The new anime seriesLazarus, one of the most anticipated titles of the year, finally premiered on Toonami. It’s a prestigious production for several reasons. Director Shinichiro Watanabe’s previous work,Cowboy Bebop, is considered an all-time anime classic, so anything he creates now naturally draws attention. Pushing its profile even higher,Lazarusalso features fight choreography byJohn Wickdirector Chad Stahelski and a hip musical score by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points.
So far, reviews in Japan forLazarushave been positive, with notable figures like game designer Hideo Kojima personally recommending it. However, in the West, the launch ofWatanabe’s latest production is struggling to emerge from the shadow of his earlier work,Cowboy Bebop.
Comparisons between the two are widespread across social media and in online articles. Watanabe himself has even done some damage control in English-language interviews, tellingGizmodo, “It’s the same director making both series, there are going to be some similarities, so I’d like people to cut me some slack on that aspect.” But is it fair to constantly judge a creator’s new work against a past classic?
Watanabe’s Rise And The Enduring Legacy Of Bebop
From Champloo To Mars: A Career of Bold Experiments
Shinichiro Watanabe first rose to prominence as the co-director of the hitMacross PlusOVA series (1994–1995). However, it was 1998’sCowboy Bebopthat made him a star. Set in the year 2071, the series follows a group of bounty hunters aboard the spaceship Bebop, blending sci-fi with noir and Western influences. Its bold fusion of jazz, blues, and rock music helped create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that captivated audiences. Released in the post-Evangelionera, when anime creativity was reaching new heights,Cowboy Bebopquickly earned its place as a genre-defining classic.
Following the original run ofCowboy Bebop, Watanabe continued to explore bold, genre-blending storytelling in a series of new anime projects. These includedSamurai Champloo(2004), which fused Edo-period action with hip-hop culture;Kids on the Slope(2012), a jazz-infused coming-of-age drama;Space Dandy(2014), a wild, comedic space opera; andCarole & Tuesday(2019), a heartfelt tale of two musicians chasing dreams on a colonized Mars. While none of these series resonated with audiences quite likeCowboy Bebop, they each reflected Watanabe’s enduring commitment to musical innovation and stylistic experimentation.
A New Threat, A Ticking Clock: The Premise Of Lazarus
A Familiar Voice Behind The Scenes
Watanabe’s latest series,Lazarus, takes place in a world seemingly healed by a miracle drug called Hapuna—until its creator, Dr. Skinner, resurfaces after a mysterious disappearance to reveal it’s actually a delayed death sentence. Humanity has just 30 days before the drug kills everyone, prompting the formation of a five-member elite task force known as Lazarus to track him down. Prior to the series' release, Watanabe described it as “a new kind of challenge for me, different from anything I’ve done before.” And yet, comparisons toCowboy Bebophave felt inevitable.
Watanabe was willing to admit thatLazarusshares some similarities withCowboy Bebop—but with an unusual twist: those parallels didn’t come from him.Lazaruswas developed in collaboration with Keiko Nobumoto, the original screenwriter ofCowboy Bebop. Sadly, Nobumoto passed away in 2021, but not before contributing to the early creative development of the series. As Watanabe explained in the interview with Gizmodo, “(Nobumoto) was a part of the project from the very start when we were developing the story and characters… If Lazarus does remind people of Cowboy Bebop, it’s probably because we worked with Nobumoto together to write the story.”
Visual Echoes, New Faces
Urgency Over Cool: Key Differences From Bebop
That influence is apparent from the very first moments ofLazarus, which opens witha visually arresting sequence reminiscent ofBebop: silhouettes of the main characters falling through impressionistic, dreamlike backdrops. The protagonist, Axel Gilberto, with his lanky build and wild hair,strongly recalls the iconic Spike Spiegel. Further linking the two series, Watanabe has reunited several key collaborators fromBebop: Koichi Yamadera (Spike) now voices Dr. Skinner, Megumi Hayashibara (Faye) plays Hersch, and Akio Otsuka—another familiar voice—takes on the role of Abel.
WhileLazarusandCowboy Bebopshare certain stylistic elements—such as jazz-infused soundtracks and a futuristic setting—there are notable distinctions between the two.Cowboy Bebopcenters on a group of bounty hunters navigating personal pasts and existential themes, often adopting a more episodic narrative structure. In contrast,Lazaruspresents a more urgent, overarching plot: a team of five agents racing against a 30-day deadline to thwart a global threat posed by the antagonist, Dr. Skinner. This time-sensitive mission introduces a heightened sense of immediacy and suspense, settingLazarusapart from the more laid-back, character-driven storytelling ofCowboy Bebop.
Signature Style Or Strategic Self-Reference?
Lazarus Is An Adventure Still Worth Taking
The first episode ofLazarushas received a mostly positive response from Japanese viewers. Audiences praised the high-quality animation by MAPPA and the dynamic action sequences, particularly a standout parkour chase involving the protagonist, Axel. The music—featuring jazz and blues influences—was also well received for enhancing the show’s stylish atmosphere, drawing comparisons toCowboy Bebop. Viewers noted the realistic character designs and minimal “moe” elements, making it accessible even to those typically less drawn to anime. Overall, fans in Japan seem intrigued by the futuristic setting and are eager to see how the story and characters develop in future episodes.
Lazarus Review: I’m Intrigued By New Anime’s Core Concept & Spectacular Action Yet It’s Wrapped In A Story That Moves At A Glacial Pace
Lazarus improves on the typical action of an anime show, but beyond that, it’s a slow burn to get to the actual meat of the show’s premise.
But are the similarities betweenLazarusandCowboy Bebopa canny commercial move, or simply the product of a director’s signature style? As Watanabe said in his Gizmodo interview when asked about the comparisons, “…in no way am I doing the same thing on purpose, making a cameo, or paying homage to my previous works. Everything is for a reason, and I want you to watch it with fresh eyes. Don’t look for similarities, just enjoy it for what it is.”
While live-action directors with distinctive styles—like Wes Anderson or Tim Burton—are often expected to revisit familiar territory, anime creators don’t always get that same grace. So far, only one episode ofLazarushas aired, and it’s entirely possible that Watanabe still has surprises in store or plans to take the series in unexpected directions. But even if he doesn’t, a new work from the creator ofCowboy Bebopis still something of a gift for anime fans. All that’s left is to watch and see where he takes us next.
Lazarus
Cast
In 2052, humanity celebrates unprecedented peace, thanks to Hapuna—a miracle drug eradicating pain and illness. Three years later, its creator, Dr. Skinner, resurfaces with a grim revelation: Hapuna is a delayed toxin, and death looms for all who took it. With just 30 days to avert catastrophe, a global task force called Lazarus assembles to locate Skinner and develop a cure.
