Lazarus: The New Adventure from the Creator of Cowboy Bebop That Will Shake Up the Season

The recent trailer for Lazarus has ignited the expectations of anime and science fiction fans. It's nearly two minutes packed with adrenaline that confirm the series' premiere in Japan on April 6, via TV Tokyo and other affiliated channels, as well as its early arrival on April 4 in Cartoon Network's Toonami block in North America. The new promotional poster, which evokes memories of the iconic Cowboy Bebop artwork, makes it clear that Shinichiro Watanabe is back with all the force that brought him worldwide fame.

Although it will consist of only thirteen episodes, production is handled by the renowned MAPPA studio, while direction falls to Watanabe. Action director Chad Stahelski (known for his work on John Wick) brings his choreographic touch, and the musical accompaniment shines with figures such as saxophonist Kamasi Washington, and producers and DJs Floating Points and Bonobo. Production supervision comes from Sola Entertainment, recognized for recent works such as Blade Runner: Black Lotus and Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045.

As for the voice cast, it features well-known performers such as Mamoru Miyano, Makoto Furukawa, Maaya Uchida, Yuma Uchida, Manaka Iwami, Megumi Hayashibara, Akio Otsuka and Koichi Yamadera. Together they bring to life an international cast that faces the threat of Doctor Skinner, a genius who, after creating the miracle drug Hapuna, disappeared without a trace and returned with a devastating announcement: everyone who has consumed that substance will die three years after taking it. To fight this fate, a special team made up of five agents from different parts of the world, known as Lazarus, sets out to find Skinner and prevent disaster.

The talent of Shinichiro Watanabe is undeniable, and his career proves it. Originally from Kyoto, he began as co-director on Macross and achieved definitive fame in 1998 with Cowboy Bebop, a classic that masterfully fused jazz, western and science fiction. He later gave us series such as Samurai Champloo and Kids on the Slope, as well as participating in the Animatrix project. His most recent work was Carole & Tuesday in 2019. Now, with Lazarus, he seems ready to recapture the vibrant spirit that characterizes his creations, mixing genres and bringing together experts from different fields to give us a story that promises unbridled action and a sci-fi backdrop full of intrigue. This new project feels like a love letter to those who have followed his steps since the days of the space cowboys, and an attractive window for those seeking original adventures with big doses of style and energy.