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{{Short description|Japanese manga artist and musician (born 1960)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox writer
| name         = Naoki Urasawa
| image        = Naoki Urasawa - Japan Expo 13- 2012-0706- P1410040.jpg
| image_size   = 
| caption      = Naoki Urasawa at the 2012 [[Japan Expo]], Paris
| birth_name   = Naoki Urasawa<br />{{nihongo2|浦沢 直樹}}
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1960|1|2|}}
| birth_place  = [[Fuchū, Tokyo]], Japan
| occupation   = [[Mangaka|Manga artist]], musician, TV and radio presenter
| education    = [[Meisei University]]
| genre        = 
| subject      = [[Seinen manga]]
| notableworks = {{Plain list|
* ''[[20th Century Boys]]''
* ''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''
* ''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''
* ''[[Billy Bat]]''
* ''[[Yawara!]]''
* ''[[Master Keaton]]''
* ''[[Happy! (sports manga)|Happy!]]''
}}
| spouse       = 
| children     = 
| awards       = {{Plain list|
* [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] (1989, 2000, 2002)
* [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]] (1999, 2005)
}}
| years_active = 1981–present
| website      = 
| residence    =
| employer     = 
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Naoki Urasawa'''|浦沢 直樹|Urasawa Naoki|born January 2, 1960|lead=yes}} is a Japanese [[manga artist]] and musician. He has been drawing manga since he was four years old, and for most of his professional career has created two series simultaneously. The stories to many of these were co-written in collaboration with his former editor, [[Takashi Nagasaki]]. Urasawa has been called one of the artists that changed the [[history of manga]] and has won numerous awards, including the [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] three times, the [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]] twice, and the [[Kodansha Manga Award]] once. South Korean filmmaker [[Bong Joon-ho]] called him "the greatest storyteller of our time", while Dominican-American writer [[Junot Díaz]] proclaimed Urasawa to be a national treasure in Japan. By December 2021, his various works had over 140 million copies in circulation worldwide, making him one of the [[List of best-selling fiction authors|best-selling authors]] of all time.

Urasawa's first major work was illustrating the action series ''[[Pineapple Army]]'' (1985–1988), which was written by Kazuya Kudo. The first serial that he wrote and illustrated himself, and his first major success, was the sports manga ''[[Yawara!]]'' (1986–1993). He then illustrated the adventure series ''[[Master Keaton]]'' (1988–1994), which was written by Hokusei Katsushika and Nagasaki, and created the sports manga ''[[Happy! (sports manga)|Happy!]]'' (1993–1999). The thriller ''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]'' (1994–2001) was his first to receive international acclaim and success, which continued with the science fiction mystery ''[[20th Century Boys]]'' (1999–2006). Following the acclaimed ''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]'' (2003–2009), which is a re-imagining of ''[[Astro Boy]]'' by [[Osamu Tezuka]], one of Urasawa's biggest influences, he and Nagasaki created the mystery series ''[[Billy Bat]]'' (2008–2016). After two short series, a sequel to ''Master Keaton'' with Nagasaki and ''[[Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams]]'', Urasawa began his currently ongoing ''[[Asadora!]]'' in 2018.

==Early life==
Urasawa cited [[Osamu Tezuka]] as one of his heroes, being particularly fond of his [[manga]] ''[[Phoenix (manga)|Phoenix]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://comipress.com/article/2007/01/24/1386.html|title = Naoki Urasawa Talks about Manga and Professionalism|date = 2007-01-27|publisher = comipress.com|access-date = 2016-09-18|archive-date = August 17, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160817154604/http://comipress.com/article/2007/01/24/1386.html|url-status = live}}</ref> "The Greatest Robot on Earth" and "The Artificial Sun" arcs of Tezuka's ''[[Astro Boy]]'' were his first experiences with manga at four or five years old.<ref>{{cite book |last=Urasawa|first=Naoki|title=[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]], Volume 1 |year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]]|pages=192–195 |isbn=978-1-4215-1918-0}}</ref> Around that same age is when he started to draw manga, and at eight he created his first complete story.<ref name="crunchy">{{cite web|url = https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2019/02/06-1/interview-all-you-need-is-a-white-piece-of-paper-and-pen-a-conversation-with-monster-and-21st-century-boys-creator-naoki-urasawa|title = INTERVIEW: All You Need is a White Piece of Paper and Pen: A Conversation with Monster and 20th Century Boys Creator Naoki Urasawa|date = 2019-02-06|publisher = [[Crunchyroll]]|access-date = 2020-02-14|archive-date = May 10, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200510234120/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2019/02/06-1/interview-all-you-need-is-a-white-piece-of-paper-and-pen-a-conversation-with-monster-and-21st-century-boys-creator-naoki-urasawa|url-status = live}}</ref> Even at a young age, Urasawa saw the gulf between his work and that of a "real manga artist." He said that he could also identify manga that was "commercialized" and made just for the money, something he did not want to do. Thus he never thought of becoming a professional manga artist, and graduated from [[Meisei University]] with a degree in economics.<ref name="crunchy"/>

==Career==
===Debut and success: 1982–2009===
When Urasawa visited [[Shogakukan]] to apply for a business job, he decided to bring some manga he had drawn out of curiosity.<ref name="debut">{{cite web|url=http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/main/eng/mt/1_3.html |title=The Birth of Best Seller Comics Writers of the New Generation of Comics and their World No. 3: "YAWARA!" |publisher=[[Shogakukan]] |date=1998-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981206073414/http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/main/eng/mt/1_3.html |archive-date=December 6, 1998 }}</ref> An editor from ''[[Weekly Shōnen Sunday]]'' did not give him the time of day, but the head editor of ''[[Big Comic Original]]'' happened to walk by and felt the work was better suited for ''[[Big Comic Spirits]]'', and took Urasawa to their editorial department. He ended up submitting manga for their 1982 New Manga Artist Award, which his unpublished work "Return" won. It was only then that he thought about becoming a professional manga artist.<ref name="debut"/> It was a year after winning the award that Urasawa met [[Takashi Nagasaki]], who would become his longtime editor and collaborator.<ref name="loft">{{cite web | url=http://www.shinjukuloft.com/galaxy/archive/e/2008/post_143.php | title=浦沢直樹 (ルーフトップ★ギャラクシー) |work=Rooftop | publisher=Shinjuku Loft | language=ja | access-date=2021-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201021342/http://www.shinjukuloft.com/galaxy/archive/e/2008/post_143.php |archive-date=2009-02-01}}</ref>

After working as an assistant for [[Toshio Nobe]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=mangabrog |date=2015-05-17 |title=Naoki Urasawa and Hisashi Eguchi talk about manga in the 70s and 80s, mostly Otomo |url=https://mangabrog.wordpress.com/2015/05/17/naoki-urasawa-and-hisashi-eguchi-talk-about-manga-in-the-70s-and-80s-mostly-otomo/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=manga brog |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=URASAWA Naoki (personnalité) {{!}} ShoShoSein |url=https://www.shoshosein.com/personnalite/urasawa-naoki |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=www.shoshosein.com}}</ref>, Urasawa made his professional debut in 1983 with "Beta!", which was published in a special issue of ''[[Golgo 13]]''.<ref name="Golgo13">{{cite web|url=https://www.nhk-book.co.jp/detail/000243006610000.html|title=プロフェッショナル 仕事の流儀 浦沢直樹 漫画家 心のままに、荒野を行け|language=Japanese|work=[[NHK]]|accessdate=2021-10-08|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009011129/https://www.nhk-book.co.jp/detail/000243006610000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He then created the short serialized work ''Dancing Policeman'' the following year. Urasawa began his first major serialized work, ''[[Pineapple Army]]'', in 1985 in the semimonthly ''Big Comic Original''. He was the illustrator of the series, while Kazuya Kudo was its writer. It ended in 1988 and was collected into eight ''[[tankōbon]]'' volumes. While working on ''Pineapple Army'', Urasawa began ''[[Yawara!]]'' in the weekly ''Big Comic Spirits'' in 1986 which he wrote and illustrated himself. It earned him the 1989 [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] in the General category.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web | url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html | title=小学館漫画賞: 歴代受賞者 | publisher=[[Shogakukan]] | language=ja | access-date=2007-08-19 | archive-date=September 29, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094941/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html | url-status=live }}</ref> That same year it was adapted into a live-action film and an [[anime]] television series. It ended in 1993 and was collected into 29 volumes.

When ''Pineapple Army'' ended, Urasawa began ''[[Master Keaton]]'' for ''Big Comic Original'' in November 1988. He illustrated it, while Hokusei Katsushika wrote it. It ended in August 1994 and was collected into 18 volumes. An anime television adaptation began in 1998, before finishing as an [[original video animation]] in 2000. Likewise when ''Yawara!'' ended, Urasawa began another solo series in ''Big Comic Spirits''. ''[[Happy! (sports manga)|Happy!]]'' ran from 1993 until 1999 and was collected into 23 volumes. It was adapted into two live-action television films in 2006.

Following ''Master Keaton''{{'}}s end, Urasawa began ''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]'' in ''Big Comic Original'' in December 1994. It earned him the 1999 [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]],<ref name="TezukaAwards">{{cite web|title=Tezuka Award Winner Announced|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-05-10/tezuka-award-winner-announced|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2005-05-10|access-date=2018-02-05|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203112442/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-05-10/tezuka-award-winner-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> and his second Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category in 2001.<ref name="ShogakukanAward"/> It ended in December 2001, was collected into 18 volumes, and adapted into an anime television series in 2004. [[Junot Díaz]], [[Pulitzer Prize for Fiction]] winner, praised ''Monster'' and proclaimed "Urasawa is a national treasure in Japan."<ref>{{cite web|title=Pulitzer Winner Diaz Praises Monster Manga in Time Mag|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-10/pulitzer-winner-diaz-praises-monster-manga-in-time-mag|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2008-07-10|access-date=2018-02-05|archive-date=December 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171633/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-10/pulitzer-winner-diaz-praises-monster-manga-in-time-mag|url-status=live}}</ref> With ''Happy!''{{'}}s ending, Urasawa began ''[[20th Century Boys]]'' in ''Big Comic Spirits'' in 1999. It earned him the 2001 [[Kodansha Manga Award]] in the General category,<ref name="KodanshaHahn">{{cite web | url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/kodansha.shtml | author=Joel Hahn | title=Kodansha Manga Awards | work=Comic Book Awards Almanac | access-date=2007-08-21 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070816031310/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/kodansha.shtml |archive-date = August 16, 2007}}</ref> and his third Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category in 2002.<ref name="ShogakukanAward"/> It ended in 2006 and was collected into 22 volumes. The story briefly continued as ''21st Century Boys'' in 2007, which was collected into two volumes. ''20th Century Boys'' was adapted into three live-action films, which were released in 2008 and 2009.

While working on ''20th Century Boys'', Urasawa began adapting "The Greatest Robot on Earth" story arc of Osamu Tezuka's ''Astro Boy'' into the series ''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''. It was serialized in ''Big Comic Original'' from September 9, 2003, to April 5, 2009, and collected into 8 volumes. It earned him his second Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.<ref name="TezukaAwards"/> In 2008, Urasawa began working for [[Kodansha]], serializing ''[[Billy Bat]]'' in ''[[Morning (magazine)|Morning]]''. It ran from October 16, 2008, to August 18, 2016, and was collected into 20 volumes. Also in 2008, Urasawa and Nagasaki took guest teaching posts at [[Nagoya Zokei University]], where they taught "Modern Expression Course: Manga Classes" two to three times a year, although the class met every month.<ref name="teacher">{{cite web|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-16/yawara-monster-naoki-urasawa-teaches-manga-class|title = Yawara, Monster's Naoki Urasawa to Teach Manga Classes|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = March 16, 2008|access-date = 2013-07-28|archive-date = August 25, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130825092643/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-16/yawara-monster-naoki-urasawa-teaches-manga-class|url-status = live}}</ref> Initially planned for only five students, he agreed to expand it to fifteen in an effort to create more "real artists."<ref name="teacher"/>

===2010–2019===
[[Oricon]] held a poll on the Mangaka that Changed the History of Manga in 2010, ''mangaka'' being the Japanese word for a manga artist, and Urasawa came in tenth.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ja:『日本の漫画史を変えた作家』、“漫画の神様”手塚治虫が貫禄の1位 |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/ranking/78202/full |language=ja |date=July 16, 2010 |work=[[Oricon]] |access-date=2013-02-17 |archive-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911092238/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/78202/full/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, Urasawa illustrated a picture book adaptation of Kosuke Hamada's story ''Red Oni Cries''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/30/award-winning-manga-artist-naoki-urasawa-draws-picture-book|title = Award-Winning Manga Artist Naoki Urasawa Draws Picture Book|publisher = [[Crunchyroll]]|date = 2011-11-30|access-date = 2018-02-05|archive-date = February 7, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005150/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/11/30/award-winning-manga-artist-naoki-urasawa-draws-picture-book|url-status = live}}</ref>

[[File:Naoki Urasawa and Masao Maruyama at Japan Expo 2012, Paris (2).jpg|thumb|right|Urasawa and [[Masao Maruyama (film producer)|Masao Maruyama]] at Japan Expo 2012]]
Urasawa began writing a sequel to ''Master Keaton'' in 2012 titled ''Master Keaton Remaster''.<ref name="remaster">{{cite web|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-02-29/master-keaton-manga-to-get-sequel-after-18-years|title = Master Keaton Manga to Get Sequel After 18 Years|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|access-date = February 29, 2012|archive-date = February 29, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231750/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-02-29/master-keaton-manga-to-get-sequel-after-18-years|url-status = live}}</ref> When asked why he went back to a series after so many years, Urasawa stated it was because with the original series he had a hard time making the story he wanted due to contractual obligation, and because people affected by the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]] said they had enjoyed the series, so he wanted to do something for them.<ref name="ANNInterview">{{cite web | title=Interview: Naoki Urasawa | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2012-08-20/naoki-urasawa | work=[[Anime News Network]] | date=August 20, 2012 | access-date=2013-07-24 | archive-date=November 12, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020708/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2012-08-20/naoki-urasawa | url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning in the March 2012 issue of ''Big Comic Original'' it finished in 2014 and was collected into a single volume. As a guest at the 2012 [[Japan Expo]] in France, Urasawa talked about how he entered the manga industry, gave a live drawing demonstration, and performed two songs as a musician, and joined rock band Hemenway on stage the following day.<ref name="Japan Expo">{{cite web|url = http://www.japan-expo.com/en/actu/naoki-urasawa-in-conference-very-stylish_1682.htm|title = Naoki Urasawa in conference: very stylish|publisher = [[Japan Expo]]|date = August 7, 2012|access-date = 2013-07-28|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150101035819/http://www.japan-expo.com/en/actu/naoki-urasawa-in-conference-very-stylish_1682.htm|archive-date = January 1, 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref>

