The highly anticipated anime series Lazarus, helmed by Shinichirirō Watanabe, concluded its initial 13-episode run with the finale titled “The World is Yours.” This culminating episode aimed to tie up numerous plot threads concerning the mysterious drug Hapna, the enigmatic Dr. Skinner, and the fate of Team Lazarus. While providing closure to its central narrative, the finale has elicited mixed reactions regarding its overall impact and the resolution of its ambitious themes.
The Climax: Axel’s Confrontation and Hapna’s Cure
The Lazarus series finale opens with the long-awaited rematch between Axel and the assassin Soryu atop the Babylonia City Tower. This visually striking confrontation served as a major action set piece, albeit some critics noted its perceived detachment from the primary narrative concerning the impending global crisis. During this intense battle, Soryu, implied to be part of the “Hundun Program,” is ultimately defeated and crushed under rubble after blowing up a helicopter, with Axel providing him a form of peace in his final moments. The collapse of the “Tower of Babel”-esque structure during their fight was interpreted by some as a symbolic representation of humanity’s triumph over its metaphorical sins.
Following the resolution of Axel’s personal vendetta, the focus shifts to the core mission: locating Dr. Skinner and securing the antidote for Hapna. Team Lazarus successfully converges on Skinner, who is discovered in a homeless community, a detail some viewers noted was hinted at earlier in the series. In a pivotal encounter, Dr. Skinner, whose original motivation stemmed from a desire to expose the secret development of a bioweapon by INSCOM and his opposition to the project, finally reveals the chemical formula for the Hapna cure.
Unveiling the Truth of Team Lazarus
A significant revelation in the finale is the backstory of Team Lazarus itself. It is disclosed that all members of the team were present during the “airport incident”—a crucial event earlier in the series where Skinner was captured by INSCOM. Each member miraculously survived exposure to Skinner’s chemicals at this incident, developing a partial immunity to Hapna. This survival is what initially inspired Skinner to orchestrate his elaborate plan involving Hapna, and it also explains why they were chosen for their mission, effectively “rising from the dead” and thus embodying the name “Lazarus”. This twist served to connect the team more intimately to the overarching conspiracy and Skinner’s motivations, addressing some previously criticized plot holes.
After obtaining the antidote, the team faces a new dilemma: whether humanity is truly worth saving. Axel articulates a belief in humanity’s redeeming qualities, advocating for its survival. Surprisingly, rather than being eliminated to maintain secrecy, the government offers full pardons to the Lazarus team for their actions in saving humanity. Their monitoring bracelets are removed, and they are given the option to continue working together as “Team Lazarus” to combat future corruption and global threats, an offer they collectively accept. The series concludes with a montage depicting the worldwide distribution of the Hapna cure and glimpses of various characters resuming their lives, including Skinner’s grandmother and Popcorn Wizard living peacefully, and Christine Blake visiting the site where her loved one died.
Critical Reception and Lingering Questions
The finale of Lazarus has been met with a varied critical response. Many reviewers acknowledged that Episode 13, “The World is Yours,” largely succeeded in tying up loose ends and answering key questions, such as Dr. Skinner’s true motivations and the origins of Hapna. The successful manufacturing and distribution of the antidote across the world provided a clear resolution to the central conflict.
However, a recurring criticism revolves around the perceived lack of emotional depth and the “convenient” nature of some resolutions. Some felt that despite the high stakes of a global pandemic, the tension was not consistently felt, and character arcs, particularly Axel’s, were considered somewhat bland or hollow. The offer for Team Lazarus to become permanent heroes was described by some as feeling “token-esque” and reminiscent of an “Avengers assemble” scene, which didn’t entirely align with the show’s preceding tone. The series’ attempts at profound social commentary were also noted, though some found them to be handled somewhat awkwardly or buried in clichés.
While the finale provides a narrative conclusion to the Hapna storyline, it also intentionally sets up the potential for a second season. The team’s agreement to continue their work as a unified force against future threats leaves the door open for further adventures. Dr. Skinner, though his story finds a satisfying end, is positioned more as an excellent “first villain” and an origin story for Team Lazarus rather than their ultimate antagonist, suggesting future conflicts with different adversaries.
It is worth noting that a separate live-action series, The Lazarus Project, also recently concluded its second season. That series, focused on a secret organization that can reset time to prevent global catastrophes, had its own complex finale involving characters like George and Sarah, and elements of time travel manipulation. However, based on the timing and widespread discussion, the user’s query predominantly refers to the anime Lazarus.
