Adult Swim Greenlights ‘Lazarus’ From ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Director Shinichirō Watanabe

Adult Swim has ordered a new animated series from Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo director Shinichirō Watanabe.

Titled Lazarus, the show will be produced by the Japanese animation studio Mappa, known for standout series including Vinland Saga, Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Attack on Titan.

Typically, with high-profile greenlighting announcements like this, plot details are scant. That’s not the case here, however, and Adult Swim has released a fairly comprehensive synopsis:

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

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

As a response to this threat, a special task force of five agents is gathered from across 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?

Billed as a “high-octane action” series, the show will feature scenes designed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski. The Lazarus score will include music from leading jazz and electronic artists including saxophonist Kamasi Washington; producer, DJ, and musician Floating Points; and producer, DJ, and musician Bonobo.

In a release, Adult Swim head of anime and action series Jason DeMarco said: “Shinichirō Watanabe is simply one of the greatest living artists, and it’s a dream come true to be able to collaborate with him on a new original series. Like all of his work, Lazarus is packed with big ideas, incredible characters, and a ton of heart.”

Watanabe added: “As I embark on this creative journey, I can’t help but feel that this project will serve as a culmination of my career so far. I hope you enjoy it.”