News

Shinichiro Watanabe, the legendary director of Cowboy Bebop, is back with a brand-new anime called Lazarus, coming soon to Toonami in 2025. Animated by Mappa, known for Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan, Lazarus promises to be a thrilling ride, with its first episode already screened at Nycc 2024 to rave reviews.

Set in the year 2055, the story takes place after a miracle painkiller called ‘Hapna’ is released, offering the world an era of peace. However, Dr. Skinner, the drug’s creator, shocks everyone by revealing that it is actually a deadly trap—killing users exactly three years after ingestion.

As Babylonia, a futuristic city, faces disaster, a special team of agents called ‘Lazarus’ is sent to find Dr. Skinner and secure a cure for the deadly drug.

The series is tied to Watanabe’s past works like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, taking place in the same universe. Lazarus also draws...

Lazarus, the upcoming anime series created by famed Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe and animated by Mappa has recieved an exciting new reveal of the series' setting, the city of Babylonia.

The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Lazarus posted the Babylonia City artwork reveal on Jan. 15, 2024. The art, seen below, features the city’s central tower, adorned with intricate, futuristic designs and crowned by a striking mechanical warrior, with the residential areas of Babylonia sprawling out behind it. The tower is marked by several colorful construction cranes, which have been seen in several teaser visuals as action settings.

Related 'There Were a Lot of Rejected Ideas': Attack on Titan Director on the Challenges of Creating Winter 2025's New Hit Mappa Anime

Attack on Titan episode director Mitsue Yamazaki breaks down the difficult process of developing an anime series based on an original concept.

Cartoon Network's Upcoming Lazarus Anime...

Every year is a pretty good year for anime, as the Japanese animation industry regularly churns out interesting, unique shows season after season. 2024 was a particularly great one though, with shows that varied from fantastical epics (“Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”), quirky comedies (“Delicious in Dungeon”), and warmly nostalgic action series (“Ranma 1/2”). It’s a year that was full of riches, and a tough one to live up to.

Looking ahead to 2025 though, there’s so much to be excited about in terms of what the medium has to offer. The Winter 2025 season already has promising new series like “Zenshu,” “Sakamoto Days,” and “Honey Lemon Soda.” And once you venture beyond the current season for other series that are scheduled to come out in the future, you’ll find some wildly promising titles. Plenty of old favorites are coming back for a new season: “Dandadan,” “Fire Force,” “Wind Breaker,” “Spy x Family,...

The highly anticipated second season of Dorohedoro has just confirmed a release window with more details coming to light about the continuation of Q Hayashida’s story. Dorohedoro is one of the most bizarre and goriest animes that has come out in recent years, and its season 1's ending left viewers intrigued and extremely craving a continuation, so this update is the perfect news for fans to start the year, as the adaptation will come sooner than expected.

Dorohedoro, once considered one of the most difficult mangas to adapt to due to its brutality, despite not having earned massive international popularity, has garnered a loyal following due to Mappa’s incredible adaptation. Dorohedoro’s season 2 confirmed is finally coming back to streaming platforms and the announcement came exactly 1 year after the confirmation of the sequel alongside a key visual to spark fan interest.

Dorohedoro Season 2 Reveals First Visual Along with...

Five years after its initial anime release, Mappa's popular Dorohedoro series has confirmed the release window for Season 2 with a new official visual and staff announcement.

Via the official website, the popular dark fantasy anime series Dorohedoro will return in 2025. "It has been five years since the TV anime Dorohedoro was broadcast on Jan. 12, 2020!" the new update reads. "To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the broadcast, the second teaser visual for the sequel series has been released!" The visual below showcases colorful storyboards and confirms that both director Yuichiro Hayashi and anime studio Mappa will be returning for the Dorohedoro sequel. Readers can check out the image and more information below.

Related Disney Reveals Exciting Update for Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Fans

Disney is gearing up for the Season 6 premiere of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir with a brand-new trailer filled with new friends and foes.

Novelist Harlan Coben seemingly confirms his next streaming series after the success of Netflix's Missing You, which debuted on New Year's Day. Based on Coben's 2014 thriller novel, the Netflix show stars Rosalind Eleazar as British detective Kat Donovan as she uncovers the truth behind her father's death and her ex-fiancé's disappearance. The highly-anticipated series is the latest Coben adaptation following 2024's hit Netflix show, Fool Me Once.

The best-selling author has many of his novels adapted for movies and TV shows, including The Stranger, Tell No One, The Woods, and many others. All eight Netflix Harlan Coben television adaptations, before the latest series, have been rated "Fresh" (with more than a 60% approval rate) on Rotten Tomatoes, with Fool Me Once being one of Netflix's most-watched shows of 2024. The most recent, Missing You, is currently sitting at the No. 2 spot on the Top TV Shows in the U.S. However,...

Harlan Coben has admitted he worries he’ll never have another idea for a TV series or novel. The acclaimed author has found huge success with Netflix adapting Fool Me Once and now Missing You.

