On Friday evening at WonderCon in Anaheim, CA, Adult Swim debuted the premiere episodes of their upcoming series Lazarus. The audience raved about the new series as it marks Shinichirō Watanabe’s (Blade Runner: Black Out 2022, Taisu Xilie) return to Adult Swim. The series is a science fiction thriller following in the footsteps of other popular Adult Swim animated series like Cowboy Bebop.
As per the sneak peek release at WonderCon, Lazarus follows a futuristic world where a recreational drug called Hapna was developed and designed to “free humanity from all suffering.” Hapna helped those taking the pill live a happier life. As the show goes on, fans are introduced to Dr. Skinner, a scientist and creator of Hapna, who was once beloved by the city of Babylonia. Dr. Skinner quickly turns into a mad scientist as it is revealed that the pill he designed to make the human race happier is the very thing that will kill them in thirty days’ time. Skinner spent most of his career advocating for the unfortunate and protesting climate change. As his efforts were ignored, Skinner turned to the idea of “purging” the human race. Skinner tasks those who took the pill to find him before their thirty-day timer runs out. However, Skinner puts a twist on his mission, for whoever finds him first will receive the cure. As the world is turned upside down, a criminal task force is formed, taking the most notorious criminals out of prison to find Skinner. If these criminals find him first, they are granted freedom.
Fans are raving about the cast of the series. Some stars fans will see appear on the small screen are Mamoru Miyano (The Blue Wolves of Mibu, ZENSHU) and Jack Stansbury (Loner Life in Another World, Oshi No Ko), starring as Axel, who is described as “a bird that was left out of his cage” in the WonderCon exclusive. Continuing the cast list are Makoto Furukawa (Solo Leveling, Dr. Stone) starring as Doug, Maaya Uchida (After School Doctor, Strinova) starring as Christine, Yuma Uchida (Medalist, Blue Box) starring as Leland, Manaka Iwami (I Have a Crush at Work, Arco Trip) starring as Eleina, Megumi Hayashibara (Pokemon Horizons: The Series, Blue Exorcist -The Blue Knight Saga) starring as Hersch, Akio Otsuka (Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League) starring as Abel and Koichi Yamadera (Ishura, Ranma ½) starring as Dr. Skinner.
Lazarus’ premiere ended with a quote from Axel himself: “There’s no fun in being normal.”Catch the quick-witted and action-packed series on Adult Swim that will premiere on April 5th.