Lazarus has locked in overwhelming market consensus for Best Original Anime at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards through its standout MAPPA production and direction by Shinichiro Watanabe, the creator behind Cowboy Bebop. The series' distinctive character work, thematic depth on humanity's endgame, and strong industry buzz positioned it as the clear frontrunner ahead of the May 23 ceremony in Tokyo. Nominees like Apocalypse Hotel, DIGIMON BEATBREAK, and ZENSHU showed limited traction despite solid releases. An upset would require an unprecedented last-minute shift in voter sentiment or a surprise announcement altering the outcome, though historical patterns favor the frontrunner in this category once momentum solidifies.