The anime legend, whose body of work includes ‘Cowboy Bebop,’ ‘Samurai Champloo,’ and ‘Kids on the Slope’ will reveal a first look at the new show at Adult Swim Festival’s ‘Toonami on The Green’ event July 22 at SDCC 2023.
Adult Swim has announced that Lazarus, a new Toonami original series from acclaimed anime director Shinichirō Watanabe, is officially in development. Celebrated for his influential body of work that includes Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Kids on the Slope, Watanabe returns to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.
“Shinichirō Watanabe is simply one of the greatest living artists, and it’s a dream come true to be able to collaborate with him on a new original series,” said Jason DeMarco, SVP, Head of Anime and Action Series at Adult Swim. “Like all of his work, Lazarus is packed with big ideas, incredible characters and a ton of heart. We can’t wait for anime fans to see this world.”
Lazarus sets the stage in the year 2052, an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity across the globe, with mankind free from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna, a ubiquitous and essential drug. However, soon after Hapuna is 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, and everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. In response to this threat, a special task force of five agents called Lazarus gathers to save humanity. Can they find Skinner and develop a vaccine before time runs out?
Produced by anime studio MAPPA, Lazarus will feature high-octane action with sequences meticulously designed by Chad Stahelski, renowned stuntman and director of the John Wick film franchise. The series will also feature a captivating score by a collection of renowned artists including jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington (West Coast Get Down); producer, DJ, and musician Floating Points (Floating Points Ensemble); and producer, DJ, and musician Bonobo.
“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. “I hope you enjoy it.”
Fans attending the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego this year will hear from Watanabe himself at the “Toonami on the Green” event on Saturday, July 22 at 5:15pm. Free for those 18+ to attend, reservations are currently sold out, but fans are encouraged to join the standby line for the chance to get a first look at Lazarus alongside other forthcoming Toonami original series. For more details, visit AdultSwimFestival.com.
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