Lazarus Foreshadowed Axel’s New Deadly Rival Since Episode 1

The anime “Lazarus” may captivate viewers with its dazzling fight sequences and memorable soundtrack, but it’s the hidden depth beneath its sleek exterior that truly hooks fans. Much like the enigmatic series itself, subtle clues about its greatest mystery are scattered throughout, revealing more over time as the story unfolds. Remarkably, even the newest major antagonist in the anime was hinted at in the very first episode of “Lazarus,” a testament to the show’s intricate narrative crafting.

In the show “Lazarus,” we encounter a character named Soryu, famously known as the Phantom Slayer or the Hired Gun. He was hired by certain government officials to settle a score they had with Axel, although the specific reason for this grudge remains undisclosed in Episode 9, titled “Death on Two Legs.” Given that the grudge seems beyond reconciliation, it appears that dialogue won’t be sufficient.

As his name suggests, Soryu is an unreachable assassin who never misses his mark. However, Axel, a master of escapes, has skills that outshine even the Ghost Assassin. In fact, Axel’s initial escape in “Lazarus” subtly hinted at Soryu’s upcoming role in the series, potentially setting up clues for the Ghost Assassin’s eventual demise.

Axel Unveiled a Subtle-Yet-Important Truth About His Past in Lazarus Episode 1

Hersch’s First Meeting With Axel Was More Substantial Than It Initially Seemed

In the debut episode of Lazarus, Hersch and Axel have little background information revealed when they initially cross paths in prison. It’s not until episode 7 that we start to uncover Hersch’s past connection with Skinner. Even as late as episode 9, Hersch’s personal history remains largely unknown. In contrast, Axel offers a hint of his past in their first encounter itself, which subtly foreshadows the appearance of Soryu, the Ghost Assassin.

In episode 1 of Lazarus, Hersch goes to visit Axel in his maximum-security prison, hoping to recruit him for her new team, the Lazarus squad. Surprisingly, Axel’s greeting hints at the upcoming villain, Soryu, by saying: “Everyone who comes to see me is either a lawyer or an assassin.” In response, Hersch subtly reveals her dual role, stating that she’s “a mix of both” – indicating her potential to free him while also informing him about the grim fate of humanity following Dr. Skinner’s recent decree of the Hapna death sentence.

Initially, Axel’s statement that everyone who comes to see him is either a lawyer or a hitman appears to be a humorous exaggeration. However, when viewed in the context of Episode 9 of Lazarus, Axel’s reference to hitmen takes on a chilling realism. Although we still don’t know much about Axel’s past, it’s now clear that there are individuals like Schneider who, for unknown reasons, have been attempting to assassinate him. It seems that Schneider holds some sort of grievance against Axel, so severe that he has placed a 3 million dollar bounty on Axel’s head.

At this point in Lazarus Episode 9, two significant facts have emerged about Axel Gilberto’s past: he was given an unusually lengthy prison term due to his repeated escapes, and a specific incident at an Arizona prison has made him a target for certain U.S. government officials. Despite his mysterious nature, there appears to be another crucial aspect of Axel that offers valuable insights into the narrative. This hidden detail is that he could hold the key to unraveling the entire mystery surrounding Skinner’s motivations, location, and even the connection to the U.S. government. As Hersch puts it, “Axel holds the answers to everything.

Soryu Isn’t the First Assassin Axel Has Had to Deal With

Axel Had Presumably Encountered Numerous “Hitmen” Prior to the Events of Lazarus

Scarcely anything is certain about Axel’s past, yet his encounters with hitmen such as Soryu provide significant insight into those who wish to silence him. In the fifth episode of Lazarus, Axel discusses Hapna in a monologue, mentioning that he had attempted it while in prison, but it didn’t seem to affect him much. It’s plausible that Axel was indeed imprisoned in Arizona when he tried Hapna, and the lack of effect on him was a well-documented occurrence. There’s even a possibility that Axel’s resistance to Hapna could be pivotal in finding a cure for its harmful effects, and INSCOM might be concealing this information for some reason.

Unfortunately for INSCOM, Axel managed to break out of prison, carrying secrets he’s unaware of himself. Notably, Schneider appears to be keeping a low profile when it comes to dealing with Axel. It seems that the knowledge or truth about Hapna that Axel possesses, or the information he harbors within him, is something Schneder would rather his superiors remain oblivious to. Instead of leaving Axel’s fate in the hands of the law, Schneider prefers to dispatch assassins and hitmen to track down Axel wherever he goes. Given that Axel has already served 888 years in prison, there’s not much more punishment that can be inflicted upon him.

In a playful manner, Axel suggested to Hersch that many people visiting him were actually hitmen, which subtly foreshadowed the arrival of Soryu in Lazarus Episode 9. More crucially, this remark seemed to reveal Schneider’s resentment towards Axel. It appeared that Schneider had previously attempted to have Axel eliminated while he was in prison. However, Axel has successfully outmaneuvered such hitmen and assassins in the past. If Soryu is indeed the most proficient of them, it won’t be the first time someone has tried (and probably failed) to take Axel’s life.

In the story of Lazarus, it’s possible that Axel has encountered other hitmen before Soryu, but Soryu stands out as a formidable match. Unlike Axel’s unstructured, impromptu fighting style, Soryu employs a precise and calculated method for murder using a metronome. However, despite their different approaches, they share similarities, making them intriguing adversaries. Soryu is undeniably more skilled and meticulous, but Axel’s cunning and unpredictability make him one of anime’s most versatile characters. As such, Soryu and Axel serve as each other’s counterparts in many ways.

The Ghost Assassin Is the Perfect Rival for Axel in Lazarus

Axel Isn’t as Skilled as Soryu, But He Holds 1 Advantage Over the Assassin

A key distinction between Axel and Soryu lies in their interpersonal relationships. While Axel thrives in team environments, going out of his way to assist his colleagues and foster connections, Soryu operates differently. In contrast to Axel, Soryu’s primary ally, HQ, has never personally encountered him. This points to Soryu’s self-reliant nature. Soryu performs best when working independently, and he utilizes someone like HQ as a representative to maintain a professional distance from his clients.

I firmly believe that my collaboration with the brilliant minds of the Lazarus Team could tip the scales in my favor when it comes to defeating Soryu. If only Soryu had enlisted the aid of a strategic genius like HQ, he might have a stronger chance against me. But, their diverse skill set is precisely what sets them apart. On my own, I’d likely meet my match in close-quarters combat with Soryu. However, the combined strengths of Chris, Douglas, Leland, and Eleina will be instrumental in my quest for survival.

In Episode 9 of Lazarus, it’s clear that Axel has encountered a formidable adversary – none other than the Ghost Assassin, Soryu. Unlike past opponents, Soryu is not just powerful; he’s a masterfully trained killing machine. However, from the moment Axel crossed paths with Hersch and hinted at the coming of his most formidable rival, it was as if destiny had equipped him with the perfect weapons to conquer Soryu: his comrades in Team Lazarus.

Lazarus is currently streaming on .

2025-06-06 02:22