Lazarus: Shinichirō Watanabe's anime between parkour and action
It seems that Shinichirō Watanabe is determined to surprise us once again. After the release of “Carole & Tuesday” in 2019, the famous Japanese director finally returns to directing a television series with “Lazarus”, a futuristic thriller that made its debut in April on Adult Swim. The anticipation was very high, especially among fans of Watanabe who, over the years, has signed cult works such as “Cowboy Bebop"and "Samurai Champloo”. And judging by first impressions, “Lazarus” seems to collect the legacy of these classics, while retaining a completely new identity.
The story is set in a seemingly idyllic year 2052, where medicine has made great strides thanks to a “miracle” drug called Hapna, capable of eliminating pain from the human body. Everything is beautiful, at least until its creator — the brilliant and elusive Dr. Skinner — disappears without a trace, only to reappear three years later, surprisingly revealing that Hapna has a three-year expiration date, and anyone who has taken it risks dying at any moment. A real race against time, therefore, which pushes the authorities to gather a group of five elite agents: Lazarus. Their task? Track down Skinner and remedy a global health disaster that looms at a dizzying pace.
The team's star is Axel Gilberto, a young man with a remarkable talent for parkour and, above all, an unusual inclination to escape from any prison he is locked up in. Axel has an impetuous, slightly cocky character, and in some ways recalls Watanabe's most iconic characters: a mix between the swagger of Mugen ("Samurai Champloo") and the impatience of Spike Spiegel ("Cowboy Bebop"), but with his own well-defined personality. Axel and his companions - each with different specializations, from the hacker prodigy to the most methodical fighter - find themselves navigating between science fiction megalopolises and real slums, shedding light on a world in which social inequalities seem more accentuated than ever.
Making the action even more fascinating is the collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the “John Wick” saga, who contributed to the fight choreography. The result? Scenes that expertly mix the adrenaline-filled style of Hollywood with the elegance of certain Japanese action anime. And you can feel Watanabe's imprint in the attention to detail: from the urban sets, which exude “lived life” (even the dirty kind), to the musical approach, with names like Kamasi Washington, Bonobo and Floating Points signing the soundtrack. It all fits perfectly with that atmosphere halfway between noir, cyberpunk and classic thriller.
“Lazarus” is not just an action anime: it brings with it a not so veiled reflection on very current issues such as drug addiction and the dangers of technologies — including AI — that escape control. This vein of social criticism adds depth to a plot already rich in intrigue and twists, making the series an unmissable appointment both for long-time fans of Watanabe and for those looking for a story with a pressing pace, capable of making you think.
Ultimately, “Lazarus” is a dive into a hyper-realistic and decadent future, in which medicine has made giant steps… perhaps too quickly. If you are looking for action, mystery and unconventional characters, you will not be disappointed. And, as Watanabe himself suggests, it is worth watching it several times, because each episode of “Lazarus” is a mosaic of details to be discovered carefully, a concentration of adrenaline and style that winks at the master's previous works but, at the same time, opens new doors in the imagination of Japanese animation. Enjoy the show and prepare to stay glued to the screen!
Lazarus Review
“Lazarus” represents the grand return of Shinichirō Watanabe to the television scene, and it is clear from the first episodes that the author of “Cowboy Bebop” and “Samurai Champloo” has not lost his touch at all. Imagine a not so distant future in which a miracle cure (Hapna) promises to erase pain forever, but turns out to be a threat worse than any existing evil. From this premise comes to life a narrative that mixes reflection and entertainment, playing with sci-fi atmospheres and social themes, all blended with a refined aesthetic that alternates decadent metropolitan scenarios with ultramodern places.
The structure of the episodes develops on multiple levels, offering moments of overwhelming action and intertwining bitter reflections on a society willing to do anything to escape pain. Making it all even more compelling is the charisma of Axel, the protagonist capable of performing incredible parkour tricks: a rebellious soul in constant search of the perfect escape. Without a doubt, it is a tribute to the iconic figures already dear to Watanabe, with the difference that Axel has his own style: he does not show off Spike's dry martial arts, nor Mugen's pirouettes, but moves like a tightrope walker who defies gravity with every jump.
From a visual point of view, the collaboration with Chad Stahelski (director of the “John Wick” films) is felt in an exaltation of action: the fight scenes are precise, choreographed to the millimeter and yet 'dirty' enough to remind us that we are watching an anime, not a perfect ballet. And if the direction explores the brutality of the clash, the soundtrack - by talents such as Kamasi Washington, Bonobo and Floating Points - amplifies the whole with a sound that ranges from experimental jazz to the most enveloping electronics.
“Lazarus” is not just a simple story of chases and punches: themes such as addiction, the use (and abuse) of technology, and the corruption of institutions emerge from the folds of the story. Everything slips into a cyberpunk context with strong colors, where the rich live in glossy towers and the poor survive in crumbling slums. It is a world that feels like a frontier, yet anchored to the real problems of the present, in full Watanabe style: an eye that sees and denounces, but does not give up the hope of redemption.
If you are looking for an anime that will make your heart explode to the rhythm of fistfights and adrenaline-filled chases, “Lazarus” is for you. But if you prefer a broader plot, with philosophical undertones and well-studied social criticalities, then it will surprise you positively. Between implicit references to Watanabe's previous works and an identity that never loses originality, “Lazarus” is a candidate to become one of the unmissable events in the contemporary animated panorama. Let's prepare ourselves for a journey that, just like past masterpieces, will leave an indelible mark and will make us immediately desire the next episode.