Between 2013 and 2014, Urasawa contributed to the essay series "[[The Old Guys (manga)|The Old Guys]]" that was published in [[Shueisha]]'s ''Jump X'' magazine. His contributions and those of the other 32 writers who participated were collected into a July 2015 volume of the same name.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/154289 |title=大友克洋、寺田克也ら33作家が親父テーマに描いたエッセイ集「親父衆」 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2015-07-17 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031020652/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/154289 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2013, Urasawa created his first "monster manga" titled "[[Kaiju Kingdom]]", a 41-page [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] published in ''[[Big Comic]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-27/20th-century-boys-urasawa-draws-kaiju-okoku-manga-1-shot|title = 20th Century Boys' Urasawa Draws 'Kaijū Ōkoku' Manga 1-Shot|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = July 27, 2013|access-date = 2013-07-28|archive-date = September 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150316/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-27/20th-century-boys-urasawa-draws-kaiju-okoku-manga-1-shot|url-status = live}}</ref> Urasawa is the host of the [[NHK Educational TV]] documentary series ''Urasawa Naoki no Manben'', which focuses on a different manga artist each episode and explores their individual styles. He coined the word "manben" from his childhood; his parents and grandparents used to tell him, "Don't draw ''man''ga all day! You need to ''ben''kyō (study), too!".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=[[Shin-ichi Sakamoto]]|series=Urasawa Naoki no Manben Neo|number=8|language=Japanese|network=[[NHK Educational TV]]|date=December 17, 2020|time=45:13}}</ref> It began as a one-off special in November 2014, a first season was launched in September 2015, a second in March 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-08-27/nhk-documentary-series-peeks-at-process-of-drawing-manga/.92130|title = NHK Documentary Series Peeks at Process of Drawing Manga|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = August 27, 2015|access-date = 2016-02-21|archive-date = September 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150317/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-08-27/nhk-documentary-series-peeks-at-process-of-drawing-manga/.92130|url-status = live}}</ref> a third in September 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/08/17-1/naoki-urasawas-manben-returns-for-3rd-season-in-september|title = "Naoki Urasawa's Manben" Returns for 3rd Season in September|publisher = [[Crunchyroll]]|date = 2016-08-17|access-date = 2018-02-05|archive-date = September 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150315/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/08/17-1/naoki-urasawas-manben-returns-for-3rd-season-in-september|url-status = live}}</ref> and a fourth in March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-02-27/naoki-urasawa-manga-documentary-tv-series-returns-for-4th-season/.112603|title = Naoki Urasawa Manga Documentary TV Series Returns for 4th Season|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = 2017-02-27|access-date = 2017-05-28|archive-date = July 24, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170724005816/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-02-27/naoki-urasawa-manga-documentary-tv-series-returns-for-4th-season/.112603|url-status = live}}</ref> After three years, the show returned in October 2020 with ''Neo'' added to the end of its title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sanyonews.jp/article/1051730 |title=Eテレ『浦沢直樹の漫勉』3年ぶり再始動、ナレーションは葵わかな |language=ja |publisher=[[Sanyo Shimbun]] |date=2020-09-14 |access-date=2021-08-03 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916223057/https://www.sanyonews.jp/article/1051730 |archivedate=2020-09-16}}</ref> The show won the December 2015 Planning Award as part of Quick Japan's annual TV of the Year awards, decided by broadcast writers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/168854 |title=QJ発表のテレビ・オブ・ザ・イヤーで「漫勉」が企画賞、浦沢直樹が反響語る |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2015-12-10 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507121603/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/168854 |url-status=live }}</ref> The June 9, 2021, episode on [[Yoshikazu Yasuhiko]] won the Grand Prize in the entertainment category at the 2022 [[Japan Media Arts Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://j-mediaarts.jp/award/single/naoki-urasawa-presents-manben-neo-yoshikazu-yasuhiko/ |title=第25回 エンターテインメント部門 大賞 浦沢直樹の漫勉neo 〜安彦良和〜 |language=ja |publisher=[[Japan Media Arts Festival]] |access-date=2022-06-04 |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313040733/https://j-mediaarts.jp/award/single/naoki-urasawa-presents-manben-neo-yoshikazu-yasuhiko/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning in July 2015, Urasawa started contributing to the "[[Musica Nostra]]" column series that was published in Shueisha's ''[[Grand Jump]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/152473 |title=「キャプ翼 ライジングサン」約8カ月ぶり再開、出演権当たる豪華イベントも |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2015-07-01 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506152307/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/152473 |url-status=live }}</ref>

An art exhibition of Urasawa's work was on display in Tokyo from January 16 to March 31, 2016, before moving to Osaka from November 26 to January 25, 2017. It included illustrations, manga manuscripts, story notes, and childhood manga.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/171328 |title=浦沢直樹の個展が世田谷で、ボブ・ディラン語るイベントやライブなどの企画も |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2016-01-04 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150317/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/171328 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/198448 |title=浦沢直樹展、大阪への巡回決定！大量の原稿や少年時代のノートが南港に |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2016-08-17 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150318/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/198448 |url-status=live }}</ref> Urasawa contributed a short, full color, left-to-right manga titled "[[Tanshin Funin/Solo Mission]]" to the February 2016 French comics anthology ''The Tipping Point'' to commemorate publisher [[Les Humanoïdes Associés|Humanoids]]' 40th anniversary. Re-titled ''Turning Point'', the anthology was published in Japan in September 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/250277 |title=浦沢直樹や松本大洋ら、日仏米の作家14名が参加するアンソロ「TURNING POINT」 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2017-09-26 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150318/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/250277 |url-status=live }}</ref> He created a short three-page manga about 1960s British rock band [[the Beatles]] time-traveling to 2016. Released in June 2016 on the website of Tokyo radio station [[InterFM|InterFM897]], it coincides with the TV program ''KKBOX Here comes The Beatles'' and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the band's visit to Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-06-21/the-beatles-travel-through-time-in-naoki-urasawa-newest-manga-short/.103421|title = The Beatles Travel Through Time in Naoki Urasawa's Newest Manga Short|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = 2016-06-21|access-date = 2016-06-21|archive-date = February 7, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005009/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-06-21/the-beatles-travel-through-time-in-naoki-urasawa-newest-manga-short/.103421|url-status = live}}</ref>

