Shinichiro Watanabe is back, and this time, he’s not just riffing on jazz or hip-hop—he’s spinning a new record of existential dread, high-octane action, and introspective musings in Lazarus. Known for redefining anime with Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Watanabe’s latest project is a futuristic thriller that follows his career-long exploration of humanity’s failings and possibilities. And after watching the first five episodes, Lazarus is the freefalling addition to his legendary catalog we’ve been waiting for..
Set in 2052, we watch news broadcasts about Dr. Skinner, the man who tricked the world into thinking he saved mankind from pain with the miracle drug, Hapuna. Instead, he turned everyone who took it into a ticking time bomb with a three-year fuse before they die. Our main character is Axel, and from the moment we first meet him in prison, we know who this is. With his propensity for jail breaks and parkour, he’s a classic Watanabe hero all the way up to the hair, bringing that familiar blend of wildness and skill we’ve come to expect from a Watanabe protagonist.
The Lazarus team is assembled around him, forming a kind of Watanabe Suicide Squad, each member wearing bracelets that go BOOM if they act out. Axel (voiced by Mamoru Miyano in Japanese and Jack Stansbury in English) was arrested for a minor infraction but managed to break out so much, he stacked a short stay into an 888-year sentence. Cheerful and reckless, Axel is joined by Doug, the buttoned-up and stoic team leader determined to save the world; Christine (or Chris), a classic femme fatale who gets in close and specializes in duplicity and demolition; Leland, the wide-eyed tech boy; and Eleina, one of the world’s top five hackers who’s cute too. Overseeing this volatile group is Hersch, the ever-smiling government handler whose pleasant demeanor doesn’t stop her from burning your hand off if you step out of line—very much in the vein of Amanda Waller. Their mission is to find Dr. Skinner, who claims the first Hapuna deaths will start in just 30 days unless someone can stop him and prove humanity is worthy of survival.
From the first episode, Lazarus presses the accelerator and doesn’t let up. The series is a visual delight, with Studio MAPPA‘s signature animation style bringing Watanabe’s vision to life. Intricate and varied cityscapes, breathless action sequences, and evocative character designs make every scene interesting. But it’s not just about the visuals—Kamasi Washington alongside Bonobo, and Floating Points builds a hypnotic score that forms the heartbeat of the series, perfectly complementing the tension and emotional swings in the story.
What makes Lazarus truly shine is its balance of a high-concept premise with intimate character moments. A breakneck chase across the rooftops of a shanty town is offset by probing questions about Skinner’s motivations. What drives him to save humanity only to seek its destruction? Why does Axel need freedom so badly that he gambles it away? These questions are counterbalanced by scenes that could seamlessly fit into your favorite heist movie.
Meanwhile, voiceovers narrating why various rungs of society were seduced by Hapuna, paired with questions about mortality, push the story dynamics. What led our Squad here, and what did each of them need to forget when they took the drug? Even though we don’t have those answers yet, Lazarus understands people—portraying cultures, sociology, and attitudes based on class or commerce with accuracy. The pacing is tight, alternating between high-stakes action and thoughtful character development that allow the themes to pop.
But Lazarus isn’t just a thought experiment—it’s also a thrill ride, with its action sequences turned all the way up thanks to Chad Stahelski, the director, producer, and action choreographer behind the John Wick series. Stahelski’s involvement is evident in the fight choreography, blending martial arts, vehicular madness, gunplay, and elastic anime flair into nuclear fusion. Studio MAPPA’s animation brings the vision to life with fluidity and precision, making every set piece visceral and exhilarating. From high-speed parkour chases to brutal close-quarters combat in shadowy warehouses, the action is intense and creative.
There’s only one pause so far; Lazarus is playing the long game. The first five episodes raise so many questions; delivering more set-up each time but no answers. While the mystery is compelling, some viewers might get antsy for more payoff sooner. But Watanabe’s past work tells us the slow burn will likely be worth waiting for.
If there’s one word to describe the series, it’s ambitious. Shinichiro Watanabe’s blend of style, substance, and big feelings never fails. Even if you haven’t loved all of his projects, you walk away from each one with something memorable. Lazarus is Watanabe at his most fearless—a collision of sci-fi, silliness, and soul, questioning humanity’s choices while delivering action and characters dripping in quirk.
When you add Chad Stahelski’s top-tier fight choreography, Studio MAPPA’s stunning visuals, and Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points’ hypnotic score to Watanabe’s brilliance, Lazarus isn’t just anime—it’s an event.
Premiered at Midnight on Adult Swim and 9am on MAX
Watch it now and every Sat night or Sun morning
