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MAPPA’s original anime,Lazarus, introduces Dr. Skinner as one of its most significant characters, aside from Axel Gilberto and the members of Task Force Lazarus. The first episode of the anime provided ample details about Dr. Skinner, setting him up as both the savior and harbinger of doom for mankind. With all the details revealed inLazarusso far, who is Dr. Skinner, and what is his goal?
Dr. Skinner is voiced by Japanese seiyuu, Koichi Yamadera, who’s known for his roles inCowboy Bebopas Spike Spiegel,Dragon Ball Superas Beerus, andGintamaas Shoyo Yoshida. Meanwhile,Dr. Skinner’s English dub voice actoris David Matranga, who’s also the voice behind Ikki Niko inBlue Lock, Manabu Horikita inClassroom of the Elite, and Genjirou Tanigaki inGolden Kamuy, to name a few.
Who Is Dr. Skinner?
A Saint and a Reaper in One Body
Dr. Skinner isan extraordinary scientist with a brilliant mind. Many people look up to him not just because of his work, but also because of his philosophy in life. He is a saint to many because he is pro-peace and equality above all else. Later in the story, Dr. Skinner is celebrated as the creator of HAPNA, a painkiller drug with miraculous effects no human has ever experienced in the past. Due to HAPNA’s success, Dr. Skinner’s popularity reached new heights until his sudden disappearance.
“If you find yourself unable to feel any kind of pain, then that is no different from being dead."—Dr. Skinner
While Dr. Skinner is missing in action, mankind continues their dependence on HAPNA as the painkiller is cheap, has no side effects, and is easily accessible. It dominated the market quickly, freeing people from different kinds of suffering and allowing them to live free from pain. A drug that could save the world, HAPNA’s effectiveness spoke on behalf of Dr. Skinner’s work. Unbeknownst to everyone, HAPNA has yet another purpose—a grand trap that Dr. Skinner set upon humanity.
So Far, What Is Dr. Skinner’s Goal?
The Contents of Dr. Skinner’s Shocking Video Announcement
According to the viral video announcement, Dr. Skinner wants to use HAPNA to punish and hold humanity accountable for their sins. He believes thatthe true nature of humanityis evil due to mankind’s fixation on short-term gains. As a result, countless lives are lost, and the planet’s environment deteriorates beyond repair. It also doesn’t help that Dr. Skinner thinks humans are already dead because of their inability to feel pain.
“Can we allow this evil to continue?"—Dr. Skinner
As it turns out, Dr. Skinner developed HAPNA to mutate and kill everyone who has ingested it. Unfortunately, there’s no way to neutralize the drug or purge it from someone’s bloodstream. However, Dr. Skinner has developed a cure for the drug, and it’s up to humanity to decide their fate, whether they can get their hands on it in time or not. Despite this, Dr. Skinner clarifies that he has no intention of playing God or unilaterally deciding humanity’s fate. He claims that he merely serves as the world’s seventh trumpeter.
The Problem at Hand
Finding Dr. Skinner and Acquiring the Cure
The world turned upside down after the announcement of Dr. Skinner. No one knows what will happen, but almost everyone is certain thatthey’re already at death’s door. There’s chaos in every part of the world, as full-on riots have broken out, pharmaceutical companies are on fire, cities have descended into chaos, and a historic crash on the NYSE has been recorded.
“You have 30 days. If humanity can find me within that time, then humanity will survive."—Dr. Skinner
Everyone is assuming that Dr. Skinner has lost his mind because they have no idea why he would do something so terrifying. He was supposedlya kind and good man, with no other intention but to help everyone. But not anymore. He has become a harbinger of doom, and no prayers could ever save humanity from their inevitable death. Simply waiting for a cure is not a viable option, as 30 days isn’t enough to successfully develop one.
There’s Still Hope
Fortunately, there’s still hope for humanity despite the threat at hand. If someone successfully finds Dr. Skinner’s whereabouts, they can take the cure and possibly mass-produce it to save everyone. However, finding the brilliant scientist seems impossible, as no one has a clue about his location.
Time is running out, and it’s up to a group of five people to find Dr. Skinner. Even if the world has been thrown into disarray due to Dr. Skinner’s announcement, the light of hope still flickers, as Task Force Lazarus carries the burden of salvation. Who would have thought that a prisoner could play such a crucial role in saving billions of people?There’s still more to uncover inLazarusas new episodes continue to release.
