When a director like Shinichiro Watanabe returns with a new anime like Lazarus, comparisons to Cowboy Bebop are bound to happen. This is because each fan, whether from the prime jazz time or the modern anime enthusiast, they are bound to have heard about the classic space-era anime of Cowboy Bebop. From the stylish animation and designs to the jazzy soundtrack, it had everything the fans could want in an anime.

But then again, it seems to be extremely similar in Lazarus as well. The animation seems similar with the soundtracks being of the same vein, it makes one wonder, what relation does Lazarus have to Cowboy Bebop, could it be a sequel? Or a spiritual successor? To all these questions, Watanabe answers in the negative.

Lazarus isn’t Cowboy Bebop’s successor, and that’s the point

From the calm and stylish protagonist Axel Gilberto to the heavy space-noir vibes,...