by Christopher Inoa

 Watanabe, the renowned creator of Cowboy Bebop, was a big fan of The Matrix. And not just because the characters shared his appreciation for individuality and stylish sunglasses.

The Matrix, 20 years old this month, changed cinema overnight — and just one year after Bebop premiered in Japan. Watanabe’s own postmodern masterpiece later became a monument for Western anime fans after Adult Swim aired the series in September 2001. Bebopwas, like The Matrix, an anachronistic blend of styles and genres picked up by creators who possess a devoted appreciation for culture outside their native lands. 

So it made perfect sense for Watanabe to take part in the best thing to come out of The Matrix: 2003’s anthology film, The Animatrix…

Reblogged from Polygon

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment