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Tetsuya Watanabe

Director, also writer and producer · Japan

Tetsuya Watanabe (渡邊 哲哉, Watanabe Tetsuya) is a Japanese anime director and storyboard artist known for his work on various television series and films. He began his career in the animation industry in the early 1990s, contributing to notable projects such as Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) and Cowboy Bebop (1998). Watanabe has directed episodes for series including The Big O (1999) and Fairy Tail (2009). His directorial debut came with After War Gundam X (1996), where he served as the series director. Watanabe's work is characterized by dynamic storytelling and a strong visual style.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

From
Japan
Works as
Director, also writer and producer
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 60 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 27% in 30 days

What are Tetsuya Watanabe's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
35%
Bonds
22%
Morality
17%
Survival
9%
Society
8%
Power
7%
Ideas
2%
Identity10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 4 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 0 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 5

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 2 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 0 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 1 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 4 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Joyful
7
Melancholic
8
Thrilling
6
Dread
5
Other
23

How their films linger

Thought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Tetsuya Watanabe's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Crunchyroll (26).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tetsuya Watanabe's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

60 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil(2024)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • 16bit Sensation: Another Layer(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Saiyuki Reload: Zeroin(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting(2022)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Farewell, My Dear Cramer(2021)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all shows

  • From Now On We Begin Ethics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • Dropout Idol Fruit Tart(2020)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Midnight Occult Civil Servants(2019)

    Show 12 episodes · Series Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Phantom in the Twilight(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Schwarzesmarken(2016)

    Show 12 episodes · Director · Series Director · Storyboard Artist · Writer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

  • Terra Formars(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Buddy Complex(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • White Album 2(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Love Live! School Idol Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

  • Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · Storyboard Artist

  • Mayo Chiki! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

  • A-Channel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

  • Dog Days(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • Oreimo(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Seitokai Yakuindomo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Fairy Tail(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Girl Who Leapt Through Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • White Album(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • Saki(2009)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Dragonaut: The Resonance(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • School Days(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Tales of Agriculture(2007)

    Show Producer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry(2006)

    Show 13 episodes · Series Director

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • XxxHOLiC the Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream(2005)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Akane Maniax (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · Series Director

  • Monster(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Rumbling Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 14 episodes · Series Director

  • eX-Driver the Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Assistant Director

  • Ai Yori Aoshi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

  • RahXephon(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Turn A Gundam: Movie II: Moonlight Butterfly(2002)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Zone of the Enders: Idolo(2001)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Saiyuki: Requiem - The Motion Picture(2001)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Labyrinth of Flames (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Clockwork Fighters Hiwou's War(2000)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Big O (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Storyboard Artist

  • 機動戦士ガンダム 第08MS小隊 ラスト・リゾート (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • Turn A Gundam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Microman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Storyboard Artist

  • Angel Links(1999)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

  • The File of Young Kindaichi 2: Murderous Deep Blue(1999)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Cowboy Bebop(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Evangelion: Death (True)²(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Revival of Evangelion(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The King of the Braves GaoGaiGar(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • City Hunter: Goodbye My Sweetheart(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Kotetsu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Saber Marionette J (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Storyboard Artist

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Mobile Suit Gundam Wing(1995)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Jungle King Taa-chan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • KO Century Beast Warriors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Assistant Director

Career shape

A full career of 48 titles from 1992 to 2024.

Biggest box office

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (1997)

$16M worldwide

Highest rated

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

Midcredits 97th

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing28 of 48: 19 only directing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score65thWriting1 of 48: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleOther crew29 of 48: 20 only other crew, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score27th

48 titles, 9 with more than one role — other crew and directing overlap on 9 of them.

By decade

1990s14 · crew2000s14 · crew2010s15 · crew2020s5 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Tetsuya Watanabe's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 75th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 39 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

23 of their 39 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Mixed23

Most divisive · director

Saiyuki Reload: Zeroin (2022)

74th percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Monster (2004)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 64/100 and the pacing 48/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Tetsuya Watanabe's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 87 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 65 · intenseMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 40 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 91 · severeMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Tetsuya Watanabe work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tetsuya Watanabe's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Keiichi Sugiyama shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers