The debut of Lazarus, the new anime from director Shinichiro Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop, is just around the corner. Here’s everything we know about the highly anticipated show.
It is safe to say that Cowboy Bebop, one of the most impactful anime shows of all time, requires no introduction. For years, fans have been captivated by the adventures of Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein, and much of the praise is owed to Watanabe.
However, Cowboy Bebop is not the sole noteworthy addition to the renowned director’s portfolio. Over the course of his career, he has also produced exceptional works such as Samurai Champloo, Terror in Resonance, and Carol and Tuesday.
Therefore, it comes as no shock that Watanabe’s next project has anime enthusiasts eagerly anticipating it, especially considering the numerous prominent individuals involved in Lazarus.
Is there a release date?
At present, the release date for Lazarus has not been confirmed.
The initial announcement for the anime series was made by Adult Swim in July 2023. It also revealed the director and other key crew members who would be involved in the project.
At the anime’s teaser launch, the team announced that Lazarus is expected to finish production in 2024. However, they did not provide any updates on its potential release in the same year.
The anticipated release date for the anime series is expected to be in 2025. We could potentially receive confirmation at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, as there are rumors that Lazarus will unveil a sneak peek of the show.
Lazarus Trailer
The first teaser trailer for Lazarus was released on July 22, 2023, two days after the official announcement of the anime at SDCC.
The trailer, which showcases the main characters of the anime, can be viewed here. It begins in a prison and follows the actions of a dark-haired young man, who appears to be the main character, on his mission. The trailer also includes impressive action scenes.
Additionally, we are given a sneak peek at the countrywide declaration that triggers the unfolding of the plot. Several important figures also make their debut, foreshadowing their significance in the series.
What’s Lazarus about?
“Lazarus is a unique anime produced by Adult Swim, meaning it is not adapted from any manga or light novel.”
The anime takes place in the year 2059, a time when the world has transformed into a utopia. This transformation is largely due to Hapuna, a miraculous drug that can cure any illness without any observable negative effects.
The mystery deepens as Dr. Skinner, the recipient of the Nobel Prize and inventor of Hapuna, mysteriously disappears on the day of the drug’s highly anticipated release. After three years, he resurfaces and makes the shocking declaration that anyone who has consumed Hapuna will die precisely three years later.
Despite his explosive announcement, the scientist once again disappears without a trace. However, given the gravity of the situation, the government is determined to hold him accountable. As a result, a special task force is established to address this issue.
The team, consisting of five elite agents, goes by the name Lazarus. Their objective is not just to locate the elusive scientist, but also to develop a vaccine that will prevent the world from facing imminent destruction.
Who’s making it?
The production of Lazarus is being handled by Solo Entertainment, with renowned anime studio MAPPA in charge of the animation process.
As previously stated, Shinichiro Watanabe will serve as the director for the project. The action sequences will be crafted by Chad Stahelski, known for directing the John Wick movies.
Akemi Hayashi, known for her character designs in popular works such as Banana Fish, Fruits Basket (2011), and the LGBTQ+ anime film Doukyuusei, has taken on the task of designing characters for Lazarus as well.
Some of the leading names in the industry, such as Kamisi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobo, offer their music for listeners.
How many episodes will there be?
The standard for most seasonal anime is to list Lazarus for 13 episodes. This remains consistent with the current listing for the series.
The episodes will air on Adult Swim’s Toonami channel. It is currently unknown if they will also be available on other popular anime streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll and Netflix.
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