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Shinichiro Watanabe has come up with another great story through his latest creation, Lazarus. Previously, he directed Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, which were classics. Lazarus is also set to follow that path, especially since it is based in the same universe. Moreover, the anime turned heads not only for its director but also for the other members behind the camera.
The jazzy music of Kamasi Washington, combined with popular DJs like Bonobo and Floating Points, has made the music of the anime popular even before it was released. It can be well understood that John Wick fame Chad Stahelski is in charge of the action sequences, and MAPPA is taking over the animation. Lazarus seems great on pen and paper, but the real question is whether people should watch it.
Note: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
An Interesting Plot With Equally Compelling Animation
Every good story takes time to build, and likewise, Lazarus also took its sweet time to bring in more people before hitting the gears. The plot was already interesting, with the mad scientist, Dr. Skinner, taking the entire world hostage with his miracle drug Hapna. To stop him, a special task force was arranged, which had to find him within 30 days, otherwise, humankind would be pushed to the brink of extinction. The narrative is strong, with proper, detailed layers to it that show the commitment of the entire team. MAPPA’s animation played a major part in developing the world-building and creating a connection between the story and viewers.
The animation brings back nostalgic vibes since it is similar to Cowboy Bebop, with desaturated colors and stylish-looking characters. Also, it is detailed to perfection since both franchises take place in the same universe. The fluidity during the action sequences or the facial expression during moments of crisis never felt out of place. Even a subtle “sigh” or smoke rising from a cigarette showcases a detailed and beautiful display. MAPPA has proven once again why they are one of the most popular animation studios in Japan, and Lazarus has only improved their resume.
Proper Character Exploration And Chad Stahelski’s Magic Touch In Action
The task force created to locate Dr. Skinner includes Axel Gilberto as the lead, Christine, Leland, Douglas Hadine, and Eleina. All of them have their stories, but they joined hands to stop the greater evil. Axel is overly charismatic and somewhat problem-maker, while Eleina seems to be a strange woman with a peculiar past. Douglas belongs to the academic field and has a calm nature, Christine is a specialist in firearms, and Leland is the youngest member of the group with knowledge of stealing.
Lazarus took its time in exploring all the characters, and even though it might dive deeper in the upcoming episodes, the fans feel comfortable connecting with the characters. Thanks to Chad Stahelski, Lazarus has offered tons of action sequences – melee combat, hand-to-hand combat, gun fights, punching, kicking, etc. Most anime try to stick to a single type of action, but Lazarus increased their inventory, and nothing felt far-fetched. The clever implementation of action sequences with music and the respective situation seems to be the key to making it seem natural.
Also Read: Lazarus vs Cowboy Bebop: What Ties Them Together and What Sets Them Apart
Room For Improvement?
Lazarus definitely has room for improvement. While the plot seemed to have picked up, the initial slow start might throw a lot of viewers off the trail. It is great to take things slowly, but with a limited number of episodes, Lazarus might have been better to start to get into the story faster than it did. Lazarus episode five is scheduled to be released in a couple of days, but the characters are still being explored, which might raise the question of when the audience will get to see the actual progress. Overall, everything seems to be great, but the slow pacing is an issue that might cause trouble in the future. Lazarus is a great anime if viewers can ignore the slow development; they will be in for a treat.
Watanabe’s Lazarus anime series is available to stream on Adult Swim.
Priyanko is currently pursuing his Master’s in Economics. He loves to read manga or watch anime in his spare time. He is a massive fan of One Piece, Naruto, and Haikyu. Amidst the Great Pirating Era, he wishes to become the greatest Hokage, even though he is short.
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