"We no longer have time to wait": "Lazarus" creator explains the meaning of the anime's ending
Shinichirō Watanabe also debunked a popular theory that the series was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shinichirō Watanabe, creator of "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo," revealed new details about the sci-fi anime "Lazarus," co-produced with MAPPA studio and Adult Swim. Anime Corner published the full text version of the interview with the director, recorded at the Manga Barcelona festival late last year.
During the conversation, Watanabe dispelled the popular misconception that the series' plot was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the story about the deadly drug "Hapna" was fully written before 2020.
"We wrote this story entirely before the coronavirus pandemic; everything was a product of our imagination. When COVID-19 happened, we actually felt a little uneasy and even sad about how accurately the frightening reality began to reflect our fictional ideas."
Watanabe also elaborated on the ending of "Lazarus." Throughout the season, at the end of each episode, the viewer was shown a ticking counter counting down the days until a catastrophe. In the final episode, the heroes manage to avert the threat, but the counter still reaches zero. According to the director, this is not a hint of a bad ending for the characters, but a warning for the viewers.
"The ending of 'Lazarus' doesn't definitively say whether humanity faces a happy ending or a tragedy. The counter at zero means that even if we solved the problem right under our noses, globally nothing has been resolved. Climate change, social inequality – these problems haven't gone away. I wanted people to understand: we no longer have time to wait for tomorrow; these issues need to be addressed right now. There's no time left."
The first season of "Lazarus" premiered in spring 2025. The project received high praise from critics and viewers for its stylish direction, dynamic action choreographed by "John Wick" director Chad Stahelski, and soundtrack. The anime also recently won the "Best Original Anime" award at the 10th anniversary Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
MAPPA and Adult Swim have not yet officially renewed the series for a second season. Watanabe himself previously noted that "the story of the 'Lazarus' squad is far from over" and a continuation is theoretically possible. However, there are no concrete plans for a sequel at the moment.
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