Watanabe & ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Producer at Japan Society

The Japan Society is set to host a significant event for animation enthusiasts and industry professionals alike: “Foreign Exchange 2025: Cross-Cultural Conversations with Anime Visionaries.” This expanded series will feature prominent figures from the global animation landscape, including Shinichiro Watanabe, the celebrated director behind iconic works like ‘Cowboy Bebop’, ‘Samurai Champloo’, and Adult Swim’s recent hit ‘Lazarus’. He will be joined by Justin Leach, a producer known for his work on Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Visions’ and Netflix’s ‘Leviathan’. The series, curated and hosted by award-nominated creator LeSean Thomas (‘Yasuke’, ‘Cannon Busters’), aims to foster dialogue about international collaboration in the animation industry.

Scheduled to take place in New York City from November 17-22, 2025, the event shifts its focus from individual creator discussions to multi-creator conversations, highlighting how artists from the U.S. and Japan collaborate to produce compelling animated content across geographical and cultural boundaries.

Engaging the Next Generation: Classroom Visits

The Foreign Exchange series will commence with an educational outreach program from November 17-19. LeSean Thomas and Justin Leach are slated to visit several prestigious New York institutions, including New York University, Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design, Fordham University, and the School of Visual Arts. During these visits, they will engage with aspiring animators and filmmakers, offering insights into the industry and the craft of animation.

Public Events at Japan Society Headquarters

Following the university engagements, the focus will shift to Japan Society’s NYC headquarters from November 20-22, where Watanabe, Leach, and Thomas will lead a series of public events. The programming includes a free moderated talk specifically designed for students and educators, focusing on the essential skills required to work in both American and Japanese animation sectors. Additionally, there will be three public talks delving into animation production and creative inspiration. Anime fans can also look forward to four public screenings, featuring both ‘Lazarus’ and ‘Cowboy Bebop: The Movie’.

Spotlight on Key Discussions and Screenings

The series will offer several highlight sessions providing in-depth looks at notable projects and themes:

• “Making of Lazarus: Story, Action, and Global Collaboration” (November 20): Shinichiro Watanabe and LeSean Thomas will explore the creative elements of ‘Lazarus’, from its intricate action choreography to its unique musical score by artists like Kamasi Washington and Bonobo.
• “Star Wars: Visions & The Future of Global Animation” (November 21): Justin Leach will discuss the innovative global production model behind the anthology series ‘Star Wars: Visions’, examining its implications for the future of international animation.
• “Black Musical Traditions and the Anime of Shinichiro Watanabe” (November 22): This session will delve into the profound influence of Black American music across Shinichiro Watanabe’s diverse body of work, exploring how these traditions have shaped the sound and rhythm of his acclaimed anime.

Additional Offerings and Partnerships

Beyond the talks and screenings, attendees will have the opportunity to experience a limited-time pop-up exhibit showcasing production art from ‘Lazarus’, personally curated by Shinichiro Watanabe. Copies of “Foreign Exchange: The TV Anime Creations of LeSean Thomas Vol. 1 – Yasuke,” a comprehensive 260-plus-page art book, will also be available for purchase. To cap off the week, Rough Trade Records will host an exclusive autograph signing event with Shinichiro Watanabe on November 22.

The Foreign Exchange series is co-presented by The Japan Foundation, New York, and The Imagination Project Inc., a NYC-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing career technical education to underserved youth. This collaboration underscores the event’s commitment to both artistic exchange and community engagement.

Conclusion

The Japan Society’s Foreign Exchange series, featuring ‘Cowboy Bebop’ creator Shinichiro Watanabe and ‘Star Wars: Visions’ producer Justin Leach, represents a pivotal opportunity for understanding the evolving landscape of global animation. By bringing together visionary creators and fostering cross-cultural dialogue, the event offers a unique platform for exploring creative processes, international collaboration, and the profound impact of anime on a worldwide audience. It serves as a testament to the power of animation as a medium for artistic expression and cultural connection.