Lazarus episode 6 provides much-needed development for Eleina

Lazarus is one of the most popular anime of the season, captivating fans through its exciting plot and high-octane action sequences. Created by Shinichirou Watanabe, the mind behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, the series has been airing since April 6th, 2025.

While the first five episodes of Lazarus were certainly able to draw eyes through its dystopian premise and Studio Mappa’s fluid visuals, the story never attempted to create an emotional bond between viewers and the main characters. Episode 6 fixes this issue, going deep into the life of one of the most beloved cast members, Eleina.

Lazarus is set in 2052, where humanity enjoys the benefits of a miracle cure called Hapna. However, after the drug’s creator, Dr. Skinner, reveals that all its consumers are destined to die, the world descends into chaos. In response, a team called Lazarus is created, containing uniquely talented individuals who can track down Skinner and develop a vaccine.

Lazarus episode 6 recap

The first five episodes follow the team of main characters as they attempt to find Skinner through clues and bait, but ultimately fail. The sixth episode, titled "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" revolves around the events at a commune with potential ties to Skinner.

Taking the name “Tower of the Truth", the members of this commune are cut off from society and worship an AI called Naga, which was modeled after Skinner’s own brain. To infiltrate them, Lazarus sends its youngest members - Eleina, who was raised in the commune, and Leland.

While Eleina and Leland could easily join the group, they were unable to gather information and send messages due to the Naga’s technological superiority. Soon after, the duo were captured and sentenced to be burned by the fanatics of the cult in celebration of their Holy Festival.

Thankfully, right as the ritual began and Eleina and Leland’s fate seemed grim, Eleina’s friend Hanna set off a smoke bomb to alert the other members of Team Lazarus who were camped near the commune. Although Eleina and Leland ended up being saved, the other members worshipping Naga were preparing to kill themselves for their cause.

However, only the leader of the group, Billy, died, and the FBI’s intervention saved the other brainwashed members. The episode ends with a glimpse into Naga’s ideology, which represents Skinner, where it compares itself to god. Having retrieved its memory bank, Team Lazarus inches closer towards finding the harbinger of doom.

Why Lazarus episode 6 is the best of the series so far

The sixth episode of Lazarus has been the richest and most informative in terms of storytelling. The focus falls on Eleina, the talented hacker of the crew, and her tragic life. Having been raised as part of one big family in the commune, she did not share any special ties with her mother and did not know her father.

By the end, she was abandoned by those she held dearest, as her own family cheered on when she was going to be burned to death. This created a layer of sympathy for the young girl whose life had been filled with hardship. At the same time, the loss of one connection also meant the creation of another.

Eleina’s relationship with Christine and Leland was strengthened, while Hanna displayed her willingness to step outside the barriers of the Tower of the Truth. The episode also draws attention to the fearsome nature of cults, where humans worship and are willing to throw their lives away for the sake of AI in the future.

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Finally, episode 6 is the first glimpse we get into Skinner’s brain. Since Naga was modelled after him, its god complex can be seen as a reflection of the scientist himself. It is too soon to tell whether Skinner is the deranged villain the series makes him out to be, or if he has any other objectives through Hapna. Nonetheless, this marks the first sign of progress in the quest to find him.

Therefore, this installment may feature the least amount of action so far, but it is also highly memorable. Eleina is the first major character to receive meaningful development into her past and motivations, and we can only hope the series continues this trend for the rest of its fascinating cast.

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