Legendary Japanese animation director Shinichiro Watanabe, celebrated for classics like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, has voiced strong enthusiasm for China's animation industry during his inaugural visit to the Chinese mainland. "Chinese soup is fantastic, truly impressive," Watanabe remarked, blending culinary admiration with professional praise for the country's creative momentum.
In an exclusive interview, Watanabe highlighted China's growing influence in global animation: "The energy here reminds me of Japan's golden age of anime." He revealed active discussions with Chinese studios about cross-border collaborations that could blend Japan's storytelling traditions with China's technological advancements.
The director also championed hand-drawn animation amid rising 3D dominance: "If someone dreams of becoming a hand-drawn animator, I urge them to take that first step. This art form won't disappear." His stance resonates with China's recent revival of traditional ink-painting animation techniques.
Industry analysts note Watanabe's endorsement signals deepening cultural ties between Asia's two animation powerhouses, potentially reshaping content creation pipelines and opening new markets for co-produced works.
