*Cowboy Bebop* remains a celebrated genre-mash-up anime nearly three decades after its Japanese debut. Its enduring reputation stems from its neo-noir Western style, memorable characters, inventive storytelling and broad influence, particularly as a gateway series for many Western viewers discovering anime.

Set in 2071, the series follows bounty hunters Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Edward and the corgi Ein as they pursue jobs across a colonised solar system. It combines science fiction, cyberpunk, comedy, horror, surrealism and noir, while Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts’ jazz-and-blues soundtrack gives the series much of its distinctive emotional identity; its English dub and Adult Swim broadcast also helped it achieve mainstream crossover success.