John Wick Director Collaborates on Cowboy Bebop Creator’s New Anime 'Lazarus'

Chad Stahelski choreographed live-action fight scenes for Shinichirō Watanabe's sci-fi anime, set to release in 2025.

Shinichirō Watanabe, creator of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, is returning with Lazarus, a futuristic sci-fi anime slated for a 2025 release on Adult Swim's Toonami block.
John Wick director Chad Stahelski contributed to Lazarus by choreographing and filming live-action fight scenes, which were later adapted into animation by Studio MAPPA.
Stahelski, a long-time fan of Watanabe’s work, offered his services for free, citing Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo as major influences on his career.
The collaboration resulted in Stahelski working on action choreography for four to five episodes, emphasizing contrasts between intense action and quiet moments, a hallmark of Watanabe's storytelling.
Lazarus was previewed at New York Comic Con 2024, where fans saw a teaser showcasing its dynamic animation and thematic connections to Cowboy Bebop.