Shinichi Watanabe
Encyclopedia
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
director and seiyu
Seiyu
Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
. He is best known for his over-the-top adaptation of Rikdo Koshi
Rikdo Koshi
, is a Japanese manga artist, his most notable work being Excel Saga. Rikdo is a graduate of Kyushu Sangyo University and lives in Dazaifu, Fukuoka.-Works:...
's Excel Saga
Excel Saga
is a manga series written and illustrated by Rikdo Koshi. It has been serialized in Young King OURs since 1996, with individual chapters collected and published in tankōbon volumes by Shōnen Gahosha. The series follows the attempts of Across, a "secret ideological organization", to conquer the city...
, in which he appears as the character Nabeshin.
In addition to his appearance in Excel Saga and Puni Puni Poemy
Puni Puni Poemy
is a two-part original video animation spin-off from the Excel Saga manga and TV animation. It features some of that series' secondary characters and many of its staff, primarily director Shinichi Watanabe...
, his likeness has also appeared as NB in Tenchi Muyo! GXP
Tenchi Muyo! GXP
is a Japanese anime series created by AIC and broadcast on NTV from April 3, 2002 to September 25, 2002. It is the fourth installment of the Tenchi Muyo! line of series, succeeding Tenchi in Tokyo, localized in North America by Funimation.-Plot:...
, Inu-Afro in Dotto Koni-Chan and in a bit role in Mahoromatic
Mahoromatic
is a sci-fi romantic comedy manga and animeseries which contains elements of the literary genre of tragic dramas. It is about a female android former soldier, Mahoro...
. In addition, an unmistakable cameo of Nabeshin can be seen in Nurse Witch Komugi. He has also appeared in EyeShield 21. More recently he has made appearances in episode 32 of Hayate no Gotoku, the 9th episode of Tayutama and the 7th episode of Nyan Koi.
Watanabe stated that the nickname Nabeshin (which is a combination of "nabe" in Watanabe and "shin" in Shinichi) came to him from God.
As Nabeshin in Excel Saga and Nerima Daikon Brothers and other appearances
Nabeshin (ナベシン), since he is based on the director, only appears in the animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
version of Excel Saga, and the spin-off series Puni Puni Poemi. Nabeshin is a peculiar character, since he appears in two capacities - acting as a director, working on the show and often battling with Rikdo (in a parody of the conflict that original writers sometimes find themselves in when their work is adapted), and as a character in the fictional universe of the show, playing a role as a devil-may-care vigilante. His design is a combination of stylish cool and over-the-top absurdity; he wears Lupin the Third's suit and a gigantic afro
Afro
Afro, sometimes shortened to fro and also known as a "natural", is a hairstyle worn naturally by people with lengthy kinky hair texture or specifically styled in such a fashion by individuals with naturally curly or straight hair...
out of which he can pull an endless supply of weapons. Nabeshin can be considered a parody of other directors who insert themselves into their shows to make themselves look cooler.
Nothing is ever really explained about Nabeshin, although it is hinted that he has a vast, complicated history. The series frequently features old allies and enemies of his, such as Space Butler XIII, Tetsuko, Red Beard and Antonio. He has had some prior encounters with the Puuchuu race, and he and Space Butler knew Hyatt and possibly Il Palazzo long before the events in Excel Saga. Nabeshin was involved in a dramatic battle at a location named Pogota (possibly after Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
), apparently involving That Man. Later in the series, Pedro and later his son Sandora are found to also have the "Power of the Afro", and Nabeshin becomes their partner in an offensive against That Man.
Nabeshin is also a character featured in Tokyo Pig as one of Noriyasu Hatakeyama's best friends. This child character is apparently the 3rd grade equivalent to Nabeshin from Excel Saga, wearing almost the same clothes and afro.
Nabeshin also appears as "Oya-san" (aka Pops), the rental store owner, in the musical comedy
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
Nerima Daikon Brothers
Nerima Daikon Brothers
is a manga and 12 episode comedy anime series that follows the adventures of two brothers Hideki, Ichiro, and Mako who form the band, "Nerima Daikon Brothers."...
. Every episode he helps the three characters out of a predicament with a "rental," after they entertain him with a song.
Nabeshin also has made a brief appearance in Nurse Witch Komugi
Nurse Witch Komugi
is an original video animation anime series co-produced by Tatsunoko Production and Kyoto Animation. The series lasted for five episodes ,all of which were released on DVD in North America by ADV Films...
, where he is supposed to direct her anime, but quit due to co-worker incompetence.
Nabeshin recently, made an appearance on Hayate the Combat Butler
Hayate the Combat Butler
is a Japanese manga series, written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata, about a boy who starts a new job as a butler and the events he experiences with his employer. Shogakukan have released 29 volumes in Japan. The English edition of the series has been licensed by Viz Media for distribution in North...
(epi.32), notice that Excel Saga
Excel Saga
is a manga series written and illustrated by Rikdo Koshi. It has been serialized in Young King OURs since 1996, with individual chapters collected and published in tankōbon volumes by Shōnen Gahosha. The series follows the attempts of Across, a "secret ideological organization", to conquer the city...
, and Nerima Daikon Brothers
Nerima Daikon Brothers
is a manga and 12 episode comedy anime series that follows the adventures of two brothers Hideki, Ichiro, and Mako who form the band, "Nerima Daikon Brothers."...
were also on TV Tokyo
TV Tokyo
is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
.
