Adult Swim has given the green light to cowboy bebop creator Shinichirō Watanabe’s latest anime series, titled Lazarus.
Produced by MAPPA, “Lazarus” features “highly dynamic action sequences” designed by director of the John Wick film series, Chad Stahelski. The soundtrack is created by various jazz and electronic musicians, including jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, producer, DJ and musician Floating Points. and producer, DJ and musician Bonobo.
“As I embark on this creative journey, I can’t help but feel like this project will be the pinnacle of my career to date,” said Watanabe. “I hope you enjoy it.”
“Shinichirō Watanabe is quite simply one of the greatest artists alive, and to be able to collaborate with him on a new original series is a dream come true,” said Jason DeMarco, SVP, Adult Swim’s Head of Anime and Action Series. “Like all his work, ‘Lazarus’ is full of big ideas, incredible characters and a lot of heart. We can’t wait for anime fans to see this world.”
What is Lazarus about?
The official Lazarus summary reads:
“The year is 2052 – the world is in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity. The reason for this: Mankind was freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner created a miracle drug called Hapuna that has no obvious downsides. Hapuna will soon become ubiquitous…and indispensable. But shortly after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner.
“Three years later, the world has evolved. But dr Skinner has returned – this time as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that hapuna has a short half-life. Anyone who took it will die about three years later. Death is coming to this sinful world—and soon. In response to this threat, a task force of five agents from around the world is assembled to save humanity from Skinner’s plan. This group is called “Lazarus”. Can they find Skinner and develop a vaccine before time runs out?”