Director, anime star, and voice actor Shinichi Watanabe (aka Nabeshin) fluffed his afro for an appearance as a special guest at an industry panel today at A-Kon 19. The man behind shows like Excel Saga, Tenchi Muyo EXP, Puni Puni Poemi, and Nerima Daikon Brothers joined Jake Tarbox and Steven Cummings to talk about the manga and anime industries. Here are some highlights:

Nabeshin took questions from attendees for about an hour. He started by asking the audience what they'd like to see from him, and when one audience member said "everything" he proceeded to reach for his belt to remove his pants. Tarbox suggested that he save that for the hentai panel later. We LOL'd.

He teased, using his notebook computer, with one image of a manga he'd like to turn into an anime. We didn't hear much about it, but we do know it features five preteen girls that protect the city they live in from evil. When the audience let Nabeshin know that they would like to see this anime, he said that he's still seeking sponsorship, and that each audience member needs to hand off $200 to him before leaving. 

Our friend Gia asked Nabeshin how his cameo in Hayate no Gotoku came about. He responded by saying that the anime producer loved him, so it was natural that he'd land that gig. What a ham!

Near the end of the panel, one audience member asked comic artist Steven Cummings about his current project, Tomopop's Pantheon High. During the discussion, someone else suggested that Nabeshin adapt his comic/manga into an anime. Cummings then proceeded to put down his microphone, bow on the ground, and pleaded "tanomu." Nabeshin signed a fake contract to humor him. 

Finally, Nabeshin gave into audience requests and posed for some of the best pictures ever. Thanks to our new photo guy, Chris Serani, we have a couple of winning shots to share with you in the gallery below.