Best tv shows like Cowboy Bebop
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In 2071, roughly fifty years after an accident with a hyperspace gateway made the Earth almost uninhabitable, humanity has colonized most of the rocky planets and moons of the Solar System. Amid a rising crime rate, the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP) set up a legalized contract system, in which registered bounty hunters (also referred to as "Cowboys") chase criminals and bring them in alive in return for a reward.
IMDB Rating: 8.9
IMDB Votes: 134000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan, Canada
Duration: 650 min
Plot tags: anime, futuristic, exciting, atmospheric, neo noir, serious, stylized, manga, tragicomedy, ambiguous ending
Best tv shows and movies like Cowboy Bebop (1998):
Similar in 90%
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995)
Plot Summary:
Mankind has moved into space. Thousands of people live on giant orbiting space colonies called "Sides." However, the Earth Government, which rules the colonies, is unjust and cruel. A group of revolutionaries builds five robotic weapons called Gundams and plans to send them to Earth to begin their fight for independence. Piloted by five young men, these Gundams carry the hopes and dreams of freedom of the colonists with them as they descend to Earth to begin Operation Meteor!.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: anime, mecha, adult anime, futuristic, exciting, serious, suspenseful
Similar in 78%
Detonator Orgun (1991)
Plot Summary:
Fleeing from his own race, Orgun—an alien being with superhuman abilities and unearthly weapons—travels to Earth to find an answer to his origin. There, he bonds with a young man named Tomoru to defend Earth against the Evoluders, who seek nothing but destruction of other civilizations.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 262
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration:
Plot tags: anime, mecha, exciting, serious, futuristic, stylized
Similar in 84%
Harlock Saga (1999)
Plot Summary:
Legend tells of the Rheingold, an all-powerful metal used by the gods of Valhalla during the forging of the universe. Legend says that he who wields the Rheingold wields ultimate power over all things; yea, even over the gods themselves. The Nibelheim, former servants of Valhalla who were cast down aeons ago for daring to defy the gods, are once again fomenting a rebellion. Their leader Alberich is on a ruthless quest for the Rheingold and will let nothing stand in the way of his desire to utterly crush Wotan and the gods of Valhalla. Fearing the implications of his actions, his sister Meeme, currently in the service of the space pirate Captain Harlock, warns her friend about Alberich's plans. Together with fellow space pirate Emeraldas, his best friend Tochiro Oyama, and Maetel the eternal traveler, Captain Harlock sets out to thwart Alberich's designs and save the universe ... not for the gods, but for all the living beings it contains.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 271
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: anime
Similar in 83%
Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978)
Plot Summary:
Space Pirate Captain Harlock is a manga series written and illustrated by Leiji Matsumoto, serialized Akita Shoten's Play Comic from 1977 to 1979. The series was adapted into an animated television series in 1978 directed by Rintaro and produced by Toei Animation. A computer-animated film adaptation of the same name premiered in 2013. The series follows the titular Captain, an outcast turned space pirate after he rebelled against Earth's Government and humanity's general apathy.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, 2d animation
Similar in 88%
Dr. Stone (2019)
Plot Summary:
One fateful day, all of humanity was petrified by a blinding flash of light. After several millennia, high schooler Taiju awakens and finds himself lost in a world of statues. However, he's not alone! His science-loving friend Senku's been up and running for a few months and he's got a grand plan in mind, to kickstart civilization with the power of science!.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, educational, captivating, intellectual, exciting, tense, futuristic, funny, humorous, philosophical
Similar in 77%
Samurai Champloo (2004)
Plot Summary:
Mugen is a ferocious, animalistic warrior with a fighting style inspired by break-dancing. Jin is a ronin samurai who wanders the countryside alone. They may not be friends, but their paths continually cross. And when ditzy waitress Fuu gets them out of hot water with the local magistrate, they agree to join her search for the "samurai who smells of sunflowers.".
