Lazarus’ Shinichirō Watanabe on his new partnership with Adult Swim and his return to the sci-fi genre

Iconic anime director Shinichirō Watanabe is back with a new look at the future in Lazarus. After making his debut with Macros PlusWatanabe found his greatest success in the original Cowboy Bebop anime, serving as creative lead and director of the beloved space western anime and its theatrical film. He would find success with the likes of Samurai Champloothe anime adaptation of Children on the slope and Carole and Tuesday on Netflix, among others.

With LazarusWatanabe returns to the science fiction genre and sets the story in 2052, in which a utopian society has been formed. During this period, a scientist designs a miracle drug, only to later reveal in 2055 that the drug has a half-life of just three years, leaving those who took the drug, which proves to be the majority of society, with little time left. for live. A task force is assembled and races against time to capture the scientist in hopes of finding a vaccine before it’s too late.

Death Note alumnus Mamoru Miyano is leading the cast of Japanese voice actors for Lazarus next to One punch manMakoto Furukawa, chainsaw manMaaya Uchida, BorutoYuma Uchida, Fruit basketManaka Iwami, Cowboy BebopMegumi Hayashibara, One pieceAkio Otsuka and Cowboy BebopIt’s Koichi Yamadera. With John Wick franchise director Chad Stahelski also participated in the show as action director, Watanabe’s sci-fi genre return looks to be an exhilarating mix of fast-paced set pieces and complex narratives.

In honor of the New York Comic Con 2024 panel, Screen speech interviewed Shinichirō Watanabe to discuss Lazarushow the opioid crisis in America proved to be a major influence on the development of anime history, why Adult Swim continues to be a great home for its projects, such as some trademarks of Cowboy Bebop will continue on the show, and what he hopes the audience takes away from the show.

Lazarus‘The concept came from a very real place for Watanabe

“…I would like people to feel a certain way and think about it…”

Screen speech: on LazarusThe concept of the miracle drug turning into a fatal trap is a key plot point. What inspired this narrative twist and how does it reflect contemporary social issues?

Shinichirō Watanabe: One thing I would like to say first is that I have a back pain problem and I thought of a miracle medicine that would solve my back pain. Actually, I was joking. [Laughs] One of the inspirations for real events in society is the opioid crisis. I was very disconcerted by the death of Prince, who I was a big fan of, and I had an interest in this problem, the opioid problem, as an issue.

What do you think the show says about humanity’s dependence on quick fixes like the drug Hapuna and the consequences of such addictions?

Shinichirō Watanabe: So I wouldn’t want to impose a certain message on it, but I would like people to feel a certain way and think about it after seeing the entire 13 episodes.

Lazarus Continues many of Watanabe’s trademarks Cowboy Bebop Past

“…this will become apparent in later episodes.”

Now, Adult Swim is known for its unique approach to anime. What elements of Lazarus Do you believe it aligns with the spirit of the channel and what excites you most about bringing this series to this audience?

Shinichirō Watanabe: Well, I think there was a real affinity from the beginning, because since Cowboy Bebop my projects have been shown there. So I don’t think it’s a case of my work being something that fits on Adult Swim. It’s just that they like the type of anime I create.

In the show, several characters are taken from various parts of the world. Can you talk about ensuring authentic representation and depth of these characters, and what cultural influences did you draw from?

Shinichirō Watanabe: Again, it’s been true since Cowboy Bebop, if you go back and watch it. One of the reasons I return to this multicultural and diverse scenario is one of my biggest influences, which is Blade Runner. This movie was set in 2020 or 2021, and I always thought that when the time came for 2020, it would be this kind of world with diverse people in society. And now, 2020 has passed, we haven’t reached that point yet and I hope it gets to that point sooner.

Now, Cowboy Bebop is known for its iconic music. How the soundtrack works Lazarus play a role in the narrative, if at all? And can we expect specific musical influences in the show?

Shinichirō Watanabe: So, of course, this will have a very big influence and will become apparent in later episodes, so stay tuned.

On Lazarus

The year is 2052 – an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the world. The reason for this: humanity has been freed from disease and pain. Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a cure-all miracle drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, shortly after the Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner disappears.

Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner returned – this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who took it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming to this sinful world – and soon.

In response to this threat, a special task force of 5 agents is assembled from around the world to save humanity from Skinner’s plan. This group is called “Lazarus”. Can they find Skinner and develop a vaccine before time runs out?

Source: Rant Plus Screen