At the time of publication,Lazarusis the 10th most popular show on Max this week. Not only has an anime broken into the top 10 (and done so with each new episode), butLazarushas managed to strongly compete against HBO/Max’s biggest new shows, includingThe Last of Us,Rick & MortySeason 8,George & Mandy’s First Marriage, and thefinal ever season ofThe Handmaid’s Tale.Lazarusis already a hit with critics, as the series holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Those who were already aware of Watanabe’s past works, includingBebop,Samurai Champloo, andTerror in Resonance, knew the exciting and vibes-filled adventure thatLazaruswould have in store. But, with the series breaking Max’s Top 10, it seems like even casual audiences are getting in on the action.
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Lazarusis set in the near future, where Dr. Skinner has created a miracle painkiller, named Hapna, and released it to the world cheaper than any other medicine. The world was at peace for three years, until Dr. Skinner mysteriously returned, revealing that anyone who had consumed the drug even once would die three years after taking it. With just a month left until the first people start to die, a ragtag group of criminals, known as Lazarus, race against the clock to find Dr. Skinner and save humanity, or, at least, themselves.
‘Lazarus’ Features Kick-Ass Action and A Killer Soundtrack
When you tune in to a Shinichiro Watanabe anime, there are two guarantees: the soundtrack will be phenomenal and there will be incredible action (with the exception ofKids on the Slope).Lazarusis no different. Kamasi Washington has composed the electronic soundtrack that pulls from the jazz-infused world ofCowboy Bebopand thehip-hop tone ofSamurai Champlooto create something simultaneously new that also pays homage to Watanabe’s greatest hits.
The action is undoubtedly the best part ofLazarus. The action was designed by none other thanJohn Wickdirector, Chad Stahelski,who shot all the fight scenes in live-action for the animators at MAPPA to use as references. The dedication shows in the final product, asLazarus' action is smooth, fluid, and feels like it has the same weight and impact as a live-action movie. Do yourself a favor and don’t sleep onLazarus. New episodes are released weekly. Like all of Watanabe’s past projects,Lazarusis only expected to run for a single season, which will last for 13 episodes in total.
