Lazarus is one of the most hyped anime of Spring 2025. With big names like Shinichirō Watanabe behind it and a jazz-fueled cyberpunk vibe, fans (me included) had every reason to be excited. Some are already calling it the next Cowboy Bebop. But after watching episodes 1 and 2?
I’m not so sure. Here’s my honest breakdown of where Lazarus stands—and why it might not be the masterpiece we were promised.
Let’s start with the good: the art direction is beautiful. Visually, Lazarus delivers. The cityscapes, the lighting, the futuristic detail—it’s all top-tier. Thematically, it has potential. There’s clearly a big story being set up.
But once the action starts… cracks begin to show.
The characters? Flat. Hard to connect with. The main guy jumps off a skyscraper with no injuries—so yeah, realism is out the window. And instead of grounded intensity, the action feels like fantasy cosplay. Flashy, but empty.
This part kind of hurts. Everyone’s drawing comparisons to Cowboy Bebop, and I get why: Watanabe, the jazz soundtrack, the retro-future aesthetic. But here’s the thing—
Cowboy Bebop was grounded. It had soul. The characters were flawed. Vulnerable. Consequences felt real. If you messed up, you bled.
In Lazarus, no one feels vulnerable. The jazz, while technically solid, feels forced—like they’re trying to plug Bebop’s DNA into something that isn’t ready to carry it.
I’m gonna be real with you: I almost fell asleep three times during episode 1. For a show that looks so intense, it just doesn’t grab you. No emotional hook. No narrative tension. Just a bunch of noise with no rhythm (ironically).
I came in with high expectations, and right now? It’s sitting near the bottom of my seasonal watchlist.
I’m not throwing in the towel completely. It’s only two episodes in. Sometimes anime just take time to bloom. If Lazarus can find its footing—flesh out its characters, raise the stakes, and stop trying to be Bebop 2.0—it could still be something special.
But if we keep going like this? It’ll be a beautiful flop.
Lazarus has the ingredients. But right now, the recipe’s off. If you’re here for visuals and jazz, sure—check it out. But if you’re looking for depth, weight, or originality, you might want to lower those expectations.
Are you watching Lazarus? Did it hit different for you, or are you feeling the same way? Let’s talk:
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