Following his impressive outings with Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Kids on the Slope, renowned anime director Shinichirō Watanabe is back with his newest project: Lazarus. The series hails from an all-star creative team that includes John Wick director Chad Stahelski, jazz legend Kamasi Washington, and animation powerhouse MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man).
Set in 2052, it follows a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist, who invents a wonder drug called Hapuna that cures sickness forever, but has the unexpected side-effect of causing death three years later. A special five-person task force, Lazarus, is then assembled to find the doctor and stop his plan in time to save the world.
Watanabe will serve as creator and director of the project, with Stahelski on board to design action sequences. DJ and musician Floating Points, and producer, DJ, and musician Bonobo will work with Washington to provide a jazz and electronic score.
“As I embark on this creative journey, I can’t help but feel that this project will serve as a culmination of my career so far,” said Watanabe in a statement. “I hope you enjoy it.”
A release date for Lazarus wasn’t announced, but the director is set to reveal more about the show at the Adult Swim Festival at this year’s San Diego Comic Con on 22 July. The yearly convention is currently ongoing and will end on 23 July.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
