Lazarus episode 8 reveals the shocking identity of Christine

Lazarus, created by Shinichiro Watanabe and animated by Studio Mappa, is one of the most popular anime airing this season. The series is set in a dystopian world where a drug called Hapna threatens to wipe out the human population. In response, a special task force referred to as Lazarus searches for the creator of the drug, Dr. Skinner, in hopes of finding a cure.

While Lazarus is over halfway through, a common complaint among fans is their unfamiliarity with the main cast members. The audience hardly knows anything about the main cast yet. Although episode 6 offered a short glimpse into the adorable hacker Eleina, episode 7 stagnated the progress through a slower-paced installment.

Thankfully, Lazarus' episode 8 provided comfort concerning the show’s shortcomings by diving deep into one of its most fascinating characters, Christine. The latest installment of Lazarus reveals that Christine used to be a Russian spy named Alexandra, who ended up changing her name and face.

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Lazarus episode 8 recap

Lazarus episode 8 picks up from where the previous instalment left off, with Christine being captured by ghosts of her past. While she is trapped in an oil rig, the scene shifts to the task force’s meeting, where Doug shares their discovery of Hersch being part of Hapna’s creation.

Hersch concedes, explaining how she was part of the research team with Skinner, but he had disappeared before the drug was manufactured. She left the institution soon after, as Skinner returned three years later, having converted Hapna into a lethal drug.

Doug then figures out that the task force is operating under the orders of the NSA, making them scapegoats for the impending disaster. Amid these discussions, the focus shifts to Christine, who is confronted by her former colleagues for abandoning the group.

Right as she is being intimidated by a burly man named Sergei, the female acquaintance who recognized Christine earlier interrupts them. The acquaintance named Inga refers to Christine as Alexandra. As Christine looks on regretfully, Inga exhibits her happiness at being able to kill her.

Meanwhile, through Hersch, Team Lazarus discovers that Christine was a Russian special forces agent with a different name and face. Nevertheless, that doesn't stop them, as they leave to save their ally. While the crew reaches Norway, they have a hard time reaching Christine.

At that point, Hersch calls them up and offers assistance, expressing that she did not wish to abandon Christine. Through the government's aid, she is able to arrange a helicopter for the main cast. The scene also briefly keeps switching back to visions of Christine’s past, as she plays a piano and has the hand of her presumed romantic partner on top of hers.

Concurrently, Eleina sets up her base at an observatory in Norway and tries tracking the oil rig. Axel infiltrates the rig with the support of Doug and Leland. As Inga attempts to confront the infiltrators, Sergei continues hitting Christine for being a traitor. Thankfully, his carelessness allows Christine’s restraints to come free, and she brutally takes down her oppressor.

Although there are multiple enemies, Eleina’s control over the rig, combined with Axel and Christine’s combat expertise, allows them to easily evade the obstacles. Axel eventually meets Christine, though she had asked him to leave her behind, stating that she was not worth saving.

Nevertheless, Axel expresses that he doesn't care about her past and wishes to save her for her current self. Due to Christine’s injuries, Axel briefly leaves her alone to clear their escape route, during which Inga confronts her with a gun. Right then, Christine’s tragic past is revealed, as Inga turns out to be the partner who once played the piano with her.

Christine had operated as a spy several years ago and used to share a romantic relationship with Inga; she got caught up in a fire and briefly flatlined. Her agency presumed her dead, but she came back to life. Thinking of it as another chance, Christine ended up changing her identity and fled.

Inga was heartbroken over being abandoned. Christine tries explaining that, as her handler, Inga would have been killed if she had resurfaced after desertion. Filled with complex emotions, Inga expresses that she can never feel love again, but Christine holds her hand, and the duo seems to be rekindling their connection.

However, this is short-lived, as Sergei sneaks up on them and fires his gun, fatally hurting Inga. Axel soon comes back and beats him up, but it is too late as Inga lies at death’s door. In her final moments, she tells Christine to live her life for the two of them, after which she passes away.

Axel drags away a sorrowful Christine, and they make their way out of the oil rig, on the verge of explosion. The pair is then saved by Leland and Doug. The end of the episode indicates that only 12 days are left until Skinner’s plan is set in motion.

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Why should the rest of Lazarus be like episode 8?

Lazarus is undeniably a well-made show, but for a series with only 13 episodes, it feels like there has been no progress. Apart from the search for Skinner, very little insight has been provided into the history and past of the main characters, as well as the antagonist.

Through episode 8, however, the anime is able to emotionally attach viewers to Christine, who has had a rough past and has undergone numerous tragedies. This will now allow fans to analyze her actions and emotions on a deeper level, rather than merely viewing her as a talented member of the task force. As a result, the upcoming episodes will help strengthen her character and highlight her development.

With only five episodes remaining in the season, the series will be hard-pressed to extend the rest of its cast the same treatment without it feeling rushed. However, it must attempt to do so to rise above and transcend beyond a merely enjoyable action anime and become something much more.

Therefore, Lazarus must continue the trend established in episodes 6 and 8 and explore the rest of its fascinating cast!