Is a Cowboy Bebop and Lazarus Crossover Finally Happening?

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Summary

  • Anime fans are excited about possible connections between Cowboy Bebop and new series Lazarus.
  • Watanabe suggested Bebop and Lazarus are in the same universe, sparking fan theories.
  • A crossover between Bebop crew and Lazarus characters may be unlikely due to time differences.

With Shinichiro Watanabe hinting that “Cowboy Bebop” and “Lazarus” share the same cosmic backdrop, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation as an anime enthusiast. The prospect of our beloved Bebop crew making a comeback in the upcoming series is more than just a dream – it’s a tantalizing glimpse into the future of space opera storytelling!

Fans have pointed out similarities between the two series, as trailers for the renowned sci-fi anime creator’s new work seem to mirror his 90s hit. Since Watanabe hints that both stories might be part of the same continuity, there’s a possibility that Spike and his team could stage a spectacular comeback this year.

Lazarus Riffs off Cowboy Bebop

On April 5th, Adult Swim will debut the science fiction anime series titled “Lazarus”. This show centers around a unique team of agents called “The Lazarus Group”, who are on a mission to find Dr. Skinner. The reason for their search is that his wonder drug has been tampered with, causing it to be lethal to anyone who has consumed it. Their ultimate goal is to extract the antidote from him in order to save mankind.

Lazarus signals the highly-anticipated return of legendary anime creator Shinichiro Watanabe. One of the biggest names in 90s and 00s anime, he is responsible for directing classics including Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Terror in Resonance. His last major work was Carol & Tuesday, which released on Netflix in 2019.

Immediately upon the release of the initial trailer for Lazarus, enthusiasts of anime began to draw comparisons between Lazarus and Cowboy Bebop, which is undoubtedly Watanabe’s most renowned creation. For instance, both anime are set in a future filled with advanced technology. Moreover, they share a leading character who possesses an engaging, unrestrained personality, as well as demonstrated martial arts abilities.

In addition to these shared characteristics, subsequent previews and promotional materials emphasized the cultural similarities between the new series and Cowboy Bebop.

Observing here, I can’t help but notice the strong resemblance between the latest trailer for “Lazarus” and the introductory sequences of the classic anime series “Cowboy Bebop”. It seems they both share a captivating jazz score, composed by none other than Kamasi Washington – a musical element that was instrumental in defining the essence of Cowboy Bebop. To further emphasize their parallels, the poster for “Lazarus” bears a striking resemblance to the iconic opening sequence of “Bebop”.

How are Lazarus and Bebop the Same Canon?

For a popular director to create two stories that follow similar themes isn’t uncommon – Watanabe also used aspects of Bebop in popular follow-ups Samurai Champloo and Terror in Resonance. However, an interview by Watanabe as part of Lazarus’ promotion has got a lot of fans excited.

Last November, Shinichiro Watanabe revealed to Anime News Network that the series “Lazarus” and “Cowboy Bebop” occur within the same fictional universe. Moreover, all the shows created by him are set in a shared universe.

I’ve always thought my shows took place in the same universe.

In reply to a query about how Lazarus links to his past works, Watanabe stated, “I’ve always considered my productions as happening within the same fictional realm.

It’s possible that the director’s casual remark about his work being connected to what he did before stems from this perspective. Additionally, there’s a possibility that Watanabe is subtly inviting viewers to draw parallels between “Bebop” and “Lazarus,” as a means of generating interest for his latest project.

Given the sci-fi nature of much of Watanabe’s work, set across various planets and time periods, it’s plausible that this scenario might be considered canonical.

Could We See a Cowboy Bebop Cameo in Lazarus?

Although it’s possible that the worlds of Cowboy Bebop and Lazarus might be connected, it’s highly improbable that characters from the classic 90s anime will make significant appearances in Watanabe’s new project given the time gaps. Nevertheless, a fleeting, symbolic appearance isn’t out of the question.

The series “Cowboy Bebop” is mainly set in the year 2071. On the other hand, the storyline of “Lazarus” unfolds in the year 2052, which is 19 years prior to that.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but imagine myself in the boots of the charismatic Spike Spiegel, who, at 27 in the Cowboy Bebop series, would have been just an eight-year-old boy around the time of Lazarus. My comrade Jet Black, however, was a bit older at 36, which means he’d still be a 17-year-old lad during the events of the new series. Unless Lazarus’ journey somehow leads them to Ganymede, where Jet once served as a police officer before joining the ranks of bounty hunters, it seems unlikely that either of these two characters will make an appearance in the upcoming series.

It’s quite likely that among the cameos in Lazarus, you might spot Faye Valentine, who was the main woman aboard Bebop. Despite appearing to be similar in age to Spike, Faye was actually cryogenically frozen from 2014 to 2068 due to injuries that were beyond healing at the time. Given that Lazarus’ story focuses on medicines and cures, there could potentially be a short scene showing the cryogenic storage facilities where Faye and others like her are kept.

Apart from Faye, any Cowboy Bebop reference might be quite subtle and only caught by devoted fans of the 90s anime show. Characters like Chessmaster Hex, a mastermind behind the Hyperspace Gate Project, and Laughing Bull, a wise shaman on Mars, could potentially join the Lazarus crew to aid them, although no official confirmations have been made before release.

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2025-03-08 22:47