The mystery writer's latest series adaptation, Missing You, landed on Netflix last week, featuring Slow Horses’s Rosalind Eleazar as Detective Inspector Kat Donovan searching for her fiancé years after he suddenly disappeared. Even though Coben has several other adaptations of his books in active development with Netflix and Prime Video, he has now revealed his insecurity over writing each new story.

Harlan Coben's Missing You Premiered on Netflix on January 1, 2025

The Stranger's Empty-Calorie Thrills Will Satisfy Harlan Coben Fans

His plots are often similar, but Harlen Coben is great at crafting page-turning suspense, and The Stranger is the onscreen equivalent.

Speaking to The Radio Times, Coben explained why the completion of each of his...

Lazarus is an upcoming anime that has sparked immense anticipation among the anime fan community. It has a lot of brainpower heading it, bringing together the talents of Shinichirō Watanabe, the legendary creator of Cowboy Bebop, and Chad Stahelski, the director of the world-famous John Wick franchise.

Axel Gilberto in the trailer. [Credit: Mappa]

With the animation expertise of studio Mappa, this collaboration promises to deliver an action-packed and visually stunning series in 2025 that could potentially redefine modern anime storytelling.

The series is a blend of intense action sequences with deep philosophical undertones. As the details of the plot unfold, Lazarus appears to be a dystopian thriller exploring themes of survival, morality, and the consequences of unmonitored technological advancements.

Cautionary tale of a world that took it too far

The story of Lazarus is set in the near future on modern-day Earth, where rapid scientific advancements have brought humanity closer to solving its greatest challenges.

Over the decades, Christopher Nolan has hardly ever failed to bring to the table something truly epic and immersive, worthy of all the love, praise, and accolades it gets. Interstellar ranks among those very projects, as it perfectly blended the themes of space exploration and humanity’s quest to find new habitable planets while incorporating that emotional element into it all.

Interstellar. | Credits: Paramount Pictures.

To say the least, the film has been as outstanding as could be asked for, as Nolan proved to be the best filmmaker for the project, understanding its vision immaculately. But the film wasn’t always supposed to be this way, for if Steven Spielberg had continued to head the piece, it would have resulted in a sci-fi including aliens, killer robots, and Chinese bases on other planets.

Interstellar was originally Steven Spielberg’s passion project Steven Spielberg. | Credits: Image by Gage Skidmore / Licensed under...

Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers for Absolute Superman #2!

DC has given Absolute Superman his official threat ranking, but does it truly capture the full extent of his power? Moreover, with this new ranking, the comparison to the original Superman becomes inevitable—especially when considering who would emerge victorious in a battle between these two sons of Krypton.

If the two Supermen were to meet right now, there’s little doubt the Og Superman would win in a landslide...

Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, and Ulises Arreola’s Absolute Superman #2 picks up right where the previous issue left off, with Lazarus Agent Lois Lane handcuffing herself to the Man of Steel in an attempt to apprehend him. However, things quickly go awry as Kal-El drags Lois along while he evades the rest of the Lazarus Corps Force, giving Lois a firsthand look at Superman’s heroics and abilities.

Once Superman breaks free from the cuffs,...

Starring Stephen Arnell as Green Arrow/Oliver Queen, Arrow ran for eight seasons on the CW and was responsible for its own TV universe, the Arrowverse. Although the show started off strong, Arrow eventually lost its way, partly because it was under the weight of being the uniting force of three other shows and countless heroes and villains.

Many fans view Arrow season three as the point at which the series started to lose its footing. However, while season three clearly wasn’t as good as its predecessors, it did have some redeeming qualities. The show was also able to correct its course in season four by making a return to the basics which made its first two seasons so great. It was in season five that Arrow truly lost its way and reached an unfortunate point of no return.

Arrow Season 3 Introduced a Classic Batman Villain

Any show would...

Mappa's highly anticipated Hell's Paradise has given fans something to look forward to, with Season 2 now on the horizon and revealing an all-new trailer and release window, in addition to a game announcement.

Via a press release, Hell's Paradise is exclusively heading back to Crunchyroll in January 2026, as announced at Jump Festa 2025. Fan-favorite characters like Gabimaru, Sagiri and Nurugai return in a stunning trailer featuring bright visuals and an emotional soundtrack. Gabimaru's battle with his inner demons as he seeks to return to his wife is again at the center of the season's plot. Readers can check out the official Hell's Paradise Season 2 trailer below.

Related Dandadan Reveals Massive Transformation in Surprise Season 2 Debut Trailer

Dandadan surprises fans with the first trailer for the upcoming anime's Season 2, revealing Jiji's stunning transformation ahead of its July premiere.

Hell's Paradise Reveals New Season 2 Trailer & Release Window Ahead of Crunchyroll Premiere...

The end of 2024 will also mean the end of Toonami Rewind, as Cartoon Network will cease airing the classic anime block in January. The anime nostalgia block began airing in March 2024 and ran on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim for nine months.

