Lazarus Anime’s Biggest Flaw Is What Cowboy Bebop Mastered 24 Years Ago

Shinichiro Watanabe’s Lazarus boasts stunning action and visuals, but lacks the emotional depth and character focus that made Cowboy Bebop timeless. Can it catch up before it ends? 🔥 Lazarus Anime's Fatal Flaw: What Cowboy Bebop Got Right 24 Years Ago

Despite its stellar animation and intense action, Lazarus is struggling to connect with fans on a deeper level—and here's why 👇

🎭 While Cowboy Bebop gave us layered characters like Spike with clear backstories and personal stakes by Episode 5, Lazarus still hasn't delivered a central emotional anchor in Axel Gilberto.

🧠 Fans feel the lack of character depth and chemistry in the Lazarus team, unlike the Bebop crew who bonded naturally—even amid mystery and chaos.

⚔️ The action is cinematic, the music is top-tier, but without strong character arcs, the show feels more style over substance.

💊 The focus on antagonist Dr. Skinner and the opioid-crisis-inspired "Hapna" drug shows the story has high stakes, but without meaningful character investment, it struggles to hit as hard as Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo.

⏳ With only 13 episodes total, Lazarus has little time left to build emotional weight. Can it rise from the shadow of a classic? Only time will tell.

📺 Now Streaming on Toonami & HBO Max

🖋️ Creator: Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo)

🎵 Music: Flying Lotus