Noticias

The Cowboy Bebop director has finally spoken about Lazarus, its behind-the-scenes, and the challenges it faced during production. Despite the buzz and hype surrounding its release, Shinichiro Watanabe‘s Lazarus failed to live up to fans’ expectations this year. During an interview with Amazon Japan, Watanabe delved into the making of Lazarus, citing budget issues as one of the biggest challenges.

The director might be content with the show, but the fan reception was the exact opposite. And budgeting wasn’t among the reasons fans stated for their dissatisfaction.

Shinichiro Watanabe Explains the Challenges Faced by Lazarus

Lazarus was among the most anticipated anime of 2025. It marked the comeback of the director after Carole & Tuesday in 2019. Moreover, the premise and promotional material of the show looked promising. If all of that wasn’t enough, the association of big-scale experts like Chad Stahelski (John Wick action director) and Mamoru Miyano (Light...

Within the anime industry, there are very few characters who have made an impact as big as Dragon Ball’s Piccolo. The Namekian is one of the best-written characters within the Dragon Ball franchise, and what made him an even bigger name was the voice behind his character, which was loved by the entire fandom. For those who don’t know, Piccolo was voiced by legendary voice actor Toshio Furukawa.

Furukawa is known for a lot of iconic roles. From playing Shin in the Fist of the North Star to voicing Portgas D. Ace in One Piece, Furukawa has showcased his talents in multiple anime series. However, none of them became as big as Piccolo from Dragon Ball. But what fans might not know is that at first, Furukawa didn’t believe he was the right fit for the role.

During Anime NYC last year, Furukawa reflected on his job...

Alright, anime and cartoon fans, buckle up for a crossover connection that you probably never saw coming. Think about it: you are watching this chaotic, supernatural, aliens-and-ghosts rollercoaster that is Dandadan, vibing with the fast-paced animation, the weird (and often hilarious) storylines, and of course, the wildly expressive characters.

And then you’re introduced to Seiko Ayase, Momo’s grandma, the baseball bat-wielding, no-nonsense, secretly sweet badass who turns every scene ten times more enjoyable. Now switch to Rick and Morty. Among the show’s interdimensional weirdness, there’s one character who gets hardly any screen time but leaves a massive emotional crater every time she’s mentioned: Diane Sanchez. And here’s where things get wild: they’re voiced by the same actress.

The Dandadan and Rick and Morty Connection: Two Women, Two Worlds, One Voice

Let’s take a second to appreciate the queen behind the mic here.

If you’re looking for your next song of the summer, look no further because Saint Blonde are here to help you. The alt-rock quintet have delivered yet again with their brand new single “Gimme My Flowers,” a song that is guaranteed to be in your rotation for the rest of the year. Balancing supremely catchy melody with intense lyrical content, Saint Blonde are making dance tunes for the thinking person. Alongside this new single and video, I was given the exclusive chance to speak with singer Hunter Fitch about the new single, where it could fit within the world of anime, and when he realized he truly loved anime. Note: Band photo credit goes to Elina Carrasco/Rasco Media. Tell us a bit about your new single, “Gimme My Flowers!” Hunter Fitch : “Gimme My Flowers” is a middle finger to the fair-weather well-wishers who only show up once...

Shinichiro Watanabe's latest jazz-themed apocalyptic anime, Lazarus, is thriving in the anime space; it is a reminder of the director's unquestionable success established by the iconic Cowboy Bebop and the zany Space Dandy. Lazarus elevates the ominous tone of the story through on-brand themes that pay tribute to Shinichiro Watanabe's legacy.

Recently, the Television Academy announced Lazarus’s nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music at the 2025 Emmy Awards. This groundbreaking success sets the anime industry on a higher creative pedestal by paying homage to one of anime’s famed directors behind the success of the Adult Swim show.

It would be a huge win for the anime community if Lazarus eventually secures the Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music Emmy Award, despite facing stiff competition from equally resonating title songs.

Lazarus Emmy Nomination Is Amazing, But It Faces Stiff Competition It Would Be a Tough Win for...

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: Lazarus is not a masterpiece. It’s flashy, sure. Stylistically bold? Absolutely. But as a narrative? Not quite like classic Watanabe. Emotionally? A bit cold. And critically? Polarizing, at best. Yet here we are talking about how Shinichiro Watanabe’s latest brainchild just received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. That’s correct. Not an anime award. Not a niche fandom poll. A Primetime Emmy.

So on July 10, the Television Academy announced its nomination list for the 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, and right in the middle of all there was this surprise nomination: Lazarus was nominated for ‘Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music,’ thanks to jazz maestro Kamasi Washington’s epic tune, ‘Vortex.’ And while the nomination is technically for music, let’s not downplay what this means: Anime is seriously making its way onto mainstream Western recognition, and Lazarus is one of...