Toonami’s official social media channels, such as Facebook, delivered the disappointing news to its viewers. "We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who watched Toonami Rewind," the online post read, "and to let you know that it will be retiring at the end of the year. But Saturday night Toonami isn’t going anywhere. Stay Gold."

Related Dragon Ball Unveils 37-Year-Old Original Draft Featuring Goku & the Series' First 'Big Bad'

The Akira Toriyama Archive unearths a rare draft illustration featuring one of Kid Goku's earliest opponents in the original Dragon Ball manga.

Nostalgic Anime Fans Get Sad News as Adult Swim Cancels Toonami Rewind We...

For years after Cowboy Bebop ended, the world has wondered if Shinichirō Watanabe, the anime's visionary creator, would ever expand upon his beloved sci-fi universe or craft something akin to its enduring spirit. When asked about revisiting the genre, Watanabe admits that external expectations can stifle his creativity. Instead, he’s chosen to channel his energy into a new project, Lazarus, a 13-episode anime debuting on Adult Swim in 2025. While the DNA of Cowboy Bebop lingers in its themes and tone, Watanabe insists that Lazarus is a unique new vision that stands firmly on its own.

Watanabe, a titan in the anime industry, is best known for his groundbreaking work on Cowboy Bebop, the 1998 series that became a cultural touchstone and contributed to the global embrace of anime. However, his filmography also includes other critically acclaimed projects like Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and Netflix’s Carole & Tuesday. Despite his expansive influence,...

Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers for Absolute Superman #2!

Lois Lane has made an incredibly valid point about DC’s newest iteration of Superman, suggesting there might be a more fitting moniker for him. Her observation also underscores the most significant difference between the Absolute Universe’s Man of Steel and his standard counterpart, making her remarks even more noteworthy.

This contrast [in experience] will also create an intriguing dynamic when the two Supermen eventually cross paths in DC’s Duoverse.

Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey’s Absolute Superman #2 picks up right where the first issue left off, with Lazarus Agent Lois Lane handcuffing herself to the Man of Steel in a bold attempt to detain him.

Unsurprisingly, Superman is far from cooperative, launching a wild chase to evade the Lazarus Corps while dragging Lois along as he struggles to free himself from the cuffs. During their forced proximity, Lois...

Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers for Absolute Superman #2!

Die-hard Superman fans and fanfic writers have reason to celebrate, as DC has officially revealed what the Man of Steel smells like. This isn’t just a quirky detail—it’s set to ignite creativity within the Superman fandom, inspiring everything from fanfictions to custom Superman-themed candles that capture the canon-accurate scent of the iconic hero.

Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, and Ulises Arreola’s Absolute Superman #2 picks up right where issue #1 left off, with Lazarus Agent Lois Lane handcuffing herself to the Man of Steel in an attempt to detain him. Unsurprisingly, Superman isn’t exactly cooperative, dragging Lois along as he works to free himself while evading the relentless pursuit of the Lazarus Corps Force.

During this unexpected bout of forced proximity, Lois gets an up-close and personal experience with the Man of Steel, making several key observations—including the surprising detail...

Spoiler Alert: This article contains major spoilers from “Black Doves” Season 1, now streaming on Netflix.

“Black Doves,” Keira Knightley’s first television series in more than two decades, has already proved a massive success for Netflix, which, knowing it had a hit, had ordered a second season from Knightley and creator/showrunner Joe Barton before the show even premiered.

Over the course of six episodes, viewers have been entranced by Helen (Knightley) as she balances her competing roles: elegant wife of Wallace (Andrew Buchan), the Minister of Defence, doting mother of twins, supportive friend to semi-alcoholic assassin Sam (Ben Whishaw), passionate affair partner to her lover Jason (Andrew Koji) and ruthless spy for a mercenary organization called the Black Doves.

After Jason is mysteriously murdered, Helen is hellbent on revenge before realizing she has stumbled into a global conspiracy that could possibly result in World War III, and pits her...

Upcoming original science fiction TV anime Lazarus has revealed a new piece of teaser art (below) as well as the official opening and ending theme song performers for the series. The series will broadcast in Japan and on Cartoon Network in 2025. Kamasi Washington performs the opening theme song for the series, which is entitled “Vortex”. The Boo radleys perform the ending theme song of the series, which is entitled “Lazarus”. Shinichiro Watanabe writes the original story and directs Lazarus at animation studio Mappa with planning production by Sola Entertainment. Chad Stahelski (87Eleven Action Design) serves as action supervisor, Akemi Hayashi provides the character designs, and Kamasi Washington / Bonbo / Floating Points provide the music. Related: Watch/Listen: Anania Reveals the Unlikely Place They Watched Naruto Growing Up The story of Lazarus is described as follows: The year is 2052. The world has entered an era of unprecedented peace and stability, largely due to Hapna,...

Warning! This post contains Spoilers for Absolute Superman #2

DC Comics just changed the superhero cape game with Absolute Superman, completely redefining the Man of Steel's iconic red cape with an amazing redesign. Leaning into his alien origins as the Last Son of Krypton, Kal-El's new cape features some pretty incredible applications as "The Last Dust of Krypton". Debuting as far more than the original Superman's cloth cape even could be, I've been floored by how cool this new cape adds to this new direction for Superman in DC's new Absolute Universe.

