Shinichiro Watanabe (Nabeshin)

Shinichi Watanabe (aka “Nabeshin”) is known to anime fans as a larger-than-life, iconic figure with an outrageous sense of humor. He directed the comedy anime series Excel Saga, Nerima Daikon Brothers, and Puni Puni Poemy, which feature frenetic pacing and appearances by his animated alter ego, a mysterious, recurring character with an afro and distinctive outfit who is tangential to the story. Nabeshin has also served as series director for The Wallflower and Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and he can be found in these series as well, in cameo or supporting roles.

Nabeshin has been quoted as saying that he places great importance in making viewers laugh. Stating that he values laughter as much as tears, his preference is to motivate viewers to have fun and enjoy a show. He reasons that his success stems from provoking the same, strong emotional investment—in a humorous way—as a traditional, sentimental story does.

Nabeshin has also written lyrics for the opening songs of Excel Saga and Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and has served as storyboarder and episode director for a variety of other anime series.

Yasuhiro Koshi

Yasuhiro Koshi is known as an actor and chief advisor for action movies in Japan and the U.S. Using his knowledge and experience as a former sergeant in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, he provides advice for battle action scenes, military roles, weapon design, and so on. He served as the chief military advisor and had guest appearances in many movies, including Battle Royal (2000), Returner (2002), Battle Royal II (2003), Last Samurai (2003), Calamari Wrestler (2004), Casshern (2004), Devilman (2004), Godzilla Final Wars (2004), Ultraman (2004), Lorelei (2005), Saikano: She's the Final Weapon (2006), and Sukeban Deka which he has a major role in. Most recently he has worked as a military advisor for parts 1 and 3 of 20th Century Boys, and he was a consultant on the, recently released to Blu-ray, Space Battleship Yamato live action movie.

Mr. Koshi is a well-known writer for the popular Japanese periodical called "Arms Magazine". He has also published articles on the history of weapons and uniforms of the Japan Self-Defense Force.

He is also a talent manager who works closely with the Japanese anime and J-pop industry! He heads up the Big Fighter Project (B.F.P.) which has been producing talented artists since 1996. Included among the many acts that B.F.P. has produced over the years are the Funny Stones, a J-Pop Cosplay Duo who performed at SugoiCon 2006 and FICE who performed at SugoiCon 2009. This year he has brought along the J-Pop idol trio, Yamato Nadeshiko, to perform for us!

Check out B.F.P.'s official webpage: www.bfp54.com

Yamato Nadeshiko