Sucker Punch has announced additional visual modes for its upcoming semi-sequel Ghost of Yōtei. Whereas the original Ghost of Tsushima had its Kurosama Mode that honored legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, Ghost of Yōtei will have three of these visual modes, including one inspired by 13 Assassins (and Ichi the Killer) director Takashi Miike.

The reveal was part of the gameplay deep dive, which was revealed during a dedicated State of Play, alongside new Limited Edition PlayStation 5 bundles for Ghost of Yōtei. For starters, Yotei will bring back “Kurosawa Mode,” which pays tribute to Akira Kurosawa with grainy black-and-white, audio filtering and enhanced wind effects. Additionally, the game will introduce a “Miike Mode,” which pushes the camera in closer to the player during combat, and increases the blood and mud splatter.

The third mode pays tribute to Shinichirō Watanabe, director behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. In this mode, the game’s...

July will be an excellent month for Lazarusanime fans. The hit HBO Max anime just finished its final episode of the season, but there might be more in store for the spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop.

Cartoon Network has updated its programming schedule for July. According to Anime Superhero, the July 12, 2025, schedule for Adult Swim's Saturday night Toonami block will be dedicated entirely to Lazarus. All 13 episodes of Season 1 will air that night in original Japanese audio with English subtitles. The Toonami marathon will begin at 11 Pm Est and end at 5:30 Am Est.

Toonami Will Air All 13 Episodes of Lazarus Subbed in July on Adult Swim

Below is the complete Lazarus schedule for July 12, 2025. Toonami will start an hour earlier than usual for the marathon, preempting the 11 Pm airing of Rick and Morty. The following episodes will be aired with original Japanese voice acting, with English subtitles.

11:...

2025 has been both a curse and a blessing for anime fans. On one hand, we have masterpieces like The Apothecary Diaries, Solo Leveling, Wind Breaker, and many more. On the other hand, we received adaptations that never should’ve seen the light of day.

Some of these series aren’t even considered bad solely because of poor animation. They will feature the most bizarre yet boring plot ever made, and expect people to enjoy it. A few anime on this list even had high expectations due to the reputation of the directors, so it’s painful that they’re even here. These are the worst anime of spring 2025.

1. The Beginning After the End Release DateEnding DateEpisode CountApril 2, 2025June 18, 202512

This anime being first on the list shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody. We had such high expectations of The Beginning After the End, but Studio A-Cat ruined it. If...

Anime’s everywhere right now. It’s cool, it’s global, it’s making billions, and yet, behind all the hype, something’s seriously broken. Shinichiro Watanabe, the genius behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, returns with his latest anime, Lazarus. And while the show itself is stylish and explosive, Watanabe’s recent interview took a sharp turn into real talk about the crisis brewing inside the industry.

With Lazarus wrapping up with its final episode airing on June 28, 2025, Watanabe didn’t just chat about the show. He got brutally honest about how anime is suffering from a massive shortage of skilled people, and that no amount of money from streaming is gonna solve it overnight.

Behind the Action of Lazarus Lies a Bigger Industry Problem

If you’ve been paying attention to Lazarus, you already know it’s slick, it’s bloody, and it moves like a high-octane action movie.

Shinichiro Watanabe, the creator of Cowboy Bebop and HBO Max's anime streaming hit, Lazarus, shared his thoughts on the many challenges facing the animation industry today. The final episode of Lazarus will air on June 28, 2025, on Cartoon Network's Toonami block, part of Adult Swim.

Deadline interviewed Watanabe about Lazarus, his most recent work with Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The adult action anime has become a significant streaming hit on HBO Max, despite its previous divisive reviews. In the lead up to Episode 13, currently considered to be the final episode of the series, Deadline asked Watanabe about his work relationship with Chad Stahelski, the director of John Wick, and what's changed in the animation industry over the last 20 years since he worked on an action series.

Lazarus & Cowboy Bebop Creator Shinichiro Watanabe Speaks Up About the Anime Industry’s Labor Shortage

Regarding his partnership with Stahelski, Watanabe said...

With every episode, Lazarus takes itself further from redemption. A few episodes in, fans knew that something was incredibly off about the anime. There was still hope that it would redeem itself. The plot will pick up pace, and the ending will make the drag of an experience worth it. Now, with only one episode left, all these hopes have been shattered and buried.

Many fans argued that if only the anime had more episodes, then maybe things would have fallen into place. That might not be true, because the anime has a tone-deaf problem. The premise of Lazarus is simply not appropriate for Shinichiro Watanabe’s directorial style, and that problem can’t be solved by simply increasing the number of episodes.

The number of episodes was never the issue with Lazarus

Lazarus has got most things right. The music and animation are perfect. The action choreography drew many people in,...