As seen in Absolute Superman #2 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, Kal-El finds himself completely surrounded by the security agents and Peacemakers working for the corrupt Lazarus Corporation, whose operations he's been actively fighting against across the globe. Despite being cuffed to Lazarus Agent Lois Lane, Absolute Superman's living and sentient suit known as Sol deploys Kal's cape,...

Crisis situations often highlight the depth of human depravity, as the dystopian flick The Fix, directed by South African director Kelsey Egan, shows through a narrative that is extremely topical in a post-pandemic world. The questions posed by the makers about the existence of ethics and morality in an increasingly profit-motivated health industry, one that seeks to benefit by preying on the insecurities of people and monopolizing life-saving products, are quite relevant when you keep in mind how similar situations had affected the world just a couple of years back. The visceral body horror elements in the movie, which act as a metaphor for the violation of bodily rights for scientific experiments done for the so called greater good, could have been showcased for a longer duration, but nevertheless, they work well in the narrative context.

The only part of the movie that somewhat lets viewers down a bit is the editing,...

A world without Cowboy Bebop is simply too bleak, and fans of the classic anime series would agree. Shinichiro Watanabe brought together certain elements of different genres like cyberpunk and sci-fi to create an experience that blends anime with Hollywood. Whether it’s emotional resonance you’re looking for, characters who leave a lasting impression, or great music to groove to, Cowboy Bebop checks all the boxes.

Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop anime | Credits: Studio Sunrise

It’s the perfect display of Watanabe’s genius as an auteur. Revisiting the charm of the series and then finding out that it wouldn’t have existed, not in the same form at least, is a jarring discovery. During his initial days in the industry, the director faced some struggles that limited his potential. These experiences led to Cowboy Bebop becoming an ensemble of so many cool elements, as Watanabe shared during an interview.

In a recent interview with Anime News Network, renowned director Shinichiro Watanabe confirmed that Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Carole & Tuesday, and his upcoming project Lazarus all take place within the same universe.

Watanabe’s confirmation came when asked whether Lazarus takes place in the same universe as his earlier works.

“I’ve always thought my shows took place in the same universe,” he stated.

When pressed further, he responded with a smile, nodding slightly: “Of course“.

Related:

Cowboy Bebop Director Shinichiro Watanabe Wants To Collaborate With Billie Eilish

In addition to discussing the shared universe, Watanabe shared insights into Lazarus, his upcoming anime project.

For the first time in his career, Watanabe collaborated with a Hollywood director, Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame, for action choreography.

“I’ve always held his John Wick films in high regard. It’s not just the realism of the action, but how modern it feels,...

With iconic series like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and Carole & Tuesday, Shinichiro Watanabe has carved out a niche in the industry that few directors could hope to replicate. And now, with the announcement of his upcoming series Lazarus, fans are eagerly anticipating news about this futuristic sci-fi thriller. However, beyond its sleek trailer, an offhand revelation made by Watanabe left the fandom scratching their heads.

Samurai Champloo | Credit: Studio Manglove

Shinichiro Watanabe nonchalantly confirmed that Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and even his upcoming series Lazarus all take place within the same shared universe. This revelation has sparked both excitement and confusion, with fans struggling to comprehend how a jazz-fueled space Western, a Samurai road trip, and a surreal sci-fi comedy could coexist.

Shinichiro Watanabe’s Comment on Lazarus A still from Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise

In a recent interview via Anime News Network, Shinichiro...

As the visionary behind Cowboy Bebop's legendary action-packed anime, Shinichiro Watanabe might seem like the last person to seek guidance on crafting unforgettable action sequences that stand out to the audience. However, for his latest project - the anime series Lazarus - Watanabe's quest for fresh fight choreography insights led to an unexpected outcome.

While fans of Cowboy Bebop may easily recognize its influence on John Wick, a surprising revelation shows the inverse is also true: the John Wick franchise has significantly influenced Cowboy Bebop's director, Shinichiro Watanabe. This influence extends beyond inspiration, as the John Wick team has been tapped to choreograph action sequences for Watanabe's upcoming Lazarus series.

John Wick's Fight Scenes Are So Good, Watanabe Could Not Resist John Wick Upgraded And Expanded The Style And Flair Of Cowboy Bebop's Spike Speigel

In a recent interview with Anime News Network, Watanabe shared details about collaborating with...

A few days ago at New York Comic Con, Adult Swim thrilled fans by premiering the full first episode of Lazarus, Shinichirō Watanabe’s new globe-trotting thriller. Shinichirō Watanabe, who is most renowned for his work in Cowboy Bebop, brought a new sense of excitement to his fans with the announcement of his upcoming project.

Cowboy Bebop is published by Kadokawa Shoten. [Credit: Sunrise]

The legacy of Cowboy Bebop looms large in Japanese anime, and its influence is still felt in Lazarus. Shinichirō Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop is a highly lauded cult classic sci-fi series that has captivated numerous fans worldwide.

