[Anime Review] LAZARUS: A Stylish Sci-Fi Action Suspense with Amazing Music and Action

A sci-fi suspense story that unfolds around a drug capable of destroying humanity.

My favorite studio, MAPPA, is in charge of the animation production. The action scenes are thrillingly cool.

It is an original anime created by an illustrious team, including top-tier Hollywood talent and world-class jazz musicians.

The setting is the near future. A world where the universal painkiller 'Hapuna,' invented by the genius scientist Skinner, has spread globally, freeing humanity from all pain.

Because 'Hapuna' can get you high when mixed into cider, it began to be abused, especially by young people.

Three years after humanity achieved this happiness, a video message from Skinner suddenly reaches everyone.

'Three years after ingestion, Hapuna mutates within the body, leading to death. If you want to survive, find me and obtain the antidote.'

This plunges the world into chaos.

Meanwhile, a group of individuals with various complicated pasts are secretly gathered from around the world to form the Skinner search team, 'Lazarus.'

A habitual prison escapee with superhuman physical abilities, a genius physicist who caused trouble at university, a mysterious beauty skilled in handling weapons, a boy knowledgeable in operating drones and machinery, a genius hacker girl...

It is a story about these eccentric and troubled unique members encountering various problems while chasing the genius scientist Skinner.

Since this animation is targeted not just at Japan but at the global market, it might feel a bit understated to those accustomed to typical Japanese anime.

It has a comic book-like touch and a Western movie-like atmosphere. It's very cool.
(But the balance with the comedic parts is also good)

To be honest, it's common for anime with such high production values to have great visuals and music but lackluster stories, but 'Lazarus' was reasonably interesting.

Well, I'm saying that from a rather condescending perspective.

As I introduced in the synopsis, it's a fairly common type of story without any truly shocking developments, but I liked the calm, steady feel of it.

Hmm... but indeed, it was a bit too cliché of a story.

However, the animation was so wonderful that it surpassed that.

They brought on Chad Stahelski, who served as Keanu Reeves' stunt double in The Matrix, as the action director, and it's produced by MAPPA.
The action is just incredible. There are so many scenes I want to watch over and over again.

The music was also very cool.
It had a Lupin the Third vibe. It really helped create a cool atmosphere for the world.

The characters are very charming.

It ended in a way that felt like it could continue, so if there's a sequel, I'd be happy to watch it.

By the way, 'Hapuna' means 'spring of life where water gushes out' in Hawaiian.
'Lazarus' is a saint from the Bible. Jesus resurrects Lazarus after he dies.

You should definitely check out the action collection.

The theme song is also damn cool.

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My evaluation criteria and personal preferences are summarized here.