With the release of Cowboy Bebop in 1998, Shinichirō Watanabe redefined anime, blending genres like sci-fi, jazz, and noir into a stylistic masterpiece that is still adored worldwide. Its unique characters, philosophical undertones, and genre-blurring style have earned it a place among the most iconic anime ever created. However, despite its massive success, Watanabe chose not to repeat the same formula that had worked so well for Cowboy Bebop.
The decision of Watanabe to explore new concepts and constantly reinvent his work is inspired by the musical genius David Bowie. Just as Bowie refused to be constrained by audience expectations, Watanabe too has strived to avoid creative repetition in his projects, preferring to explore new artistic landscapes with each journey.
David Bowie’s Influence on Shinichirō Watanabe: A Creative Philosophy of Change
While Cowboy Bebop became a worldwide phenomenon, the fame brought over lots of pressure and expectations for Shinichirō Watanabe to create something similar. For many years, fans and industry professionals alike desired for another anime like Cowboy Bebop, but Watanabe resisted.
In an interview by Ollie Barder via Forbes in 2023, Watanabe stated that although it’s understandable for the growing demand for something that has worked successfully in the past, applying the same formula leads to repetition. While viewers will always crave something familiar, it’s the job of the creators to go outside the box, which is a key element for creativity.
Watanabe’s firm refusal to repeat himself speaks to his core belief that creativity requires novelty. This philosophy of constant reinvention mirrors the career of David Bowie, one of Watanabe’s greatest influences. He remarked,
I always place great importance on making something new. David Bowie used to say the same thing and he is someone who I greatly respect. He always tried to change his style and try something new.
Bowie was known for his ability to shift styles and personas; from the glam rock era of Ziggy Stardust to the experimental tones of his Berlin Trilogy album — all defined his explorations of new sound, image, and artistry. Similarly, this philosophy has driven Watanabe’s creative career into unexplored territories, to make sure that each project he takes on offers something fresh and unexpected.
The Birth of Shinichirō Watanabe’s New Projects
Shinichirō Watanabe’s first major departure from the pattern of Cowboy Bebop came with the creation of Samurai Champloo in 2004, an anime that fused traditional samurai storylines with modern hip-hop culture. Watanabe’s fascination with Chambara or Japanese samurai cinema, served as the inspiration for Samurai Champloo. But he wanted to give it a modern twist by combining hip-hop, as he “didn’t want to make something old-fashioned but instead take a new approach.”
His passion for constant innovation didn’t stop with Samurai Champloo. His next major work, Space Dandy, took him into yet another genre — space comedy. Deviating from the somewhat serious tone of Cowboy Bebop or Samurai Champloo, Watanabe’s Space Dandy was a “stupid crazy comedy” set in outer space, featuring 80s and disco music.
Throughout his career, Watanabe has continually emphasized the importance of doing something new with every project. His influences, particularly David Bowie, have shaped his approach to art and creativity. Watanabe’s admiration for Bowie is clear, as he shares the same spirit as him: to be a true artist, you must never do the same thing twice.
Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
