is a Japanese

anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...

director and

voice actor Voice acting is the art of Acting, performing a character or providing information to an audience with one's voice. Performers are often called voice actors/actresses in addition to other names. Examples of voice work include animation, animated, ...

. He is best known for his over-the-top adaptation of Rikdo Koshi's ''

Excel Saga is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kōshi Rikudō. It was serialized in Shōnen Gahōsha's Seinen manga, manga magazine ''Young King OURs'' from 1996 to 2011, and its individual chapters were collected and published in 27 ...

'', in which he appears as the character Nabeshin. Watanabe stated that the nickname Nabeshin (a

name blending Name blending, meshing, or melding is the practice of combining two existing names to form a new name. It is most commonly performed upon marriage. According to Western tradition, the wife normally adopts the husband's surname upon marriage. Name ...

of "nabe" in Watanabe and "shin" in Shinichi) came to him from God. About his unique appearance (dressing similar to the character

Lupin III , also written as ''Lupin the Third'', ''Lupin the 3rd'', or ''Lupin the IIIrd'', is a Japanese media franchise created by Monkey Punch. The series follows the endeavors of master thief Lupin III (character), Lupin III, grandson of gentleman t ...

) Watanabe said he grew out his afro and started wearing bright clothing in order to stand out and get attention.

Works

Anime Expo Hosts Excel Saga Director Shinichi Watanabe
''Anime News Network'', February 18, 2010

Directorial works

*''

Fair, then Partly Piggy is a picture book series written by Shiro Yadama. Some books were translated into English by Keith Holman. The book is about a boy named Noriyasu Hatakeyama who starts writing "tomorrow's" journal entries when he finds out the days start ha ...

'' (1997–1998) - (Debut work as director) *'' Gravitation: Lyrics of Love'' (1999) *''

: Da Capo of Love: Fujiko's Unlucky Days'' (1999) - Storyboard *''

'' (1999–2000) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 20, 26), storyboard (OP, ep 1, 4, 9, 13, 18, 25) *'' Dotto! Koni-chan'' (2000–2001) (ep 1–13) - Storyboard (ep 1, 2A, 4B, 6, 7A, 8C) *''

Puni Puni Poemy is a Japanese two-part original video animation spin-off from the ''Excel Saga'' manga and anime television series. It features some of that series' secondary characters and many of its staff, primarily director Shinichi Watanabe. Like ''Exc ...

'' (2001) *'' éX-D: Danger Zone'' (2002) *''

Tenchi Muyo! GXP is a Japanese anime television series animated by AIC and broadcast on NTV from April 3 to September 25, 2002. It is the fourth installment of the ''Tenchi Muyo!'' line of series, succeeding '' Tenchi in Tokyo'', localized in North Amer ...

'' (2002) - Storyboard (ED, ep 1, 3, 6, 8, 14, 18, 25, 26) *''

Nerima Daikon Brothers is a Japanese manga and anime comedy series that follows the adventures of two brothers (and their cousin) Hideki, Ichiro, and Mako who form the band, "Nerima Daikon Brothers." The show uses a musical theatre, musical comedy format, with th ...

'' (2006) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 12), storyboard (ED, ep 1–5, 8, 10, 11) *'' The Wallflower'' (2006–2007) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 25), storyboard (OP, ep 1–3, 9, 15, 20) *''

Monster High Monster High is an American multimedia-supported fashion doll franchise created by toy designer Garrett Sander and launched by Mattel in 2010. Aimed at children ages 7–14, the franchise features characters inspired by monster movies, sci-fi ...

'' (Japan-exclusive anime) (2014)

Episode directing and storyboards

* ''

Mister Ajikko is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Daisuke Terasawa about a young boy cook. It was serialized in Kodansha's ''shōnen'' manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Magazine'' from 1986 to 1989, with its chapters collected in ninet ...

'' (1987–1989) - Production assistant, episode director (ep 56, 61, 66, 72, 77, 84, 89, 94) * ''

Jungle King Tar-chan is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masaya Tokuhiro. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's anthology ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from March 1988 to June 1990; midway through serialization, its title was changed to ''New Ju ...

