Cowboy Bebop didn't have THAT big of an influence on anime. If anything, its creators overestimated it, and in actuality, few studios attempted to imitate it in their productions. It may have revolutionized anime in the eyes of North America (or maybe that was the slop the media pouring on you people at the time). However, in Japan, it was relatively unsuccessful. Because of this, I can't agree that Bebop had that large of an effect in the overall Japanese anime industry.
One anime that DID have a large effect on anime in Japan would likely be 0079 Gundam, as it was one of the earlier giant robot/sci-fi drama animes, and gave various mechanical designers a chance to showoff their technical designs. Even series such as SDF Macross were inspired by such series. However, Macross undoubtedly made popular (if not introduced) the entire concept of a transforming robot into a vehicle.
And of course there's Tetsuwan Atom (aka Astro Boy), I don't there's any argument with that.
One anime that DID have a large effect on anime in Japan would likely be 0079 Gundam, as it was one of the earlier giant robot/sci-fi drama animes, and gave various mechanical designers a chance to showoff their technical designs. Even series such as SDF Macross were inspired by such series. However, Macross undoubtedly made popular (if not introduced) the entire concept of a transforming robot into a vehicle.
And of course there's Tetsuwan Atom (aka Astro Boy), I don't there's any argument with that.