Lazarus

In 2052 a breakthrough drug called Hapna promises to cure illness and erase pain, but it carries a hidden cost: recipients die three years after treatment. When the drug's creator is targeted by a shadowy figure named Skinner and the corporate fallout threatens public safety, a covert team of operatives is assembled to stop him. The unit, nicknamed Lazarus, mixes military tactics with noir sensibilities as it chases leads through neon cities and moral grey zones. The show follows the agents as they race to expose who profits from Hapna and how far people will go to keep life at any price, without revealing key twists or the finale.

Created and released in 2025 by Shinichiro Watanabe, Lazarus is an animated series that leans into sci-fi action and stylized worldbuilding. The English dub and original cast feature Mamoru Miyano as Axel, Makoto Furukawa as Doug, Maaya Uchida as Christine, Yuma Uchida as Leland, and Manaka Iwami as Eleina.

Though still new, Lazarus has sparked lively online conversation about the ethics of medical miracles and the social cost of longevity, and it’s been frequently compared to Watanabe’s earlier genre-mixing work. Fans have pointed to its visual flair and the way it blends pulse-pounding set pieces with quieter character moments as reasons it stands out.

Early reception is generally positive, with an average user score around 7.8 out of 10 from 98 votes. Critics have highlighted the series’ bold animation, kinetic action, and the moral questions it raises about corporate control, mortality, identity, and loyalty, while a few reviewers have noted uneven pacing and dense plotting in places.

As of 2025 Lazarus has not been reported as a major awards contender, though its pedigree and audience response make it a title to watch in season-end lists and festival circuits.