'' (1993–1994) - Storyboard (ep 12, 19) * ''

Akazukin Chacha is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Min Ayahana. It was serialized in Shueisha's ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Ribon'' from 1992 to 2000 and collected in 13 bound volumes. The series is loosely based on the fairy tale Lit ...

'' (1994–1995) - Storyboard (ep 13) * ''

Brave Police J-Decker is the fifth series of the anime television meta Brave series (Yūsha) created by Takara and Sunrise. It aired in Japan from February 5, 1994 to January 28, 1995. ''Brave Police J-Decker'' returns the series to a subtly lighter tone, focusin ...

'' (1994–1995) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 3, 6, 12, 18, 22, 28, 33, 38, 44) * ''

Mahōjin Guru Guru ''Magical Circle Guru Guru'' () is a Japanese manga by Hiroyuki Etō, which was serialized in Enix's '' Monthly Shōnen Gangan'' from 1992 to 2003. It was later adapted into an anime series on October 13, 1994. A second manga series was ser ...

'' (1994–1995) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 2, 7, 12), storyboard (ep 30, 36, 43) * ''

Virtua Fighter is a series of fighting games created by Sega AM2 and designer Yu Suzuki. The original ''Virtua Fighter (video game), Virtua Fighter'' was released in December 1993 and has received four main sequels and several spin-offs. The highly influential ...

'' (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 5) * ''

Bonobono is a Japanese yonkoma manga series written and illustrated by Mikio Igarashi. From March 1986 to March 1987, the series ran in the Takeshobo manga magazine ''Tensai Club'' before the magazine was replaced with ''Manga Club'', where it h ...

'' (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 3, 6, 13, 21, 27, 31, 40, 44) * ''

The Brave of Gold Goldran is a Japanese anime television series begun in 1995, created by Takara and Sunrise under the direction of Shinji Takamatsu, and was the sixth in the '' Yūsha''/''Brave'' metaseries. Goldran follows the adventures of three young boys who are ...

'' (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, 33, 37, 43) * ''

Soar High! Isami is an anime series made by Group TAC and directed by Gisaburō Sugii. The anime is based on ''The Hakkenden'' but is set in the future. The anime was broadcast on NHK between April 8, 1995 and March 30, 1996. It was licensed by Hirameki Inter ...

'' (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 20, 26), storyboard (ep 47) * ''

Meiken Lassie is a 1996 Japanese anime television series animated by Nippon Animation as the 22nd entry of the ''World Masterpiece Theater'' staple. The anime is based on the 1940 novel '' Lassie Come-Home'' by Eric Knight and also the second animated Lassie ...

'' (1996) - Storyboard (ep 5) * '' Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo'' (1996–2004) * '' Ganbarist! Shun'' (1996–1997) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 4, 9, 19), storyboard (ep 14, 28) * ''

Kiteretsu Daihyakka is a Japanese manga series by , which ran in the children's magazine ''Chagurin, Kodomo no Hikari'' from April 1974 to July 1977. The manga was later made into an animated anthology television special which aired in 1987 on Fuji Television ...

'' (1996) - Storyboard (ep 324) * ''

Nintama Rantarō is a Japanese anime series produced by Ajia-do Animation Works and Japanese broadcast on NHK since April 10, 1993. It is an adaptation of the manga series '' Rakudai Ninja Rantarō'', written and illustrated by Sōbe Amako. ''Nintama Rant ...

'' (season four) (1996) - Storyboard (ep 26–28) * ''

Kodocha is a Japanese manga series by Miho Obana. The series was adapted as an OVA by J.C. Staff and released on December 16, 1995, by Shueisha under their Ribon Video label. An anime television series was produced by NAS and TV Tokyo, animated ...

'' (1996–1998) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 13, 27, 30, 38, 44, 50, 57), storyboard (ep 7, 10, 14, 22, 39A) * ''

Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo , often shortened to and known in English as ''KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops'', is a Japanese comedy manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Akimoto. It takes place in the present day, in and around a neighborhood police station (kōb ...