On April 9, 2017, Urasawa began co-hosting a radio program with actor and comedian [[Junji Takada]]. ''Junji and Naoki'' airs Sundays at 5pm on [[Nippon Cultural Broadcasting]] and features both men talking about their lives, professions, and favorite hobbies.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/04/23-1/comedian-manga-artist-team-up-for-junji-and-naoki-radio-program|title = Comedian & Manga Artist Team Up For "Junji and Naoki" Radio Program|publisher = [[Crunchyroll]]|date = 2017-04-23|access-date = 2018-02-05|archive-date = September 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150317/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/04/23-1/comedian-manga-artist-team-up-for-junji-and-naoki-radio-program|url-status = live}}</ref> That year Urasawa also began the limited series ''[[Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams]]'' in a collaboration with France's [[Louvre Museum]]. It began in ''Big Comic Original'' in October 2017 and ended on February 20, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-05/naoki-urasawa-mujirushi-manga-ends-on-february-20/.127385|title = Naoki Urasawa's Mujirushi Manga Ends on February 20|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = 2018-02-05|access-date = 2018-02-05|archive-date = April 25, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190425091849/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-05/naoki-urasawa-mujirushi-manga-ends-on-february-20/.127385|url-status = live}}</ref>

In January 2018, Urasawa attended the 45th [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]] in France, where he received the Fauve Special Award and the Fauve Polar [[SNCF]] Special Award for mystery. The festival also held an art exhibit of his work, before it moved to Paris from February 13 to March 31.<ref name="fauve">{{cite web|url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-02/naoki-urasawa-wins-special-award-mystery-award-at-france-angouleme/.127312|title = Naoki Urasawa Wins Special Award, Mystery Award at France's Angoulême|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|access-date = 2018-02-02|archive-date = September 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150318/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-02/naoki-urasawa-wins-special-award-mystery-award-at-france-angouleme/.127312|url-status = live}}</ref> Urasawa was the subject of the June 23 [[Wowow Prime]] TV program ''Nonfiction W Urasawa Naoki ~Tensai Mangaka no Owaranai Tabi~'', which followed him around Europe, including to the 2018 Angoulême International Comics Festival and meeting [[Klaus Voormann]] in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20180619dog00m200032000c.html |title=テレビ質問状：「ノンフィクションW 浦沢直樹 ～天才漫画家の終わらない旅～」浦沢マンガ創作の源泉 |language=ja |publisher=[[Mainichi Shimbun]] |date=2018-06-19 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150318/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20180619dog00m200032000c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Urasawa began ''[[Asadora!]]'' in ''Big Comic Spirits'' on October 6, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-09-14/naoki-urasawa-launches-new-manga-in-big-comic-spirits/.136809|title = Naoki Urasawa Launches New Manga in Big Comic Spirits|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = 2018-09-14|access-date = 2018-10-06|archive-date = September 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150318/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-09-14/naoki-urasawa-launches-new-manga-in-big-comic-spirits/.136809|url-status = live}}</ref> South Korean film director [[Bong Joon-ho]] called Urasawa "the greatest storyteller of our time" and likened the experience of reading ''Asadora!'' to that of being able to go back and read ''20th Century Boys'' for the first time again.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:『あさドラ！』単行本第5集特設ページ ポン･ジュノ監督コメント全文掲載|url=https://bigcomicbros.net/46580/|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|language=ja|date=2021-04-20 |access-date=2023-04-07}}</ref> The November 2018 issue of ''[[Monthly Big Comic Spirits]]'', released on September 27, was given the special title "Urasawa Jack". It included Urasawa's one-shot "[[It's a Beautiful Day (manga)|It's a Beautiful Day]]", which adapted a story told to him by musician Kenji Endo, an interview between him and [[Shigeru Izumiya]], and a calendar featuring illustrations of "beautiful women" by the artist.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/301399 |title=浦沢直樹が月スピをジャック！遠藤賢司の秘蔵エピソードをマンガ化、対談や付録も |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2018-09-27 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704015725/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/301399 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 27, Urasawa co-hosted a special radio program about Osamu Tezuka alongside [[Chiaki Kuriyama]] for Nippon Cultural Broadcasting.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/312703 |title=浦沢直樹＆栗山千明、年末のラジオ番組で手塚治虫語り |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2018-12-18 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150319/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/312703 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, he designed the official posters of the 2019 [[Osaka Women's Marathon]] and a classic car charity event organized by [[Toshiaki Karasawa]] for reconstruction after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/naoki-urasawa-draws-official-character-2019-osaka-womens-marathon/|title = Naoki Urasawa Draws Official Character for 2019 Osaka Women's Marathon|work = [[Otaku USA]]|date = 2018-12-09|access-date = 2018-12-10|archive-date = December 10, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181210100434/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/naoki-urasawa-draws-official-character-2019-osaka-womens-marathon/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/339227 |title=浦沢直樹が唐沢寿明発起の東日本大震災チャリティイベントポスターを描き下ろし |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2019-07-10 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703202348/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/339227 |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 23, 2019, Japan House Los Angeles presented the first North American exhibit of Urasawa's work, titled "This is MANGA – the Art of NAOKI URASAWA". The exhibit ran until March 28, 2019, and featured more than 400 original drawings and storyboards. Urasawa participated in an artist discussion and book signing on opening day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan House LA announces first Naoki Urasawa art exhibit in North America|url=https://j-generation.com/2019/01/japan-house-la-announces-first-naoki-urasawa-art-exhibit-in-north-america/|last=Cirone|first=David|date=2019-01-03|website=J-Generation|access-date=2020-05-02|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803200511/https://j-generation.com/2019/01/japan-house-la-announces-first-naoki-urasawa-art-exhibit-in-north-america/|url-status=live}}</ref> The exhibit moved to Japan House London from June 5 to July 28, also attended by the artist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-30/further-naoki-urasawa-events-at-japan-house-london/.147283|title=Further Naoki Urasawa Events at Japan House London|website=[[Anime News Network]]|language=en|access-date=2019-07-22|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722045306/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-30/further-naoki-urasawa-events-at-japan-house-london/.147283|url-status=live}}</ref> Urasawa was a 2019 nominee for entry into the [[Will Eisner Hall of Fame]].<ref name="eisnerhall">{{cite news|title=Hall of Fame 2019 Nominees|url=https://www.comic-con.org/awards/hall-of-fame-2019-nominees|work=[[San Diego Comic-Con]]|access-date=January 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118215005/https://www.comic-con.org/awards/hall-of-fame-2019-nominees |archive-date=2019-01-18 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2020–present===
