Action Anime ‘Lazarus’ Is a Streaming Hit On Max

John Wick fans will love the new series, Lazarus, the newest anime from legendary creator Shinichirō Watanabe, who is best known for works like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy. It has been six years since Watanabe’s last work, Carole & Tuesday, meaning there’s been plenty of hype surrounding his next work. Now, the creator has partnered with Studio MAPPA (known for producing animation for works such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan) for Lazarus, a futuristic anime about a rag-tag group of individuals teaming up to locate a neuroscientist who is seemingly bent on wiping out the human race.

The first episode of the series premiered on Adult Swim, and was shortly released for streaming on the HBO streaming service Max this past Sunday. With just one episode, Lazarus has impressively climbed the streaming popularity charts on the streamer, hitting the #4 spot. Lazarus’s first episode is an incredibly engaging setup for its premise, with an ending that establishes the colorful cast of characters audiences will be with week to week.

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Besides Watanabe, who directs the series, another influential creative is involved. Chad Stahelski, best known for directing the John Wick films, is the action choreographer for the series. With his distinct eye for kinetic action and clever storytelling through fight scenes, Lazarus can stand out in Max’s streaming library, undoubtedly contributing to its success on the platform so far. Stahelski has expressed his love for the medium of animation and anime, particularly in the past, which is even more evident when you watch the series.

‘Lazarus’ Sets Up an Intriguing Premise That Will Keep Viewers Engaged

The utopian and futuristic backdrop of Lazarus is what no doubt initially drew anime fans to the series, as its aesthetic is reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop. However, what will keep viewers there will be the mystery at the center of the story, as the main catalyst for the catastrophic events unfolding in the show hasn’t yet made his intentions clear. The neuroscientist introduced in the first episode reveals no motivations, making the Lazarus team’s tracking him down feel more imperative for viewers.

The fluid animation from Studio MAPPA will also undoubtedly help keep viewers interested in checking out the series. Watanabe has expressed his love for the John Wick movies in the past, stating that he holds them in high regard, which explains why the director sought Stahelski to help compose the action sequences. A highlight of the first episode is the early prison break sequence, in which main character Axel displays impressive parkour and fighting abilities when breaking out.

The rest of the series will hopefully have the same level of detail in choreography and animation as the premiere, which will help keep Lazarus in the top charts on Max. Watanabe’s works aren’t known for having multiple seasons, with the creator preferring to tell complete stories with a definitive ending in one season. For now, fans of Lazarus should only expect one season, but if it continues to be popular on streaming, future projects from the legendary anime director could come to fruition sooner rather than later.

Source: FlixPatrol, Anime News Network