'' (1996–2004) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 4), storyboard (ep 10) * '' Grander Musashi'' (1997) - Storyboard (ep 9) * ''

The King of Braves GaoGaiGar is a Japanese anime television series produced by Sunrise (company), Sunrise's internal "Studio 7" division alongside Tokyu Agency. It is the eighth installment in the ''Brave series'' franchise. Yoshitomo Yonetani is its director, with Yo ...

'' (1997–1998) - Storyboard (ep 23) * ''

Ojarumaru , known officially in English as ''Prince Mackaroo'', is a Japanese anime series created by Rin Inumaru, produced by NHK Enterprises, and animated by Gallop. The series has aired on NHK Educational TV since October 1998, making it the second ...

'' (season one) (1998–1999) - Storyboard (ep 25) * ''

Steam Detectives is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kia Asamiya. The manga was originally serialized in ''Monthly Shōnen Jump'' and later moved to ''Ultra Jump'' at the magazines start. It was later adapted into a 26-episode anime televi ...

'' (1998–1999) - Storyboard (ep 21) * '' Betterman'' (1998) - Storyboard (ep 10) * '' Brigadoon: Marin & Melan'' (2000–2001) - Storyboard (ep 3, 9) * '' Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School'' (2001) - Storyboard (ep 5, 7, 9) * ''

Crush Gear Turbo ''Crush Gear'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series created by Sunrise. It aired from October 2001 to January 2003, with 68 episodes. A standalone sequel titled aired from February 2003 to January 2004. Premise Crus ...

'' (2001–2003) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 58, 64) * '' Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden'' (2002–2003) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 9), storyboard (ep 6), episode director (ep 13) * ''

Godannar is a Japanese anime television series created by Yasuchika Nagaoka, Anime International Company and Project Godannar, which consists of IMAGICA Entertainment, Taki Corporation, KlockWorx, NTT Data Contents Planing, Sojitz and Oriental Ligh ...

'' (2003–2004) - Storyboard (ep 9) * '' Crush Gear Nitro'' (2003–2004) - Storyboard & episode director (2, 7, 14, 21, 24, 26, 31, 36, 38, 43, 46, 49), episode director (ep 9) * ''

Burn-Up Scramble ''Burn-Up Scramble'' is a 2004 12-episode anime television series directed by Hiroki Hayashi. Though the basic premise is in keeping with its predecessors '' Burn Up!'' and ''Burn-Up Excess'' it is an entirely new series with some new and s ...

'' (2004) - ED storyboard * ''

Uta Kata is a 2004 anime television series. Written differently (泡沫), the title can refer to bubbles and is used as such in the ending theme. The series can be loosely considered a magical girl story. However, this series deviates from more con ...

'' (2004) - Episode director (ep 4) * '' To Heart -Remember my Memories-'' (2004) - Storyboard (ep 2, 10) * ''

Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple is a Japanese anime television series that adapted several Agatha Christie stories about Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. A new character named Maybelle West, Miss Marple's great-niece, who becomes Poirot's junior assistant, is used to conne ...

'' (2004–2005) - Episode director (ep 5) * ''

Eyeshield 21 is a Japanese manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata. The series tells the story of Sena Kobayakawa, an introverted boy who joins an American football club as a secretary, but after being coerced by q ...

'' (2005–2008) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 16), storyboard (ep 22), episode director (ep 9) * ''

Bleach Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially or domestically to remove color from (i.e. to whiten) fabric or fiber (in a process called bleaching) or to disinfect after cleaning. It often refers specifically t ...

'' (2005) - Storyboard (ep 50) * '' Mushiuta'' (2007) - Storyboard (ep 11) * ''

Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de , often abbreviated , and also known as ''They Are My Noble Masters'', is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Minato Soft and released on May 25, 2007, for Windows on DVD. A PlayStation 2 version with adult-content removed was releas ...

'' (2008) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 2), storyboard (ep 6) * ''

Hayate no Gotoku! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata. It was serialized in Shogakukan's ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' magazine from October 2004 to April 2017. Shogakukan released 52 volumes in Japan from February 2005 to J ...

'' (2007–2008) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 32, 40, 46), storyboard (ep 35, 43, 50), episode director (ep 22, 52) * ''

Psychic Squad ''Psychic Squad'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takashi Shiina. It was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' from July 2005 to July 2021, with its chapters collect ...

'' (2008–2009) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 6, 10, 21, 30, 49), storyboard (ep 18, 29, 35, 41, 46) * ''

Metal Fight Beyblade ''Beyblade: Metal Fusion'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese manga created by Takafumi Adachi, serialized in Shogakukan's monthly magazine ''CoroCoro Comic'' between September 2008 and February 2012. The manga inspired an anime produc ...

'' (2009–2010) - Storyboard (ep 4, 7, 15, 19, 21, 25, 28, 50) * ''

Nyan Koi! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Sato Fujiwara. It started serialization on Flex Comix's web manga ''FlexComix Blood'' on August 10, 2007. An anime adaptation premiered on October 1, 2009, in Japan. The series has been li ...

'' (2009) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 7) * ''

Baka and Test , also known as ''Baka and Test: Summon the Beasts'', is a Japanese light novel series written by Kenji Inoue with illustrations by Yui Haga. The series revolves around Akihisa Yoshii, the titular Baka (Japanese word), baka (idiot) and ...

'' (2010) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 3, 10, 12), storyboard (ep 5) * ''

Sket Dance ''Sket Dance'' (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kenta Shinohara. The manga follows the adventures of the ''Sket-dan'', a high school club whose goal it is to help the students and teachers of Ka ...

'' (2011–2012) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 8, 13, 43), storyboard (ep 5, 11, 12, 20, 30, 32, 38, 39, 54, 61, 67, 69) * '' Baka to Test to Shōkanjū: Ni!'' (2011) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 3, 12), storyboard (ep 5, 10) * '' C3'' (2011) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 4), storyboard (ep 9) * '' Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future'' (2012) - Storyboard (ep 2, 6, 10, 11, 16, 19, 21, 22, 30, 33, 34, 37–39, 42, 44, 45, 48–51) * ''

Little Battlers eXperience , or simply ''LBX'', is a series of action role-playing video games created by Level-5, involving small plastic model robots known as LBXs (standing for "Little Battler eXperience") that fight on dioramas made out of cardboard, with the main ...

'' (2012) - Storyboard (ep 19) * ''

Tasogare Otome × Amnesia , stylized as ''Dusk maiden of Amnesia'', is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by the duo Maybe. It was published by Square Enix and serialized in the ''Monthly Gangan Joker'' magazine from April 2009 to June 2013, with its chap ...

'' (2012) - Storyboard (ep 5) * ''

OniAi is a Japanese light novel series written by Daisuke Suzuki, with illustrations by Gekka Urū. The series is published by Media Factory since December 2010 and ended on January 25, 2019 with a total of 12 volumes released. There are two m ...

'' (2012) - Storyboard (ep 5, 11) * ''

Da Capo III is a Japanese visual novel developed by Circus that was released in limited and regular editions on April 27, 2012 as a DVD for Windows and is rated for ages 15 and up. It is the third main installment of the ''Da Capo'' visual novel franc ...

'' (2013) - Storyboard (ep 9) * ''

No-Rin is a Japanese light novel series written by Shirow Shiratori, with illustrations by Kippu. A 12-episode anime television series adaptation by Silver Link aired from January to March 2014. Funimation streamed the series on their video websi ...

'' (2014) - Storyboard (ep 2, 5, 9, 10) * ''

PriPara is a Japanese arcade game by Takara Tomy and the successor of the ''Pretty Rhythm'' series of arcade games, as well as the second entry in the '' Pretty Series''. An anime television series adaptation by Tatsunoko Production and ...

'' (2014–2017) - Storyboard (ep 7, 10, 14, 17, 22, 27, 32, 35, 41, 45, 49, 50, 52, 58) * ''

Girl Friend Beta "Kari" (仮), alternatively pronounced as , is a permanent part of the actual title. Translating to roughly "provisional title" or "working title", it is often used to denote works-in-progress, however in this case it is used as a joke, sinc ...