Interestingly, Watanabe teamed up with Chad Stahelski, the director of the Hollywood blockbuster John Wick, to bring fresh creative direction to the project; though the legendary anime director admitted he was terrified of being turned down.

Cowboy Bebop Director Feared Rejection from Legendary Hollywood Filmmaker

The classic anime Cowboy Bebop...

Last year, when the Cowboy Bebop creator, Shinichiro Watanabe, announced his new anime project, he brought a new sense of excitement to his fans. Watanabe is a legend in the anime industry for creating extraordinary anime series like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Carole & Tuesday, Kids on the Slope, etc.

Cowboy Bebop by Shinichiro Watanabe | Credit: Sunrise

He is particularly known for Cowboy Bebop, which was one of the first anime series that made a global impact and earned worldwide appreciation. The series paved the way for the globalization of the anime industry, especially gaining a lot of hype in the West. And now, Watanabe’s upcoming series, Lazarus, is going to follow in the footsteps of Cowboy Bebop.

Watanabe is too excited for Lazarus as he has stepped out to promote the series as much as possible. During the promotions, the Cowboy Bebop creator made an intriguing...

The upcoming anime action series Lazarus, directed by legendary Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe, is set for 2025 on Cartoon Networks late-night Toonami block on Adult Swim. Watanabe recently revealed how the Adult Swim-original anime series received help from an unexpected Hollywood director.

In an interview with Anime News Network, Watanabe revealed how the John Wick filmmaker became involved in the production of Lazarus. "This show gave me the opportunity to pursue significant collaborations," he said. "One of which was collaborating with Chad Stahelski, the director of John Wick, working with us to create the action choreography. As part of their service, they even shot live-action fight sequences for us."

Related One of the Best Studio Ghibli Movies Is Finally Returning to Theaters

Gkids is closing out this year's Ghibli Fest with a five-day screening period for the film that introduced millions to Studio Ghibli's beloved mascot.

John Wick's...

Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe has a knack for integrating diverse musical genres into his works. His signature style involves seamlessly blending his narrative with music, which is perfectly portrayed in the series he directs.

For instance Cowboy Bebop features a jazz-infused soundtrack by Yoko Kanno and The Seatbelts, enhancing its neo-noir ambiance. On the other hand, Samurai Champloo combines Edo-period storytelling with hip-hop beats, notably collaborating with artists like Nujabes.

After that came Carole & Tuesday, which centers on aspiring musicians, showcasing a variety of musical styles and featuring contributions from international artists.

So, it is indeed an exciting development for anime fans, when Watanabe expresses a keen interest in collaborating with a pop sensation like Billie Eilish.

In a recent interview with Anime News Network, Watanabe was asked what music he was currently listening to, and what his top 5 was.

The director took this opportunity to share his admiration for Eilish,...

Today, Netflix released the full-length trailer for Missing You, Harlan Coben’s next thriller starring Rosalind Eleazar in the lead role. The five-part limited series will debut on Netflix globally on January 1, 2025.

Missing You focuses on Kat Donovan (Eleazar), a detective specializing in missing persons. Eleven years ago, her fiancé Josh, the love of her life, vanished without a trace and she hasn’t heard from him since.

Now, swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again. Josh’s unexpected reappearance will force her to dive back into the mystery surrounding her father’s murder and uncover long-buried secrets from her past.

The series also stars Ashley Walters, Richard Armitage, Sir Lenny Henry, Steve Pemberton, Jessica Plummer, Mary Malone, Lisa Faulkner and James Nesbitt.

Missing You follows the success of Harlan Coben’s Fool Me Once, which was named as #1 most-viewed TV show,...

Anime director Shinichir Watanabe is a legend who has consistently bridged the gap between his niche medium and the mainstream. Thanks to seminal hits like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and more, Watanabe has established a prestigious reputation even simply when his name is attached. But it's more than a sterling mark of quality connecting these series, with a recent Anime News Network interview highlighting how he believes all of his series, including Lazarus, are connected.

Lazarus, slated for a 2025 release, is Watanabe's latest project and boasts many similar qualities in common with Cowboy Bebop, down to its choreographed action. With the amazing help of star directors like Chad Stahelski, Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobo creating the music and animation by Mappa, the series is primed to go down among the greats like all the rest. But with Watanabe's take on his collective works, it might be worth...

The classic anime Cowboy Bebop is well regarded by multiple generations of anime fans, and it made characters such as Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine and even Ein into major icons within the industry. Another big part of the series was the ship known as the Swordfish II, with a re-released model figure now perfectly bringing the craft to life.

Good Smile Company has released several Cowboy Bebop collectibles over the years, but the returning Swordfish II scale model takes the cake. Featuring various moving parts and a mini Spike figure, the kit can once again become part of fans' collections. Shipping out six years since the model's first release, Cowboy Bebop enthusiasts will be counting "3...2..1" until they can jam with this incredible Swordfish II kit.

