Exciting news from Adult Swim! They’ve just announced their latest original anime called “Lazarus” (Lazaro in Japanese), set to air on Toonami. The collaboration is nothing short of legendary, as it brings together the mastermind behind iconic series like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Shinichiro Watanabe, alongside the renowned animation studio, MAPPA, known for hits like Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen.
For anime enthusiasts, the hype is real as Watanabe himself is set to grace the “Toonami on the Green” event on July 22 during the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego. Attendees at the event will be treated to an exclusive first look at Lazarus, something that promises to be a thrilling addition to the anime universe.
Together, this dream team is creating an all-new original anime masterpiece. Picture this: a mesmerizing fusion of Adult Swim’s distinct flavor, Watanabe’s mastery of storytelling, and MAPPA’s unparalleled animation prowess. The result? A universe of creativity, an explosion of imagination, and an experience we hope to blow our expectations away.
We don’t expect anything short of a mind-blowing plot, flawless visuals, and fantastic character designs. We can only wait to find out if these geniuses have put out another banger.
Lazarus: Everything We Know
In an exciting revelation, Jason DeMarco, the Senior Vice President and head of anime and action series at Adult Swim, took to Twitter to announce that none other than the legendary Shinichiro Watanabe is set to direct every single episode of the upcoming science-fiction action anime.
Chad Stahelski, best known for his direction in John Wick, is designing the action sequences for Lazarus. Kamasi Washington, a jazz saxophonist, will perform a song for the anime with producers, DJs, and musicians Floating Points and Bonobo. Sola Entertainment is producing the anime.
With the announcement of ‘Lazarus,’ Shinichiro Watanabe expressed his heartfelt excitement, proclaiming that this new project is the culmination of his illustrious career. As he starts this creative journey, the iconic anime director holds great hope that ‘Lazarus’ will captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.
The Plot of Lazarus
In the year 2052, the world is in an “unprecedented era of peace and prosperity,” thanks to Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner’s groundbreaking invention, the miracle cure-all drug, Hapuna. This seemingly flawless drug eradicates sickness and pain, becoming essential in society. One day, Dr Skinner mysteriously vanishes, leaving everyone confused.
Fast forward to three years later, the world moved on, but fate has other plans. Dr. Skinner returns as a “harbinger of doom,” revealing a horrifying truth about Hapuna; it has a short half-life, and everyone who has taken it will die within three years.
In a desperate bid to save mankind, a special task force known as “Lazarus” is arranged, comprising five agents from across the world. Their mission is clear: locate Dr. Skinner, who now holds the key to survival, and develop a vaccine before time runs out.
With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the clock is ticking, and the race against death has never been more crucial. Will the agents of Lazarus be able to save mankind? Only time will tell.
We’re more than ready to witness the birth of hopefully a new masterpiece as Adult Swim, Shinichiro Watanabe, and MAPPA fuse their creative energies, bringing ‘Lazarus’ to life. Although the release date remains unknown, we can expect the anime series to release sometime in early or mid-2024. With MAPPA’s busy schedule, it’ll be a long wait!
