Overview

• Lazarus ended its 13-episode run on June 30 with widespread disapproval that intensified fan distrust of Adult Swim’s anime lineup.
• Backlash centers on its deliberate pace, sagging narrative hooks and characters that critics say never fully develop.
• Nostalgia-driven marketing cast it as a spiritual successor to Cowboy Bebop, fueling expectations it was never designed to meet.
• Observers warn that Western-backed projects like Lazarus risk diluting anime’s cultural nuance and traditional storytelling depth.
• Despite the criticism, reviewers praised sequences of lush animation and reflective musical interludes as highlights.