Shinichi Watanabe (Japanese: ワタナベシンイチ, Watanabe Shinichi) is a director of anime. He is most well-known for his over-the-top adaptation of Koshi Rikdo 's manga Excel Saga, in which he appears as the character Nabeshin.

He should not be confused with the similarly-named Shinichiro Watanabe, director of Cowboy Bebop.

As Nabeshin

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. Koshi Rikdo , 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 and a gigantic afro which he can pull an endless supply of weapons out of. 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 when she was a child. Nabeshin was involved in a dramatic battle at a location named either "Bokoda" or "Pogota" (possibly after Bogotá), apparently involving That Man. Later in the series, Pedro is found to also have the "Power of the Afro", and Nabeshin becomes his partner in an offensive against That Man.

Works

Shinichi is the director of:

• Excel Saga
• Goal FH
• Gravitation
• Hare Tokidoki Buta
• Fujiko's Unlucky Days
• Magical Project S
• Puni Puni Poemi
• Tenchi Muyo! GXP

In addition to his appearance in Excel Saga and Puni Puni Poemi, his likeness has also appeared as a character in Tenchi Muyo! GXP (as NB) and in a bit role in Mahoromatic.