Latest news with #ShinichiroWatanabe
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What is Watanabe Mode in Ghost of Yotei?
(Image via Sucker Punch) The upcoming Ghost of Yotei has fans buzzing, not just because it's the spiritual sequel to Ghost of Tsushima , but because of a brand-new feature that feels straight out of an anime soundtrack studio. Say hello to Watanabe Mode, a lo-fi, vibe-driven experience tucked inside a samurai action game. Sounds unexpected? It is. And that's exactly why players are curious. What Is Wantanabe Mode in Ghost of Yotei? Watanabe Mode is Ghost of Yotei 's love letter to fans of atmospheric storytelling. Named after Shinichiro Watanabe — the legendary director behind Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop — this mode introduces a Lo-Fi musical backdrop to your gameplay. Imagine cutting down enemies or strolling through misty forests, all while chill beats hum in the background. Yes, it's that cool. No Gameplay Changes — Just Vibes Watanabe Mode doesn't impact combat mechanics, character stats, or difficulty. What it changes is the feel . You're still swinging your katana with deadly precision, but now you're doing it in a more meditative space. It's like switching from an action-packed anime to a slow-burning, lo-fi AMV — same visuals, new rhythm. Collaboration with a Legend The mode isn't just inspired by Watanabe; it's a direct collaboration. The developers worked with him to craft original tracks specifically for this mode. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo That's not just background noise; that's curated audio storytelling. Ghost of Yōtei: Special Modes – Kurosawa, Miike & Watanabe Mode | PlayStation State of Play 2025 Can you toggle Watanabe Mode on and off? Absolutely. It's optional. Watanabe Mode can be enabled or disabled at any point, depending on your mood. Want the traditional Ghost of Tsushima musical tension? Stick with the standard. Looking to vibe out on a peaceful trek or take some photo mode shots with a chill backdrop? Flip on Watanabe. This kind of flexibility is a smart move by developers, adding more ways to personalize your experience without forcing a single direction. A bold blend of anime, music, and samurai Watanabe Mode isn't just a feature; it's a mindset. Whether you're a hardcore samurai fan or just in it for the scenery, this mode gives Ghost of Yotei a modern, artistic edge. It's stylish, unexpected, and exactly the kind of risk we love to see in gaming sequels. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
The Mainichi
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
'Hand-drawn is best': Anime director Shinichiro Watanabe on 'Lazarus'
TOKYO -- "Lazarus," the first new original anime by internationally acclaimed director Shinichiro Watanabe in six years, is now streaming on the Cartoon Network, and notably retains a hand-drawn style going against the industry trend toward computer graphics (CG) and artificial intelligence (AI). The 59-year-old director, also known for the works "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo," says that music is the source of energy to inspire the works and while Lazarus is a TV series, "I make the episodes thinking of them as 20-minute movies." The foundation of Watanabe's creativity was laid in his hometown, in the city of Ayabe in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, where he lived until his high school years. While in junior high school, he and a good friend held "research sessions" on film and anime. "We would say things like, 'I hear the filmmaker (Federico) Fellini is amazing.' 'Oh really?' But we couldn't see his movies. There were no video rentals or online streaming in those days." Watanabe read all he could on film theory through books from the library. Since there was no theater in Ayabe, he went to the neighboring city of Maizuru or Fukuchiyama to devour all he could. "I watched movies repeatedly after breaks in between and they left a deep impression," Watanabe recalled. Watanabe got his information on Western music through magazines and FM radio delivered by public broadcaster NHK. He would read each monthly magazine issue from cover to cover until the next one came out. He could afford about one record a month, listening to it every day and memorizing the English lyrics. "There was so little information in the countryside you'd be surprised. But the experience was profound. It was a rich experience. Having little information is not necessarily a bad thing," said Watanabe. While he also wished to become a filmmaker, he decided to aim to become a director of anime, which was booming. Those around him recommended going to university, but he instead went to Tokyo in 1984 after graduating from high school, thinking, "Four years of college is a waste. I want to create works quickly." Watanabe visited Tokyo's many movie theaters daily while doing part-time work delivering liquor among other tasks. Half a year later he found work at Nippon Sunrise Inc., present-day Sunrise, the originator of the popular "Gundam" franchise and now a brand of Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. "The large number of movies I saw back then are still inside me and that's what I base myself on," Watanabe reflected. It was also a habit for him to visit imported record shops and check up on lesser-known artists. "I was busy every day" between my part-time work, movies and record store visits, he recalled with a laugh. The first of Watanabe's works that he directed entirely himself, 1998's "Cowboy Bebop" was a hit overseas. "I worked hard to hone my skills, and I made it with all my heart. I never thought for a millisecond that it would be accepted overseas. Perhaps my taste for American films, which I grew up liking, was a good fit for the American people," he added analytically. Watanabe's newest project, "Lazarus," was wholly funded by the U.S. Cartoon Network, and is receiving acclaim for its filmlike visuals, audio effects and stylish soundtrack, among other things. "John Wick" director Chad Stahelski designed and directed the action sequences. On the project, Watanabe enthused, "I reaffirmed the appeal of hand-drawn animation. There's a lot of noise about making things easier using CG and AI, but it's not true. It's hand-drawn animation that's the best." Watanabe's works also give a glimpse of evolution. "I want to be constantly changing. I want to constantly update. If I keep repeating what I did before, I'll stop growing. Creativity will also weaken. I don't make anime by watching anime. If I make anime inspired by other genres, it'll become an original work." Now approaching 60, Watanabe mentioned, "When I was young, I wasn't sure whether to do movies or animation. I've made a lot of animated films, so I hope to fulfill the other dream of mine, a live-action film, one of these days."
