Naoki Urasawa is one of the most renowned Japanese manga artists, often regarded as a successor to the legendary Osamu Tezuka. While Tezuka’s work has without a doubt influenced Urasawa, he quickly established his own style, securing his place as one of the most celebrated names in manga today.
Urasawa first found success with Yawara!, a sports manga, but it was with Monster that he developed his distinctive style and reached international acclaim. Far from the lighthearted tone of Yawara!, Monster is a psychological thriller that showcases Urasawa’s talent for suspense and his fascination with darker, more complex themes—particularly the moral ambiguity that often exists between good and evil.
Known for creating two series simultaneously for much of his career, Urasawa is one of Japan’s best-selling authors. His works are frequently listed among the most highly regarded manga of all time. He has received multiple honors, including three Shogakukan Manga Awards, two Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prizes, the Kodansha Manga Award, and two Eisner Awards.
Below is a guide to discovering the works of Naoki Urasawa, designed to help you explore his most essential series and to help you find the best place to start reading!
Where do I Start Reading Naoki Urasawa?
Asadora!, Naoki Urasawa’s Latest Manga
If you’re new to Naoki Urasawa’s work, his ongoing series can be a perfect starting point—a chance to discover his storytelling style in real time!
Combining elements of historical drama, mystery, and science fiction, Asadora! tells the life story of Asa Asada, beginning in post-war Japan in 1959 and extending into the then-present year of 2020. When Asa’s mother goes into labor, Asa is sent to find a doctor but is kidnapped and held for ransom. Events take an improbable turn when Typhoon Vera hits Japan, forcing the young girl and her kidnapper to form an unlikely alliance, which launches Asa on a quest to uncover the truth about a mysterious creature. Eight volumes have been released so far by VIZ Media.
Naoki Urasawa’s Best Manga Series
Naoki Urasawa’s career began with the immediate success of Yawara!, a sports manga that remains one of his most celebrated works. However, it was with Monster, a psychological thriller released in 1994, that Urasawa achieved international acclaim and earned his reputation as a master of suspense and mystery. His subsequent series, 20th Century Boys and Pluto, solidified his status as a master of suspense, showcasing his talent for creating compelling mysteries, sci-fi intrigue, and intricately layered plots. There’s no specific order in which to read his most famous works—it all depends on your personal taste.
- Monster (1994–2001)
The line between good and evil is often blurred—a truth that Naoki Urasawa exposes in his gripping, slow-burning thriller manga Monster. Spanning 18 volumes, the story takes us to West Germany, where Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a young Japanese brain surgeon, is disillusioned by the corruption and inequality in the medical system. When a massacre occurs, Tenma faces a pivotal choice: he decides to operate on fraternal twins, Johan and Anna Liebert, instead of prioritizing the mayor’s life.
This decision changes everything, drawing Tenma into a journey ‘into the darkest depths of the human soul.’ As murders begin to surround him, Tenma becomes the prime suspect, yet he is the only one who suspects the true identity of the mastermind behind the crimes.
- 20th Century Boys / 21st Century Boys (1999–2006, 2007)
Though more uneven than Urasawa’s previous manga cited, 20th Century Boys is an ambitious saga—maybe too ambitious for its own good. This complex tale combines themes of family, friendship, nostalgia, rock ‘n’ roll, and the fight against evil into the story of a group of friends trying to save the world from destruction!
In 1969, Kenji Endo and his friends Otcho, Yoshitsune, and Maruo created a secret base and a symbol representing their friendship. Joined by Yukiji and Donkey, they imagined a story where they stopped villains trying to take over the world, writing it all down in a ‘Book of Prophecy.’ In the late 1990s, Kenji stumbles upon a cult led by a mysterious figure known only as ‘Friend’ and realizes that recent events eerily resemble their childhood prophecy. Now, the old gang must recall what they wrote so long ago if they hope to save the world!
