Lazarus [Season 1 Episode 1]

Lazarus is a Japanese anime television series produced by MAPPA and Sola Entertainment, created and directed by Shinichirō Watanabe. Set in the year 2052, an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity, the series follows a team’s pursuit of a deranged scientist responsible for a miracle cure-all drug that, in reality, acts as a slow-acting, deadly poison. The series premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo and its affiliates and in the United States on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block in April 2025.

“Lazarus” Season 1 Episode 1: A Stylish but Familiar Start

Shinichirō Watanabe, the legendary director behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, is back with Lazarus, a new anime that promises high-octane action, slick animation, and a dystopian sci-fi premise. The first episode, titled “Goodbye Cruel World,” wastes no time plunging viewers into a world where a miracle drug turns into humanity’s worst nightmare. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s break it down.


Premise and Setting

Set in 2052, Lazarus introduces us to a world where Dr. Michael Skinner’s miracle drug, Hapuna, has eradicated all diseases—only for him to reappear years later, revealing it’s actually a slow-acting poison. With only 30 days left before the drug kills everyone, a covert team (aptly named Lazarus) is tasked with hunting him down.

The first episode focuses on Axel, a convict with insane parkour skills, who becomes entangled in the mission after a dramatic prison escape. The setup is intriguing, blending cyberpunk aesthetics with a ticking-clock thriller. Fans of Watanabe’s work will immediately recognize his signature style: jazzy music, fluid action, and a protagonist who oozes coolness.


Animation and Action: The Real Stars

If there’s one thing Lazarus nails, it’s the animation. MAPPA and Sola Entertainment deliver some of the most dynamic action sequences in recent memory. Axel’s parkour-heavy escape is a standout, with movements so fluid they feel ripped straight out of Mirror’s Edge. The chase scene alone is worth the watch, blending 2D and 3D techniques seamlessly.

The visual direction is also top-notch. Watanabe’s love for warm, cinematic lighting is on full display, giving the world a lived-in, almost noir-like atmosphere. The cyberpunk cityscapes are detailed, and the character designs—while not groundbreaking—are sleek and functional.


Mixed Reactions to Story and Characters

While the animation is universally praised, opinions on the story and characters are more divided. Some fans feel the premise is fresh and timely, especially in a post-pandemic world where trust in pharmaceuticals is shaky. Others, however, argue that the exposition dump in the first half feels rushed, and the characters (so far) lean into familiar tropes.

Axel, the protagonist, is already drawing comparisons to Spike Spiegel—cool, aloof, and ridiculously skilled. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, some viewers worry Lazarus might be retreading Cowboy Bebop’s footsteps too closely. The supporting cast, like the tech-savvy Christine and the mysterious Lazarus operatives, haven’t had much time to shine yet, but there’s potential for deeper development.

The English dub has also sparked debate. Some find it stiff, while others argue it’s serviceable. The Japanese voice acting, as expected, is more polished, but the script itself has moments of awkward dialogue that even the best performances can’t salvage.


Music: A Watanabe Staple

Music has always been a highlight in Watanabe’s works, and Lazarus is no exception. The jazzy opening track sets the tone perfectly, while the synth-heavy chase music amps up the tension. That said, the sudden shift in musical style mid-episode threw some viewers off. Still, if the soundtrack maintains this quality, it could become one of the anime’s strongest aspects.


Fan Reactions: Hype vs. Skepticism

The online discourse around Lazarus is a mixed bag. On one side, fans are ecstatic about Watanabe’s return to action-heavy storytelling:

  • “Watanabe is BACK. The parkour scenes alone are worth the watch.”
  • “The animation is insane. If this keeps up, it’s an easy AOTY contender.”

On the other side, some are cautious:

  • “Feels like Cowboy Bebop 2.0. I hope it finds its own identity soon.”
  • “Great action, but the characters need more depth.”

