Anime director Shinichirō Watanabe is a legend who has consistently bridged the gap between his niche medium and the mainstream. Thanks to seminal hits like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, and more, Watanabe has established a prestigious reputation even simply when his name is attached. But it's more than a sterling mark of quality connecting these series, with a recent Lazarus, are connected.

Lazarus, slated for a 2025 release, is Watanabe's latest project and boasts many similar qualities in common with Cowboy Bebop, down to its choreographed action. With the amazing help of star directors like Chad Stahelski, Kamasi Washington, Floating Points, and Bonobo creating the music and animation by MAPPA, the series is primed to go down among the greats like all the rest. But with Watanabe's take on his collective works, it might be worth revisiting works like Kids on the Slope, Terror in Resonance, and others in time for Lazarus' release to see how they connect with Cowboy Bebop.

Lazarus and Cowboy Bebop Take Place in the Same Universe

Shinichirō Watanabe Answers the Million Woolong Question

In a special New York Comic-Con interview, Shinichirō Watanabe confirms that Lazarus and his other works are in the same universe. The interview hosted by Jacki Jing for Anime News Network expands on this, discussing even the more outlandish connections, such as Carole & Tuesday to Cowboy Bebop and Lazarus. These references include nods to in-universe connections such as shared currency like Woolongs and direct easter eggs like Space Dandy.

I've always thought all of my shows took place in the same universe.

-Shinichirō Watanabe

It's undoubtedly fun to revisit Watanabe's series to see other little moments connecting the greatest hits. As the rest of the interview shows, Watanabe is proud of his work as a director and likely incorporates these moments to share them with his viewers. But as any comic book movie fan can attest, the moment a universe connecting multiple series is confirmed, Lazarus will likely be studied heavily for connections to Cowboy Bebop or other anime.

Shinichirō Watanabe's Cinematic Universe Is Mostly Surface-Level References

Don't Expect an Anime Avengers Initiative

While the Cowboy Bebop x Lazarus connections will be picked up quickly, other Watanabe anime also have fascinating references. Carole & Tuesday takes place in Alba City on Mars, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie. Space Dandy features many references, including Woolongs as a currency, fridge monsters, and Vicious' bird even making a cameo. None of these references are consequential to the plot but make for fun trivia among Watanabe lovers since the start of Cowboy Bebop until the release of Lazarus.

Sources: Anime News Network on X, Anime News Network on YouTube