Lazarus Episodes 1-5 Review

Join Swimpedia as we review screeners of the first five episodes of Lazarus with minimal spoilers, and find out if Toonami may finally have a definitive hit on their hands.

[MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD]

Adult Swim and Shinichirō Watanabe have gone hand in hand since the beginning of both their careers. When Adult Swim launched in 2001, it ended that first night with the first two episodes of Cowboy Bebop, Watanabe’s masterpiece that would eventually become a staple of anime in the American fan community. Adult Swim continued to play Cowboy Bebop regularly well into the 2020s, keeping the love alive and showing it to new generations of fans. Similarly, Adult Swim had aired Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo through the 2000s so often that the 2009 United States DVD release of Champloo mentions the network by name. The relationship between Watanabe and Adult Swim deepened further as Watanabe’s Space Dandy, co-funded by Adult Swim, aired its episodes on Adult Swim before premiering in Japan. And now, the lifelong partnership of these two giants is culminating in Lazarus, Watanabe’s latest potential masterpiece produced by Adult Swim.

On top of that, Adult Swim and Watanabe aren’t the only proven talent behind Lazarus. Acclaimed studio MAPPA is handling the animation while Chad Stahelski, the action coordinator for the John Wick franchise, is designing the action sequences. The soundtrack is being handled by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points. This is Adult Swim’s chance to make its own Cowboy Bebop, and they are going all out for it.

To start, the animation is fantastic. While some Toonami originals have been criticized for their visuals in the past, they are sparing absolutely no expense with Lazarus. The fight choreography is beautiful, dynamic, and complex, with each character having their own specific style. Axel, the show’s protagonist, especially moves with the fluidity and freedom that Spike Spiegel was able to pull off in the 2001 Cowboy Bebop movie. 3D is used sparsely here, only in complex camera shots or the intro. This show is firmly 2D, with incredibly detailed backgrounds and well-designed extras. The world of Lazarus feels truly lived-in, and the top-tier animation is a major component of that.

Lazarus follows a group of misfits and criminals that have been forced by the government (think Suicide Squad) to locate a man named Dr. Skinner, the inventor of a miracle drug who just revealed that everyone who took it is going to die in 30 days. Skinner has the cure, but the team has to find him first. This puts a firm ticking clock on the show, with each episode ending with a screen letting you know how much time they have left. This level of serialization is uncommon for Watanabe, but he doesn’t let it crush the soul of his mostly episodic anime. Each episode of Lazarus focuses on its own story while serving the larger picture, with the fourth episode being a particular highlight. Also, Lazarus isn’t afraid to dive into serious and controversial topics, handling some sensitive issues even better than Bebop did in 1998. It’s very much a Watanabe story and tone that fans will be familiar with, but it’s also clear that he’s continued to grow, develop, and adapt as an artist himself.

Additionally, Lazarus’s themes and concepts of miracle drugs and corrupt health care officials are very similar to Common Side Effects, and releasing them so close to one another almost seems intentional by Adult Swim. While these shows aren’t connected in any way, it's hard not to see them as companion pieces, and it’s very fun to see Adult Swim tackle more political stories and ideas in today’s climate.

Nevertheless, Watanabe’s shows truly excel with the character writing, and here is no different. We follow Axel, who is in the same vein as Spike or Mugen, yet very much has his own personality. Axel fits the mold of an overconfident yet loveable Watanabe protagonist, but at no point does he feel like a rehash. Joining him in Lazarus is the hypercompetent Doug, the beautiful and clever Christine, the plucky teenager Leland, and the shy master hacker Eleina. Led by Hersch, the team’s Amanda Waller-type handler, this group slowly gets to learn more about each other as they discover clues to Skinner’s whereabouts. This is a slightly bigger cast than Watanabe’s other shows, but he is balancing them well, with a different character narrating each episode opening in order to give the viewer more background into them. Press outlets were only given the first five episodes, but the groundwork is there for these characters to continue developing and bonding through the remaining eight episodes.

Swimpedia was also only given the English language version of the show, but not even the strictest subbed fans could complain. The dub is excellent, with each actor bringing their own unique performance to their character. Jack Stansbury as Axel is a particular highlight, giving the viewer a perfect POV character to ground us in this world.

Lastly, Watanabe’s shows often feature outstanding and memorable soundtracks, and Lazarus is no different. Its captivating opening sequence featuring "Vortex" by Kamasi Washington has visuals reminiscent of the iconic Cowboy Bebop opening, but with a distinctly chiller vibe that feels inspired by the lo-fi aesthetic that Adult Swim pioneered and inspired. The ending theme is actually a licensed song, which is surprising but extremely fitting, providing an upbeat contrast to haunting visuals. Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points are absolutely killing this soundtrack, blending together the jazz sensibilities of Cowboy Bebop with the underground electronic and hip-hop vibe that defines so much of Adult Swim’s music taste.

Overall, the first five episodes of Lazarus are a strong start. It’s almost as if Watanabe saw the Netflix adaptation of Cowboy Bebop and decided to show us what a real modern-day Cowboy Bebop would be like, in the best way possible. It feels like pure Watanabe, yet is also totally new and fresh, never once feeling like a rehash or relying on nostalgia. While many Toonami originals have had a mixed reception, Lazarus may be the first true home run they’ve hit since they started on this journey. From the animation and story to the characters and the sound, there’s so much to love here with a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat from week to week. Only time will tell where this series is going, but if it sticks the landing at the level of these episodes, we’re not just looking at the first major Toonami original, we’re looking at a possible contender for anime of the season.

The first episode of Lazarus premieres on Toonami on Saturday, April 5th at midnight, and next day on Max!