Max subscribers are absolutely devouring the new sci-fi action anime from Cowboy Bebop‘s creator, Shinichiro Watanabe. Lazarus is the anime legend’s newest show, which premiered as part of the Spring 2025 season. Eight episodes of the series have been released so far, with five more left to go, and each week the show dominates Max’s weekly streaming rankings. It shouldn’t come as much surprise, as the anime blends soft sci-fi with the action of the John Wick franchise and the animation quality of MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen and Hell’s Paradise). This week is no different, as Lazarus is once again climbing the streaming charts.
At the time of publication, Lazarus is the 10th most popular show on Max this week. Not only has an anime broken into the top 10 (and done so with each new episode), but Lazarus has managed to strongly compete against HBO/Max’s biggest new shows, including The Last of Us, Rick & Morty Season 8, George & Mandy’s First Marriage, and the final ever season of The Handmaid’s Tale. Lazarus is already a hit with critics, as the series holds a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Those who were already aware of Watanabe’s past works, including Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Terror in Resonance, knew the exciting and vibes-filled adventure that Lazarus would have in store. But, with the series breaking Max’s Top 10, it seems like even casual audiences are getting in on the action.
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Lazarus is set in the near future, where Dr. Skinner has created a miracle painkiller, named Hapna, and released it to the world cheaper than any other medicine. The world was at peace for three years, until Dr. Skinner mysteriously returned, revealing that anyone who had consumed the drug even once would die three years after taking it. With just a month left until the first people start to die, a ragtag group of criminals, known as Lazarus, race against the clock to find Dr. Skinner and save humanity, or, at least, themselves.
‘Lazarus’ Features Kick-Ass Action and A Killer Soundtrack
When you tune in to a Shinichiro Watanabe anime, there are two guarantees: the soundtrack will be phenomenal and there will be incredible action (with the exception of Kids on the Slope). Lazarus is no different. Kamasi Washington has composed the electronic soundtrack that pulls from the jazz-infused world of Cowboy Bebop and the hip-hop tone of Samurai Champloo to create something simultaneously new that also pays homage to Watanabe’s greatest hits.
The action is undoubtedly the best part of Lazarus. The action was designed by none other than John Wick director, Chad Stahelski, who shot all the fight scenes in live-action for the animators at MAPPA to use as references. The dedication shows in the final product, as Lazarus‘ action is smooth, fluid, and feels like it has the same weight and impact as a live-action movie. Do yourself a favor and don’t sleep on Lazarus. New episodes are released weekly. Like all of Watanabe’s past projects, Lazarus is only expected to run for a single season, which will last for 13 episodes in total.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
