Lazarus – Episode 01

Episode Synopsis:

The brilliant scientist Dr. Skinner developed a painkiller called Hapna. Lauded as a miracle drug, Hapna sweeps the world due to its low cost, effectiveness at numbing pain, and absence of side-effects. Dr. Skinner disappears for three years and returns by posting a video for all of humanity. Appalled by human violence, waste, and destruction of the natural world, he reveals that Hapna was a trap. It will soon become lethal for all who ingested it and first wave of deaths is set to happen in 30 days. He reveals he possesses the cure and will provide it to anyone who can find him within this time.

Out at Northport Correctional Facility, a prisoner named Axel Gilberto is being held. He’s visited by a woman named Hersch and promptly breaks out of the facility during their chat. A long chase sequence occurs before Axel is finally caught and his captors reveal themselves as “Lazarus”; a team intent upon finding Dr. Skinner and saving humanity.

Review:

Oh dang, it’s time for some of that slick Watanabe action! I have heard rumblings of complaints about this show because it’s not Cowboy Bebop, and I can only shake my head in exhaustion if that is the case. I really enjoyed Episode 01 of Lazarus. The show wastes no time in getting to the action. Axel Gilberto is smug AF but he gives off that same “devil-may-care” charming attitude Spike did at numerous points, and he’s funny, so I already find him likeable. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but my first impression of him is not to be annoyed. I mean seriously…the guy’s got crazy parkour skills.

Episode 01 is a tone setter and character introduction, so there isn’t much for me to speculate on nor expound upon yet. The extended chase sequence as Axel maneuvers his way around the city our characters inhabit is as much for fun as it is for setting. You’ll miss the forest for the trees if all you do is watch and contemplate how over-the-top Axel’s actions are.

The world these characters inhabit feels a lot like New York. There are trains, cars, highways, and massive skyscrapers. In addition to that though, there’s advanced technology in the form of drones and Ironman-esque computer systems. It’s still established though, that not everyone has it good. The streets contain loads of graffiti amidst the Cyberpunk looking establishments. It feels like there’s a general uptrend in technology that has established a class system in this city (much like our own world).

The other part of the chase sequence that’s important are the roles that the Lazarus members seem to play. Hersch is the stoic leader, Douglas is the cool dude with the car and the gun, Leland in the kid who’s likely a tech-head, Eleina is the computer whiz, Christine is the trigger happy sex appeal, and of course, Axel is our badass wildcard.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the sound in this episode. Episode 01 has great music to accompany many of the scenes. The leadup to Hersch and Axel meeting plays, as Douglas puts it, “A moody song about a man who sells his soul to the Devil”. If that’s foreshadowing, it ain’t subtle. Axel’s initial breakout from the Correctional Facility is backed by jazz music that perfectly compliments the wild antics he uses, all with a smirk on his face. Finally, the run through the city has a synthesized techno feel to it. Mappa does a nice job animating this first episode for the most part but some sequences look sloppy. They cut corners on people’s faces and anatomy during far away shots or short interaction sequences. Mappa is pretty solid though so hopefully things shore up as the show continues.

Summary:

I’ve mentioned before (in the unfortunately atrocious Hikari no Ou) that I love a team comprised of odd ducks that all bring a unique skill and allows the team has a whole to accomplish a mission. Our team seems fun, the timer is on, and I’m excited to see how this show plays out. I hope Watanabe brings on the wild action, twists and great character development I remember out of Cowboy Bebob.

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