Related Cowboy Bebop Creator's New Adult Swim Anime Is Directly Inspired by Real-World Opioid Crisis

Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe seeks to discuss serious subject...

NBCUniversal’s long-awaited move to spin off most of its cable assets and reorganize the studio’s top leadership inspired plenty of questions about the media conglomerate’s future – and, for many in the industry, a case of Donna Langley déjà vu.

The veteran film executive who had been chief content officer across all of NBCUniversal has yet again expanded her role at the company, this time to Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios. The promotion gives her sole greenlight power over content and marketing spending across film, TV and streaming. Comcast veteran Matt Strauss was named chair of NBCUniversal’s media group, overseeing ad sales, distribution and affiliate relations.

“This is a coronation for Donna,” said one elite dealmaker who works with actors and directors. “Well, another one.”

The agent isn’t wrong, nor are numerous Hollywood players that Variety spoke with who wondered what the difference is between...

Yuri on Ice is one of the most uplifting, popular, and beautiful anime ever made, and despite it being yet another hit in the early years of Mappa, it never got a proper follow-up. In addition to April's news of the feature film prequel Ice Adolescence's cancelation, Japanese sports equipment company Mizuno issued a statement on X, effectively extinguishing any hope for a new series. While it is an exceedingly disappointing update, it's not a wholly surprising one for Yuri on Ice, despite it winning Crunchyroll's first Anime of the Year award for 2016.

The love for Yuri on Ice is persistent into the present for its beautifully animated figure skating routines and the charming characterization of its main and supporting cast. It also features one of mainstream anime's best same-sex romantic plots, establishing itself as a brilliant gateway to Boys' Love (Bl) stories for new viewers. But with Mizuno's statement,...

Your browser does not support the video tag.

In this exclusive interview from New York Comic Con, CBRs Kevin Polowy sits down with legendary anime director Shinichiro Watanabe to discuss his latest project, Lazarus, coming soon to Adult Swim. Best known for his groundbreaking work on Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy, Watanabe has been a defining figure in the anime world for decades. In this conversation, he opens up about the inspiration behind Lazarus, his creative process, and what fans can expect from his newest venture. Dont miss this exciting chat with one of anime's greatest visionaries!

Toonami is going through another schedule change, and it includes both the return of the Blue Exorcist anime and the premiere of Mashle: Magic and Muscles. Even with the advent of streaming, Toonami has remained an iconic part of anime culture in the West, with many anime premiering there before anywhere else, such as the recent Uzumaki adaptation and the upcoming Lazarus anime from Shinichiro Watanabe.

While not as big as it once was, Toonami remains a big part of anime culture, and its about to get even bigger. At the Adult Swim panel at New York Comic Con 2024, it was announced that with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba season 4 and Rick and Morty: The Anime ending, Toonami will be adding both Blue Exorcist and Mashle: Magic and Muscles to their lineup from November 2024, onward.

Blue Exorcist & Mashle Officially Join Toonami In Late 2024 Two Great Additions To Toonami's Lineup...

In an entertainment industry dominated by fantastical blockbusters which often have blatant disregard for physics or reality, you could argue that the "John Wick" franchise might be one of the most cartoonishly fantastical. From the comical way in which every person in New York City seems to be a professional assassin, to the existence of magical bulletproof suits that completely stop the momentum of any projectile, to the many incredible stunts that feel taken out of a Looney Tunes cartoon, the "John Wick" franchise is very close to feeling like a live-action anime. It helps that the ending of "John Wick: Chapter 4" was actually inspired by a classic anime, but now, the franchise is quite literally becoming an anime.

It was reported late last year that "John Wick" would expand its cinematic universe with a new TV show, as well as an anime project. Though at the time we...

It has been a decade since John Wick arrived and revolutionized the action genre. Now, the sleek and stylish Keanu Reeves-played Gun-Fu warrior is all set to transition into the anime world. Chad Stahelski, who helmed all the John Wick films, recently sat for a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter and spilled more details about the upcoming anime spin-off film.

Keanu Reeves as and in John Wick | Credits: Lionsgate

Chad Stahelski has unveiled that the anime spin-off film will take place before the first John Wick film. According to him, it will center around the “impossible” task the titular assassin had to execute before taking his retirement.

John Wick is all set to take over the anime world with more fun and style Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 4 | Credits: Lionsgate

Since the Baba Yaga was last spotted on-screen in 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4, the franchise has expanded a lot.

An anime John Wick movie is now "knee-deep in development." The announcement was made a few days after news was released about Adult Swim's new anime series Lazarus at New York Comic Con, which likewise involves John Wick series director Chad Stahelski.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, an anime movie set in the John Wick universe is currently being developed as a prequel film that will give viewers a glimpse of the "impossible task" that caused the titular character, played by Keanu Reeves, to retire. Stahelski, an American filmmaker and stuntman, has directed all four John Wick movies. Lionsgate owns the John Wick franchise via Summit Entertainment, a production label of Lionsgate Films.

Related Cowboy Bebop Creator's New Adult Swim Anime Is Directly Inspired by Real-World Opioid Crisis

Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe seeks to discuss serious subject matter with his upcoming Adult Swim sci-fi action anime, Lazarus.

John Wick...

Following the release of the critically acclaimed masterpiece Cowboy Bebop in 1998, creator Shinichiro Watanabe skyrocketed to fame, particularly among overseas audiences. Since the anime's conclusion, Watanabe has returned to the science-fiction genre with the likes of Space Dandy and Carole & Tuesday, and is now set to debut his next creation, Lazarus.

At Nycc 2024, fans received their first look at Watanabe's new series, with a special preview of Episode 1 and the release of a new trailer. Via Polygon, even more than he has with his previous works, the creator of Cowboy Bebop seeks to discuss some serious topics with Lazarus. The anime is set in the year 2052, depicting a world in which humanity has achieved a utopian society -- in large part thanks to the miracle drug Hapna. However, following the disappearance of Dr. Skinner, the scientist responsible for developing it, it's discovered that the drug will kill anyone who...

A veteran producer of international co-productions and high-end drama series — see the Emmy-nominated The Pillars of the Earth with Matthew Macfadyen and Eddie Redmayne or the pan-European crime series Crossing Lines with the late, great Donald Sutherland — Bauer has been building up Amazon’s slate of international English-language originals since 2022.

Her upcoming slate includes the heist thriller Haven, starring Sophie Turner, Jacob Fortune Lloyd and Archie Madekwe; the family drama The Girlfriend with Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke; and the thriller Lazarus, a psychological mystery from Harlan Coben and Danny Brocklehurst that follows a forensic pathologist, played by Sam Claflin, who becomes entangled in a series of cold-case murders as he grapples with the mystery of his father’s death (played by Bill Nighy) and the murder of his sister (Utopia‘s Alexandra Roach) 25 years ago. On the lighter side, Bauer’s division has also greenlit a new comedy series by and starring Riz Ahmed.

Shinichirō Watanabe (“Cowboy Bebop”) returns to science fiction anime with the Japanese-produced “Lazarus”, currently in production, starring Koichi Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara, following secret agents hunting for a vaccine to save humanity after a seemingly miracle cure-all drug turns deadly, debuting in 2025 on Adult Swim:

“…the year is 2052. The world looked to be on the verge of an unprecedented era of peace and stability, and the painkiller drug ‘Hapna’ developed by a lauded neuroscientist ‘Dr. Skinner’ had a lot to do with it. Hapna spread throughout the world as a ‘miracle drug" with no side effects, freeing humanity from pain.

“ Until, that is, Skinner suddenly disappears off the face of the earth. When he reemerges after three years, it is as a monster who brings countless deaths and the end of civilization. Hapna turns out to be a drug that has a fatal, retroactive effect, one that appears three...

Adult Swim surprised fans today at New York Comic Con by screening the full premiere episode of “Lazarus,” the new globe-trotting thriller from Shinichirō Watanabe. Currently in production, a first look of the highly anticipated Toonami original anime series was also released. Celebrated for his enduringly influential series “Cowboy Bebop,” Watanabe returns to the sci-fi action genre with the new series that follows secret agents hunting for a vaccine to save humanity after a seemingly miracle cure-all drug turns deadly. The Japanese voice cast was also revealed today and includes “Cowboy Bebop” stars Koichi Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara. Produced by ... Read more...

Warning! Spoilers about Fire Country season 3, episode 1 ahead.

Bode confronting his uncle Luke about pursuing firefighting after earning his freedom was a major point of Fire Country season 2s finale, but the revelations of season 3s premiere finally hint at Bodes season 1 fate becoming a reality. After Fire Country season 1 ended with Bode going back to prison to secure Freddys release, Fire Country season 2s ending went the opposite way by letting Bode earn an extraordinary conduct credit at the Lazarus fire that gave him back his freedom. However, Fire Country season 2 also made one of Bodes biggest issues in seasons 1 and 2 evident.

Fire Country highlighted how Bode had trouble letting go of something once he made up his mind about it. That was the case for wanting to move out of Three Rock to another inmate camp before Sharon interceded and asked Manny to go against Bodes wishes, but...

Shinichiro Watanabe, the mastermind behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, has finally lifted the curtain over Lazarus, his latest anime to hit Adult Swim’s Toonami block. While Watanabe’s involvement typically guarantees excitement, the timing of this announcement raises eyebrows.

A still from the Lazarus anime preview | Credits: Studio Mappa

Coming from the badly received anime adaptation of Uzumaki, which has been torn apart by reviewers for its subpar and lackluster animation, one can’t help but wonder if Adult Swim has learned from their mistake. While the anime community is still sore from Uzumaki’s failure to live up to expectations, will Lazarus defy the trend and revive Adult Swim’s reputation? Or will this one also succumb to the same pitfalls?

Lazarus Episode 1 Was Previewed at Nycc, A Brand New Series by the creator of Cowboy Bebop A still from the Lazarus anime preview | Credits: Studio Mappa...

