The story and preview images for Episode 1 of LAZARUS, produced by MAPPA, have been revealed. With Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) directing and Akemi Hayashi (BANANA FISH) handling character design, the series is backed by a powerhouse team. Episode 1 is set to premiere in Japan on Sunday, April 6, at 11:45 PM (JST), and will later stream worldwide on various platforms.

Episode 1 Story

The miraculous painkiller “Hapuna,” developed by the genius scientist Skinner, turns out to be a drug designed to destroy humanity. A woman named Hersch appears before Axel, who is incarcerated, and offers him freedom in exchange for locating Skinner. However, Axel seizes the chance to escape. Doug, Christine, Leland, and Eleina are dispatched to capture him, chasing him across the city as he skillfully evades them using parkour.

Introduction

The year is 2052.

The world has entered an unprecedented era of peace, largely thanks to “Hapuna,” a painkiller developed by renowned neuroscientist Skinner. With no side effects, the “miracle drug” spread rapidly across the globe, liberating humanity from pain.

But one day, Skinner vanished without a trace.

Three years later, he returns—not as a savior, but as a harbinger of doom. Hapuna was a trap: it causes death exactly three years after ingestion. Now, the countdown has begun.

“You have 30 days. If you find me before then, humanity may survive.”

The only salvation lies in a single vaccine possessed by Skinner himself. And if the world wants it, it must find him.

To counter Skinner’s plot, five elite agents from around the world have been assembled. Their mission: to save humanity. But what is Skinner’s true objective?

With direction by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop), character design by Akemi Hayashi (BANANA FISH), action supervision by Chad Stahelski (John Wick), production by MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man), and planning/production by SOLA ENTERTAINMENT (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim), LAZARUS features stylish music from Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points. A global team of creators brings gripping action and intricate drama to life.

Cast

Character Name / Voice Actor

Axel: Mamoru Miyano
Doug: Makoto Furukawa
Christine: Maaya Uchida
Leland: Yuma Uchida
Eleina: Manaka Iwami
Hersch: Megumi Hayashibara
Abel: Akio Otsuka
Skinner: Koichi Yamadera

STAFF

Created and Directed By: Shinichiro Watanabe
Screenplay: Shinichiro Watanabe / Dai Sato / Takahiro Ozawa (Ume) / Tsukasa Kondo
Action Supervisor: Chad Stahelski (87Eleven Action Design)
Character Designer: Akemi Hayashi
Concept Designer: Stanislas Brunet
Art Director: Miho Sugiura
Color Designer: Kana Tanabe
Cinematographer: Takuma Sakamoto
Compositing Director: Mitsuhiro Sato
Music: Kamasi Washington / Bonobo / Floating Points
Opening Theme: "Vortex" Kamasi Washington
Ending Theme: "Lazarus" The Boo Radleys
Sound Effects Supervision: Lauren Stephens (Formosa Group)
Sound Production: dugout Inc.
Animation Producer: Masato Matsunaga
Animation Production: MAPPA
Produced by: SOLA ENTERTAINMENT

Source : LAZARUS Official