Lazarus tells the story of a thrilling chase to save humanity from the deadly drug Hapna, created by Dr. Skinner. With a premise centered on a race against time to find the doctor, Lazarus initially captivated me with its stakes. Every character in the anime has unique quirks, and while I love seeing most of them, there is one character I never want to see again.
This character is HARDC-O-O-RE (someone make this guy quit)!! You know who I am talking about. Popcorn Wizard. I have no idea what was running through Watanabe’s mind when creating this character, but her introduction derailed the show’s momentum. She’s over-the-top, and cringeworthy, and reminds me of a phase in my life I don’t wanna remember.
Just when I was starting to recover from my cringe-induced coma, Popcorn Wizard makes a return. Episode 10 of Lazarus ended with the implication that Popcorn Wizard may return to the show. I’m sure that bringing her back will push many to abandon Lazarus entirely.
Lazarus’ Episode 10 uncovers truths amidst the chaos
While Lazarus’ Episode 10 didn’t have the usual action and parkour that I like to see in the show, its focus on character backstories and plot advancement kept me going. In this episode, the Lazarus team uncovers a lead pointing to an exclusive medical institute catering to the ultra-wealthy, where Skinner received an artificial heart.
This discovery suggested that someone may be encrypting Skinner’s heart data, making it difficult to locate him. You already know who this “someone” is, but I want to talk a bit about the episode before I cover the…inevitable. I liked Leland’s backstory and the interaction between him and his sister. His role as the scion of a wealthy family is what allows the gang to find out about the secret medical facility.
Apart from this, the anime finally gave Axel a center stage. I guess someone finally remembered that he is the damn main character. Hersch and Abel also uncover a video from the Schiphol Airport Incident, revealing Skinner’s intentions with Hapna, and meanwhile, Axel faces a new threat.
While all of this is going on, Doug and Eleina head to Pakistan to pursue…do I have to cover this? Why do I need to cover this (yes, you do. It’s your job)? Popcorn Wizard is making a return, everybody. Doug and Eleina are going to Islamabad, Pakistan, to capture the frustratingly elusive Popcorn Wizard.
Let’s be very honest, no one likes Popcorn Wizard. She’s an over-the-top individual whose attitude is cringe-inducing (yes, she put me in the coma I mentioned earlier). I don’t know why they chose to reintroduce her into the show (finish up the plot already). I just hope she doesn’t act like her usual cringey self, or I may have to drop the anime right before it ends.
Popcorn Wizard is unbearable, and we don’t need her
Let me be honest, I hate the hacker stereotype. The whole “woah, look at me, I’m so energetic and geeky” thing triggers me, and it’s perhaps the most cringey trope in existence. I was so glad when Lazarus didn’t apply this trope to Eleina, but Popcorn Wizard? She is a whole different story. Popcorn Wizard is my worst nightmare come true.
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Introduced in Lazarus’ Episode 5, she is a caricature of every Hollywood hacker trope. She drives a van that looks oddly familiar to the Mystery Mobile from Scooby Doo, and constantly screams “HARDCORE!”. I love flamboyant characters, but she’s too much. The forced flamboyancy makes her character feel flatter than a tire. Like, turn it out a notch. She gives me major try-hard vibes. Her personality clashes with Lazarus’ tone and reduces its narrative weight.
Sure, her connection to Skinner justifies her presence, with her helping him encrypt his location, and all, but I really wish Lazarus had chosen some other character for this purpose. I’m happy that Eleina is going to get a rematch with her, but I dread seeing her on-screen. She’s nothing more than a gimmicky nuisance in my opinion (geez, man), and her exaggerated personality might impede (fancy) the show’s depth.
Lazarus is trying to recover from its mid-season stumbles, but Popcorn Wizard is going to destroy those efforts. She is a glaring flaw, and we do not need her cringeworthy presence undoing the show’s strengths. If Lazarus wants to succeed and maintain its gripping premise, then leaving Popcorn Wizard behind is instrumental.
Lazarus is currently available to stream on Adult Swim.
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