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Cowboy Bebop Watch Order
3 entries · · community-maintained
Also known as Kowboj Bebop
The Cowboy Bebop watch order is 26 TV sessions and one film, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Knockin' on Heaven's Door, 2001). In story order the film is set between sessions 22 and 23, so the list runs sessions 1-22, the film, then sessions 23-26. The film is a self-contained case on Mars, so it is optional, and saving it for after the finale works just as well and avoids a break before the last four episodes. There are no OVAs or specials. Whichever way you go, start at session 1 and watch the series in number order; the episodes are mostly standalone bounties with a story that builds to the end.
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Watch the TV series, sessions 1-26 (1998-1999). The film Knockin' on Heaven's Door (2001) is set between sessions 22 and 23.
Checked October 2026
Chronological order
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Season 1
#1–3 · 3 entries
- 1Episodes 1-22
Start here. Sessions 1-22 (1998-1999): bounty hunters Spike and Jet chase bounties across the solar system.
0/22 - 2Cowboy Bebop: The MovieOptional
Optional film (2001): a standalone case on Mars, set between sessions 22 and 23. Fine to watch after the series.
Movie - 3Episodes 23-26
Sessions 23-26 (April 1999): the final four episodes of the series.
0/4
More on where to start
Checked October 2026
The film is a self-contained side story; it is optional, and watching it after session 26 is fine too.
What to skip
- Watch first
- Start with Episodes 1-22 (Season 1).
- What to skip
- 1 entry is optional: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Season 1). The story still tracks without them.
- Filler notes
- Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Season 1). Optional film (2001): a standalone case on Mars, set between sessions 22 and 23.
The correct order to watch Cowboy Bebop, as one listShowHide
Watch Cowboy Bebop in this order. 3 entries, chronological.
- Season 1: Episodes 1-22
- Season 1: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (movie) — optional
- Season 1: Episodes 23-26
How this order works
AnimeChrono watch orders put every season, movie, OVA, ONA and special for a franchise in chronological story order, the order the events happen. When an OVA or movie takes place partway through a season, the episode range is split so it sits where it belongs. Entries you can skip are marked optional, and each order says where to start. Release order, sorted by air date, is a secondary view once every entry has a date. The orders began as a hand-curated set, and episode counts and air dates come from AniList. Fans maintain the orders from there. Any signed-in user can edit one. Edits from trusted contributors go live right away and the rest are reviewed first. Every change is versioned and can be reverted, and each order shows when it was last updated and last checked.
Something wrong or missing?
This order is maintained by the community. Report a problem, or sign in to fix it yourself.
Cowboy Bebop watch order FAQ
What order should I watch Cowboy Bebop in?
Watch the TV series, sessions 1-26 (1998-1999). The film Knockin' on Heaven's Door (2001) is set between sessions 22 and 23. The film is a self-contained side story; it is optional, and watching it after session 26 is fine too.
Where should I start Cowboy Bebop?
Start at session 1 and watch all 26 in number order. The first TV Tokyo run in April 1998 aired only part of the series; the full run started on WOWOW in October 1998.
Where does the Cowboy Bebop movie fit?
It is set between sessions 22 and 23. It is a standalone story, so you can also watch it after the finale.
What is the chronological order of Cowboy Bebop?
Start with Episodes 1-22 (Season 1), then continue with Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Season 1) and Episodes 23-26 (Season 1). The full Cowboy Bebop watch order on this page has 3 entries, listed in chronological viewing order.
What is the release order of Cowboy Bebop?
In the order they aired, start with Episodes 1-22 (Season 1), then Episodes 23-26 (Season 1) and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Season 1). Release order follows air dates and is not the recommended chronological order.
How many episodes is Cowboy Bebop?
Cowboy Bebop has 26 TV episodes in this order, plus 1 movie.
Where do the Cowboy Bebop movies fit in the watch order?
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie comes right after Episodes 1-22 (Season 1).
Can I skip anything in Cowboy Bebop?
Yes. 1 entry is marked optional: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Season 1). Everything else is part of the main story.
Is Cowboy Bebop finished?
Yes. Cowboy Bebop has finished airing, and this order covers everything released so far in chronological viewing order.
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