As soon as Lazarus was first announced, fans were prepared to witness Shinchiro Watanabe’s directorial vision once again. After all, it’s the same man who has given us gems like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy. All these titles are distinct and iconic, and fans’ expectations with Watanabe as a result have skyrocketed. In addition to all the hype, Lazarus also became a hot topic for the wrong reasons.

It was a popular belief at the time that instead of a sequel to Space Dandy, the makers chose Lazarus as their next project, making Lazarus the reason why the sequel was rejected. The co-creator of Toonami, Jason DeMarco, recently clarified the story behind this rumor during a podcast. Lazarus never sabotaged Space Dandy, and the rumor was the result of a misunderstanding.

Toonami co-creator shuts down rumors surrounding Space Dandy season 2

The Space Dandy anime was released...

Alright, anime fans, brace yourselves, because this might shake your Studio Ghibli-loving heart a little. When you think of the greatest anime movie of all time, you’re probably thinking of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. It’s classic Hayao Miyazaki magic, period. You’ve got a fearless princess, giant bugs, toxic jungles, and a vibe about saving the world, total chef’s kiss.

It’s literally the movie that kicked off Studio Ghibli. No argument there. But Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe? You know, the guy who made space jazz sound so much cooler than any other show? Well, he doesn’t rate Nausicaä as the best anime movie of 1984. Nope. His favorite? Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer. Yes, the strange one with the alien girl and a time loop. Let’s unpack that wild pick.

So, what even is Beautiful Dreamer, and why is this Watanabe’s favorite anime movie?...

Shinichirō Watanabe's "Cowboy Bebop" warrants no introduction. A neo-noir space Western like no other, "Cowboy Bebop" is an operatic tale about fate, the inevitability of violence, and the sum of our choices. Everything Watanabe has made post-"Bebop" has contained bits and pieces of this futuristic saga, including his historical adventure anime "Samurai Champloo," which looks back at an anachronistic Edo-era Japan.

The groovy, jazzy aura of "Bebop" has always found a way to seep into Watanabe's brilliant oeuvre, but nothing has ever come remotely close to this elusive sentiment. So when Watanabe's currently-ongoing "Lazarus" first aired in April this year, "Bebop" lovers were enthused about this fresh, snazzy story set in the distant future (also featuring a group of misfits banding together to accomplish the impossible). While Adult Swim's "Lazarus" does revisit the anime auteur's most compelling impulses, it pales in comparison to the riveting stories Watanabe has penned all his life.

Shinichiro Watanabe, the legendary anime director, is back with his new sci-fi action series Lazarus. The show, which debuts on Adult Swim and Toonami before streaming on Max, is halfway through its run, and things have already gotten intense. Based on an original concept by Watanabe, Dai Satô, Takahiro Ozawa, and Tsukasa Kondō, Lazarus is set in the near future where a popular painkiller is revealed to be lethal, causing a group of criminals to hunt down its creator for a cure. It's a bonkers concept that works perfectly as an anime (especially with the aid of John Wick's Chad Stahelski in charge of fight choreography). With just under half the episodes remaining, fans have been given a new look at the core cast of characters, as the intense plot nears its end.

Eight episodes of Lazarus are currently available to stream on Max. To celebrate the hit series reaching the halfway point,...

Is it a coincidence that both Lazarus and the word letdown have the same initials? Wow, that’s quite harsh, but I had some great expectations for the anime. As soon as the anime was announced, a series of promising announcements followed suit. With Shinichiro Watanabe at the helm for direction and Studio Mappa for the animation, there was nothing to worry about, as far as the music and visuals were concerned.

However, the anime has painfully failed to impress the audience. How is it possible that even though we’re halfway through the season, there hasn’t been a single event or scene that sticks out as exceptional? Everything about Lazarus sounded perfect in theory, so what is it about the execution that’s ruining the experience? The characters and their names hold the answer.

Lazarus has great music and visuals, then what’s the problem? Axel and Chris...

Just imagine you’re sitting with a group of friends, and start dropping facts about Norse mythology. While they’re busy being blown away by how knowledgeable you are, you’re busy reminiscing and crying about Thorfinn’s journey in Vinland Saga! Or you explain heliocentrism to someone, and while they’re amazed by this random chapter from history, you revisit the glorious animation and engaging storytelling of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth.

It’s always fascinating to walk away from an anime or manga as a completely changed person. Not just because the story is touching, but it explores world events with great detail and caution. As rewarding and entertaining as it can be when anime and history come together, it’s still a rare phenomenon–an unexplored territory for the most part.

Both Vinland Saga and Orb: On the Movements of the Earth open up different...

Lazarus was all the hype, until it was not. Shinichiro Watanabe’s direction, Chad Stahelski’s fight choreography, and the experts on the musical front; there was just too much to look forward to. However, the slow progression in a world that’s heading towards doom failed to hook fans the way it was supposed to. That is, of course, not true for everyone, as many fans are loving the weekly episodes.