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 54000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, exciting, thought provoking, atmospheric, captivating, manga, adult animation, adult anime, shounen, spectacular
Similar in 75%
Space Cobra (2008)
Plot Summary:
Cobra, a famous charismatic space pirate with "psychogun" for a hand, decides to renounce his ways, and become an ordinary person with a new identity. His memories do come back and he becomes a space adventurer fighting villains.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 245
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: anime, exciting, captivating, entertaining, tense, suspense, futuristic, super sentai, mecha
Similar in 83%
Gundam 0080: A War in the Pocket (1989)
Plot Summary:
In the final days of the One Year War, a Zeon special forces group infiltrates a colony to gather information on a new Gundam unit. Alfred Izuruha, a 10-year-old student, befriends Zeon rookie pilot Bernie Wiseman during a brief mobile suit combat. Meanwhile, Al meets up with Christina MacKenzie, his former neighbor and babysitter. Little does he know that not only is Christina a member of the Earth Federation, she's the test pilot of the new Gundam NT-4 prototype.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, War
Country: Japan
Duration:
Plot tags: anime, mecha, serious, futuristic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 83%
Trigun (1998)
Plot Summary:
Trigun takes place in the distant future on a deserted planet. Vash the Stampede is a gunfighter with a legend so ruthless he has a $60,000,000,000 bounty on his head. Entire towns evacuate at the rumor of his arrival. But the real Vash the Stampede, the enigmatic and conflicted lead character in Trigun, is more heroic, even though he usually acts like a complete idiot.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan, Canada
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, exciting, stylized, humorous, manga, apocalyptic, smart, adult anime, semi serious, futuristic
Similar in 78%
Darker Than Black (2007)
Plot Summary:
Anime television series created, directed and written by Tensai Okamura and animated by Bones.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, manga, atmospheric, rough, suspenseful, stylized, mecha, deep, adult anime, seinen
Similar in 87%
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed (2002)
Plot Summary:
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is an anime series developed by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. As with other series from the Gundam franchise, Gundam SEED takes place in a parallel timeline, in this case the Cosmic Era, the first to do so. In this era, mankind has developed into two subspecies: Naturals, who reside on Earth and Coordinators, genetically-enhanced humans capable of withstanding the rigors of space who inhabit orbital colonies. The story revolves around a young Coordinator Kira Yamato who becomes involved in the war between the two races after a neutral space colony is invaded by the Coordinators. The television series was broadcast in Japan between 2002 and 2003, on the Tokyo Broadcasting System and Mainichi Broadcasting System networks. The series spawned three compilations films and was adapted into a manga as well as various light novels. A sequel series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny followed in 2004. Various types of merchandising have also been released, including models, CD soundtracks and video games. Gundam SEED was licensed by Bandai Entertainment for broadcast in North America, and began airing in the United States and Canada in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The films and the sequel were also licensed by Bandai. The manga and light novels as well as the spin off series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray, were also licensed. A number of video games were also released in North America.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, War
Country: Japan
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: anime, mecha, serious, suspenseful, stylized, apocalyptic, fable
Similar in 88%
Black Lagoon (2006)
Plot Summary:
Black Lagoon is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rei Hiroe. It has been published in Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday Gene-X since 2002, and nine collected volumes have been released so far. It was later adapted into an anime television series, by Madhouse, that aired from April to June 2006 for twelve episodes. A second season, subtitled "The Second Barrage", ran for twelve weeks starting on October 2, 2006. A five volume original video animation series, titled Roberta's Blood Trail, was released from July 2010 to June 2011.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: anime, exciting, suspenseful, humorous, psychological, manga, adult animation, adult anime, seinen, realistic
Similar in 75%
Gurren Lagann (2007)
Plot Summary:
In the distant future, people build their homes and raise domestic animals in subterranean caverns. As a result, they live in fear of the occasional earthquake and cave-in, and have been for hundreds of years. Jeeha is one such village. One day, a boy named Simon happens to find a small, shiny drill whilst digging to expand the village. At the same time, Kamina, a guy who believes that there is another land above the village, persuades a gangster to break through the ceiling in order to leave the cavern. Suddenly, an earthquake occurs and the ceiling collapses, followed by a big robot breaking through the ceiling. Kamina is now sure that there is a world above them. Recklessly, he begins to fight against the robot. At that moment, another person appears from the land above. It is a girl by the name of Yoko. With a rifle in hand, she had been tracking the robot. However, all she could do was distract it. Then, Simon shows what he had found to Kamina and Yoko. It`s a mysterious robot whose head is also its body.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: mecha, anime, exciting, serious, captivating, suspenseful, manga, apocalyptic, deep, fast
Similar in 79%
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
Plot Summary:
