Animehas many influential directors, such asHideaki AnnoandMasaaki Yuasa, but one of the most popular, especially in the West, isShinichirō Watanabe. With his newest work,Lazarus, now completed, it is the perfect time to reflect on his impressive career and catalogue of shows and movies.
This list won’t include every show he’s ever worked on, onlythe movies and series that he created and/or directed. Based on fan opinion and critical acclaim of each project’s story,animation, entertainment value, messages, themes, and popularity, this list will rank every project Watanabe has worked on.
13’Blade Runner: Black Out 2022' (2017)
Studio: CygamesPictures
Blade Runnerestablished and popularized the cyberpunk genre, andanime has extensively used it for some remarkable stories. Therefore, it is only fitting that the series receives its own anime adaptation withBlade Runner: Black Out 2022. After an EMP puts the world in a global blackout, the events serve as a prologue toBlade Runner 2049.
Black Out 2022isn’t anything special, and perhaps with more time, it could have been something better. However, the series is only a single episode, leaving insufficient time for the story to get going. Thevisuals, animation, and stylistic shots are incredible, but that’s all this anime really has to offer.
Blade Runner Black Out 2022
12’Genius Party' (2007)
Studio: Studio 4°C
Watanabe has many original works, but coming in second last place isGenius Party, a compilation movie of seven original short episodes by some of the most prolific anime creators. Watanabe’s short episode, “Baby Blue”, followstwo students on their last day together before one of them moves away.
The special isn’t anything too impressive or unique, but it also isn’t bad; the only reason it ranks last is that it’s a single episode. It holds some emotional weight anda rambunctious adventure of danger, drama, and youth. Overall, “Baby Blue” is a decent short, but it is not long enough to get fully invested in.
Genius Party
11’Lazarus' (2025–)
Studio: MAPPA
Next up is Watanabe’s most recent project and the return of his original creations,Lazarus. Hapna is a drug that cures all pain, and thus is universally used, butwhen the creator reveals it will kill all users, a search team embarks to find Skinner before it is too lateand create a cure.
Lazarusis the biggest disappointment of 2025so far. Sure, itfeatures outstanding animation, visuals, and fight sequences, but the story had the potential to be one of Watanabe’s best. Instead, fans got a disjointed and pointless plot that only started near the end of the series, not giving enough time to develop events. The characters were bland, and the story lacked depth, but the atmosphere and animation make it worth watching.
10’Macross Plus: Movie Edition' (1995)
Studio: Triangle Staff
This entry feels like cheating a little bit, considering there isn’t any original content, as it is a compilation movie of an anime that Watanabe directed.Macross Plus: Movie Editioncondenses the four-episode series into a two-hour standalone film, while also incorporating some original content.
The movie doesn’t offer much new, but it is still a good way to enjoy the original series…
This part of the list undergoes a drastic shift in quality, transitioning from an average anime with potential to a beloved mecha classic. The movie doesn’t offer much new, but it is still a good way to enjoy the original series if fans don’t want to spend as much time. Besides that, there’s not much to say besidesthe movie does a good job at keeping the original story intact.
9’Macross Plus' (1994–1995)
Naturally, following the compilation movie is the original series,Macross Plus, which is part of the largerMacrossfranchise. Three friends reunite in the worst circumstances after going their separate ways.As two friends battle for air superiority, the other is the voice of an AI idol, bringing these events together in dramatic fashion.
Watanabe has produced numerous OVAs, specials, and short films that may not have received the best reception or traffic, butMacross Plusproves to be one of his most notable works. With thefranchise recently streaming on Disney+, a wider audience can experience its charm, artistic expression, animation, and sci-fi plot.
Macross Plus
8’Carole & Tuesday' (2019)
Studio: Bones
BeforeLazarus,Carole & Tuesdaywas his last original creation, and while some fans were disappointed, it is still a magnificent and underrated work. Humanity has made a home on Mars, but with AI taking over the music industry,the fateful encounter of two girls may create the biggest hit the world has ever seen.
Fans cantruly sense Watanabe’s love for sci-fi and musicwith this one, as it utilizes the imaginative backdrop of Mars, the growing theme of AI, the importance of humans in the digital world, and gorgeous original songs to create a touchinganime masterpiece on Netflix. It may not be as unique as his other works, but more fans should experience this underrated classic.
Carole & Tuesday
7’Terror in Resonance' (2014)
Another anime that many fans may not be familiar with is Watanabe’sTerror in Resonance, which followstwo superpowered teenagers who threaten Japan’s security after gaining their powers. As the world is helpless to stop them, all they can do is wait and see what happens.
Terror in Resonancefeels the least like Watanabe’s style, with little sci-fi influence, music, or random episodic stories. Instead, it delivers a bleak and catastrophic story about terrorism, which, while not incredibly nuanced, is still a thrilling adventure. Thevillains may win inTerror in Resonance, but the story is still worth watching to experience something different from Watanabe.
Terror in Resonance
In this gripping anime series, two mysterious teenagers, known as Nine and Twelve, carry out a series of bombings in Tokyo, leaving the city in chaos. As they challenge the authorities with cryptic clues, a detective and a high school girl get caught in their complex plan, revealing a tragic backstory.
6’The Animatrix' (2003)
Studios: Madhouse, Studio 4°C, and Square Pictures
The Matrixis one of the most influential movies of all time, andits clear anime inspiration earned itself an OVA detailing the backstory of this universeinThe Animatrix. Watanabe directed the fourth and eighth episodes, taking viewers on a trippy and profound journey.
Some fans may believeThe Animatrixdeserves higher, as it boasts animpressive scoreon IMDbandRotten Tomatoes. However, because of some inconsistencies, confusion, and the fact that Watanabe didn’t direct all of it, it just misses out on the top five. However, that is still impressive, asthis collection of short episodes is a brilliant addition to theMatrixfranchise, particularly in terms of story, world-building, and animation.
The Animatrix
5’Cowboy Bebop: The Movie' (2001)
Studio: Sunrise
Watanabe has created many anime movies, but none have been spin-offs of his original series, except forCowboy Bebop: The Movie. After another job goes wrong,the crew of the Bebop find a solution to their money problems: find the perpetrator who blew up an oil tanker, but this only unravels a dark conspiracy.
This movie is best watched somewhere in the middle of the show, as it might conflict with the ending, given its nature.Cowboy Bebop: The Movieisn’t spectacular, but it lives up to its name, deliveringa stand-out adventure with everyone’s favorite bounty hunters. A fast-paced action drama with its staple style is more than enough to make it a worthy entry in the franchise.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
4’Kids on the Slope' (2012)
Studios: Tezuka Productions and MAPPA
Watanabe rarely steps out of his sci-fi and action focus, makingKids on the Slopea drastic shift in style, considering it is a historical romance series targeted at older women. Kaoru moves from town to town, andhe doesn’t expect to make any meaningful connections at his new school until he meets a delinquent with a love for jazz.
This coming-of-age drama is an unforgettable experience where Watanabe really shows his expertise outside of action, proving himself to be a versatile director.Kids on the Slopeis a refreshing slice-of-life seriesthat combines music with friendship, drama, and wholesomeness, creatingan unexpected anime masterpiece.