The latest episode was by far the best one, it highlighted the immense potential that the anime holds. From the soundtrack to the individual character moments, everything felt alive. Before you can even relish in the fact that Lazarus has finally found its footing, the realization hits: there are only a few episodes left! This limitation is stunting the potential of Lazarus, and that’s really unfortunate.

Lazarus anime was only just getting good

Before Lazarus episode 7, the...

Shinichiro Watanabe and Studio Mappa really left no stone unturned in making Lazarus a really cool sci-fi action thriller. We get to see a wild premise of a global manhunt for an elusive Dr. Skinner while everything else in the world was crumbling to pieces.

It all sounds cool, right? But there was something that seemed to be lacking in those early episodes. Sure, the action was solid, the animation and art were great, but it didn’t quite have that heart and soul like we saw in Samurai Champloo, Watanabe’s previous works.

We were looking for something to elicit some sort of vibe that could make us feel for these characters. And then it finally happened with Episode 7, “Almost Blue,” which completely flipped this script. It had some really funny moments, and it really feels like the Lazarus we’ve all been waiting for!

Lazarus finally brings in...

Lazarus is really something else, with its wild sci-fi action. It is set in 2052, and it follows a group of individuals on the hunt for Dr. Skinner, whose drug, Hapna, is a total disaster.

Mappa’s animation is spot-on and action scenes are next level, but the characters? They are kinda cool, but they can sometimes feel like action movie cliches. Characters like Axel, Chris, and Doug all feel like they are lacking that depth and heart in the story.

Then, episode 7, titled Almost Blue recently dropped, and we get a fantastic barbecue scene where the team just hangs out. And it certainly feels like a “this is what we needed” moment. So perhaps scenes like this are a fix for expanding on those characters!

Episode 7 finally shows how Lazarus can fix its characters

Seriously, the barbecue scene in episode 7 is just the breather we all needed. It has so many fresh moments,...

Shinichiro Watanabe’s association with any project makes it difficult for fans to keep their expectations realistic. After all, the director has given us enriching and thoroughly entertaining experiences with shows like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. Perhaps Lazarus is partly suffering due to the weight of expectations.

The anime was highly anticipated, but its reception has been quite underwhelming, which is surprising. Or maybe not because it’s apparent how Lazarus lacks the same spark as its predecessors. While the anime might have failed to garner similar praise or attention as Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo, it does one thing right: the music.

Lazarus’ soundtrack might be the best thing about it

Going into any anime directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, the least you can expect is a fresh story that isn’t riddled with anime stereotypes and great music! All his original creations check both these boxes, including Lazarus.

Chad Stahelski has made it very clear that he deeply appreciates anime. The stuntman-turned-director of one of Hollywood's biggest action franchises has stated before that he'd love to spend more time in the medium of Japanese art and delivering powerful stories through animation. He recently got the chance to embrace his passion, too, working alongside legendary Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichirō Watanabe to plan out the choreography and action sequences for the new original series Lazarus. Even outside of anime, however, he's put the themes and methods of the art form to use, with the John Wick films embracing similar types of over-the-top action and gritty, dramatic storytelling. With the release of the new documentary Wick Is Pain, he's now opening up on the series and creators that most impacted his development of the gun-fu epic.

In an interview with Collider's Aidan Kelley for Wick Is Pain, Stahelski was asked...

Chad Stahelski is the man who made John Wick a standout among other high-octane action films out there. He has often managed to give us a rush of adrenaline with those gun-fu fight scenes that have won him various accolades. But Stahelski’s not just relaxing in the success of his blockbuster films.

He is pursuing something bigger than these projects, he is pursuing his own presence of style while building on influences such as Shinichiro Watanabe, creator of Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop. Perhaps, Stahelski is trying to carve out his own epic path?

Stahelski’s making sure every scene screams“Chad”

In an interview with Polygon, John Wick‘s director recently opened up about how he is fanboying over Watanabe’s genius. Whether that’s Spike brooding in the smoky bars of Cowboy Bebop or the wild samurai-hip-hop energy in Samurai Champloo, Stahelski asserted you know “it’s...

Having John Wick director on board is the best thing to happen to Shinichiro Watanabe’s series, Lazarus. Chad Stahelski’s expertise and finesse are reflected in the slick action sequences and fights. The anime would instantly remind viewers of Cowboy Bebop, however, it is nothing alike.

On the contrary, the series is set in a dystopian society headed for its doom. Mappa’s animation and Stahelski’s insight make it a complete visual treat for anime fans and enthusiasts. It is a passion project, however, the director had his conditions regarding this masterpiece.

In other words, Chad Stahelski put forth his requirements to bring forth the brilliance in the anime. It is quite interesting, considering the dream team behind Watanabe’s series, but here’s the thing. This prerequisite also highlights the John Wick director’s relationship with the medium.

John Wick Director’s prerequisites for working on Lazarus...

