The upcoming original anime series Lazarus, directed by the acclaimed Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo) and produced by MAPPA (Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen), has revealed its English trailer and a premiere date of April 5 on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block. This highly anticipated sci-fi action anime is generating considerable buzz among anime enthusiasts, with Watanabe directing every episode.
Lazarus: A Deep Dive into the Plot
Set in the utopian year of 2052, Lazarus introduces a world enjoying unprecedented peace and prosperity thanks to “Hapuna,” a revolutionary drug created by Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner. Initially celebrated as a miracle cure-all with no side effects, Hapuna quickly becomes ubiquitous, transforming society and seemingly eliminating pain and sickness. However, three years after his mysterious disappearance, Dr. Skinner resurfaces with a chilling announcement: Hapuna has a deadly flaw and everyone who has taken it will die within a short time.
A special task force of five agents, codenamed “Lazarus,” is assembled from around the globe to locate Skinner and develop a vaccine to save humanity from extinction. The team must race against the clock, as they only have thirty days to find Skinner and uncover the truth behind his motives.
Shinichirō Watanabe: A Legendary Director
Shinichirō Watanabe is a celebrated anime director known for his unique style, mature themes, and evocative use of music. His works often blend multiple genres and feature complex, relatable characters.
Watanabe’s most notable works include:
- Cowboy Bebop: A critically acclaimed space western that is considered one of the greatest anime series of all time.
- Samurai Champloo: An action-packed series that blends samurai culture with hip-hop music and style.
- Space Dandy: A comedy series with eccentric characters.
- Carole & Tuesday: A music-themed anime.
Watanabe’s anime often feature:
- Distinctive art styles
- Eccentric characters
- Nuanced character dynamics
- Evocative music
MAPPA: The Animation Studio Behind Lazarus
MAPPA (Maruyama Animation Produce Project Association) is a Japanese animation studio founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama. The studio has quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality and visually stunning anime.
MAPPA’s notable works include:
- Chainsaw Man
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Attack on Titan: The Final Season
- Yuri!!! on Ice
- Kids on the Slope
The Creative Team and Production
The Lazarus anime boasts a talented creative team, including:
- Director & Screenplay: Shinichirō Watanabe
- Screenplay: Dai Satō, Takahiro Ozawa, Tsukasa Kondo
- Character Designer: Akemi Hayashi
- Concept Designer: Stanislas Brunet
- Art Director: Miho Sugiura
- Music: Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, Floating Points
- Action Director: Chad Stahelski (director of John Wick)
- Animation Production: MAPPA
- Production: Sola Entertainment
The anime stars:
- Mamoru Miyano as Axel
- Makoto Furukawa as Doug
- Maaya Uchida as Christine
- Yūma Uchida as Leland
- Manaka Iwami as Eleina
- Megumi Hayashibara as Hersch
- Akio Ōtsuka as Abel
- Kōichi Yamadera as Skinner
Where to Watch Lazarus
Lazarus will premiere on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block on April 5 at 12:00 a.m. EDT (effectively, April 6). The episodes will also be available for streaming on Max the following day. The series will also air on TV Tokyo and its affiliates in Japan starting in April.
