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TinyRedLeaf · 2012-11-10, 07:53

Shinichiro Watanabe was a guest at the Anime Festival Asia 2012 in Singapore, and I managed to catch him during his stage appearance. Host Danny Choo asked him to describe his early years in the anime industry and also asked about his work on Sakamichi no Apollon.

More importantly, Watanabe was asked about Cowboy Bepop, and he revealed a few interesting tidbits:

Cowboy Bepop was originally meant to promote a new line of toys.
The toy company told Watanabe that he could do anything he wanted, so long as the anime featured spaceships.
Watanabe took the sponsor at its word; the toy company pulled out mid-way when it realised that the anime wasn't what it expected.
Cowboy Bepop would not have been completed had Bandai not stepped in with the funds at the last moment.

Regarding the Hollywood movie — Watanabe confirmed that the project is still in the works, despite a temporary stall.
The US director is working on a script in consultation with Watanabe, who plays a supervisory role.
Watanabe seems optimistic about the project, and he has insisted on just one condition: Don't let it become another Dragonball.

Watanabe revealed that he first visited Singapore about 20 years ago. He is amazed at how much the city has changed.
When it comes to creating new works, Watanabe said he loves to mix influences from many different cultures, like he did in Cowboy Bepop.
He credited this approach to Singapore's multilingual, multi-racial and multicultural society, which greatly inspired him 20 years ago.
Episode 24, Hard Luck Woman, in which Faye Valentine finally discovered her origins, was Watanabe's tribute to Singapore.

2012-11-10, 07:53	Link #95
TinyRedLeaf Moving in circles Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Singapore Age: 49	Shinichiro Watanabe was a guest at the Anime Festival Asia 2012 in Singapore, and I managed to catch him during his stage appearance. Host Danny Choo asked him to describe his early years in the anime industry and also asked about his work on Sakamichi no Apollon. More importantly, Watanabe was asked about Cowboy Bepop, and he revealed a few interesting tidbits: Cowboy Bepop was originally meant to promote a new line of toys. The toy company told Watanabe that he could do anything he wanted, so long as the anime featured spaceships. Watanabe took the sponsor at its word; the toy company pulled out mid-way when it realised that the anime wasn't what it expected. Cowboy Bepop would not have been completed had Bandai not stepped in with the funds at the last moment. Regarding the Hollywood movie — Watanabe confirmed that the project is still in the works, despite a temporary stall. The US director is working on a script in consultation with Watanabe, who plays a supervisory role. Watanabe seems optimistic about the project, and he has insisted on just one condition: Don't let it become another Dragonball. Watanabe revealed that he first visited Singapore about 20 years ago. He is amazed at how much the city has changed. When it comes to creating new works, Watanabe said he loves to mix influences from many different cultures, like he did in Cowboy Bepop. He credited this approach to Singapore's multilingual, multi-racial and multicultural society, which greatly inspired him 20 years ago. Episode 24, Hard Luck Woman, in which Faye Valentine finally discovered her origins, was Watanabe's tribute to Singapore.