Shinichiro Watanabe, the visionary behind Cowboy Bebop, just keeps adding to his strong and impressive resume. The sci-fi thriller, Lazarus, is the new brainchild of Watanabe, which portrays a dystopian 2052 where a wonder drug called Hapna goes haywire, and a team struggles to stop its creator, Dr. Skinner.

With a blend of visionary storytelling and heart-pounding action, Watanabe has certainly managed to give us another masterpiece, and fans are now buzzing with questions. Is Lazarus an original creation, or does it draw from existing source material?

Lazarus has even got Chad Stahelski contributing his action expertise. So, how does the mastermind behind John Wick’s kinetic action fit into this animated saga?

Lazarus offers an original sci-fi journey

Have you ever wondered what makes Lazarus different from all the other anime out there? It is original with no manga or novel involved. That’s right, Lazarus has no ties to...

When Lazarus was announced as Shinichiro Watanabe’s next project, everybody anticipated another masterpiece from this legacy director who has hardly ever missed the mark. On top of that, this time, he even went one step extra to bring in Hollywood big shots in his project, like Chad Stahelski, the director of the very popular John Wick franchise.

It is apparent that the production of Lazarus was carefully crafted with some of the best people in the industry. However, it still suffers from some glaring plot holes and character developmental issues that ultimately make the audience compare it with the absolute perfection of Cowboy Bebop.

The presence of a dynamic protagonist like Spike ensured the success of Cowboy Bebop, but Axel, who is very similar to Spike, might not be able to do the same for Lazarus.

Action is the soul of Lazarus, and Chad Stahelski executes it with perfection

In an interview with Polygon,...

If you are not a Max subscriber but are immensely curious to check out the new anime from Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe, this is a good day for you. Adult Swim decided to make the first episode of Lazarus available for free on YouTube — and you can also watch it in this article. The story takes place in a not-too-distant future and centers around a utopian society in which all diseases have been cured.

The twist to Lazarus is — and don't worry, this is not a spoiler — that the drug that helped humanity overcome all diseases was manufactured by a doctor called Skinner (voiced by Koichi Yamadera in the original Japanese and by David Matranga in the English dub), a mad scientist that resurfaces years later and announces that everyone who took Hapna will die if he isn't located to provide a cure. This is where the story starts:...

Shinichiro Watanabe has this uncanny ability to combine music with visuals to create worlds that just pull you in. His characters are soulful, and those vibes are timeless.

But when you look at his portfolio, Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo are the ones that stand out among all his other masterpieces. And the reason? These weren’t just shows, they changed the game by smashing genres and cultures in a very unique way.

There is no denying that Watanabe is still out there creating some amazing stuff like Lazarus. But pulling off something like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo might be tough.

Shinichiro Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo hit different

Cowboy Bebop was a celebration of the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of a ragtag crew of bounty hunters. It came into the anime scene all the way back in the 90s, but folks out there still watch and rewatch it again and again.

There has been a lot of talk going around about AI in the anime community, with some advocating for it while others are totally against it. Joining this controversial debate, Shinichiro Watanabe has now come forward to issue his candid takes.

And guess what? Watanabe describes it as a “god for a new religion” and a “heartless monster.” If you’re a fan who gets geeked out on the soul of anime, you know exactly what he is trying to say here. We all want that emotional value in a story that just hits us hard in the feels.

So, it’s hard not to agree with Watanabe’s assertions about AI. He is someone whose words are shaped by years of crafting epic anime like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.

Shinichiro Watanabe speaks candidly about the use of AI in anime

In a new interview with Gizmodo Japan, the...

Shiniciro Watanabe is a legendary anime director for good reason -- he regularly creates hit shows practically every time he directs. It would seem that his newest series, Lazarus, is no exception, as the sci-fi thriller focused on the fallout of a drug bait-and-switch has been performing very well, at least when it comes to streaming on Max.

According to FlixPatrol, Lazarus was number #8 in the 'Top 10 Shows on HBO on April 23, 2025,' and was at number #7 on the same list the previous day. Perhaps the stronger argument, however, is that the new series is solidly in seventh place on Rotten Tomatoes' list of the "Best TV Shows on Max" for April, with a score of 90%. Despite a few of the early reviews for the series coming in rather middling, it appears that Lazarus has found its footing with general viewers, as it continues to have a strong showing on streaming,...

Alright, let’s get this out of the way: we all love Cowboy Bebop. It’s cool, jazzy, tragic, stylish, all the things that made us fall in love with anime in the first place. Shinichirō Watanabe hit the jackpot with that space-western-noir hybrid. But you know what? With 21 years of Samurai Champloo existing quietly in the background, I’m ready to say it: This is the real genius move.

Yeah. Samurai Champloo is Watanabe’s most underappreciated, most innovative, and dare I say it, greatest work. It’s crazy, strange, emotional, and much more culturally subversive than it ever got credit for. And now, looking back, it seems way ahead of its time.

