Shinichi Watanabe

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Shinichi Watanabe (渡邊 慎一, Watanabe Shin'ichi^?) is a director of anime. He is most well-known for his over-the-top adaptation of Rikdo Koshi's Excel Saga, in which he appears as the character Nabeshin. In addition to his appearance in Excel Saga and Puni Puni Poemy, his likeness has also appeared as NB in Tenchi Muyo! GXP, Inu-Afro in Dotto Koni-Chan and in a bit role in Mahoromatic.

[edit] As Nabeshin in Excel Saga and Nerima Daikon Brothers

Nabeshin (ナベシン), since he is based on the director, only appears in the anime version of Excel Saga, and the spin-off series Puni Puni Poemi, not the manga version of Excel. Rikdo Koshi, the author of the original manga, also appears in the show, so he is not the only character in the anime who breaks the fourth wall. However, 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 pastel suits that are similar to those of anime character Lupin III and a gigantic afro out of which he can pull an endless supply of weapons. His afro may possibly be a referrence to the character of Spike Spiegal in the anime Cowboy Bebop, who was also modeled after Lupin III. Evidenced by his dramatic scene with Tetsuko in an early episode which may be a parody of a similar scene in the Galaxy Express 999 anime, or possibly a parody of the scene between Spike Spiegal and Julia near the end of Cowboy Bebop. Nabeshin can be considered a parody of other directors who insert themselves into their shows to make themselves look cooler.

As is the show's wont, 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 Ilpalazzo long before the events in Excel Saga. Nabeshin was involved in a dramatic battle at a location named Pogota (possibly after Bogotá), 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 also appears as "Oya-san", the rental store owner, in the musical comedy anime Nerima Daikon Brothers. Every episode he helps the three characters out of a predicament with a "rental," after they entertain him with a song.

Lastly, Nabeshin makes two small appearances in episode 16 of the popular anime, Eyeshield 21. During the first, he is seen briefly during a montage depicting the main characters searching for a trio of vandals. In this split-second cameo, he is seen in the role of what seems to be a junkyard worker, sporting his trademark afro as well as the name "Nabeshin" stitched onto his shirt pocket. In the second, he makes an appearance as a plush toy almost retrieved by the vandals from a crane machine at an arcade.

[edit] Works

Shinichi is the director of:

• éX-D: Danger Zone
• Excel Saga
• Goal FH
• Gravitation
• Hare Tokidoki Buta (Tokyo Pig)
• Lupin III: Da Capo of Love: Fujiko's Unlucky Days
• Puni Puni Poemi
• Tenchi Muyo! GXP
• Dotto Koni Chan
• Nerima Daikon Brothers
• Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (Known as The Wallflower in the US)

[edit] 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.

Excel Saga
Major Characters: Excel | Hyatt | Ilpalazzo | Kabapu | Nabeshin | Shiouji | That Man
Information: Characters | Media
Related: Municipal Force Daitenzin | Puni Puni Poemy | Rikdo Koshi