Anime Like Lazarus: 10 Best Action Sci-Fi Recommendations
If you’re searching for Anime Like Lazarus, chances are you’re into slick animation, futuristic cities, intense gunfights, and stylish sci-fi with philosophical depth. Whether it’s cyberpunk settings, government conspiracies, or high-octane action with a dark edge, this list brings you the best shows with that same bold energy.
Below, we’ve gathered 10 action-packed anime like Lazarus that bring the same mix of thrill, style, and tech-noir storytelling—so you don’t have to search anymore.
1. Psycho-Pass
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Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Psychological, Crime
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Studio: Production I.G
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Date of Release: 2012
What This Anime Is About:
In a dystopian future, Japan uses the Sibyl System to judge citizens based on their mental states. Officers known as Enforcers and Inspectors work to prevent crime before it happens.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
Like Lazarus, Psycho-Pass dives into heavy philosophical themes, slick sci-fi visuals, and intense action. Both explore the dark side of technology and government control.
2. Akudama Drive
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Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk
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Studio: Pierrot
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Date of Release: 2020
What This Anime Is About:
Set in a cyberpunk version of Kansai, a group of criminals called Akudama are forced into a dangerous mission by a mysterious client. Each character brings chaos and unpredictability to the story.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
Both shows are visually intense and fast-paced, full of violent standoffs, chase sequences, and an underworld rebellion vibe. If you liked Lazarus’s style, this will hit hard.
3. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
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Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, Police
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Studio: Production I.G
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Date of Release: 2002
What This Anime Is About:
Major Motoko Kusanagi is part of Public Security Section 9, a special ops unit dealing with cybercrime. In a world where the mind and machine blur, they investigate terrorist threats and identity corruption.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
This classic offers the same cyberpunk atmosphere and complex themes about AI, consciousness, and society, all wrapped in high-intensity action.
4. Ergo Proxy
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Genres: Sci-Fi, Psychological, Mystery
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Studio: Manglobe
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Date of Release: 2006
What This Anime Is About:
In a domed future city, humans and androids live side by side—until a string of murders reveals a deeper mystery about sentient beings called Proxies. Inspector Re-L Mayer sets out to discover the truth.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
Ergo Proxy has deep philosophical themes, moody visuals, and a haunting dystopian vibe, much like Lazarus. It’s slower-paced but mentally gripping.
5. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
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Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk
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Studio: Trigger
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Date of Release: 2022
What This Anime Is About:
Set in Night City, David Martinez dives into the criminal underworld to become a cyberpunk mercenary. With stylish action and raw emotion, this series explores identity, loss, and power.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
Like Lazarus, this anime is driven by explosive animation, a powerful soundtrack, and a gritty yet heartfelt storyline. Both blend violence with emotion in unforgettable ways.
6. Texhnolyze
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Genres: Sci-Fi, Psychological, Cyberpunk, Drama
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Studio: Madhouse
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Date of Release: 2003
What This Anime Is About:
In the decaying underground city of Lux, society is falling apart. Ichise, a street fighter who loses his limbs, is given prosthetics known as Texhnolyze. Caught between warring factions, he becomes key to the city’s future.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
Like Lazarus, Texhnolyze explores a dystopian world where technology, violence, and identity collide. It’s dark, psychological, and intense, with a chilling cyberpunk aesthetic.
7. Blame!
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Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha
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Studio: Polygon Pictures
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Date of Release: 2017
What This Anime Is About:
In a future where humanity is nearly extinct, a lone wanderer named Killy searches for humans with the “Net Terminal Gene” to stop the automated systems from eradicating mankind.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
Both Blame! and Lazarus share minimalist storytelling, massive scale environments, and heavy sci-fi themes. If you liked Lazarus’s visual ambition and futuristic ruin, this one’s for you.
8. Megalo Box
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Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Sports, Drama
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Studio: TMS Entertainment
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Date of Release: 2018
What This Anime Is About:
In a gritty future, fighters use mechanical gear to enhance their strength in the ring. Junk Dog, an underground boxer, enters the national Megalo Box tournament under the name Joe to fight his way to the top.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
It shares Lazarus’s raw energy, gritty setting, and anti-hero lead, with a unique visual style that feels retro yet futuristic. Both shows emphasize style, struggle, and adrenaline.
9. Dimension W
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Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery
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Studio: Studio 3Hz
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Date of Release: 2016
What This Anime Is About:
In the year 2072, humanity uses coils that draw energy from a fourth dimension—Dimension W. Kyoma, a coil-hating bounty hunter, teams up with an android girl to recover illegal coils and uncover a massive conspiracy.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
Both feature sci-fi bounty hunter vibes, hidden conspiracies, and sleek action scenes. If you liked Lazarus’s world-building and tech-meets-human themes, this one is a great follow-up.
10. Black Lagoon
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Genres: Action, Seinen, Crime
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Studio: Madhouse
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Date of Release: 2006
What This Anime Is About:
A Japanese businessman is kidnapped by modern pirates in Southeast Asia and ends up joining them. The Lagoon Company takes on gun-for-hire jobs in a lawless world full of cartels, assassins, and mercenaries.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Lazarus:
If you liked the gritty tone, morally gray characters, and explosive shootouts in Lazarus, Black Lagoon delivers that energy in a modern crime setting with unapologetic action.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving more anime like Lazarus, this list delivers the same mix of stylish violence, futuristic tech, gritty themes, and psychological intensity. Whether you’re drawn to cyberpunk cities, philosophical sci-fi, or action-packed plots, these 10 shows will keep your adrenaline pumping and your mind spinning.
Which one will you watch next? Let us know in the comments!