Adult Swim has unveiled a new video for Lazarus (titled Lazaro in Japanese), the highly anticipated original anime from legendary director Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy) and the acclaimed animation studio MAPPA (Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan The Final Season). The clip showcases a full prison escape sequence that sets the tone for the action-packed series ahead. Check it out down below:
Lazarus will make its world premiere on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block on April 5th at 12:00 a.m. EDT (effectively April 6th). The series will also be available for streaming the following day on Max. Japanese audiences can catch the premiere on TV Tokyo and other affiliates starting April 6th at 11:45 p.m., with the show also available on various streaming platforms in Japan.
This stylish sci-fi action thriller will run for 13 episodes, each helmed personally by Watanabe, as confirmed by Jason DeMarco, Adult Swim’s head of anime and action series.
The anime also features an impressive voice cast that includes:
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Mamoru Miyano as Axel
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Makoto Furukawa as Doug
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Maaya Uchida as Christine
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Yūma Uchida as Leland
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Manaka Iwami as Eleina
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Megumi Hayashibara as Hersch
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Akio Ōtsuka as Abel
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Kōichi Yamadera as Skinner
Watanabe is known for blending music and storytelling like few others in the industry, and Lazarus is no exception. The series features a genre-blending score composed by acclaimed jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, with contributions from electronic artists Floating Points and Bonobo.
In a special collaboration, John Wick director Chad Stahelski choreographed the anime’s action sequences, bringing live-action cinematic flair to the show’s fights and movement.
The production team lineup also includes:
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Character Design: Akemi Hayashi
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Concept Design: Stanislas Brunet
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Art Direction: Miho Sugiura
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Color Design: Kana Tanabe
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Cinematography: Takuma Sakamoto
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Compositing Director: Mitsuhiro Sato
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Sound Effects Supervisor: Lauren Stephens (Formosa Group)
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Animation Producer: Masato Matsunaga
The opening theme, “Vortex,” is performed by Kamasi Washington, while the ending theme, “Lazarus,” comes from British alt-rock band The Boo Radleys.
Here is the first look teaser at the anime for those who are not familiar with it or know much about it.
Adult Swim describes the story:
The year is 2052 - an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.
Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned - this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world - and coming soon.
As a response to this threat, a special task force of 5 agents is gathered from across the world to save humanity from Skinner's plan. This group is called "Lazarus." Can they find Skinner and develop a vaccine before time runs out?
With an all-star creative team, a unique soundscape, and a visionary director at the helm, Lazarus is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most exciting original anime premieres. Will you be watching it when it comes out next month?
Stay tuned to Animemojo.com for more anime news!