In 2020, Urasawa drew advertisements for the [[Samsonite Red]] luggage brand,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/368899 |title=浦沢直樹が3つのシリーズをテーマにSamsonite REDのイメージビジュアル描き下ろし |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2020-02-27 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720004130/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/368899 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was chosen to create one of the official posters for the [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://j-generation.com/naoki-urasawa-creates-sports-manga-poster-for-tokyo-2020-olympics/|title=Naoki Urasawa creates sports manga poster for Tokyo 2020 Olympics|last=Cirone|first=David|date=2020-02-09|website=J-Generation|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-10|archive-date=March 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321062606/http://j-generation.com/naoki-urasawa-creates-sports-manga-poster-for-tokyo-2020-olympics/|url-status=live}}</ref> For the second year in a row, he drew the poster for the Osaka Women's Marathon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-11-27/monster-urasawa-draws-poster-for-osaka-women-marathon/.153717|title=Further Naoki Urasawa Events at Japan House London|website=[[Anime News Network]]|language=en|access-date=2020-07-03|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202060019/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2019-11-27/monster-urasawa-draws-poster-for-osaka-women-marathon/.153717|url-status=live}}</ref> In June, Urasawa created the cover portrait for [[Universal Japan]]'s 250th anniversary release of music by [[Ludwig van Beethoven]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-08|title=Naoki Urasawa says Roll Over, Beethoven for composer's anniversary CD|url=https://j-generation.com/2020/06/naoki-urasawa-says-roll-over-beethoven-for-composers-anniversary-cd/|access-date=2020-08-06|website=J-Generation|language=en-US|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925220505/https://j-generation.com/2020/06/naoki-urasawa-says-roll-over-beethoven-for-composers-anniversary-cd/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appears in July 2020's ''ZK/Zunō Keisatsu 50 Mirai e no Kodō'', a documentary film about the rock band Zunō Keisatsu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/384342 |title=絶景かな…！頭脳警察50周年ドキュメンタリービジュアル＆予告編解禁 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2020-06-22 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705162037/https://natalie.mu/music/news/384342 |url-status=live }}</ref> Urasawa directed and illustrated the music video, and illustrated the cover art, for [[Kazuyoshi Saito]]'s March 2021 digital single "Boy".<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-10/naoki-urasawa-contributes-to-kazuyoshi-sait-animated-music-video/.170454|title = Naoki Urasawa Contributes to Kazuyoshi Saito's Animated Music Video|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = 2021-03-10|access-date = 2021-03-10|archive-date = March 10, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210310205943/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-10/naoki-urasawa-contributes-to-kazuyoshi-sait-animated-music-video/.170454|url-status = live}}</ref> In November 2021, Urasawa's first one-shot for Shueisha, "Dr. Toguro Dokuro no Saigo", was published in ''Grand Jump'' to celebrate the magazine's 10th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/451863 |title=浦沢直樹が初めて集英社で読切執筆、特撮に出続けた伝説の悪役の最期を描く |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2021-11-12 |access-date=2022-06-04 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229022026/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/451863 |url-status=live }}</ref> By December 2021, his various works had over 140 million copies in circulation worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/459724 |title=浦沢直樹、電子版解禁！「YAWARA!」「20世紀少年」配信、「あさドラ！」新刊も |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |language=ja |date=2021-12-28 |access-date=2022-01-28 |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228090901/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/459724 |url-status=live }}</ref> He had an acting role in the December 2022 film ''The Flower in the Sky'', portraying poet [[Haruo Satō (novelist)|Haruo Satō]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://realsound.jp/movie/2022/04/post-1001420.html |title=東出昌大主演映画『天上の花』今冬公開 共演に入山法子、吹越満、浦沢直樹ら |language=ja |publisher=Real Sound |date=2022-04-04 |access-date=2022-06-04 |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605032723/https://realsound.jp/movie/2022/04/post-1001420.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Style==
[[File:Urasawa characters.jpg|thumb|left|upright|An illustration by Urasawa depicting many characters from his oeuvre. Critics have praised his characters for their facial expressions and for being independently recognizable.<ref>{{cite web |last=Luster|first=Joseph|title=Pluto Volume 3 & 4 |url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/pluto-volume-3-4/ |publisher=[[Otaku USA]] |date=2009-07-30 |access-date=2020-07-04 |quote=A ton of care is put into even the slightest change in facial expression, conveying a spread of emotion without constantly relying on dialogue or flailing exaggerations. |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230856/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/pluto-volume-3-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kimlinger|first=Carl|title=Monster GN 5 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-5|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2007-02-09|access-date=2020-07-04|quote=His characters wear their personalities on their faces, communicating changes in their outlooks, psychology, inner thoughts and emotions with shifts in expression that range from barely perceptible to masks of rage, hate and fear.|archive-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705164347/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Brienza|first=Casey|title=Monster GN 16 – Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-16|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2008-09-14|access-date=2020-07-04|quote=Even the huge cast of characters are all visually distinct; no two people look exactly alike.|archive-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704201842/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/monster/gn-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Meylikhov|first=Matthew |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/06/10-essential-manga-that-belong-in-every-comic-coll.html |title=10 Essential Manga That Should Belong in Every Comic Collection |work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |date=2015-06-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501213216/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/06/10-essential-manga-that-belong-in-every-comic-coll.html |archive-date=2016-05-01 |access-date=2020-07-04 |quote=...one of the most expansive and diverse casts in any manga, yet the auteur makes each individual independently recognizable as characters grow over decades.}}</ref>]]
[[Fusanosuke Natsume]] said that prior to entering university, Urasawa's style showed influence from [[Shinji Nagashima]] and [[Osamu Tezuka]]'s 1970s work, but went on to claim that in 1979 it became aligned with that of [[Katsuhiro Otomo]].<ref name="Natsume">{{cite book |last=Urasawa|first=Naoki|title=[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]], Volume 3 |year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |pages=198–199 |isbn=978-1-4215-1920-3}}</ref> Due to his skill at structuring [[Panel (comics)|panel]] layouts, [[Kazuhiko Torishima]] cited Urasawa as the true successor to Tezuka.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kadokura|first=Shima|url=https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/95985?page=2|title=伝説の編集者・鳥嶋和彦がみた"手塚治虫"と"ちばてつや"最大の違い|work=AERA dot.|publisher=[[Asahi Shimbun]]|language=ja|date=2016-09-20|access-date=2024-10-26}}</ref> When talking in 1997 about the future of manga, Urasawa opined that "Tezuka created the form that exists today, then [[caricature]]s appeared next, and comics changed again when Katsuhiro Otomo came on the scene. I don't think there's any room left for further changes."<ref name="debut"/> He has also expressed admiration for French ''[[bande dessinée]]'' artist [[Jean Giraud|Moebius]] and American novelist [[Stephen King]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b02203/ |title=Comic Connections: Urasawa Naoki Talks with Top European Artists |publisher=Nippon.com |date=2013-08-02 |access-date=2020-07-04 |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730064327/https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b02203/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/381683 |title=浦沢直樹、永井豪がkotobaのスティーヴン・キング特集に登場、その魅力に迫る |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2020-06-05 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704031457/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/381683 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Urasawa's works like ''Yawara!'' had light entertainment with cute young girls, Natsume says Urasawa developed his own personal style with ''Monster'', which he described as realistic, or directorially based, with cinematic panel layouts similar to Otomo and [[gekiga]] artists. Natsume also noted that many of his characters resemble famous movie stars.<ref name="Natsume"/> Urasawa himself described his approach to manga as similar to storyboarding a movie,<ref name="jgeneration">{{cite web|title=Naoki Urasawa – Interview with creator of Monster, 20th Century Boys at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles (2019)|url=https://j-generation.com/2019/01/naoki-urasawa-interview-monster-20th-century-boys-japan-house-los-angeles-2019/|last=Cirone|first=David|date=2019-01-25|website=J-Generation|access-date=2020-05-02|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821101102/https://j-generation.com/2019/01/naoki-urasawa-interview-monster-20th-century-boys-japan-house-los-angeles-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> and acknowledged his work as adult-oriented, stating that even as a child he never liked manga aimed at children.<ref name="alltheanime">{{cite web|url = https://blog.alltheanime.com/interview-naoki-urasawa/|title = Interview: Naoki Urasawa|publisher = All the Anime|access-date = 2020-02-14|archive-date = March 22, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160322233636/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/style/AJ201603190016|url-status = live}}</ref> However, he noted that he and Otomo both prefer to have their work called manga and not gekiga.<ref name="alltheanime"/>

