Shinichi Watanabe

Shinichi Watanabe dressed in the style of his 'Nabeshin' character.

Shinichi Watanabe (渡邊 慎一 Watanabe Shin'ichi, born September 6, 1964) is a Japanese anime director and voice actor. He is best known for his over-the-top adaptation of Rikdo Koshi's Excel Saga, in which he appears as the character Nabeshin.

Watanabe stated that the nickname Nabeshin (which is a combination of "nabe" in Watanabe and "shin" in Shinichi) came to him from Kami-sama.^[1]

About his unique appearance (dressing similar to the character Arsène Lupin III) Watanabe said he grew out his afro and started wearing bright clothing in order to stand out and get attention.^[2]

Works

^[3]

Chief Director Work

• Fair, then Partly Piggy (1997-1998) - Debut work as Chief Director
• Lupin III: Da Capo of Love: Fujiko's Unlucky Days / The Columbus Files (1999)
• Excel Saga (1999-2000)
• Dotto! Koni-chan (2000-2001) (up to the 13th episode)
• Puni Puni Poemi (2001)
• Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002)
• éX-D: Danger Zone (2002)
• Nerima Daikon Brothers (2006)
• Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (2006-2007) (known as The Wallflower in the US)
• Monster High (Japan-exclusive anime) 2014
• To Be Hero 2016 ^[4]

Episode Directing and Storyboards

• Mister Ajikko (1987-1989) - Debut work as an episode director on the episode #56
• Warau Salesman (1989-1992)
• Obocchama-kun (1989-1992)
• Shōnen Ashibe (1991)
• Shōnen Ashibe2 (1992-1993)
• Salad Jūyūshi Tomatoman (1992-1993)
• Dragon League (1993-1994)
• Jungle no Ōja Tā-chan (1993-1994)
• Omakase Scrappers (1994-1995)
• Akazukin Chacha (1994-1995)
• Goal FH (1994)
• Mahōjin Guru Guru (1994-1995)
• Yusha Keisatsu J-Decker (1994-1995)
• Virtua Fighter (1995-1996)
• The Brave of Gold Goldran (1995-1996)
• Bonobono (multiple episodes, TV series) (1995 - 1996)
• Soar High! Isami (1995-1996)
• Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger (1995-1996)
• Meiken Lassie (1996)
• Kiteretsu Daihyakka (1996)
• Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo (1996-2004)
• YAT Anshin! Uchu Ryokou (1996-1998)
• Magical Girl Pretty Sammy (1996-1997)
• Harimogu Harry (1996-1997)
• Ganbarist! Shun (1996-1997)
• Kodomo no Omocha (1996-1998)
• Grander Musashi (1997)
• Tokyo Pig (1997-1998)
• GaoGaiGar: King of Braves (1997-1998)
• Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku (1998)
• Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children (2000-2001)
• Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School (2001)
• Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children Light & Dark (2002-2003)
• Mahoromatic - Automatic Maiden (2002-2003)
• Crush Gear Nitro (2003-2004)
• Popotan (2003)
• Godannar (2003)
• Burn-Up Scramble (2004) - Ending Storyboards
• Gakuen Alice (2004-2005)
• Uta Kata (2004)
• To Heart -Remember my Memories- (2004)
• Eyeshield 21 (2005-2008)
• Tokimeki Memorial Only Love (2006-2007)
• Hayate no Gotoku! (2007-2008)
• Mushiuta (2007) - Storyboards only
• Zettai Karen Children (2008-2009)
• Kirarin Revolution(2008) - Storyboards
• Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity (2009)
• Beyblade (2009-2010) - Storyboards
• Nyan Koi! (2009)
• Hanasakeru Seishōnen (2009)
• Baka to Test to Shōkanjū (2010) #3, 5, 10, 12
• Sket Dance (2011-2012) #5, 8, 11-13, 20, 30, 32, 38-39, 43, 54
• Baka to Test to Shōkanjū Ni! (2011) #3, 5, 10, 12
• C³ -C cube- (2011) #4, 9
• Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future (2012) - Storyboards
• Tasogare Otome × Amnesia (2012) - Storyboards
• Danball Senki Little Battlers eXperience (2012) - Storyboards
• OniAi (2012) - Storyboards
• Da Capo III (2013) - Storyboards
• No-Rin (2014) - Storyboards

Notes and references

1. Zac Bertschy (May 24, 2007). "Interview: Shinichi "Nabeshin" Wantanabe". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
2. none (August 12, 2011). "Shinichi Watanabe "Nabeshin" Exclusive Interview - Investigating Anime". Martell Brothers Studios, LLC. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
3. Anime Expo Hosts Excel Saga Director Shinichi Watanabe, Anime News Network, February 18, 2010
4. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-10-04/crunchyroll-to-stream-to-be-hero-cheating-craft-anime/.107270

Further reading

• Bonaminio, Salvan (1 October 2009). "Anime Review: The Wallflower". The Escapist. Alexander Macris. While a series filled with "beautiful men" who take advantage of costume changes at every opportunity might not be your cup o' tea, there is no need to fret fellas, it's directed by Shinichi Watanabe - the man responsible for the madness in Excel Saga and Puni Puni Poemi - so how bad can it be?
• Aoki, Deb (30 June 2010). "Anime Expo 2010: Thursday's Manga Highlights". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Meet top anime director Shinichi Watanabe(Excel Saga, Tenchi Muyo, The Wallflower), a guy who's so famous and well-respected in the field, his likeness (and you-can't-miss-it-even-if-you-tried giant 'fro) has even been immortalized in anime series such as Eyeshield 21, Hayate the Combat Butler and Excel Saga.
• "Shinichi Watanabe Anime Interview". Active Anime. 26 October 2007. (Note that the audio links are missing.)

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)
• Shinichi Watanabe at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Interview With Shinichi Watanabe at Anime Boston 2013 - Anime Herald