Adult Swim Drops Another Exclusive Sneak Peak for Lazarus!

With each passing day, we move closer to the highly anticipated premiere of Lazarus, the latest creation from the legendary Shinichiro Watanabe. The excitement surrounding this series is palpable, and it’s clear that Adult Swim is making a strong push to establish Lazarus as a standout title of the upcoming Spring season. Fortunately, the enthusiasm seems well-earned—especially with the latest early look only adding to the anticipation.

Early Look At Lazarus Reveals Classic Watanabe Project

The early look at Lazarus immediately evokes a sense of familiarity for longtime Shinichiro Watanabe fans, drawing clear stylistic and thematic parallels to Cowboy Bebop. From its kinetic action sequences to its jazz-infused soundtrack, the preview captures the essence of what made Bebop such a timeless classic. The prison break scene in Lazarus immediately gives off strong Cowboy Bebop vibes—fast, stylish, and effortlessly cool. From the smooth animation to the slick action choreography, it feels like classic Watanabe.

The scene shows a group of agents breaking out of a high-security facility, pulling off crazy stunts, hand-to-hand combat, and gunplay with perfect flow. It’s got that same mix of precision and chaos that made Bebop’s fight scenes so iconic. What really seals the deal is the jazz soundtrack by Kamasi Washington. The music drives the action, just like Yoko Kanno’s jazz did in Bebop. The beats match the movement so well that it almost feels like the characters are fighting to the rhythm.

More news about Lazarus at Anime News Network.

Lazarus and Cowboy Bepop Exist In the Same Universe

One of the biggest connections is the overall aesthetic. Both series blend sci-fi with a grounded, lived-in world that feels gritty yet stylish. Cowboy Bebop gave us a future where space travel was common, but life was still rough around the edges. Lazarus seems to follow a similar path—while the setting is Earth in 2052, the cyberpunk-inspired visuals, advanced technology, and high-energy action make it feel like it could be a part of the same timeline. And it is! According to Shinichiro Watanabe, Cowboy Bebop and all his projects exist in the same universe. This makes Lazarus even more exciting, especially with rumors that some Bebop characters might make an appearance.

Since Lazarus is set in 2052—decades before Bebop’s 2071 timeline—we could see younger versions of familiar faces or hints at the world’s evolution. Whether through cameos or subtle nods, this connection makes Lazarus a must-watch for Watanabe fans.

What Is Lazarus About?

This is the official synopsis for Lazarus.

The year is 2052—a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Humanity has been freed from sickness and suffering, thanks to a revolutionary cure-all drug known as Hapuna, created by Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner. With no apparent side effects, Hapuna quickly becomes essential to everyday life. But just as the world embraces this medical miracle, Dr. Skinner mysteriously disappears.

Three years later, society has moved on—until Skinner resurfaces with a chilling revelation. Hapuna has a short half-life, and everyone who has taken it is doomed to die within three years. Declaring judgment upon a complacent world, he warns that death is imminent.

In response, a global task force of five elite agents is assembled to stop Skinner and find a cure before time runs out. This team, known as Lazarus, is humanity’s last hope. But can they track down Skinner and develop a vaccine before catastrophe strikes?

Early look for Lazarus can be watched at YouTube.