Naoki Urasawa's MANBEN neo (浦沢直樹の漫勉) Episode 20 will be centered on Katsuhiro Otomo. Scheduled to be broadcasted on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 10:00PM on Japanese channel E-Tele, NHK Educational TV. Naoki Urasawa (浦沢直樹) the presenter and a manga artist, shared his thoughts on the show and his admiration for Katsuhiro Otomo on Manben Neo blog.
Official website: https://www.nhk.jp/p/manben
ABOUT
Katsuhiro Otomo's manga has had a profound influence on the top runners of today's manga scene. His style of expression was a true "revolution." His 1982 serial AKIRA was a massive hit, and the phrase "Before Otomo, After Otomo" was coined, signaling the major shock it brought to the world of manga. This time, we delve into the creative process behind his legendary work DŌMU.
URASAWA's COMMENTS
Urasawa was reportedly looking forward to Otomo's appearance.
Urasawa: I had been waiting for this moment (laughs). I frequently meet with Otomo, and each time, I’d say, "Please appear on the show!" So, I was really excited.
How did Urasawa feel about the impact of DŌMU?
Urasawa: In the history of Japanese manga, there have been two major impacts. The first was Osamu Tezuka's "Shin Takarajima" (1947), and the second was Katsuhiro Otomo's DŌMU (1980).
The manga you all are reading today would not have taken its current shape if DŌMU hadn’t been published. It was that monumental of an influence. I wanted to express the shock and emotion we felt when it was first released through the program, so we tried to approach it in various ways.
Manga artists of my generation and beyond have all had their lives changed by DŌMU So, I reached out to nine manga artists, and they shared their thoughts. Please look forward to hearing about the "Otomo in my heart" from these artists (laughs).
Original Manuscripts of DŌMU Revealed!
Urasawa: The show will explore DŌMU from various perspectives, including showcasing Otomo’s original manuscripts. What did you think of them?
Otomo’s manuscripts don’t use white correction ink. He completes his intricate drawings in one go. Those lines are drawn with a sense of absolute commitment. When he draws a line, he does so with all his soul, making sure it’s the correct line. It’s as if he’s pouring his entire being into every stroke. I believe this is how his manga reached us and became part of our era. The original manuscript we will be showing is one like that.
Can you share any particularly memorable moments from the shoot?
Urasawa: The shoot took place at Otomo’s studio, where we got to see the bookshelf filled with things he’s learned from. The collection of books and DVDs on his shelf seemed quite similar to my own.
If you only focus on manga, you can only become a "child" of manga. To create new culture, you need to combine various influences into a complex cultural identity. I’ve learned from many books, films, and manga created by pioneers, and seeing that bookshelf made me realize that I’ve been following in Otomo’s footsteps.
Urasawa: I asked the program’s director not to downplay the huge impact of Otomo’s revolutionary work DŌMU. Otomo’s manga pushed so many aspiring artists to move forward.
However, drawing a manga like Otomo’s with just paper and pen requires immense mental and technical training. While manga is a casual culture, behind the scenes, manga artists carry enormous burdens in their work. I hope the show gives a glimpse into that side of things. I want to continue conveying the essence of manga to everyone.
COMMERCIAL
Urasawa: Are you planning on drawing another manga?
Otomo: I didn't expect that question to come.
Tweets by OTOMO (March 19, 2025)
■(retweet of Urasawa's announcement of the upcoming MANBENneo show) I kept running away, but I got caught.