His clothing style is a reference to Lupin the Third's. This was referenced to in the Italian dub, as he was given the same voice actor as Lupin.
Nabeshin's likeness can also be seen in the anime Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (USA: The Wallflower). The director appears in the 'Path to Becoming a Lady' (レデイへの道 redei e no michi) sections of the anime.
Nabeshin also makes a brief appearance in Eyeshield 21
Eyeshield 21
is a manga about American football written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata. It has been adapted into an anime movie in 2004 , an anime television series in 2005, several video games and a trading card game from Konami. The manga is serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump...
as a mechanic during episode 16.
Nabeshin also made a very brief appearance on Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School
Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School
is a Japanese light novel series written by Reiji Saiga and illustrated by Sora Inoue. It was serialized in Dragon Magazine from 1997 to 2010. A manga adaptation by the same authors was serialized in Montly Comic Dragon from 1998 to 2001. A 13-episode anime television series was produced by Gonzo...
during episode 9.
Nabeshin makes cameos in several episodes of Zettai Karen Children
Zettai Karen Children
is a Japanese shōnen manga by Takashi Shiina. The manga started being serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Shōnen Sunday in 2005. An anime series began on April 6, 2008 which ran for fifty-one episodes. Shiina developed the series out of a short story he had written in a special issues of...
.
Nabeshin makes apparence in Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity
Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity
is a Japanese visual novel developed by Lump of Sugar. It was first released as an adult game for the PC on July 11, 2008 in both limited and regular editions, and is followed by an all-ages release for the Xbox 360. Tayutama is Lump of Sugar's third title along with their previous titles Nursery...
as a salesman in episode 9.
Nabeshin makes a cameo in episode 7 of Nyan Koi!
Nyan Koi!
is a manga created by Sato Fujiwara. It started serialization on Flex Comix's free web comic FlexComix Blood on August 10, 2007. An anime adaptation premiered on October 1, 2009 in Japan. North American anime distributor Section23 Films announced that Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series...
as a bus driver.
Nabeshin makes a cameo in episode 3 of Rune Soldier
Rune Soldier
is an anime and manga series based on the original novel series by Ryo Mizuno, which features soldier Louie as the hero. The series takes place on the continent of Alecrast on the world called Forcelia, and is related to the novel, anime, and manga series Sword World...
as an adventurer.
Nabeshin makes a cameo in éX-D: Danger Zone as a pedestrian.
The surname of him is mentioned in the episode 14 of Chibi Vampire and in the episode 105 of Yu Yu Hakusho.
Nabeshin makes a cameo in episode 8 of Sket Dance
Sket Dance
is a manga series written and illustrated by Kenta Shinohara and serialized, beginning in July 2007, in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump. Sket Dance won the 55th annual Shogakukan Manga Award in 2009 for best shōnen manga...
as audition Director. He also shows up in episode 23 of Sket Dance to promote his new (fictinal?) anime.
Works
Shinichi is the director of:- BonobonoBonobonois a yonkoma manga series 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 has been serialized since April 1987. It has also been serialized in Manga Life since April 1986...
(multiple episodes, TV series) (1995 - 1996) - éX-D: Danger Zone
- Excel SagaExcel Sagais a manga series written and illustrated by Rikdo Koshi. It has been serialized in Young King OURs since 1996, with individual chapters collected and published in tankōbon volumes by Shōnen Gahosha. The series follows the attempts of Across, a "secret ideological organization", to conquer the city...
(1999 - 2000) - Goal FH
- Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (1999)
- Hare Tokidoki Buta (Tokyo PigTokyo PigTokyo Pig, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series. The anime was based on a book titled Fair, then Partly Piggy , written by Shiro Yadama and translated into English by Keith Holeman .Tokyo Pig is about a young boy and the adventures he...
) (1997 - 1998) - Lupin IIILupin III, also known as Lupin the 3rd, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuhiko Kato under the pen name of Monkey Punch. The story follows the adventures of a gang of thieves led by Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of...
: Da Capo of Love: Fujiko's Unlucky Days (1999) - Puni Puni Poemi (2001)
- Tenchi Muyo! GXPTenchi Muyo! GXPis a Japanese anime series created by AIC and broadcast on NTV from April 3, 2002 to September 25, 2002. It is the fourth installment of the Tenchi Muyo! line of series, succeeding Tenchi in Tokyo, localized in North America by Funimation.-Plot:...
(2002) - Dotto! Koni-chanDotto! Koni-chanis a Japanese anime television series, which premiered in Japan on Animax between November 26, 2000 and May 29, 2001. It was animated by Shaft and produced by Animax and Genco. It had a wide fan base in Latin America, especially in México, Chile, Colombia and Argentina.-External links:*...
(2000 - 2001) - Nerima Daikon BrothersNerima Daikon Brothersis a manga and 12 episode comedy anime series that follows the adventures of two brothers Hideki, Ichiro, and Mako who form the band, "Nerima Daikon Brothers."...
(2006) - Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (Known as The WallflowerThe Wallflower (manga), a.k.a Perfect Girl Evolution, is a manga series written by Tomoko Hayakawa. The individual chapters have been serialized in Bessatsu Friend since its premiere in 2000, and in 27 tankōbon volumes in Japan by Kodansha...
in the US) (2006 - 2007)
External links
- A Fan's View - 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.