Ayumu Watanabe

Ayumu Watanabe (渡辺 歩 , Watanabe Ayumu , born September 3, 1966) is a Japanese anime director. After joining Shin-Ei Animation, he directed multiple Doraemon anime films. As a freelancer, he also worked on numerous anime adaptations such as Space Brothers, After the Rain, and Komi Can't Communicate.

Ayumu Watanabe was born in Tokyo on September 3, 1966. He started his career in 1986 when he joined Studio Mates as a key animator. Two years later, Watanabe moved to Shin-Ei Animation, where he worked on the anime adaptation of the Doraemon manga series, as well as direct multiple anime films in the franchise. As a freelancer, he also directed numerous anime adaptations such as Space Brothers, After the Rain, and Komi Can't Communicate. He also worked with Studio 4°C on the films Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko.