Shin'ichi Watanabe Profile Born 1964 in Yokohama. Joined Animation Studio in 1985 following graduation from the Animation Dept. of Tokyo Designers Institute. Directed Mister Ajikko , his first TV animation work, in 1987. Became a free-lance director in 1989, and directed "はれときどきぶた", his first TV series, in 1997. Leading works in his oeuvre include "おぼっちゃまくん", "笑ゥせえるすまん", "少年アシベ", "ぼのぼの"," こどものおもちゃ" and "こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所". Scheduled to serve as director for the next video series of Gravitation.

■Comment Shin'ichi Watanabe

Hello. I might be all dressed up, but I'm not used to getting up on a podium like this, so I'm a little at a loss. Um. Well, as you've just heard I've always worked primarily in the genre of comedy, or gag animation, and the reason for that is I want to touch people emotionally. It's great to move people through sad works of course, but I'd rather touch people's hearts through laughter and joy. So I will continue to work on comedies, which I hope will bring smiles to the faces of everyone who sees them. But gee, are you sure you want to give me such a wonderful prize? I'll keep working hard after this, so please look forward my next project. Thank you.

■Awards Screening Criteria

Shin'ichi Watanabe has distinguished himself with the sharpness of his direction in such comedy works as "おぼっちゃまくん" and "こどものおもちゃ". With "はれときどきぶた", his first TV series, his powerful touch as a director came into full flower. Creating a highly original world in which cute, cuddly characters engage in a rapid-fire exchange of gags, Watanabe has won the avid support of animation cognoscenti with works that can by no means be pigeonholed as belonging to cult genres -- evidence of his remarkable talent.

Toshiya Matsushita Editor in chief, Monthly Magazine Animage