Samurai Champloo: The secret behind that funky title

So, first things first: what in the world does ‘Champloo’ even mean? It turns out it’s derived from ‘chanpuru,’ an Okinawan stir-fry dish where you essentially...

Out of all the Straw Hat Pirates, the one crew member whom I have loved and admired since the beginning is Roronoa Zoro. Zoro is the swordsman of the crew and the second strongest member of the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece. He dreams of becoming the strongest swordsman in the One Piece world and is getting close to his dream with each episode.

One Piece fans might not know this, but Zoro’s character is voiced by legendary Japanese voice actor Kazuya Nakai, who has voiced many prominent roles within the anime industry. In fact, he is one of the few voice actors who has been a part of the One Piece franchise since the beginning, as he has voiced Zoro from episode 2 of the anime.

However, what shocked me even more was the fact that Nakai’s voice acting talent is not limited to anime. He has...

by Danny Lee

Set in 1960s rural Japan, “Kids on the Slope” (Sakamichi no Apollon) is a coming-of-age anime that trades fantasy and spectacle for something far more intimate and grounded. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, best known for “Cowboy Bebop” and “Samurai Champloo“, and featuring a soulful soundtrack by Yoko Kanno, this series is a quiet storm about friendship, music, and the emotional chaos of growing up.

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The story follows Kaoru Nishimi, a reserved and classically trained honors student who transfers to a new school and finds himself drawn to Sentarou Kawabuchi, a brash and free-spirited classmate. Through Sentarou’s love for jazz, Kaoru is pulled out of his shell and into a world where improvisation becomes a way of living. Their friendship, sparked in the basement of a record store, becomes the emotional center of the narrative.

What sets “Kids on the Slope...

by Danny Lee

Set in 1960s rural Japan, “Kids on the Slope” (Sakamichi no Apollon) is a coming-of-age anime that trades fantasy and spectacle for something far more intimate and grounded. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, best known for “Cowboy Bebop” and “Samurai Champloo”, and featuring a soulful soundtrack by Yoko Kanno, this series is a quiet storm about friendship, music, and the emotional chaos of growing up.

Buy This Title

by clicking on the image below

The story follows Kaoru Nishimi, a reserved and classically trained honors student who transfers to a new school and finds himself drawn to Sentarou Kawabuchi, a brash and free-spirited classmate. Through Sentarou’s love for jazz, Kaoru is pulled out of his shell and into a world where improvisation becomes a way of living. Their friendship, sparked in the basement of a record store, becomes the emotional center of the narrative.

What sets “Kids on the Slope...

When a director like Shinichiro Watanabe returns with a new anime like Lazarus, comparisons to Cowboy Bebop are bound to happen. This is because each fan, whether from the prime jazz time or the modern anime enthusiast, they are bound to have heard about the classic space-era anime of Cowboy Bebop. From the stylish animation and designs to the jazzy soundtrack, it had everything the fans could want in an anime.

But then again, it seems to be extremely similar in Lazarus as well. The animation seems similar with the soundtracks being of the same vein, it makes one wonder, what relation does Lazarus have to Cowboy Bebop, could it be a sequel? Or a spiritual successor? To all these questions, Watanabe answers in the negative.

Lazarus isn’t Cowboy Bebop’s successor, and that’s the point

From the calm and stylish protagonist Axel Gilberto to the heavy space-noir vibes,...

When we talk about the most iconic anime directors of all time, Shinichirō Watanabe’s name has to come up. This guy didn’t just make hits, he created a whole vibe. From the jazzy, space-western anarchy of Cowboy Bebop, to the hip-hop-infused samurai universe of Samurai Champloo, to the psychedelic slapstick of Space Dandy, and even to the music-driven Carole & Tuesday, Watanabe has made his mark on anime in a way few creators ever have.

But recently, during a promo run for his recent anime Lazarus, Watanabe dropped a little truth bomb saying, he put all his best ideas into Cowboy Bebop. That’s right. Bebop wasn’t lightning in a bottle. It was the product of years of dreaming, envisioning, and saving up creativity like a squirrel stashing nuts for winter.

All in on Cowboy Bebop: The first and perhaps last great flame from Watanabe

In a 2024 interview with Anime News Network,...

Spoiler Alert !!!The article contains heavy spoilers for the first and second episodes of Lazarus!

Few directors can boast about having mastered the art of subtle cultural references in storytelling, and Shinichiro Watanabe is one of them. The man is a visionary, and while he is working on Lazarus right now, he has previously worked on some of the most iconic anime like Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop.

He has worked on several notable projects and never fails to leave his mark on them. Lazarus is no exception. Watanabe proves he is still a master of cultural references and expert storytelling by naming the show’s villain after the Father of Operant Conditioning, Dr. B. F. Skinner.

