Ayumu Watanabe

Japanese animation director (born 1966)

Ayumu Watanabe (渡辺 歩, Watanabe Ayumu, born September 3, 1966) is a Japanese animation director. After joining Shin-Ei Animation, he directed multiple Doraemon animated films. As a freelancer, he also worked on numerous animated adaptations such as Space Brothers, After the Rain, and Komi Can't Communicate.

Biography

Ayumu Watanabe was born in Tokyo on September 3, 1966. He started his career in 1986 when he joined Studio Mates as a key animator. Two years later, Watanabe moved to Shin-Ei Animation, where he worked on the animated adaptation of the Doraemon comic series, as well as direct multiple anime films in the franchise.[1][2] As a freelancer, he also directed numerous animated adaptations such as Space Brothers,[3] After the Rain,[4] and Komi Can't Communicate.[5] He also worked with Studio 4°C on the films Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko.[6][7]

Works

TV series

  • Atashin'chi (2002; storyboards)[8]
  • Space Brothers (2012–2014; director)[3]
  • Mysterious Girlfriend X (2012; director)[9]
  • Danchi Tomoo (2013–2015; director)[10]
  • If Her Flag Breaks (2014; director)[11]
  • Ace Attorney (2016–2019; director)[12]
  • After the Rain (2018; director)[4]
  • Gurazeni (2018; director)[13]
  • Major 2nd (2018–2020; director)[14]
  • Komi Can't Communicate (2021–2022; chief director)[5]
  • Summer Time Rendering (2022; director)[15]
  • You Are Ms. Servant (2024; director)[16]
  • Witch Hat Atelier (2025; director)[17]

Films

Feature films

  • Doraemon: Nobita and the Windmasters (2003; chief animation director)[1]
  • Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004; assistant director, chief animation director)[1]
  • Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 (2006; director, screenplay)[2]
  • Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend (2008; director)[18]
  • Space Brothers #0 (2014; director)[19]
  • Children of the Sea (2019; director)[6]
  • Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (2021; director)[7]

Short films

  • Doraemon: Doraemon Comes Back (1998; director, animation director)[1]
  • Doraemon: Nobita's the Night Before a Wedding (1999; director, animation director)[1]
  • Doraemon: A Grandmother's Recollections (2000; director, animation director)[1]
  • Doraemon: Ganbare! Gian!! (2001; director)[20]
  • Doraemon: Boku no Umareta Hi (2002; director)[21]
  • Pa-Pa-Pa the Movie: Perman (2003; director, screenplay)[1]
  • Pa-Pa-Pa the Movie: Perman: Tako de Pon! Ashi wa Pon! (2004; director)[22]
  • Ōkii Ichinensei to Chiisana Ninensei (2014; director)[23]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g 渡辺歩・小西賢一が語る『のび太の恐竜2006』. Anime Style (in Japanese). April 17, 2006. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  2. ^ a b ［先行公開］渡辺歩・小西賢一が語る『海獣の子供』. Anime Style (in Japanese). July 9, 2019. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Sherman, Jennifer (January 25, 2012). "Doraemon Helmer Ayumi Watanabe Confirmed for Uchū Kyōdai". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 2, 2017). "Koi wa Ameagari no You ni TV Anime Reveals New Visual, Main Staff". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 11, 2021). "Komi Can't Communicate Romantic Comedy Manga Gets October TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Ressler, Karen (February 26, 2019). "Children of the Sea Film's Teaser Previews Joe Hisaishi's Music". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 1, 2021). "Studio 4°C Reveals Gyokō no Nikuko-chan Anime Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  8. ^ あたしンち 10B. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  9. ^ Loo, Egan (January 23, 2012). "Nazo no Kanojo X TV Anime's Staff, Date Listed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  10. ^ 「団地ともお」アニメビジュアル到着、ともおが元気に登校. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  11. ^ Mertz, Joanne (April 2, 2013). "Space Brothers' Watanabe Helms Kanojo ga Flag o Oraretara". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  12. ^ Ressler, Karen (December 18, 2015). "Ace Attorney Anime's Cast, Staff Announced (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  13. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 19, 2017). "Gurazeni Baseball TV Anime Reveals Lead Voice Actor, Staff, Spring Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  14. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 19, 2018). "Major 2nd Anime's Promo Video Reveals Cast, Staff, April 7 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  15. ^ Mateo, Alex (October 13, 2021). "Suspense Anime Summer Time Rendering Reveals Promo Video, Staff". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  16. ^ 『君は冥土様。』出演声優に熊谷俊輝さん・上田麗奈さん決定、2人のボイス入りティザーPV公開！2024年10月放送スタート. Animate Times (in Japanese). March 21, 2024. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  17. ^ 「とんがり帽子のアトリエ」2025年にTVアニメ化！監督は「海獣の子供」の渡辺歩. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 5, 2024. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  18. ^ 映画ドラえもん のび太と緑の巨人伝. Eiga Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  19. ^ Loo, Egan (February 8, 2014). "Space Brothers #0 Anime Film's Teaser Previews Origin Story". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  20. ^ がんばれ！ジャイアン!!【短編】. Eiga Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  21. ^ ぼくの生まれた日【短編】. Eiga Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  22. ^ Pa-Pa-Paザ★ムービー・パーマン／タコDEポン！アシHAポン！. Eiga Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  23. ^ Loo, Egan (May 21, 2013). "Ultra Super Pictures, A-1, Shinei, Studio 4°C Make Anime Mirai 2014". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  • v
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Works directed by Ayumu Watanabe
Animated series
Animated films
Feature
  • Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 (2006)
  • Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend (2008)
  • Space Brothers #0 (2014)
  • Children of the Sea (2019)
  • Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (2021)
Short
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