Is ‘Lazarus' returning for season 2? Everything we know so far
Lazarus—the pulse-pounding sci-fi anime from Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichirō Watanabe—wrapped up its first season in June 2025, and fans are already buzzing with one big question: Will there be a Season 2?
With a mix of high-stakes action, sleek futuristic vibes, and a killer soundtrack (seriously, Bonobo and Kamasi Washington? Yes, please), Lazarus made a bold impression when it aired on Adult Swim and Max this spring. But now, viewers are left hanging—not just because of the cliffhanger ending, but because there's still no word on what's next. What Is Lazarus About?
Set in 2052, Lazarus kicks off with a world that seems like paradise thanks to a miracle drug called Hapna. It cures pain, disease, you name it. But then its creator, Dr. Skinner, returns with a chilling truth: the drug has a ticking time bomb built in. Three years after taking it, everyone's going to die—unless someone stops it. Enter Lazarus, a task force of five elite agents racing against a 30-day clock to find Skinner and save humanity.
The first season ran for 13 episodes, each one covering a day in that deadly countdown. Add in action scenes choreographed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski and it's no surprise fans were hooked. Has Lazarus Been Renewed for Season 2?
As of June 30, there's still no official update from Watanabe, MAPPA (the animation studio), or Sola Entertainment. And that silence has fans speculating.
Watanabe's known for his 'one-and-done' style—Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo both wrapped up cleanly in a single season. So some viewers think Lazarus might've been built that way too: a tight, complete story across 30 days. Still, that hasn't stopped theories from flying.
On X and Reddit, fans have pointed out that the finale did leave doors open. One popular theory suggests that Axel Gilberto could become the central character of a second season, possibly as the sole survivor trying to fix the chaos left behind. Some even feel the last episode hints at a bigger conspiracy still in motion. What Could Happen in Lazarus Season 2?
If Lazarus gets the green light for Season 2, there's so much potential. The finale (no spoilers, but wow) sets up a world where things could get even crazier. Fans are speculating that Axel Gilberto might take center stage, maybe on a solo mission to fix the mess left behind or even bring back his team. The show's unique setup—each episode covering one day of the 30-day countdown—could shift into something new, like a post-apocalyptic chase or a deeper dive into the moral gray zones Watanabe loves to explore.
Imagine more of that MAPPA animation magic, with Stahelski's action sequences cranking up the intensity. Plus, the music? Let's just say I'm crossing my fingers for more tracks that hit like Season 1's did. Characters like Abel Anderson, the steady leader, or Chris Blake, the team's firecracker, could get richer backstories, too. When Could Lazarus Season 2 Be Released?
No renewal means no solid release date, but let's dream a little. If MAPPA gives the go-ahead soon, we're probably looking at late 2026 or even 2027, given how long it takes to craft anime this polished. Season 1 wrapped production in about a year, so that's a rough guide. For now, UK fans can binge Season 1 on Channel 4's streaming service, while US folks can catch it on Max or Adult Swim reruns.
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