Christine, Leland, Axel, and Doug talking to Hersch | Credits: Mappa

While it may seem like a simple reference to others, we know its significance in the story and our society. Let’s see...

Chad Stahelski, the director of all four John Wick movies starring Keanu Reeves, is looking to branch out from the franchise and work on new action projects. Even with John Wick 5 now officially in development, the director wants to do something new with his career. So what does Stahelski want to direct next? A war movie? A heist? A 00s-style romcom? Nope. Anime! Stahelski recently lent his action design talents to Shinichiro Watanabe's (Cowboy Bebop) newest series, Lazarus. It appears as though Stahelski has caught the anime bug... or maybe he had it all along.

During a recent interview with Polygon to promote Lazarus, Chad Stahelski revealed that he is a lifelong fan of anime, and he had wanted to venture into the medium much earlier in his career. "I'm jealous," the director said of the artistic talent of animators. "If I could draw a third as good, an eighth as good as Watanabe-san,...

After almost 5 years, Shinichiro Watanabe is back with his banger series, Lazarus. It has all the components of a promising showstopper, be it animation, storyline, or music. The overall vibe is set to take viewers on a nostalgic trip back to the 90s and 2000s.

Not only that, but the action scenes and the concept itself are reminiscent of the early cyberpunk anime. The dystopian themes especially are well-laid out and thought of through the art design and landscape. It seems too good to be true, but things might not fare well for the makers, and here’s why.

Axel Gilbert in a still from the Lazarus anime | Credit: Mappa

In the first episode itself, the series underlined a fatal flaw that hit a sour note. This is detrimental to the viewership, yes, but it also strips the series of its essence in several ways. To make it worse, people...

Lazarus has been one of the most anticipated anime series of 2025. Not only because of the series being Shinichiro Watanabe’s latest instalment, but also because just how freaking cool the glimpses appeared before its release.

Interestingly, though, the release of the first episode was met with skepticism that bordered on harsh criticism from fans. While many things can be attributed to the reason behind their disappointment, one has to wonder whether their expectations were the real culprit behind their disappointment.

Axel Gilberto in Lazarus | Credits: Mappa

In any case, all might not be lost just yet, as there’s a very good reason why Lazarus deserves a second chance from fans before being written off completely.

Lazarus deserves some grace from fans before meeting their cruel remarks just yet

Even though the first episode of Lazarus, titled Goodbye Cruel World, garnered some negative remarks, most of the reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.

The legendary creator behind Cowboy Bebopand his latest anime series, Lazarus, has revealed the heartwarming tribute that helps make up the new show.

Per an interview with creator Shinichiro Watanabe posted on YouTube and translated via X (formerly Twitter), the question of what interesting facts about Lazarus that fans might not already be aware of came up. "I worked with screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto, and we planned to create together, and we would both develop the story and the characters," Watanabe explained. "But right at the beginning, while we were creating the story and characters, she got sick and was hospitalized."

Cowboy Bebop Creator's New Anime Series Is a Tribute to the Late Keiko Nobumoto I: “Could you share any interesting fact about the creation of Lazarus that the fans might not know?â€W: “I worked with screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto, and we planned to create together and we...

Shinichirō Watanabe, the mastermind behind Cowboy Bebop and Space Dandy, is a legend who has proved himself time and time again by creating timeless classics. Not to mention even his other works are exceptionally popular.

But there is no doubt that he excels at creating the kind of absurd, humorous concepts and executes them exceptionally well, almost as if he were parodying reality.

Axel from Lazarus [Credits: Mappa]

He had hopes of returning to his absurd roots, but when Adult Swim came knocking with full funding and a blank check, they made one thing clear: they didn’t want another Dandy. They wanted something serious and something darker. And that’s how the dystopian world of Lazarus was born.

A darker vision inspired by real-world pain

Adult Swim’s idea was not bad. Although Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop are immensely successful, Space Dandy felt much more lackadaisical and did not...

John Wick fans will love the new series, Lazarus, the newest anime from legendary creator Shinichirō Watanabe, who is best known for works like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy. It has been six years since Watanabe's last work, Carole & Tuesday, meaning there's been plenty of hype surrounding his next work. Now, the creator has partnered with Studio Mappa (known for producing animation for works such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan) for Lazarus, a futuristic anime about a rag-tag group of individuals teaming up to locate a neuroscientist who is seemingly bent on wiping out the human race.

The first episode of the series premiered on Adult Swim, and was shortly released for streaming on the HBO streaming service Max this past Sunday. With just one episode, Lazarus has impressively climbed the streaming popularity charts on the streamer, hitting the #4 spot. Lazarus's first episode is...