A few critics have called out the writing, particularly the exposition-heavy opening and some clunky dialogue. However, most agree that the episode is a strong start, with room to grow.


Final Verdict: A Promising, if Familiar, Debut

Lazarus Episode 1 delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Watanabe-MAPPA collaboration: stunning animation, killer music, and a protagonist who’s effortlessly cool. The story isn’t groundbreaking yet, but the premise has potential, and the action sequences are some of the best in recent anime.

If you’re a fan of Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, or cyberpunk thrillers in general, this is a must-watch. Just don’t go in expecting a narrative masterpiece—at least, not yet.

Rating: 8/10 (for now)

“See you, parkour cowboy.”


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1

File Size: 681.8 MiB

Format/Quality: H264 High@L4, 1920×1080 @ 5056 kbps, 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:1bf154166c5657daa07bcbcccf125dddc6120f37

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.DSNP.WEB-DL.DUAL.DDP2.0.H.264-VARYG.mkv (942.7 MiB)

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-14 00:33:00]

File Size: 942.7 MiB

Format/Quality: H264 High@L4, 1920×1080 @ 5056 kbps, 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:ebd52bb624e3fd946354e0889b976ba3c13f9bd7

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.DSNP.WEB-DL.DUAL.DDP2.0.H.264-VARYG.mkv (942.7 MiB)

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-10 18:49:00]

File Size: 1.2 GiB

Format/Quality: mkv

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:ccac2afaa0143b6a7809078a5413e45f194bb92d

File List

  • [Commie] Lazarus – 01v2 [CF83AD82].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 21:48:00]

File Size: 502.6 MiB

Format/Quality: HEVC x265 1080p 10bit

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:219b858d14ecbd78a69564d04b10f2094f49c44a

File List

  • [Judas] Lazarus – S01E01.mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 20:48:00]

File Size: 1.1 GiB

Format/Quality: mkv web-dl

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:ae42c5c04714dcd30d48dd46dd0aa4b25bc848e3

File List

  • [Commie] Lazarus – 01 [8E6900C4].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 16:44:00]

File Size: 659.5 MiB

Format/Quality: HEVC x265 1080p 10bit

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:db003218e6e0c8dce30e4fa25510a27c6bfe3fff

File List

  • [DKB] Lazarus – S01E01 [1080p][HEVC x265 10bit][Dual-Audio][Multi-Subs].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 16:32:00]

File Size: 705.1 MiB

Format/Quality: H.264 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:85420a7b14a7bb2af60ba1fff3f5262ecb2f8a80

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.1080p.UNEXT.WEB-DL.JPN.AAC2.0.H.264.MSubs-ToonsHub.mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 13:29:00]

File Size: 897.6 MiB

Format/Quality: 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:a7a5a824e7259ecc78bac0d72e9faee142fe0bd1

File List

  • [Erai-raws] Lazarus – 01 (EA) [1080p AMZN WEB-DL AVC EAC3][MultiSub][B707895A].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 13:29:00]

File Size: 503.2 MiB

Format/Quality: 720p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:3e16b3ba46ada33d3f703c814c45bed7e24b327e

File List

  • [Erai-raws] Lazarus – 01 (EA) [720p AMZN WEB-DL AVC EAC3][MultiSub][621362AA].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 13:29:00]

File Size: 245.4 MiB

Format/Quality: 540p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:74f128b403efb191f2de8645e1a6812f22cde9ec

File List

  • [Erai-raws] Lazarus – 01 (EA) [540p AMZN WEB-DL AVC EAC3][MultiSub][1CA5DC5F].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 12:09:00]

File Size: 1.1 GiB

Format/Quality: mkv x264 1080p

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:388397d688ace758b757d2c55a759b6f4f833298

File List

  • [DeMarcoMustGo] Lazarus – S01E01v3 (WEB 1080p x264 AAC).mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 09:26:00]

File Size: 896.8 MiB

Format/Quality: H.264 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:636b9b2b655ba7b1988039819d9020d720829123