- Pluto (2003–2009)
Who killed Astro Boy? In a world where humans and robots coexist, someone—or something—is targeting the seven great robots of the world. This sci-fi mystery manga classic by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki draws inspiration from the work of Osamu Tezuka, Asimov’s famous laws of robotics, and Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
While the theme of humans versus machines is a familiar sci-fi trope, Urasawa and Nagasaki succeed in creating a unique atmosphere and distinct exploration of these questions. Across Pluto’s eight volumes, they examine the philosophical challenges of artificial intelligence, the impacts of war, hatred and rejection, and the potential for redemption.
- Master Keaton / Master Keaton Remastered (1988–1994, 2012–2014)
Described on Anime News Network as a “dorkier Indiana Jones”, Master Keaton follows the adventurous life of Taichi Hiraga-Keaton. Born to a Japanese zoologist and an English noblewoman, educated in archaeology, and a former SAS operative, Keaton is hardly an ordinary insurance fraud investigator! That’s right, you read that well—Taichi Hiraga-Keaton tackles cases using unorthodox investigative methods to uncover the truth, buried secrets, and to stop thieves and criminals alike.
Co-written with Takashi Nagasaki, Master Keaton stands out from previous manga cited for its episodic nature, using each story to explore in more depth his leading character and exploring human nature through a blend of action, history, and philosophy. Originally serialized across 12 volumes in the 1990s, the series returned 20 years later with an additional volume, which is yet to be officially translated into English.
- Billy Bat (2008–2016)
Despite its popularity and critical acclaim, Billy Bat doesn’t have an official English version yet, likely because of copyright issues and the cultural themes present in the story. Also, with its non-linear structure, Billy Bat can be challenging and initially confusing, though clarity emerges as Urasawa gradually connects the dots. Co-written with Takashi Nagasaki, the manga explores recurring themes in Urasawa’s work, including cultural identity, historical interpretation, the impact of symbols, and the complexities of good versus evil.
In 1949, Japanese-American cartoonist Kevin Yamagata is the creator of the popular detective series Billy Bat. When he realizes that he may have subconsciously drawn his character from an image he saw in Japan, he returns there to seek permission from the original creator. This journey quickly draws Kevin into a deeper mystery, entangling him in a web of conspiracies, torture, disguises, and ancient prophecies that challenge his understanding of Billy Bat’s true nature.
Naoki Urasawa’s Other Manga
Other Manga published in English
- Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams (2017-2018)
After being approached by the Louvre Museum for a collaboration, Naoki Urasawa was granted access to areas normally closed to the public. This visit sparked his imagination, inspiring him to create a heist story. Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams is a single-volume manga about Kamoda and his daughter Kasumi, who find themselves buried in debt and desperate for a way out. Their solution lies in a valuable painting located in the Louvre—a heist that, if successful, could solve all their problems.
Since the beginning of his career, Naoki Urasawa has created many one-shots and essays, and eight of them have been collected in this specific collection, loosely thematically linked. You’ll find in this anthology: “Damiyan!” (2016), “Throw Toward the Moon!” (2006, written with Takashi Nagasaki), “The Old Guys” (2013), “Henry and Charles” (1995), “It’s a Beautiful Day” (2018, original draft by musician Kenji Endo), “Musica Nostra” (2015, 2017), “Kaiju Kingdom” (2013), and “Tanshin Funin/Solo Mission” (2016).
Other Manga from Naoki Urasawa with no official english translation
Naoki Urasawa has created numerous one-shots and stories that currently lack official English translations, beginning with his first manga serial, Yawara!. This series follows a young judo prodigy who aspires to lead a normal life. If you’re interested in exploring more of Urasawa’s works, consider looking for editions in languages you may speak, such as Japanese, French, Italian, or Spanish. Until official translations are available, some unofficial English versions may be accessible online.
Among Urasawa’s other serialized manga are Pineapple Army (1985–1988), co-written with Kazuya Kudo, following a Japanese ex-mercenary working as a self-defense instructor, and Happy! (1993–1999), the story of a teenager who pursues a career as a professional tennis player to repay a significant debt accumulated by her brother. To this list can be added many one-shots!