When asked where he gets ideas from, Urasawa said "I have been illustrating all my life. Inspiration is everywhere, when I get in the bath, when I get out. It's whether you are perceiving these ideas and whether you are able to catch them."<ref name="kyodo">{{cite web |title=Japanese manga artist Naoki Urasawa's work showcased in Hollywood |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/01/60500b5a5a13-popular-japanese-manga-artist-urasawas-work-showcased-in-hollywood.html |publisher=[[Kyodo News]] |date=2019-01-25 |access-date=2019-01-26 |archive-date=September 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150320/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/01/60500b5a5a13-popular-japanese-manga-artist-urasawas-work-showcased-in-hollywood.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also said that he does not worry about what the readers want, and simply draws stories that he finds interesting.<ref name="jgeneration"/> The artist said that while manga is often looked at as simple, he makes sure to use subtleties to show dramatic expressions and convey emotion, claiming "You won't find two expressions that are the same" in his work.<ref name="kyodo"/>

On his storytelling process, Urasawa states, "When I start a new project, I start with the larger arc of the story. I visualize a movie trailer for that story, and after I compose this movie trailer in my mind, there comes a point where I'm so excited about it that I have to write the story. And then I imagine, 'Where do I start to begin to tell this narrative?' and that's usually the first chapter."<ref name="jgeneration"/> He does not plan the story out in advance, claiming that it tells him where it wants to go, and that if the story does not keep surprising even him, then he can not continue making it.<ref name="jgeneration"/>

He also does not determine the page or panel layouts in advance. Having drawn manga for over five decades, he just follows his instincts, explaining "When I start to structure a story narratively, the question of tempo — developing a character moment-to-moment and then jumping to a two-page spread — how do you determine where that happens? It's like breathing to me — I know when it feels right."<ref name="jgeneration"/>

For most of his career, Urasawa has written two different series simultaneously.<ref name="otaku">{{cite web |title=Monster's Naoki Urasawa Celebrated In Career-Spanning Exhibition |url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/monsters-naoki-urasawa-celebrated-in-career-spanning-exhibition/ |publisher=[[Otaku USA]] |date=2016-02-11 |access-date=2018-07-29 |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230929/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/monsters-naoki-urasawa-celebrated-in-career-spanning-exhibition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With one of them being a weekly serialization and the other having a semimonthly schedule, Urasawa had six deadlines a month and said the only time off he had was when sleeping or eating.<ref name="pia">{{cite web|script-title=ja:ぴあ独占対談 浦沢直樹×ポン・ジュノ|url=http://www.pia.co.jp/interview/guemuru/urasawa_juno.html|publisher=Pia Corporation|language=ja|access-date=2021-08-31|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827215818/http://www.pia.co.jp/interview/guemuru/urasawa_juno.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Urasawa frequently collaborates with manga editor and author [[Takashi Nagasaki]], to the point where Nagasaki has been called his "producer." The two met when Nagasaki was made Urasawa's editor upon his debut. Although the two continue to collaborate even after Nagasaki became freelance, they rarely socialize outside of work.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://comipress.com/article/2006/11/29/1079.html|title = Naoki Urasawa Talks about Relationship between Mangaka and Editors|date = 2006-11-29|publisher = comipress.com|access-date = 2016-09-18|archive-date = May 5, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160505182118/http://comipress.com/article/2006/11/29/1079.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Urasawa said that following the anime adaptation of ''Yawara!'', he has requested that he be able to check the scripts for any adaptation of his works.<ref name="ANNInterview"/> Until 2018's ongoing ''Asadora!'', none of Urasawa's manga had ever been legally available in [[Digital comic|digital formats]]. The author stated that he prefers physical books.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-10-06/naoki-urasawa-new-manga-asadora-has-digital-version-for-1st-time/.137806|title = Naoki Urasawa's New Manga Asadora! Has Digital Version for 1st Time|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = 2018-10-06|access-date = 2018-10-06|archive-date = October 7, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181007040058/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-10-06/naoki-urasawa-new-manga-asadora-has-digital-version-for-1st-time/.137806|url-status = live}}</ref> However, his earlier works began receiving digital releases in 2022, limited to Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-12-28/naoki-urasawa-asadora-yawara-jigoro-20th-century-boys-sneeze-mujirushi-manga-get-digital-releases/.181089 |title = Naoki Urasawa's Asadora!, Yawara!, Jigoro!, 20th Century Boys, Sneeze, Mujirushi Manga Get Digital Releases |publisher = [[Anime News Network]] |date = 2021-12-28 |access-date = 2022-01-28 |archive-date = January 29, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220129043032/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-12-28/naoki-urasawa-asadora-yawara-jigoro-20th-century-boys-sneeze-mujirushi-manga-get-digital-releases/.181089 |url-status = live }}</ref>

==Music==
[[File:Naoki Urasawa at Japan Expo 2012, Paris (3).jpg|thumb|right|Urasawa performing live at the 2012 Japan Expo]]
Urasawa is also a musician. He stated "A lot of artists really struggled to decide whether to become manga artists or rock musicians, so the two are intertwined, they're synonymous!"<ref name="alltheanime"/> Urasawa started playing guitar in junior high school inspired by [[folk rock]] singer-songwriters [[Takuro Yoshida]] and [[Bob Dylan]].<ref name="AJWmusic">{{cite web|url = http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/style/AJ201603190016|title = Veteran manga artist Urasawa releases 2nd music album|publisher = [[Asahi Shimbun]]|date = March 19, 2016|access-date = 2016-03-20|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160322233636/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/style/AJ201603190016|archive-date = March 22, 2016|df = mdy-all}}</ref>

