Lazarus

Aired Date:2025-04-06

Status:RELEASING

Ratings:71/100

Genres:Action, Sci-Fi

Season:1

Total Episodes:13

Duration:24 min/ep

Studio:Adult Swim

Source:ORIGINAL

Format:TV

Director:Shinichirou Watanabe

Review:N/A/100

Watch Online: Official Site Twitter Max Adult Swim Hulu

Synopsis

The year is 2052 — an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes. Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned — this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world — and coming soon. As a response to this threat, a special task force of 5 agents is gathered from across the world to save humanity from Skinner’s plan. This group is called “Lazarus.” Can they find Skinner and develop a vaccine before time runs out? (Source: Adult Swim)

Trailer

Characters

Axel Gilberto MAIN

Sam Stephenson SUPPORTING

Doug Hadine SUPPORTING

Visionary SUPPORTING

Christine SUPPORTING

Leland SUPPORTING

Kobayashi SUPPORTING

Jill SUPPORTING

Eleina SUPPORTING

Abel Anderson SUPPORTING

Top Reviews of Lazarus

1.Rotten Tomatoes: A Kinetic Anime with Provocative Ideas (90% Approval Rating)Rotten Tomatoes gives Lazarus a stellar 90% approval rating, with critics praising its “entrancing atmosphere” and “no shortage of provocative ideas.” The consensus highlights its visual flair and thematic depth, though it notes that it doesn’t quite match the originality of Cowboy Bebop. One reviewer raves, “The animation is top-notch, the themes are thought-provoking, and the animated cinematography is exceptional. It’s a must-see series from the creator of Cowboy Bebop!” Another critic notes that while the narrative takes time to find its footing, “Watanabe’s strengths as a visual storyteller shine through, making Lazarus an exuberantly sleek artistic feat.”

2. Collider: A Ticking-Clock Thriller with High-Octane ActionCollider describes Lazarus as “an engaging ticking-clock thriller series” that excels in its action sequences, thanks to Stahelski’s influence. The review praises the “acrobatic kicks, elegant melee combat, and clever gunplay” that make the series a memorable anime entry. While the pacing is slower in the early episodes, Collider appreciates the “charming, jazzy energy” and the grounded feel of the 2052 setting. “The show’s biggest high point is its action, which should come as no surprise to fans of the John Wick franchise,” the review states.

3. The New York Times: A Dark and Kinetic AdventureMargaret Lyons of The New York Times calls Lazarus “a dark and kinetic adventure” filled with “fantastic fight sequences” and “deeper musings about the nature of existence and divinity.” The review highlights the show’s ritualistic framing, with each episode opening with a unique narration and closing with a countdown to the Hapna apocalypse. Lyons poses thought-provoking questions: “If Dr. Skinner can both cure and kill everyone, does that make him a god? Or just the world’s most powerful drug peddler?” This philosophical depth elevates Lazarus beyond typical sci-fi fare.

4. Anime News Network: A Mirror for Our Global SocietyAnime News Network’s review of the first five episodes calls Lazarus “more than compelling” and a “mirror that our global society needs at this moment.” The review praises the show’s relevance, particularly in light of real-world issues like the opioid crisis, and lauds MAPPA’s “gorgeous animation” and Stahelski’s “superb” action choreography. While the narrative is still unfolding, the review sees immense potential for Lazarus to become a landmark series.

5. Black Nerd Problems: A Solid Foundation with Room to GrowBlack Nerd Problems describes Lazarus as having “a solid foundation, a compelling myth arc, clever storytelling, and a cast that needs a few more scenes of their own backstory.” The review highlights the “ethereal and atmospheric” animation and the “aural bliss” of the soundtrack. It also notes the show’s timely commentary on the pharmaceutical industry, making it resonate with contemporary audiences. “The John Wick DNA is evident and present, and we are thankful for it,” the reviewer adds, praising the action sequences.

6. X User Reactions: A Mixed but Passionate ResponseFans on X have been vocal about Lazarus, with many praising its cinematic quality and soundtrack. @Ghosh52329 tweeted, “#LAZARUS Ep 01, First few minutes were CINEMATIC!!🔥🔥 All the soundtracks were freaking crazy. It gave me the vibes of Cowboy Bebop.” @Jai_Dev_TT called episode 8 “the best episode of Lazarus by far,” highlighting its emotional depth and “flawless production.” However, not all reactions are glowing. @literaturedevil criticized certain character arcs, feeling they detracted from the story, while @TheHattedGamer praised the “phenomenal” score and smooth animation.

7. IGN: A Disappointing Return (5/10)IGN’s review is one of the more critical, giving the first five episodes a 5/10. While acknowledging the “interesting world and huge stakes,” reviewer Ryan Gaur feels Lazarus “lacks the inventiveness” of Watanabe’s past work. The review criticizes the “functional” characters and lack of emotional weight, noting that Axel’s carefree attitude undermines the apocalyptic stakes. However, it praises the action scenes, which are “intense and spectacular” thanks to Stahelski’s choreography and MAPPA’s animation.

8. CBR: A Streaming Hit Despite Mixed ReviewsCBR reports that Lazarus has achieved significant streaming success on Max, ranking #7 on the “Top 10 Shows on HBO” list in April 2025. Despite some middling early reviews, the series has resonated with general viewers, earning a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. CBR notes Watanabe’s desire to distinguish Lazarus from Cowboy Bebop, quoting him: “Lazarus is still Lazarus.” The review praises the “unique musical identity” and compares it favorably to Watanabe’s previous works like Carole & Tuesday.