Shinichirō Watanabe’s ‘Lazarus’: A Jazz-Fueled Cyberpunk Thrill Ride Awaits!

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Summary

  • Lazarus is a highly anticipated action anime series set in a cyberpunk world with a race to stop a lethal drug. (99 characters)
  • The anime showcases a unique visual style with a dusty, muted cyberpunk aesthetic and a focus on action that doesn’t disappoint. (120 characters)
  • Lazarus features exceptional music, captivating jazz-inspired soundtracks by Watanabe, and action sequences overseen by Chad Stahelski. (116 characters)
Director Shinichiro Watanabe
Writer Dai Sato & Shinichiro Watanabe
Studio MAPPA / Sola Entertainment

Lazarus isn’t just the most eagerly awaited anime series of the Spring 2025 season; it’s a reunion of sorts for a renowned director and a well-loved anime block. Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, who’s known for Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Carole & Tuesday, and Cowboy Bebop among others, Lazarus is the creation of one of the medium’s most beloved showrunners.

25 years ago, when Bebop first aired on [adult swim]’s Toonami block, its unique style and iconic soundtrack played a significant role in shaping the atmosphere of young Toonami and later [adult swim]. Its influence even extended to American pop culture as a whole. Comparing Lazarus to Bebop is unavoidable, yet eagerly anticipated by many. Despite its modern production, Watanabe’s signature visuals, sounds, and spectacle remain as captivating as ever.

Action at the End of the World

Lazarus is an action-packed series, blending the dynamic action of traditional Toonami shonen shows with a more sophisticated, edgy style typical of seinen. The story unfolds in the year 2050 and centers around the mission to halt the distribution of a miracle drug that has been discovered to be fatal. Initially marketed as a medication, Hapna has become widely popular for recreational use over the years. However, it is eventually exposed that this drug, which seemed miraculous, had actually been lethal all along. Deaths caused by the drug are imminent, with just a month left before they start occurring.

A brilliant physician, the inventor of a life-threatening drug, has mysteriously disappeared, leaving only a mysterious pledge that whoever locates him will also receive the cure. With global civilization on the brink of collapse due to this deadly substance, an expert at evading capture and breaking laws, Axel, is drafted into an exclusive clandestine group known as Lazarus. This enigmatic organization might possess the talents required to unravel the ominous secret behind the world’s most dangerous drug.

Dust, Cyberpunk, Pills

In the realm of anime, Watanabe stands out as an exceptional creator who masterfully captures and markets the unique atmospheres of his various series. His ability to do so effectively has enabled him to bring innovative original projects to life in an industry that often favors adaptations over originals. Lazarus is no exception; it presents a diverse and imaginative anime world that resonates with contemporary themes. Unlike many current anime, which are heavily influenced by cyberpunk aesthetics, Lazarus opts for a more subdued setting, steering clear of the bright, neon-lit dystopian urban landscapes in favor of a more subtle environment.

In this new take on cyberpunk, the usual blaring neon and rain is replaced by gritty dust, techno music is limited to the hacker character instead of dominating the world’s look, and most scenes occur during daytime. This can give a feel that the futuristic setting isn’t always present. Interestingly, there are thematic similarities to the adult swim series, ‘Common Side Effects’, which might not go unnoticed.

Animation and Style

At its core, “Lazarus” is an adrenaline-pumping race-against-time story, much like its protagonist’s life hangs in the balance with every executed action scene. The primary animation work is handled by MAPPA, and the action sequences are supervised by Chad Stahelski, who is renowned for his work on the John Wick series. This collaboration lends a remarkable visual smoothness to the series. With the consistent level of detail and action maintained throughout multiple episodes, it appears that [adult swim] has effectively dodged the negative reputation that followed their previous attempt, “Uzumaki.

The series uses some CGI scenes, especially for vehicles and locations, which make it appear as if it was produced in the 2020s rather than the ’90s. While the CGI isn’t the worst seen in anime, it stands out. Moreover, the dubbed version of the show sometimes feels subpar, suggesting that it was added later rather than being initially recorded. The original Japanese dialogue is evident—as it should be for an anime—but the subtitled versions of Lazarus’s Japanese cast are not the main focus for an American programming block that airs only dubbed content.

To wrap things up, the music from Lazarus lives up to the high expectations, given that it’s a passion project by Watanabe. It fearlessly incorporates the jazz roots of Bebop in action scenes, yet exhibits a more modern, contemporary flair in tracks such as its opening theme and title credits. The initial jazz chords that introduce an action sequence truly embody the essence of Watanabe’s creative spirit.

In the realm of music, Lazarus can be likened to a seasoned musician performing for the first time at a fresh venue. Despite its significant impact, it’s crucial to note that unlike Lazarus, Cowboy Bebop was not an original production under Adult Swim, but rather a shift for Watanabe, similar to an artist adjusting to new acoustics – from Ted Turner-era imports to David Zaslav-era co-productions. However, Lazarus has thus far distinguished itself as an exceptional piece of seasonal anime, even with the change in production environment. Just as the quality of the music doesn’t alter due to the venue, Watanabe remains a talented musician regardless.

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2025-04-06 23:58