Urasawa wrote and performed the song {{nihongo|"Bob Lennon (Kenji no Uta)"|Bob Lennon (ケンヂの歌)}}, which was released on a CD included in the 2002 first pressing of volume 11 of ''20th Century Boys''.<ref name="music">{{cite web|url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-24/manga-creator-naoki-urasawa-debuts-music-cd-single|title = Manga Creator Naoki Urasawa Debuts Music CD Single|publisher = [[Anime News Network]]|date = June 24, 2008|access-date = 2013-07-28|archive-date = November 11, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121111052156/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-24/manga-creator-naoki-urasawa-debuts-music-cd-single|url-status = live}}</ref> He released the limited single {{nihongo|"Tsuki ga Tottemo..."|月がとっても…}} on June 4, 2008,<ref name="music"/> and his debut album {{nihongo|''Hanseiki no Otoko''|半世紀の男||"Half Century Man"}} on November 29, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/11537 |title=話題の新人、ミュージシャン浦沢直樹アルバム発売 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2008-11-29 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204163533/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/11537 |url-status=live }}</ref> Both were produced by Koji Wakui, while the album features [[Hiroyuki Namba]] and other musicians.<ref name="loft"/> A single featuring a remix of [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]]'s "[[20th Century Boy]]" and Urasawa's "Bob Lennon (Kenji no Uta)" was released on August 19, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/18568 |title=T.REX／浦沢のスプリット盤「20センチュリー・ボーイ」 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2009-07-12 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205172507/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/18568 |url-status=live }}</ref> Urasawa and Mitsuru Kuramoto wrote and performed {{nihongo|"Nigero"|逃げろ}} under the name {{nihongo|Urasawa ni Mitsuru|浦沢に美津留}} to be the theme of the 2011 [[NTT Docomo]] TV show ''Tsubuyaki Sanshirō ~Ippon Nau!~''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/49507 |title=浦沢に美津留が主題歌手がけたドラマ、Facebookで配信 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2011-05-16 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414142454/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/49507 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://soket.jp/work/tsubuyakisanshiro/ |title=つぶやき三四郎 〜一本なう〜 |language=ja |publisher=Soket |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506065926/https://soket.jp/work/tsubuyakisanshiro/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012 he performed a Japanese cover of Bob Dylan's "[[Girl from the North Country]]" and "Guta lala suda lala" from his series ''20th Century Boys'' at the [[Japan Expo]], and the following day he joined rock band [[Hemenway (band)|Hemenway]] on stage.<ref name="Japan Expo"/>

Urasawa's second album, {{nihongo|''Mannon''|漫音}} which he wrote and produced himself, was released in 2016.<ref name="AJWmusic"/> Urasawa wrote a demo for a song titled {{nihongo|"Kanashiki LA Tengoku"|悲しきLA天国}} and sent it to musician [[Mike Viola]], who finished the track and invited Urasawa to Los Angeles to play on it. The people playing on the song are Urasawa, Viola, drummer [[Jim Keltner]], and Mitsuru Kuramoto. It is included on the album ''The Best of Mike Viola'' which was released on January 22, 2020, with the performance credited to Monaka.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/364140 |title=浦沢直樹が"天才POP職人"マイク・ヴァイオラのベスト盤にミュージシャンとして参加 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2020-01-22 |access-date=2020-02-16 |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216054031/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/364140 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, Urasawa was one of many people who submitted lyrics that were adopted by Sunplaza Nakano-kun into a new version of [[Bakufu Slump]]'s 1984 song {{nihongo|"Murida! Ketteihan"|無理だ！決定盤}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/d%20news/detail/86135/2 |title=サンプラザ中野くん、ミニAL『感謝還暦』から「涙2(2020 青春 Ver.)」MV公開 |language=ja |publisher=[[Billboard Japan]] |date=2020-03-19 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705090715/http://www.billboard-japan.com/d%20news/detail/86135/2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Works==
[[File:Naoki Urasawa live drawing Japan Expo 2012 (1).jpg|thumb|Urasawa live drawing in Paris]]
===Serials===
* {{nihongo|''[[Pineapple Army]]''|パイナップルARMY||1985–1988}} - written by Kazuya Kudo
* {{nihongo|''[[Yawara!]]''|ヤワラ|Yawara|1986–1993}}
* {{nihongo|''[[Master Keaton]]''|MASTERキートン|Masutā Kīton|1988–1994}} - written with Hokusei Katsushika and [[Takashi Nagasaki]]
* ''[[Happy! (sports manga)|Happy!]]'' (1993–1999)
* {{nihongo|''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''|モンスター|Monsutā|1994–2001}}
* {{nihongo|''[[20th Century Boys]]''|20世紀少年}} / {{nihongo|''21st Century Boys''|21世紀少年|}} (1999–2006, 2007)
* {{nihongo|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''|プルートウ|Purūtō|2003–2009}} - written with Takashi Nagasaki, based on a work by [[Osamu Tezuka]]
* {{nihongo|''[[Billy Bat]]''|ビリーバット|Birī Batto|2008–2016}} - written with Takashi Nagasaki
* {{nihongo|''[[Master Keaton|Master Keaton Remaster]]''|MASTERキートン Reマスター|Masutā Kīton Rimasutā|2012–2014}} - written with Takashi Nagasaki
* {{nihongo|''[[Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams]]''|夢印-MUJIRUSHI-||2017–2018}}
* {{nihongo|''[[Asadora!]]''|連続漫画小説 あさドラ!|Renzoku Manga Shōsetsu Asadora!|"Serial Manga Novel Asadora!", 2018–present}}

===Other manga===
* "Swimmers" (1979) - Unpublished until the May 13, 2003, issue of ''[[Evening (magazine)|Evening]]''.
* "Return" (1981)
* "Beta!!" (1983) - published in a special issue of ''[[Golgo 13]]''<ref name="Golgo13"/>
* {{nihongo|''Dancing Policeman''|踊る警官|Odoru Keikan|1984}}
* ''N・A・S・A'' (1988)
* ''Jigoro!'' (1994) - includes the titular series, {{nihongo|"Genroku Yarō"|元禄野郎}} and "A Bat & 2 Balls"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/145959 |title=浦沢直樹の短編集「JIGORO！」完全版、「YAWARA！」の完結巻と同時発売ぢゃ |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2015-04-30 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818023007/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/145959 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{nihongo|''Early Urasawa''|初期のURASAWA|Shoki no Urasawa|2000}}
* {{nihongo|"[[Throw Toward the Moon!]]"|月に向かって投げろ!|Tsuki ni Mukatte Nagero!|2006}} - written with Takashi Nagasaki
* {{nihongo|"[[Kaiju Kingdom]]"|怪獣王国|Kaijū Ōkoku|2013}}
* {{nihongo|"[[Damiyan!]]"|ダミヤン||2016}}
* {{nihongo|"[[It's a Beautiful Day (manga)|It's a Beautiful Day]]"|いっつあびゅうてぃふるでい||2018}} - original draft by musician Kenji Endo
* {{nihongo|''[[Sneeze: Naoki Urasawa Story Collection]]''|くしゃみ 浦沢直樹短編集|Kushami Urasawa Naoki Tanpenshū|2019}}
* {{nihongo|"Dr. Toguro Dokuro no Saigo"|Dr.トグロドクロの最期||2021}}

