The 10 Anime Like Outlaw Star Any Fan Should Watch

Outlaw Star is one of the 1990s Sci-Fi anime released during a period when series of this kind were incredibly popular and revolutionizing the medium.

This series manages to stand out from the others thanks to its light-hearted vibes filled with fast-paced gags, adrenaline-packed action moments, and a story centered around bounty hunters characters.

If you’ve watched it and are looking for similar series to experience the same vibes, I’ve curated a list of the best anime like Outlaw Star that every fan shouldn’t miss.

10. Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is basically Outlaw Star, but in a reversed setting. Both series have a light and episodic structure rich in action while maintaining a plot, with similar characters.

The difference is that Samurai Champloo is set in the past and Outlaw Star in the future, but this difference could make it perfect if you’re looking for similar vibes in a new context.

The work stars Mugen and Jin, two samurai warriors with opposing characters, and Kasumi, a girl who has hired the two warriors to search for the “samurai who smells like sunflowers.”

The story revolves around their adventures, and they are often self-contained, generally with a few elements present that drive forward the overall plot of the whole.

9. Crest of the Stars

Crest of the Stars is another ’90s space anime similar to Outlaw Star that you should watch if you enjoy this genre.

Like Outlaw Star it’s set in space and is action-packed, so you’ll find similar vibes, but it’s important to note that Crest of the Stars has a much more serious and complex plot.

We recommend it if you’re looking for a series with similar vibes but a more mature tone.

This is an action romance anime released in 1999 in 13 episodes from which a sequel was also made in 2000 called Banner of the Stars.

The story is set in a future where humans are at war against an empire of genetically modified beings called Abh.

In this setting Ghintec, an ordinary boy, is about to become a count of the Abh, so he must learn their customs, along with Princess Lamirth.

8. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a modern classic among Sci-Fi anime that we highly recommend if you’re a fan of Outlaw Star.

This is because, besides being a superb Sci-Fi anime, it features a cast of characters similar to that of Outlaw Star and has a similar storyline where the characters discover powerful robot technology that they use in their mission.

The story follows Simon and Kamina, who are tired of living underground and dream of seeing the sky. One day, they discover the head of a robot called Lagann while digging underground.

After activating the mecha, they reach the surface and take possession of its body, leading them to war against mysterious enemies.

7. Martian Successor Nadesico

Martian Successor Nadesico is an hidden gem among ’90s Sci-Fi anime that you’ll love if you’re a fan of Outlaw Star.

Like Outlaw Star, it’s set in space and has a light and comedic plot that moves quickly, while it also features a well-structured romance plot that adds to the appeal.

We have zero doubt that you’ll enjoy it, and in fact we recommend discovering it since it’s an underrated series that deserves more recognition.

The story takes place in the year 2196 when Earth is under attack by the Jupiter Lizards, an alien race.

To fight back against the invaders, the planet turns to Nergal Heavy Industries, a private company that has created a powerful armed spaceship called the ND-001 Nadesico.

But because the ship’s technology is incredibly advanced, finding people to pilot it is not an easy task.

This is how Akito Tenkawa, a talented young man who hates fighting and would rather stay at home watching anime, is hired for this duty. And here he’ll meet Yurika, Nadesico’s captain, his future love interest.

6. Coyote Ragtime Show

Coyote Ragtime Show is a little-known anime that could appeal to fans of Outlaw Star due to their striking similarities.

Both series are action-packed space operas with elements of comedy, featuring protagonists who are outlaws. They also share similar plotlines, so give it a chance because we’re confident you might enjoy it.

The story begins when the legendary outlaw king Bruce is killed by Madame Marciano, boss of the galactic criminal guild.

Before dying, Bruce leaves his daughter Franca ten million space dollars hidden in a vault on the planet Graceland, which is currently at war. To get her hands on her father’s inheritance, Franca joins the pirate gang consisting of Mister, Kitana, and Bishop before it’s too late.

5. Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon may not have the futuristic setting of Outlaw Star as it’s set in the present day, but it’s still a series worth adding to your watchlist.

Without a doubt, it’s one of the best series featuring outlaw protagonists, and like Outlaw Star, it boasts some excellent adrenaline-filled action scenes.

Black Lagoon follows the story of Rokurou Okajima, a regular businessman who is taken hostage during a business trip to the crime-ridden island of Roanapur.

When his employer refuses to pay his ransom, he has no choice but to join the mafia-pirate gang called Black Lagoon, transforming from an ordinary man to a ruthless criminal.

4. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor

The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is another vintage series like Outlaw Star that is perfect for fans of the latter.

Both series are set in space, rich in comedy and action with a light and enjoyable plot, and they also both feature vintage animation, so you simply can’t miss it.

In the distant future lives Justy Ueki Tylor, a lazy and naive young man with the ability to save himself whenever he finds himself in dangerous situations in incredibly comical ways.

But one day, thanks to a series of incredible strokes of luck that lead Tylor to rescue the Admiral of the interplanetary organization United Planets Space Force from a kidnapping, he finds himself in command of a spaceship.

And this will set off a long sequence of incredible events whose consequences you can only imagine.

3. Space Dandy

Space Dandy is simply perfect if you’re a fan of Outlaw Star. We’re talking about one of the best space operas anime you can find in the entire medium, and like Outlaw Star, is based on comedy and action.

The only difference is that Space Dandy exaggerates this concept, and in fact is entirely episodic, while Outlaw Star maintains a solid storyline throughout its narrative.

The plot isn’t linear, and unfolds in a future where humanity has expanded to the farthest reaches of the universe.

The main character, Dandy, is an alien bounty hunter who proudly claims to be the very embodiment of cosmic dandyism.

The anime is composed of a series of self-contained episodes, and there’s an apparent narrative discontinuity between them.

So it’ll not be unusual to even witness a character die only to find them entirely intact in the following episode, all for comedy purposes.

2. Trigun

Trigun like Outlaw Star is one of the most important Sci-Fi anime of the 1990s, and both series are rich in action, adventure, and comedic interludes.

This undoubtedly makes Trigun another worthy addition to your watchlist if you’re a fan of Outlaw Star.

The story revolves around Vash the Stampede, an infamous outlaw who leaves a trail of destruction in every town and village he visits.

To put an end to the chaos and save their failing insurance companies, two agents are sent to apprehend him. But upon encountering Vash, they discover that he is a kind and generous individual.

1. Cowboy Bebop

When it comes to the best series like Outlaw Star, there’s no doubt that the top spot belongs to Cowboy Bebop, the pinnacle of space-themed anime with outlaw characters.

We have no doubt in saying that if you love Outlaw Star, you must watch Cowboy Bebop as soon as possible. They’re also both anime from the 1990s, so you’ll also find a lot of similarities regarding character design and animations.

Set in a not-too-distant future where inter-spatial travel is the norm and Mars is a vital part of human life, the show follows a group of bounty hunters, or cowboys, as they chase down intergalactic outlaws.

Meet Spike Spiegel, a bounty hunter, in the year 2071, and witness Spike’s many talents and abilities in hand-to-hand combat and martial arts, garnering a reputation as one of the strongest fighters in the universe.

He chases criminals with his partner, Jet Black, and together they team up with a con artist, a child hacker, and a Welsh Corgi to form a bizarre family.

But when an old enemy comes back into Spike’s life, he must now choose between his past and his newfound family.