Naoki Urasawa

Naoki Urasawa is a Japanese manga artist and musician whose works include Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto. His comics are known for psychological suspense, intricate plots, and detailed character-driven storytelling.

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Monster: A manga thriller by Naoki Urasawa about a Japanese surgeon pursuing a former patient who becomes a serial killer. This acclaimed series established Urasawa’s international reputation for psychological suspense.
Master Keaton: A manga series about Taichi Keaton, an insurance investigator and former SAS soldier who solves cases around the world. Its episodic mysteries show Urasawa working outside his long-form thriller formula.
Takashi Nagasaki: A Japanese editor, writer, and manga collaborator who has worked with Naoki Urasawa. Nagasaki collaborated on several Urasawa works, including Pluto and Billy Bat.
Shogakukan Manga Award: A Japanese manga prize presented by Shogakukan in several categories. Urasawa won the award for works including Yawara!, Monster, and 20th Century Boys.
20th Century Boys: A manga series by Naoki Urasawa in which childhood friends confront a conspiracy tied to their imagined games. Its shifting timelines and ensemble cast exemplify Urasawa’s expansive plotting.
Yawara!: A sports manga by Naoki Urasawa about a young judoka pressured to pursue competitive success. This early hit applies his character-focused storytelling to sports comedy and drama.
Yoshihide Fujiwara: A Japanese manga editor associated with Naoki Urasawa’s early career. Fujiwara helped guide Urasawa’s early work and editorial development.
Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize: A Japanese manga award established to honor works that continue Osamu Tezuka’s cultural contribution. Urasawa received the Grand Prize for Pluto.
Pluto: A manga by Naoki Urasawa that reinterprets Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy story “The Greatest Robot on Earth” as a murder mystery. The series demonstrates Urasawa’s approach to suspense and moral questions through adaptation.
Happy!: A manga by Naoki Urasawa about a young woman who takes up professional tennis to support her family. The series uses sports competition as the engine for personal and family conflict.