===Television, film, and radio===
* ''[[20th Century Boys: Beginning of the End]]'' (2008) - co-writer of the film's screenplay<ref>{{cite web|title=20世紀少年|url=https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/20thboys/welcome-j.html|work=[[Toho]]|language=Japanese|access-date=2021-10-09|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006004850/https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/20thboys/welcome-j.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope]]'' (2009) - supervisor of the film's screenplay<ref>{{cite web|title=20世紀少年＜第2章＞ 最後の希望|url=https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/20thboy-2/|work=Toho|language=Japanese|access-date=2021-10-09|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006045239/https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/20thboy-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[20th Century Boys 3: Redemption]]'' (2009) - co-writer of the film's screenplay<ref>{{cite web|title=20世紀少年 ＜最終章＞ぼくらの旗|url=https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/20thboy-3/|work=Toho|language=Japanese|access-date=2021-10-09|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006004916/https://www.toho.co.jp/movie/lineup/20thboy-3/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[The Tibetan Dog]]'' (2011) - initial character designs
* {{nihongo|''Urasawa Naoki no Manben''|浦沢直樹の漫勉||"Naoki Urasawa's Manga Exertions", 2014–2017}} - host of the TV show
* {{nihongo|''Junji and Naoki''|純次と直樹||2017–present}} - co-host of the radio show
* {{nihongo|''Nonfiction W Urasawa Naoki ~Tensai Mangaka no Owaranai Tabi~''|ノンフィクションＷ 浦沢直樹 ～天才漫画家の終わらない旅～||2018}} - as himself
* {{nihongo|''Seitan 90 Shūnen Kinen Tokuban ~Tezuka Osamu no Dengon~''|生誕90周年記念特番 ～手塚治虫の伝言～||2018}} - co-host of the radio special
* {{nihongo|''ZK/Zunō Keisatsu 50 Mirai e no Kodō''|zk / 頭脳警察50 未来への鼓動||2020}} - as himself
* ''Urasawa Naoki no Manben Neo'' (2020–present) - host of the TV show<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parker-Dalton |first1=Jacob |title=Naoki Urasawa's 'Manben' Returns as 'neo' Featuring a Star-Studded Cast |url=https://www.otaquest.com/naoki-urasawa-manben-neo-returns/ |website=Otaquest |date=2020-09-14 |access-date=2022-11-08}}</ref>
* "Boy" (2021) - directed and illustrated the [[Kazuyoshi Saito]] music video
* {{nihongo|''The Flower in the Sky''|天上の花||2022}} - as [[Haruo Satō (novelist)|Haruo Satō]]
* {{nihongo|''Mr. Moonlight ~1966 The Beatles Budōkan Kōen Min'na de Mita Yume~''|ミスタームーンライト～1966 ザ・ビートルズ武道館公演 みんなで見た夢～||2023}} - as himself, drew film poster<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ja:浦沢直樹、ザ・ビートルズの来日公演を追うドキュメンタリー映画のポスター執筆 |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/504195 |language=ja |work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2022-12-08 |access-date=2023-04-06}}</ref>

===Other work===
* ''Another Monster'' (2002) - novel written with Takashi Nagasaki
* ''Pleasure!'' (2003) - album cover for Domino88
* {{nihongo|''Wakui Sings Dylan''|ディランを唄う|Diran o Utau|2007}} - album cover for Koji Wakui
* {{nihongo|''Talkin' About Bob Dylan''|ディランを語ろう|Diran o Katarō|2007}} - book written with Koji Wakui, includes the manga {{nihongo|"Bob Dylan's Great Adventure"|ボブ・ディランの大冒険|Bobu Diran no Dai Bōken}}
* {{nihongo|''Manben''|漫勉||2008}} - art book
* {{nihongo|''Tensai ka Jinsai ka: Izumiya Shigeru All Time Best''|天才か人災か ～泉谷しげるオールタイムベスト～||2010}} - album cover for [[Shigeru Izumiya]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/31653 |title=浦沢直樹、泉谷ベスト盤のジャケをROCKIN'に描く |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2010-05-11 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203200342/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/31653 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{nihongo|''Gohan: Manzai Complete''|『ご飯』～漫才コンプリート～||2011}} - DVD cover for Waraimeshi<ref name="warai">{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/55814 |title=浦沢直樹、笑い飯をお弁当＆パンの戦士に！DVDジャケ描く |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2011-08-31 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=September 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904083027/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/55814 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{nihongo|''Pan: Warai no Shin Kyōchi''|『パン』～笑いの新境地～||2011}} - DVD cover for Waraimeshi<ref name="warai"/>
* {{nihongo|''Red Oni Cries''|泣いた赤鬼||2011}} - picture book of a Kosuke Hamada story, produced by Takashi Nagasaki<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/60076 |title=浦沢直樹描き下ろし、48ページカラー絵本「泣いた赤鬼」 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2011-11-30 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206102503/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/60076 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{nihongo|''Kyon 30: Nantettatte 30 Nen!''|Kyon30～なんてったって30年！～||2012}} - one of the song selectors for [[Kyoko Koizumi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/63967 |title=浦沢直樹、小泉今日子デビュー30周年ベスト盤の選曲者に |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2012-02-06 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602132058/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/63967 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{nihongo|''Hinshi no Soroku Tonya''|瀕死の双六問屋||2012}} - ''kanzenban'' edition book cover for [[Kiyoshiro Imawano]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/64059 |title=浦沢直樹、忌野清志郎の著書「瀕死の双六問屋」表紙を執筆 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2012-12-09 |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818204403/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/64059 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* "Be Hero" (2014) - single cover for [[Fudanjuku]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/125490 |title=風男塾の新譜、浦沢直樹イラストでヒーローに |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2014-09-07 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=May 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522012056/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/125490 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{nihongo|''Urasawa Naoki Egaite Egaite Kaki Makuru''|浦沢直樹 描いて描いて描きまくる||2016}} - guidebook
* {{nihongo|''Yano Pia''|やのぴあ||2016}} - book cover for [[Akiko Yano]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/209987 |title=矢野顕子40周年記念ブック「やのぴあ」刊行、奥田民生対談や細野晴臣インタビュー収載 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=2016-11-18 |access-date=2020-12-04 |archive-date=June 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621170342/https://natalie.mu/music/news/209987 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* "Boy" (2021) - single cover for Kazuyoshi Saito

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ {{Screen reader-only|Awards and nominations received by Naoki Urasawa}}
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Recipient(s) and nominee(s)
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="5"| [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]]
| 2004
| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| [[Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize for a Series|Prize for a Series]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-02-04/manga-mania-in-france|title=Manga-mania in France|date=2004-02-04|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=2021-10-08|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009010251/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-02-04/manga-mania-in-france|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2011
| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| Intergenerational Award
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-01-30/urasawa-tezuka-pluto-wins-at-france-angouleme|title=Urasawa, Tezuka's Pluto Wins at France's Angoulême|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2011-01-30|access-date=2013-07-28|archive-date=January 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200242/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-01-30/urasawa-tezuka-pluto-wins-at-france-angouleme|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2018
| rowspan="2"| {{sort|Urasawa|Naoki Urasawa}}
| Fauve Special Award
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="fauve"/>
|-
| Fauve Polar [[SNCF]] Special Award
| {{won}}
|-
| 2021
| {{sort|Asadora|''[[Asadora!]]''}}
| