Hmm. I kind of see it. Though for a frontier environment, space in Cowboy Bebop feels both surprisingly well developed and well populated (though definitely not very safe). While people are running around gunning eachother, it doesn't feel "lawless." Theme-wise, I don't see a lot of individually meted justice, establishing/protecting home fronts, etc. That said, there does seem to be very much a disregard for the value of life, a virtue of greed interwoven into the culture, and while it might be arguable to call them "heroes," there are very clear protagonists and antagonists. Hmm.
All Westerns are Samurai films. Feudal Edo and 1880s American Frontier aren't obvious analogues for each other but the popular interpretation of both is heavily dependent on the other.
Yeah. There's a ton of similarities between Westerns, Samurai Films, Kung Fu Films, Superhero Comics, Folk Tales, etc. I think that's a huge reason why I find them all so easily enjoyable. They're all familiar even when they're fresh and unique. Of course, they still need to be well done. ::cough::iron::cough::fist::cough::