Shinichiro Watanabe — director of anime series Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Lazarus — participated in a live Q&A with local students sponsored by Japan Foundation New York, where he discussed his perspectives on the current state of the animation industry. Joined by Star Wars: Visions producer Justin Leach and Cannon Busters creator LeSean Thomas, Watanabe talked about the evolution of the production process, cultural differences, dealing with Hollywood studios, and anime’s future with global audiences.
Watanabe gave details about entering the industry in 1985, when the process was completely analog. He revealed that the current workflow still starts on paper, but then everything moves to digital, including fixing elements that cannot be revised on paper. Watanabe joked that animators spend more time fixing than drawing.
Watanabe also gave advice for aspiring animators, citing his experiences working with an international team on Lazarus. Producers assembled team members by searching social media sites for work that matched the desired style, and the director stressed the importance of sharing work on social platforms and tagging samples so they are easier to find.
He also confessed that he is never satisfied with his work, and that he always feels a desire to make improvements after deadlines have passed.
Watch the full video below:
Animation is Inspiration — Shinichiro Watanabe, Justin Leach & LeSean Thomas
Lazarus (trailer)