'' (2014) - Storyboard (ep 7) * ''

Unlimited Fafnir ''Unlimited Fafnir'', originally titled is a Japanese light novel series written by Tsukasa and illustrated by Riko Korie. Kodansha has published fifteen volumes from July 2013 to November 2017 under their Kodansha Ranobe Bunko imprint. A ma ...

'' (2015) - Storyboard (ep 9), episode director (ep 10) * '' Jewelpet: Magical Change'' (2015) - Storyboard (ep 20, 22, 25, 27, 30, 35, 36) * '' Nurse Witch Komugi R'' (2016) - Storyboard (ep 4, 8) * ''

Time Bokan 24 is a Japanese anime series that is a re-imagining of the original ''Time Bokan'' series that debuted on October 1, 2016, featuring a team of time travelers in search for the "True History" that is not written in the textbooks. The series is pa ...

'' (2016–2017) - Storyboard (ep 2, 4, 9, 18, 22) * '' Rilu Rilu Fairilu ~Maho no Kagami~'' (2017–2018) - Storyboard (ep 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 39, 42, 45–49) * '' A Sister's All You Need'' (2017) - Storyboard (ep 4, 9, 10, 11) * '' Time Bokan 24: The Villains' Strike Back'' (2017–2018) - Storyboard (ep 6, 11, 19, 20) * ''

How to Keep a Mummy is a Japanese manga series by Kakeru Utsugi. It has been serialized online via Comico Japan since 2014. Futabasha has published twenty-one volumes since February 2016. An anime television series adaptation by Eight Bit aired from January 1 ...

'' (2018) - Storyboard (OP, ep 10) * '' Midnight Crazy Trail'' (2018) - Storyboard * '' Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues'' (2018) - Storyboard (ep 2, 11–13, 19, 23) * '' Merc Storia: The Apathetic Boy and the Girl in a Bottle'' (2018) - Storyboard (ep 9) * ''

Wise Man's Grandchild is a Japanese light novel series written by Tsuyoshi Yoshioka and illustrated by Seiji Kikuchi. It began serialization online in January 2015 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. At the beginning of episode ...

'' (2019) - Storyboard (ep 6) * '' Tearmoon Empire'' (2023) - Storyboard (ep 6) * '' Train to the End of the World'' (2024) - Storyboard (ep 10) * ''

Puniru Is a Cute Slime is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Maeda-kun. Preceded by a one-shot published in Shogakukan's children's manga magazine ''Bessatsu CoroCoro Comic'' in February 2019, the manga started its serialization in ''Weekly CoroCo ...

'' (2024) - Storyboard (ep 3, 6) * ''

Medalist A medalist (or medallist) is an artist who designs medals, plaquettes, badges, metal medallions, coins and similar small works in relief in metal. Historically, medalists were typically also involved in producing their designs, and were usually e ...

'' (2025) - Storyboard (ep 3–4, 10, 13) * ''

Sorairo Utility is a Japanese original anime television short film about golf produced by Yostar Pictures and directed by Kengo Saitō. It premiered on Tokyo MX in December 2021. An anime television series, also produced by Yostar Pictures, aired from January ...

'' (2025) - Storyboard (ep 8)

Other

* ''

To Be Hero ''To Be Hero'' () is a Chinese donghua experimental anthology action comedy media franchise. The first season of the show was produced by Emon and animated by Studio LAN and supervised by Shinichi Watanabe. It premiered in October 2016, on ...

'', Supervisor

References

External links

A Fan's View (Archived)
- Shinichi Watanabe, Anime Convention Personality of the Week, June 27, 2004.
新装開店「もっとナベシンにもいわせろ！！」
- Shinichi Watanabe's website.
Shinichi Watanabe's Thoughts on Anime Piracy
- Video Clips of Shinichi Watanabe's Thoughts on Anime Piracy at Oni-Con 2007. (via the

Wayback Machine The Wayback Machine is a digital archive of the World Wide Web founded by Internet Archive, an American nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California. Launched for public access in 2001, the service allows users to go "back in ...