Let’s be real, when you hear the name Chad Stahelski, you immediately think about those amazing headshots, neon shootouts, and Keanu Reeves walking around like a boss in a sharp suit. The John Wick franchise not only revolutionized action movies, but it also made Stahelski Hollywood’s go-to guy whenever they require fight scenes that not only look classy but are also extremely aggressive.

But wait, it gets even better: Chad Stahelski is not just an action movie dude. Secretly, he’s an anime fan. And not just any casual viewer, he’s someone who’s been working with Japanese studios since the 90s.

Chad Stahelski worked as the main action designer for the anime Lazarus. | Credit: Mappa

Stahelski recently confessed how much he loves anime in an interview, revealing that if he could do it, he’d be working on anime 24/7. The guy who made gun-fu a household...

There are few anime debuts in recent memory that had as much anticipation behind them as Lazarus. The series was created by Shinichiro Watanabe, the mind behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, a legend who is known for his timeless works.

Not just this, Lazarus is incredibly special because it features action sequences choreographed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski. The trailer set up a world that was thrilling, exciting, and dangerous.

Elena in Lazarus | Credits: Mappa

The show had all the right ingredients on paper, but unfortunately, Lazarus episode 1 was extremely disappointing considering what it could have been. It felt more like a bunch of scenes from the middle of an action series than a premiere episode.

Lazarus episode 1 is all style and no soul

The entire episode essentially boils down to Axel running around. The essence of a thrilling series lies in the feeling of being chased or time running out.

Spring 2025's new anime series Lazarus has debuted in the U.S. to early critical success, with Rotten Tomatoes highlighting the show's popularity thus far among professional critics.

Early scores for Shinichiro Watanabe's new Lazarus anime are widely positive, with the series enjoying a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 12 reviews as of writing -- below the likes of the original Cowboy Bebop anime series and Watanabe's Carole & Tuesday, but well above his Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, Space Dandy and even 2004 fan-favorite Samurai Champloo. Lazarus premiered on April 6 with Episode 1, "Goodbye Cruel World," broadcasting on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block before its next-day streaming release on Max.

Cowboy Bebop Creator Continues Impressive Rotten Tomatoes Streak for New Lazarus Anime Watched the first episode of "Lazarus" in real time. Stuff like the Aniplex commercials in between, that feeling was nostalgic. I haven't watched late-night anime in real time since "Lycoris Recoil.

Lazarus will premiere on April 6, 2025, and if you didn’t already know it, it’s directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, the legend behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. His works have become famous even outside the realm of the anime community, inspiring many Hollywood filmmakers, too.

Most anime series will not have a big budget like most Hollywood films, but Lazarus secured Chad Stahelski’s unwavering support. The John Wick director is set to design the action sequences for the series, but Watanabe was initially worried about the cost of the collaboration.

Axel Gilberto from Lazarus. [Credit: Mappa]

So not only will it be reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop, but also have the thrilling action of John Wick. Stahelski will shoot live-action fight sequences for Watanabe’s team of animators to reference. From the trailers, the action in Lazarus already looks smooth and riveting.

The upcoming series sounds like it’s guaranteed to be a success.

Shinichirō Watanabe’s “Cowboy Bebop” was a lightning-in-a-bottle phenomenon. It is an artistic high that we keep chasing despite being painfully aware that it cannot be replicated — and arguably, it shouldn’t be. Everything else that Watanabe has lovingly crafted since then — “Samurai Champloo,” “Space Dandy,” “Carole & Tuesday” — contains slivers of this inimitable brilliance, encased with the passionate dedication of a seasoned auteur.

His latest, “Lazarus,” embraces the signature impulses of his ouevre: a deep love for a rich, diverse futuristic setting, a rag-tag group of misfits embarking on thrilling adventures, and an uncompromising vision concerning humanity. Although critics have only been privy to 5 of the 13 episodes that “Lazarus” has to offer, they paint a groovy, highly-stylized picture of a world on the brink of extinction. There’s a frenetic “Bebop”-esque sensibility that feels so familiar, yet “Lazarus” etches its own identity and stands on its distinct merits.

Spoilers for "Lazarus" follow.

Shinichirō Watanabe is an anime auteur, most famous for directing 26-episode Space Western "Cowboy Bebop." The legacy of that show colors his career beyond just people remembering it as one of the best anime ever. Watanabe's later projects have sometimes felt like a response to or evolution of "Bebop." (His science-fiction musical drama "Carole & Tuesday" is set on the same terraformed Mars that "Bebop" often visited.)

The same can definitely be said of Watanabe's latest directorial project: "Lazarus." The series, animated at studio Mappa and produced by Sola Entertainment, is a 13-episode science-fiction action-thriller. Set in 2055 — similar to "Bebop," this future is within our lifetimes — the crux of the show is a miracle painkiller, Hapna.

Its inventor, Dr. Skinner, announces that the drug was designed to mutate after three years and soon, Hapna will kill everyone who took it. That means everyone in the world,...