New York's Japan Society has announced today a series of special talk sessions and film screenings to take place starting November 20th featuring acclaimed anime director Shinichiro Watanabe as their headline guest. The talk sessions, hosted by LeSean Thomas, will include a discussion with Watanabe about his latest work, Lazarus, as well as one that digs into his love of Jazz and Hip-Hop. Known for his incorporation of music into his works, having Watanabe speak on his love of black music in a city that holds great significance to the genres in question, is sure to be a treat for anyone who's able to attend.
In addition to the talks being held, special screenings of a number of Watanabe's works are also on the schedule for the weekend's events. Things kick off with a screening the first episode of Lazarus alongside his short films Baby Blue and A Girl Meets a Boy and a Robot and follow up a couple days later with screenings of Macross Plus: Movie Edition and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie. Before the Saturday screenings, Shinichiro Watanabe will also be signing autographs at a ticketed event held at Rough Trade at Rockefeller Center.
While Watanabe's appearance is a major element of the weekend, an additional talk session and screening centered on the Star Wars: Visions series of animated shorts will also be taking place. As the event is titled “Foreign Exchange” it only makes sense for it to include one of the most high profile recent examples of the global animation community being brought together under one project. The talk session and screening will include an appearance from Qubic Pictures CEO and Star Wars: Visions Co-Executive producer Justin Leach, who will speak on how the bridge was built to make this project a reality amongst other topics.
The events kick off on 20 November, 2025 and run through that weekend, with tickets on sale now. For more information on each of the events running through the weekend, or to buy your tickets, check out the official Japan Society website for more information.