Mars. Days before Halloween 2071. Villains blow up a tanker truck on Highway One, releasing a deadly virus that kills hundreds. Fearing a bigger, even more devastating biochemical attack, an astronomical reward is offered for the arrest and capture of the person behind the destruction. On the space ship "Bebop," Spike Spiegel and his crew of bounty hunters (Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Ed and Ein) are bored and short of cash. But with the news of the reward, everything changes.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 52000
Genere: Animation, Action, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan, USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: anime, atmospheric, witty, adult anime, adult animation, exciting, surreal, manga, serious, suspenseful
Similar in 88%
Fist of the North Star (1984)
Plot Summary:
In the year 199X, human civilization has been all but destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. In an age where the strong rule over the weak, the survivors of the fallout struggle over the remaining supply food and water left. Kenshiro, successor to an ancient, deadly martial art known as Hokuto Shinken (Fist of the North Star), wanders the wasteland with seven scars in the shape of the Big Dipper on his chest. This infamous style uses the body's hidden 708 pressure points to destroy opponents from within and allows practitioners to unleash 100% of their humanly strength. Accompanied by a young thief and an orphan girl, this messiah brings justice to this lawless world with the strongest fist in the world.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: anime, rough, serious, suspenseful, exciting, adult anime, apocalyptic, adult animation, shounen, brutal
Similar in 86%
Psycho-Pass (2012)
Plot Summary:
Psycho-Pass is a Japanese anime television series that takes place in the future where it is possible to instantaneously measure a person's mental state, personality, and the probability that a person will commit crimes with a device installed on each citizen's body called the Psycho-Pass. It follows members of Unit One of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division and the crimes they investigate.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Animation, Action, Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: anime, atmospheric, bleak, serious, futuristic, suspenseful, stylized, manga, cyber, adult anime
Similar in 80%
Outlaw Star (1998)
Plot Summary:
Outlaw Star follows the outlaw Gene Starwind and his eleven year-old business associate, Jim Hawking. Together they run a small jack-of-all-trades business on the backwater planet Sentinel III. After the two take a job as bodyguards for a mysterious outlaw, they find themselves the owners of the XGP15A-II, a highly advanced prototype spacecraft, and the caretakers of a bio-android named Melfina, The series follows the exploits of the slowly growing ragtag crew.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Western
Country: Japan
Duration:
Plot tags: anime, seinen, exciting, captivating, futuristic, stylized, semi serious, fast, ambiguous ending, black comedy
Similar in 78%
Rurouni Kenshin (1996)
Plot Summary:
The Meiji Era was one of great renewal for Japan, where swords and killing were outlawed. However, many survivors from the time of Revolution still live, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, manga, exciting, shounen, brutal, serious, stylized, period piece
Similar in 89%
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
Plot Summary:
Edward and Alphonse Elric's reckless disregard for alchemy's fundamental laws ripped half of Ed's limbs from his body and left Al's soul clinging to a cold suit of armor. To restore what was lost, the brothers scour a war-torn land for the Philosopher's Stone, a fabled relic which grants the ability to perform alchemy in impossible ways. The Elrics are not alone in their search; the corrupt State Military is also eager to harness the artifact's power. So too are the strange Homunculi and their shadowy creator. The mythical gem lures exotic alchemists from distant kingdoms, scarring some deeply enough to inspire murder. As the Elrics find their course altered by these enemies and allies, their purpose remains unchanged – and their bond unbreakable.
IMDB Rating: 9.1
IMDB Votes: 191000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, exciting, serious, manga, stylized, humorous, crying, deep, adult anime, shounen
Similar in 85%
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
Plot Summary:
Mobile Suit Gundam is a televised anime series, produced by Sunrise. Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it premiered in Japan on Nagoya Broadcasting Network on April 7, 1979, and lasted until January 26, 1980, spanning 43 episodes. It was the very first Gundam series, which has subsequently been adapted into numerous sequels and spin-offs. In 1981, the series was re-edited for theatrical release and split into three movies. The characters were designed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and Kunio Okawara was responsible for the mechanical designs, including the eponymous giant robot, the RX-78-2 Gundam. The first movie was released on February 22, 1981.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, War
Country: Japan
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: anime, mecha, exciting, serious, suspenseful, adult anime, bleak, stylized, futuristic, cyberpunk anime
Similar in 77%
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)
Plot Summary:
14 years after third impact, Ikari Shinji awakens to a world he does not remember. He hasn't aged. Much of Earth is laid in ruins, Nerv has been dismantled, and people who he once protected have turned against him. Befriending the enigmatic Nagisa Kaworu, Shinji continues the fight against the angels and realizes the fighting is far from over, even when it could be against his former allies. The characters' struggles continue amidst the battles against the angels and each other, spiraling down to what could inevitably be the end of the world. The film was retitled "Evangelion: 3.33" for its DVD/Blu-Ray release.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: anime, mecha, futuristic, psychological, atmospheric, bleak, surreal, stylized, exciting, serious
Similar in 83%
Wolf's Rain (2003)
Plot Summary:
In some distant future, it's common knowledge that all wolves have been extinct for 200 years. However, it seems this is false as wolves have not disappeared but rather have taken human form. Kiba, a lone wolf, wanders into a city, trying to sniff out the Lunar Flowers that are supposed to lead whoever follows the scent to paradise. The source of the smell is Cheza, a girl who sleeps in what appears to be suspended animation in a lab. She and the wolves are drawn to each other, and Kiba hopes to find paradise once he finds the source of the scent of Lunar Flowers. However, once Kiba finds Cheza, she is kidnapped by a mysterious person called Darcia, and his search begins anew. Before he leaves the city, he meets 3 other wolves, Tsume, Hige and Toboe. All four wolves have very different personalities and ideas, and their friendliness towards each other is a little rough around the edges. However, they soon band together to continue to search for paradise.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 701 min
Plot tags: anime, serious, exciting, atmospheric, manga, apocalyptic, enigmatic, futuristic, psychological, deep
Similar in 77%
Appleseed Ex Machina (2007)
Plot Summary:
As members of ESWAT, the elite forces serving Olympus, Deunan and Briaereos they are deployed everywhere trouble strikes. Olympus finds itself under a stealth attack - cyborg terrorism, deadly nanotech zealots, and rioting citizens are just some of the threats that Deunan must contend with as she fights to save Olympus!.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi, Thriller, War
Country: Japan
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: computer animated, mecha, anime, stylized, suspenseful, adult animation, futuristic, manga, sincere, mind bending
Similar in 89%
Appleseed XIII (2011)
Plot Summary:
Appleseed XIII is a 2011 Japanese CGI anime adaptation of Masamune Shirow's science fiction manga series Appleseed. Composed of 13 episodes, the series retold the exploits of ES.W.A.T. member Deunan and her cyborg partner Briareos. The series was produced by Jinni's Animation Studios in association with Production I.G and under the direction of Takayuki Hamana with Junichi Fujisaku as script supervisor. All 13 episodes were compiled into two feature-length films. The first feature film titled Appleseed XIII: Tartaros was announced by Shochiku and released on June 13, 2011. The second film, Appleseed XIII: Ouranos was released on October 24, 2011. A North American release of the TV series will be out in June 2013.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 367
Genere: Animation, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration:
Plot tags: anime, exciting, futuristic, suspenseful, tense, captivating, cyber, serious, stylized, computer animated
Similar in 85%
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)
Plot Summary:
In the future when technological enhancements and robotics are a way of life, Major Motoko Kusanagi and Section 9 take care of the jobs that are too difficult for the police. Section 9 employs hackers, sharpshooters, detectives and cyborgs all in an effort to thwart cyber criminals and their plans to attack the innocent.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Animation, Action, Crime, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: anime, serious, cyber, futuristic, suspenseful, rough, stylized, philosophical, adult animation, psychological
Similar in 79%
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
Plot Summary:
The second of two theatrically released follow-ups to the Neon Genesis Evangelion series. Comprising of two alternate episodes which were first intended to take the place of episodes 25 and 26, this finale answers many of the questions surrounding the series, while also opening up some new possibilities.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 62000
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: anime, psychological, mecha, ambiguous ending, surreal, cult classic, adult animation, existential, mindfuck, atmospheric
Similar in 87%
Ergo Proxy (2006)
Plot Summary:
Ergo Proxy is a science fiction suspense anime television series, produced by Manglobe, which premiered across Japan on 25 February 2006 on the WOWOW satellite network. It is directed by Shukō Murase, with screenplay by Dai Satō et al.. Ergo Proxy has been described as a dark sciencefiction mystery with philosophical underpinnings. It features a combination of 2D digital cel animation, 3D computer modeling, and digital special effects.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: anime, exciting, psychological, futuristic, suspenseful, cliffhanger, cyber, atmospheric, serious, seinen
Similar in 78%
Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
Plot Summary:
At the turn of the century, the Angels returned to Earth, seeking to wipe out humanity in an apocalyptic fury. Devastated, mankind's last remnants moved underground to wait for the day when the Angels would come back to finish the job. Fifteen years later, that day has come... but this time, humanity is ready to fight back with terrifying bio-mechanical weapons known as the Evangelions. Watch as Shinji, Rei, Asuka and the rest of the mysterious shadow agency Nerv battle to save earth from total annihilation.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 81000
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: mecha, anime, psychological, serious, exciting, twist ending, ambiguous ending, thought provoking, bleak, manga
Similar in 85%
Firefly (2002)
Plot Summary:
Firefly is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a "Firefly-class" spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity.
IMDB Rating: 9.0
IMDB Votes: 278000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 616 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, witty, futuristic, neo western, clever, epic, apocalyptic, cult classic, cliffhanger
Similar in 80%
The Animatrix (2003)
Plot Summary:
Straight from the creators of the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy, this collection of short animated films from the world's leading anime directors fuses computer graphics and Japanese anime to provide the background of the Matrix universe and the conflict between man and machines. The shorts include Final Flight of the Osiris, The Second Renaissance, Kid's Story, Program, World Record, Beyond, A Detective Story and Matriculated.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 81000
Genere: Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: anime, philosophical, atmospheric, cyber, stylized, anthology, adult animation, computer animated, exciting, rough