Shinichiro Watanabe, the genius behind Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Space Dandy, is set to direct yet another exciting science-fiction adventure called Lazarus. It mixes modern animation with a hint of nostalgic 90s anime art style, so much so that you wouldn’t believe it’s animated by Mappa. For now, the trailer is all we have and it’s already looking promising with thrilling action scenes, some of them designed by Chad Stahelski, the creator of the John Wick franchise.

Axel Gilberto in the Lazarus trailer. [Credit: Mappa]

So far, the voice cast of Lazarus has been revealed and we get a taste of the animation. Viewers on X commented that the animation doesn’t look anything like the other Mappa anime but that might be the charm of it. It also reminds some people of Watanabe’s previous work with Mappa, Terror in Resonance, which was a smash hit in concept and all.

Lazarus , the upcoming original anime directed by Shinichiro Watanabe ( Cowboy Bebop ), will begin broadcasting and streaming in 2025. The news was announced during a panel discussion at New York Comic-Con 2024 today. In the United States, the 13-episode series will air on Adult Swim's Toonami block. A visual depicting the protagonist Axel flying around the city and an action trailer featuring him were also released. "Lazarus" Axel Action Trailer The announced eight main voice cast members include: Axel voiced by Mamoru Miyano (Light Yagami in Death Note ) Doug voiced by Makoto Furukawa (Saitama in One-Punch Man ) Christin voiced by Maaya Uchida (Catarina Claes in My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! ) Leland voiced by Yuma Uchida (Megumi Fushiguro in Jujutsu Kaisen ) Eleina voiced by Manaka Iwami (Tohru Honda in Fruits Basket ) Hersch voiced by Megumi Hayashibara (Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion ) Abel by Akio Otsuka (Batou...

Adult Swim surprised fans today at New York Comic Con by screening the full premiere episode of Lazarus, the new globe-trotting thriller from Shinichirō Watanabe. Currently in production, a first look at the highly anticipated Toonami original anime series was also released.

Celebrated for his enduringly influential series Cowboy Bebop, Watanabe returns to the sci-fi action genre with the new series that follows secret agents hunting for a vaccine to save humanity after a seemingly miracle cure-all drug turns deadly.

The Japanese voice cast was also revealed today and includes Cowboy Bebop stars Koichi Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara.

Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, Lazarus will premiere on Adult Swim in 2025.

The year is 2052. The world looked to be on the verge of an unprecedented era of peace and stability, and the painkiller drug “Hapna,” developed by a lauded neuroscientist, Dr. Skinner, had a lot to do with it.

Shinichir Watanabe, the main director behind Cowboy Bebop, joined the late-night television network Adult Swim at New York Comic Con for a surprise screening of his new series, Lazarus. They played the full premiere episode of the series, which features the voices of original Cowboy Bebop stars Koichi Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara. Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, Lazarus will premiere on Adult Swim in 2025, and you can watch the newly released trailer below:

Watanabe and Adult Swim have been a match made in heaven for years now, as the network was a frequent distributor of Watanabe's various projects. Cowboy Bebop was one of the first anime series aired on Adult Swim, for example, and many have credited this partnership for introducing the medium to a new generation of Western fans. Adult Swim's Toonami block would even broadcast Watanabe's Space Dandy exclusively in the United States before...

Shinichiro Watanabe, the legendary anime creator behind Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and more, revealed brand-new details about his forthcoming Lazarus anime series for Adult Swim's Toonami block on Cartoon Network. A sneak peek at Episode 1 of Lazarus was previewed at New York Comic Con 2024, with a new trailer also now released.

A panel for Adult Swim's latest anime series was held at New York Comic Con on Oct. 18, 2024. Watanabe, the anime director of Lazarus, was joined by producers Jason DeMarco, Joseph Chou and Takenari Maeda. Although first impressions don't always tell the whole story, the New York Comic Con crowd reportedly went wild for the advanced Episode 1 premiere of Lazarus after it finished screening. After the premiere, Watanabe explained Lazarus' creative process and his 30-year-and-going career in the anime industry.

Related Demon Slayer & Adidas Sneakers Are Heading Worldwide This November

Adidas and Ufotable's smash-hit anime series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,...

Lazarus, Shinichir Watanabe's latest project after serving as director of multiple genre-defining anime including Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy, just got a surprise glimpse at 2024's New York Comic-Con. As confirmed by the newly-released video by Adult Swim on YouTube, Lazarus gives viewers a glimpse into its tech thriller vibes showing the agile Alex Gilberto, as he deftly avoids authorities as a high-profile fugitive. The anime is set to premiere in 2025, with Lazarus and its surprising John Wick connections sure to be anticipated as one of the best series of the year, given its associated talents.

Lazarus is a science fiction adventure set in 2052, where the world is in a period of unprecedented calm thanks to the Hapna drug synthesized by Dr. Skinner, voiced by Cowboy Bebop's Spike Spiegel voice actor Koichi Yamadera. It is seemingly the ultimate miracle drug, halting pain, yet its creator suddenly goes missing,...