Shinichiro Watanabe
Biography
Shinichiro Watanabe is a Japanese anime television and film director. He was born on May 24, 1965, in Kyoto, Japan. Watanabe is known for directing critically acclaimed and commercially successful anime series, including Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy. His work often incorporates multiple genres, blending elements from various styles and cultures. Watanabe's directing credits total 42. He is male and uses the stage name Shinichiro Watanabe, also known as Shinichirô Watanabe and Shinichirō Wata.
Career overview
Shinichiro Watanabe is a Japanese anime television and film director. He is known for incorporating multiple genres into his anime creations. Watanabe's work often blends different styles and influences, resulting in unique and critically acclaimed series.
One of Watanabe's notable works is an anime series set in space, which combines elements of classic cowboy westerns, 1960s/1970s New York City film noir, jazz/blues music, and Hong Kong action movies. This series is widely regarded as a significant achievement in the anime genre. In his later work, Watanabe unites the cultures of Okinawa, hip hop, modern-day Japan, and chanbara, showcasing his versatility as a director.
Watanabe has directed a significant number of anime series and films, with a total of 42 known credits. He has established himself as a prominent figure in the anime industry, known for his innovative approach to storytelling and genre-bending style.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Shinichiro Watanabe.
Career timeline
Full filmography
- MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (2026) Storyboard Artist
- Lazarus (2025) Series Director
- Lazarus (2025) Screenplay
- Lazarus (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Lazarus (2025) Opening/Ending Animation
- Lazarus (2025) Creator
- Edge of Time (2025) Director
- TAISU PROJECT (2024) Director
- TAISU PROJECT (2024) Writer
- Hoshino Gen no Ongaku Kōron (2022) as VTRゲスト
- A Girl Meets a Boy and a Robot (2022) Writer
- A Girl Meets a Boy and a Robot (2022) Director
- Sonny Boy (2021) Music Consultant
- Blade Runner: Black Lotus (2021) Creative Producer
- Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (2021) Storyboard Artist
- CAROLE & TUESDAY (2019) Supervising Producer
- CAROLE & TUESDAY (2019) Writer
- CAROLE & TUESDAY (2019) Storyboard Artist
- CAROLE & TUESDAY (2019) Original Concept
- CAROLE & TUESDAY (2019) Original Series Creator
- CAROLE & TUESDAY (2019) Original Story
- CAROLE & TUESDAY (2019) Director
- Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 (2017) Writer
- Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 (2017) Director
- To Be Hero (2016) Series Director
- To Be Hero (2016) Director
- To Be Hero (2016) Writer
- Space Dandy (2014) Series Director
- Space Dandy (2014) Writer
- Terror in Resonance (2014) Director
- Terror in Resonance (2014) Storyboard Artist
- Terror in Resonance (2014) Original Concept
- Terror in Resonance (2014) Original Story
- Space Dandy : The Cosmic Compilation (2014) Director
- Kids on the Slope (2012) Director
- Kids on the Slope (2012) Storyboard Artist
- Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (2012) Music Producer
- Ein's Summer Vacation (2012) Characters
- Cowboy Bebop: Don't Bother None (2012) Writer
- Cowboy Bebop: Don't Bother None (2012) Director
- Osamekamaijo The Art of Sexual Love in the Edo Period Technique Guide (2011) Writer
- Osamekamaijo The Art Of Sexual Love In The Edo Period 36 Kind Guides (2011) Writer
- Birdy the Mighty: Decode (2008) Storyboard Artist
- Michiko & Hatchin (2008) Music Producer
- Genius Party (2007) Director
- Genius Party (2007) Writer
- Genius Party (2007) Director
- Genius Party (2007) Screenplay
- Genius Party (2007) Storyboard Artist
- Ergo Proxy (2006) Storyboard Artist
- Noein: To Your Other Self (2005) Storyboard Artist
- Samurai Champloo (2004) Series Director
- Samurai Champloo (2004) Writer
- Samurai Champloo (2004) Storyboard Artist
- Samurai Champloo (2004) Director
- Samurai Champloo (2004) Original Story
- Samurai Champloo (2004) Creator
- The Animatrix (2003) Writer
- The Animatrix (2003) Director
- The Animatrix (2003) Director
- The Animatrix (2003) Writer
- Kid's Story (2003) Director
- Kid's Story (2003) Writer
- A Detective Story (2003) Director
- A Detective Story (2003) Writer
- Scrolls to Screen: A Brief History of Anime (2003) as Self
- Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) Director
- Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) Storyboard Artist
- Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) Original Story
- Cowboy Bebop (1998) Writer
- Cowboy Bebop (1998) Series Director
- Cowboy Bebop (1998) Storyboard Artist
- The Vision of Escaflowne (1996) Director
- Macross Plus: The Movie (1995) Director
- Macross Plus (1994) Series Director
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991) Storyboard Designer
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991) Storyboard Artist
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991) Director
- Armor Hunter Merowlink (1988) Director
- Dirty Pair OVA (1987) Director
- Blue Comet SPT Layzner (1985) Production Assistant