Like many a kid my age, I learned about the wider world of anime through the original Adult Swim block. Despite the many warnings that these shows weren’t kid-friendly, I stayed up way too late watching as much as I could. While I enjoyed what I understood of Aqua Teen Hunger Force or Sealab 2021, it was the anime offerings that always kept me coming back. That begins with Cowboy Bebop. I could write multiple articles just on the effect that series had on my adolescent mind. Instead, I’ll keep it short and say it’s a show that continues to influence me. Now, Adult Swim and Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe have reunited for a program that aims to recapture some of that magic.
Lazarus is Watanabe’s first new project in 6 years and a clear callback to his most famous work. Set in the year 2052, the series follows a ragtag group brought together to find Dr. Skinner, the enigmatic creator of a miracle drug that took the world by storm. The drug, known as “Hapna,” relieves all pain and quickly becomes a sensation, that is until Skinner reveals the big side effect. Hapna mutates in the body after 3 years, killing the user. With only a month before that change takes place, our crew is on the clock. It’s a compelling central mystery that helps anchor the show.
For the action scenes, Watanabe teams up with Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame and his influence is apparent. While the fights lack flow and grace, they pack the type of hard punch you’d expect. Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington is also on hand to add a bit of Bebop flair. The trio’s disparate tastes combine to create a fun, if somewhat rigid, style.
Our main cast, an anime Suicide Squad of sorts, provides the most obvious parallels with Cowboy Bebop. You’ve got Axel, the lanky wise-cracker with a kick-based fighting style. There’s Chris, the femme fatale and Douglas, the team’s coordinator and muscle. We even have a hacker. The sixth member, Leland, is the outlier. A drone expert and younger than the rest of the crew, he provides a sense of innocence. The cast is fun even if they all feel a little run-of-the-mill. With only 13 half-hour episodes, there’s a good chance most of them will stay that way.
It’s hard for Lazarus to escape the shadow of its influences, but there’s still plenty of potential. This is a show with fun action, a killer soundtrack, and some big ideas. It remains entertaining, even while referencing Watanabe’s past work. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but isn’t beholden to it either. That small gap is hard to navigate, but Lazarus pulls it off.
Lazarus airs Sundays on Adult Swim and streams on Max.