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.ENG.DDP2.0.H.264.MSubs-ToonsHub.mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 09:21:00]

File Size: 1.1 GiB

Format/Quality: mkv x264 1080p

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:56267e5ae6ecbb15b9c9f9195c3aa00d99a9e947

File List

  • [DeMarcoMustGo] Lazarus – S01E01v2 (WEB 1080p x264 AAC).mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 07:12:00]

File Size: 1.1 GiB

Format/Quality: H264 High@L4, 1920×1080 @ 4950 kbps, 23.976 FPS

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:c108e4bddfea1b6ed70778df1c86a5cb6416b78e

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264.MULTi-VARYG.mkv (1.1 GiB)

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 07:05:00]

File Size: 896.6 MiB

Format/Quality: 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:cb1fafab4924593349ebc0e235897eca48bd5426

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264-VARYG.mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 06:47:00]

File Size: 859.8 MiB

Format/Quality: 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:81dba30049b020f345a22896fbfeea9b332689f7

File List

  • [Yameii] Lazarus – S01E01 [English Dub] [AS WEB-DL 1080p] [185893AD].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 06:46:00]

File Size: 415.5 MiB

Format/Quality: H264 High@L4, 1920×1080 @ 4950 kbps, 23.976 FPS

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:33a756abe41eddf37f5004887be0bc30adf9824f

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264.MULTi-VARYG.mkv (1.1 GiB)

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 06:45:00]

File Size: 519.7 MiB

Format/Quality: H264 High@L4, 1920×1080 @ 4950 kbps, 23.976 FPS

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:0c334694a218015072f0ed1108eb9f6fc10ccff0

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264.MULTi-VARYG.mkv (1.1 GiB)

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 06:45:00]

File Size: 609.5 MiB

Format/Quality: 720p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:56317ecb23d2f0d656394b54b3b9414729d9c3d5

File List

  • [Yameii] Lazarus – S01E01 [English Dub] [AS WEB-DL 720p] [2C1DEDD0].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 06:44:00]

File Size: 473.1 MiB

Format/Quality: H264 High@L4, 1920×1080 @ 4950 kbps, 23.976 FPS

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:e8cf81a11e1530d56f3428127fbec845f9a46535

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264.MULTi-VARYG.mkv (1.1 GiB)

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 06:44:00]

File Size: 512.5 MiB

Format/Quality: H.264 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:f1cd0ba899bd12368efe1a6b77a4fa07d9fe0bf0

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.1080p.CH4.WEB-DL.ENG.AAC2.0.H.264.ESub-ToonsHub.mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 06:44:00]

File Size: 976.6 MiB

Format/Quality: H264 High@L4, 1920×1080 @ 4950 kbps, 23.976 FPS

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:1fcfc55e601847913f9fae68e57b5b73f9679e41

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264.MULTi-VARYG.mkv (1.1 GiB)

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 05:54:00]

File Size: 839.7 MiB

Format/Quality: 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:b9bb56c59ab45e0e1b545cba37bae8528ea23a4c

File List

  • [bri’ish] Lazarus – S01E01 (Channel 4 WEB-DL 1080p) [94185DFD].mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 05:37:00]

File Size: 863.6 MiB

Format/Quality: H.264 1080p WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:f8a15b2b312d821c9cd853feb91baed70002008d

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01v2.Goodbye.Cruel.World.1080p.AS.WEB-DL.ENG.AAC2.0.H.264-ToonsHub.mkv

Source: Nyaa.si


Episodes: Season 1 Episode 1 [Updated at 2025-04-06 05:24:00]

File Size: 271.7 MiB

Format/Quality: 1080p mkv x264 bluray WEB-DL

Magnet Link: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:f383df6fd7b652c8da1fba4b36dbfc1c9e7dd9d0

File List

  • Lazarus.S01E01.1080p.VIDIO.WEB-DL.mkv

Source: Nyaa.si

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