Summary
- “Lazarus” anime premieres April 2025, combining Watanabe’s storytelling with top-tier animation and fight scenes.
- In 2052, global catastrophe looms as humanity faces a deadly flaw in a once-celebrated miracle drug, Hapuna.
- Featuring an elite agent team called Lazarus, impressive music lineup, and stellar voice cast, this anime is a must-watch.
Lazarus, an original sci-fi action anime directed by the legendary Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo) and produced by MAPPA (Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen), has officially completed production. Fans can expect the series to premiere in Japan this April 2025, with a subsequent release on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block.
Related
So Cowboy Bebop, Lazarus and Samurai Champloo Share The Same Universe?
Watanabe just made a major revelation about his works, but what does it really mean?
With all 13 episodes completed, viewers are eager to experience Watanabe’s latest creation, which promises to blend his signature storytelling with top-tier animation and pulse-pounding fight sequences choreographed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski.
What Is Lazarus Anime About?
Set in the year 2052, Lazarus introduces a world that has achieved an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity—thanks to a miracle drug called Hapuna. Created by Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner, Hapuna was celebrated as a revolutionary cure-all with no side effects. The drug quickly became ubiquitous, transforming society and eliminating pain and sickness.
However, the dream turns into a nightmare. Three years after his mysterious disappearance, Dr. Skinner returns with a chilling announcement: Hapuna has a deadly flaw. Everyone who has taken the drug will die within a short time. His message: death is coming for humanity.
Related
Legendary Director Shinichiro Watanabe’s Lazarus Reveals New Trailer
Shinichiro Watanabe’s latest project, Lazarus, has released a new trailer.
To stop this global catastrophe, five elite agents are assembled to track down Dr. Skinner and develop a cure before time runs out. These agents, known as Lazarus, are humanity’s last hope in a race against the clock.
The Stellar Team Behind Lazarus
The creative team behind Lazarus is nothing short of remarkable. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, every episode promises the same attention to detail and narrative depth seen in his past works like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. MAPPA will do what it’s best at; though hopefully, without overworking its staff again.
Related
MAPPA’s New Anime Is All About Anime Production
MAPPA’s new original anime is about an anime director with writer’s block.
The series also boasts an impressive music lineup. Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington performs the opening theme, Vortex, while The Boo Radleys contribute the ending theme, Lazarus. Collaborations with musicians Floating Points and Bonobo add to the atmospheric score, elevating the show’s tone and emotional depth.
Voice Cast and Release Details
The Japanese voice cast is led by Mamoru Miyano (Death Note) as Axel and Makoto Furukawa (Kaguya-sama: Love is War) as Doug. Other cast members include Maaya Uchida (Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions) and Yuma Uchida (Jujutsu Kaisen). Lazarus will debut on TV Tokyo in April 2025, with its Toonami release date expected to be announced soon.
With its gripping premise, top-tier production, and an all-star creative team, Lazarus is set to be one of 2025’s must-watch anime. Fans of Watanabe’s past work won’t want to miss this thrilling new adventure.