcast order. This ensures you experience the narrative exactly as intended, allowing each plot point and character revelation to land perfectly as you follow Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein on their adventures across the solar system.

Similar Animes

If you’ve journeyed through the stars with the Bebop crew and are now looking for anime that capture a similar essence—be it the genre-bending action, compelling character dynamics, or stylish world-building—here are some top recommendations to add to your watchlist:

  • Samurai Champloo: Crafted by the same visionary director as Cowboy Bebop, Shinichirō Watanabe, this series transports you to Edo-period Japan for a thrilling blend of martial arts action, humor, and profound character journeys. Like Bebop, it boasts an absolutely phenomenal soundtrack that helps define its unique atmosphere.
  • Outlaw Star: A classic space western that shares Cowboy Bebop’s adventurous spirit and ensemble cast of misfits. Follow Gene Starwind and his crew aboard the Outlaw Star as they embark on a quest through the vast reaches of space, encountering danger and discovery at every turn.
  • Black Lagoon: For those who appreciate the grittier, action-packed side of Cowboy Bebop, Black Lagoon delivers. This series follows a group of modern-day mercenaries operating in the lawless waters of Southeast Asia, offering intense gunfights, complex moral dilemmas, and a cast of memorable, dangerous characters.
  • Trigun: Dive into another sci-fi western with Trigun, featuring a unique blend of humor, high-stakes action, and dramatic themes. Its iconic protagonist, Vash the Stampede, is a legendary gunslinger with a mysterious past, making it a perfect fit for fans of charismatic leads and a distinct 90s anime aesthetic.
  • Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: If Cowboy Bebop’s deeper themes and complex world-building resonated with you, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a must-watch. This cyberpunk masterpiece explores profound philosophical questions, intricate political conspiracies, and features a brilliant ensemble cast led by Major Motoko Kusanagi.
  • Space Dandy: Another creative gem from Shinichirō Watanabe, Space Dandy takes a more comedic and whimsical approach to space adventure. Known for its quirky humor, stunningly fluid animation, and often surprisingly poignant episodes, it offers a refreshing take on the familiar premise of bounty hunting across the cosmos.
  • Firefly: While a live-action series, Firefly is frequently compared to Cowboy Bebop for its captivating space western setting and its memorable ensemble cast aboard a spaceship. It perfectly blends sci-fi action with classic Western tropes, centered around a found family trying to make a living on the fringes of the galaxy.