Goodbye Cruel World

I was excited about this release, especially with the production team involved, and in many ways, it delivers - especially the action, which is fluid and visually impressive during the prison sequence and later chase sequence. However, the early dialogue is a major issue. From the first line, it feels awkward and overly cheesy, making it hard to take the characters seriously. The story also starts off feeling generic, but there's potential. If the writing improves and the plot takes some risks, this could still become something great. For now, the visuals and action keep it worth watching. So, here's to waiting for episode two.

When people talk about animation, they often confuse it with art quality or special effects. High-resolution drawings, 3D rendering, glowing particle effects, or AI-powered interpolation may look impressive, but none of that is the essence of animation. The true definition of animation is the illusion of movement: bringing drawings, objects, or images to life through motion. A sequence of still frames that creates convincing action, that's animation at its core. Everything else, from flashy beams of light to background explosions, can serve as garnish, but it's not what makes something animated.

That's why a series like Lazarus stands out. Instead of leaning on easy-to-draw gimmicks like constant laser beams, ground-shattering punches, or endless aura effects around characters, it delivers real animation. Characters move with weight and intention. Their bodies twist, turn, and respond believably to physical forces. Even simple actions, walking across a room, shifting a stance, or throwing a punch, carry subtle motions that make them feel alive. The animators aren't hiding behind visual shortcuts, they're doing the hard work of making motion flow.

This approach is rare today because it's labor-intensive. It requires frame-by-frame dedication to anatomy, timing, anticipation, and follow-through. But it's also what separates genuine animation from smoke and mirrors. Lazarus reminds viewers that the craft isn't about how many effects you can layer on a scene, it's about how convincingly you can make a character breathe, move, and express themselves through motion. In an era where studios often prioritize spectacle, Lazarus proves that real animation, in its purest form, still has the power to captivate without relying on shortcuts.

As a longtime fan of Shinichiro Watanabe I hold Cowboy Bebop as his magnum opus - a benchmark that shaped my expectations for everything he's touched since.

Having seen all of his previous works as Director I was very excited for Lazarus seeing as Watanabe-San serves as both Director & Writer. That aside Lazarus kicked things off with a high-octane action packed episode that is a solid 8/10. The narrative & world building are both quite intriguing but i don't feel like Lazarus is gonna be reinventing the wheel in terms of narrative. I believe action & characters are where most people will click with this anime which is evident by the first episode (Already like Axel Gilbert).