Hollywood meets anime in Lazarus, the explosive sci-fi action series created by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo). Premiering this spring on Adult Swim, the show delivers a stylish, high-octane experience — with none other than John Wick director Chad Stahelski leading the charge on fight choreography.
✨ Creative Collision: Watanabe x Stahelski
Watanabe’s legacy of genre-defying anime drew lifelong fan Chad Stahelski into unfamiliar territory. While filming John Wick: Chapter 4 in Japan, Stahelski met the legendary anime director — and when asked if his team might help choreograph the action for Lazarus, Stahelski replied:
“Forget my team — I’ll do it myself.”
Despite Lazarus not having a Hollywood-level budget, Stahelski insisted on being hands-on, meeting weekly with Watanabe’s crew, sketching action sequences, and fusing anime sensibilities with his own cinematic expertise. The result? One of the slickest action showcases anime has seen in years.
🌀 Story & Source Material
Set in a gritty future, Lazarus follows Axel, a rogue agent navigating a world unraveling under the threat of Hapna — a miracle drug turned weapon, developed by the twisted genius Dr. Skinner. The anime blends sci-fi dystopia with slick, stylized martial arts, all underscored by a jazz-infused soundtrack in true Watanabe fashion.
While Lazarus is an original anime and not based on a manga, it borrows inspiration from spy thrillers, classic noir, and philosophical sci-fi — a genre blend Watanabe has mastered over decades.
⭐ Key Creative Cast
- Director: Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy)
- Action Direction: Chad Stahelski (John Wick)
- Music: Jazz & electronic fusion curated by international artists
- Animation Studio: MAPPA
🗓️ Broadcast Details
- Platform: Adult Swim (U.S.), HBO Max streaming
- Air Date: Weekly since April 2025
- Format: Original anime series (no manga/light novel)
🧨 Final Thoughts
With Lazarus, Watanabe returns to his roots — gritty atmosphere, fluid movement, and frames that feel like paintings. But the collaboration with Chad Stahelski elevates it beyond nostalgia. Every action scene carries the weight of experience — from Tokyo rooftops to high-speed brawls, it’s clear that anime just got its John Wick moment.
As Stahelski said himself, “It scared the sh*t out of me — which is exactly why I had to do it.”
🧠 Meta Description
Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe joins forces with John Wick director Chad Stahelski in Lazarus, Spring 2025’s most stylish new anime series.
👉 Ready to scroll back into the world of anime and manga?
For more anime news, trailers, and season previews, don’t forget to explore AniManga Scroll—your scroll-stop for all things anime! 📜
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.