Shinichiro Watanabe and MAPPA's Lazarus Drops Explosive New Trailer and Stunning Visual!
Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride! The highly anticipated anime Lazarus—directed by the legendary Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo) and animated by MAPPA (Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen)—has just unveiled a new trailer and visual. And there’s more exciting news: the anime’s release dates are finally confirmed!
Lazarus Release Dates
Japan: Premieres on April 6 at 11:45 PM on TV Tokyo and its affiliates, with streaming on various Japanese platforms.
Toonami (Adult Swim): Debuts on April 5 at 12:00 AM EDT (effectively April 6), with episodes streaming the next day on Max.
The series will have 13 episodes, and Watanabe himself is directing every single one—so you know it’s going to be something special.
What is Lazarus About?
Set in the year 2052, the world seems to be in a golden age of peace and prosperity, thanks to a miracle drug called Hapuna. Created by Nobel Prize- winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner, Hapuna claims to cure all illnesses with no side effects. It quickly became an essential part of life.
But there’s a dark twist. Three years later, Dr. Skinner mysteriously reappears with a chilling message: Hapuna has a short half-life, and everyone who took it will die within three years.
With death looming over the world, a special task force called Lazarus—consisting of five elite agents from around the globe—is formed. Their mission? To stop Dr. Skinner and create a vaccine before time runs out.
Lazarus Cast
The voice cast is packed with talent:
Mamoru Miyano as Axel
Makoto Furukawa as Doug
Maaya Uchida as Christine
Yūma Uchida as Leland
Manaka Iwami as Eleina
Megumi Hayashibara as Hersch
Akio Ōtsuka as Abel
Kōichi Yamadera as Skinner
What makes Lazarus even more thrilling is the action and music team.
Chad Stahelski (John Wick director and stuntman) is in charge of designing the action sequences.
The soundtrack is a jazz lover’s dream, featuring Kamasi Washington (jazz saxophonist) along with Floating Points and Bonobo.
Opening theme: "Vortex" by Kamasi Washington
Ending theme: "Lazarus" by The Boo Radleys
Why You Should Be Excited
With Watanabe at the helm and MAPPA’s top-tier animation, Lazarus is set to be a wild mix of sci-fi, action, and drama. The premise alone—a world teetering on the brink of collapse due to a “miracle” drug—feels intense and timely.
Whether you're a fan of Cowboy Bebop’s cool jazz vibes, John Wick’s heart-pounding action, or MAPPA’s stunning visuals, this anime has something for everyone.
Mark your calendars! Lazarus is about to shake up the anime scene this April!