Japanese anime director and voice actor
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 Japaneseanime director andvoice actor . He is best known for his over-the-top adaptation ofRikdo Koshi 'sExcel Saga , in which he appears as the character Nabeshin.[ 1]
Watanabe stated that the nicknameNabeshin (aname blending of "nabe" in Watanabe and "shin" in Shinichi) came to him from God.[ 1]
About his unique appearance (dressing similar to the characterLupin III ) Watanabe said he grew out his afro and started wearing bright clothing in order to stand out and get attention.[ 2]
[ 3]
Fair, then Partly Piggy (1997–1998) - (Debut work as director)Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (1999)Lupin III :Da Capo of Love: Fujiko's Unlucky Days (1999) - StoryboardExcel Saga (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 (2001)éX-D: Danger Zone (2002)Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002) - Storyboard (ED, ep 1, 3, 6, 8, 14, 18, 25, 26)Nerima Daikon Brothers (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 (Japan-exclusive anime) (2014)Episode Directing and Storyboards [ edit ] Mister Ajikko (1987–1989) - Production assistant, episode director (ep 56, 61, 66, 72, 77, 84, 89, 94)Jungle King Tar-chan (1993–1994) - Storyboard (ep 12, 19)Akazukin Chacha (1994–1995) - Storyboard (ep 13)Brave Police J-Decker (1994–1995) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 3, 6, 12, 18, 22, 28, 33, 38, 44)Mahōjin Guru Guru (1994–1995) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 2, 7, 12), storyboard (ep 30, 36, 43)Virtua Fighter (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 5)Bonobono (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 3, 6, 13, 21, 27, 31, 40, 44)The Brave of Gold Goldran (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, 33, 37, 43)Soar High! Isami (1995–1996) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 20, 26), storyboard (ep 47)Meiken 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 (1996) - Storyboard (ep 324)Nintama Rantarō (season four) (1996) - Storyboard (ep 26–28)Kodocha (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 (1996–2004) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 4), storyboard (ep 10)Grander Musashi (1997) - Storyboard (ep 9)The King of Braves GaoGaiGar (1997–1998) - Storyboard (ep 23)Ojarumaru (season one) (1998–1999) - Storyboard (ep 25)Steam Detectives (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 (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 (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 (2004) - ED storyboardUta Kata (2004) - Episode director (ep 4)To Heart -Remember my Memories- (2004) - Storyboard (ep 2, 10)Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple (2004–2005) - Episode director (ep 5)Eyeshield 21 (2005–2008) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 16), storyboard (ep 22), episode director (ep 9)Bleach (2005) - Storyboard (ep 50)Mushiuta (2007) - Storyboard (ep 11)Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de (2008) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 2), storyboard (ep 6)Hayate no Gotoku! (2007–2008) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 32, 40, 46), storyboard (ep 35, 43, 50), episode director (ep 22, 52)Psychic Squad (2008–2009) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 6, 10, 21, 30, 49), storyboard (ep 18, 29, 35, 41, 46)Metal Fight Beyblade (2009–2010) - Storyboard (ep 4, 7, 15, 19, 21, 25, 28, 50)Nyan Koi! (2009) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 7)Baka and Test (2010) - Storyboard & episode director (ep 3, 10, 12), storyboard (ep 5)Sket Dance (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 (2012) - Storyboard (ep 19)Tasogare Otome × Amnesia (2012) - Storyboard (ep 5)OniAi (2012) - Storyboard (ep 5, 11)Da Capo III (2013) - Storyboard (ep 9)No-Rin (2014) - Storyboard (ep 2, 5, 9, 10)PriPara (2014–2017) - Storyboard (ep 7, 10, 14, 17, 22, 27, 32, 35, 41, 45, 49, 50, 52, 58)Girl Friend Beta (2014) - Storyboard (ep 7)Unlimited Fafnir (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 (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 (2018) - Storyboard (OP, ep 10)Midnight Crazy Trail (2018) - StoryboardMr. 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 (2019) - Storyboard (ep 6)Tearmoon Empire (2023) - Storyboard (ep 6)Puniru Is a Cute Slime (2024) - Storyboard (ep 3, 6)Medalist (2025) - Storyboard (ep 3–4)Sorairo Utility (2025) - Storyboard (ep 8)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 inExcel Saga andPuni 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 asEyeshield 21 ,Hayate the Combat Butler andExcel Saga . Zac Bertschy (May 24, 2007)."Interview: Shinichi "Nabeshin" Wantanabe" . Anime News Network. Retrieved2007-05-24 . "Shinichi Watanabe Anime Interview" .Active Anime . 26 October 2007. (Note that the audio links are missing.)