More than 25 years after Cowboy Bebop debuted, no one can stop obsessing about Cowboy Bebop. Overwatch 2 cashed in on the everlasting anime craze earlier this year. Then, Logic dropped new merchandise as part of a collaboration with Crunchyroll. Composer Yoko Kanno continues to play to packed houses around the world. Even Netflix's middling live-action movie can't kill enthusiasm for original sci-fi animated series in 2024. Cowboy Bebop is simply a time-travel movie, the conclusion a unique blend of action, music and genre, and always will be.
So why couldn't Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe make an unfinished movie?
In a lengthy interview at this year's New York Comic Con, Watanabe said that, despite working primarily in small-screen anime for many years, he would jump at the chance to make a feature film. But that would require support from people with deep pockets—and he hasn't had much luck with those types of people. “As for theater projects, they are quite difficult, even for me,” he said through an interpreter.
In October, Watanabe came to the US to discuss his new anime, Lazarus, which could very well be the culmination of all his interests, from jazz to futuristic sci-fi to the acrobatic potential of humans. People. Discussing Lazarus so soon—Adult Swim only promised that it would air “in 2025”—made Watanabe uneasy, causing him to mutter “no spoilers” several times during our discussion. He's even more cautious about revealing details about any projects he's developing.
Shinichirō Watanabe at New York Comic Con 2024 Photo: Getty Images/Adult Swim
Case in point: While in New York, Watanabe met famous illustrator Nikolas Draper-Ivey over lunch, making us wonder whether Draper-Ivey was involved in designing the character for Lazarus. Watanabe says that's not the case, but he admits the two are “developing another project together” — and stops there.
While the anime legend dreams of making a movie, TV doesn't agree to any means of a backup plan. “[Lazarus] was conceived as a series,” he said, adding, “but I don't mind making films.” Perhaps standing in Watanabe's way is his own quality standards; While many animation directors have moved on to direct feature films — often as extensions of their own series — the director has either turned away from work for hire or established his own studio to produce content, This type of action might have given him the opportunity to direct a film. He works on his own terms, even on a project like Cowboy Bebop: The Movie.
“I believe that having someone tell you to do sci-fi action or something else is not the way to make it great,” he said. “I have to feel like I want to do it. There is no show on my filmography that I wouldn't want to do.”
Watanabe didn't need to make one movie to achieve greatness — Bebop, Macross Plus, Space Dandy and his short film Animatrix are just the tip of the iceberg of a vast career. But there was a genuine note of sadness in his voice as he spoke, even begging for the chance to make a movie. He was happy to see his friends get a shot—he recalls watching Inu-Oh in 2021 and immediately texting his friend Masaaki Yuasa with praise—but his shot was in where?
Watanabe gave a little hint earlier about what he might be dreaming of: While Lazarus season 1 is entirely possible, a second season is not a guarantee. But he would like to see it continue, with a season 2 or “even.” [làm] a theatrical version! But that's not up to me.”
So if you're rolling in the dough and want to make a major contribution to the art of animation, please check out Shinichirō Watanabe. He is waiting for your call.
“I want to be introduced to the person who will sponsor my movie!” Watanabe said when we finished. “Please make it public!”
