Wikipedia Trails: From Lupin the Third to Samurai Champloo

(Photo from zerochan)

1. Lupin the Third - This an an anime series about Arsene Lupin III, grandson of the original Arsene Lupin, gentleman thief. They initially got in trouble for using Lupin's name, but the original Arsene Lupin book series is now a part of the public domain. The character in the anime has similar adventures to his grandfather in the books. He also has some interesting friends that include Goemon Ishikawa  XIII.

Edward from Cowboy BeBop (Photo from Bebopedia)

2. Cowboy Bebop - An anime series set in the future about bounty hunters (aka Cowboys). Heavily influenced by the Lupin the Third series. The art and characters loosely resemble part of the Persona 5 cast, which was obviously influenced by both Lupin the Third and Cowboy Bebop.

Futaba from Persona 5 (Photo from Pinterest)

3. Shinichirō Watanabe - Japanese anime director. Known for blending together genres in his series. For example, in Cowboy BeBop he mixed westerns, film noir, jazz music and set the show in space.

4. Samurai Champloo - another anime series directed by Watanabe. Set in an alternate version of Japan's Edo period with a score comprised of hip hop music. A swordsman, Mugen and a ronin named Jin help a girl named Fuu on her quest to find the samurai who smells of sunflowers.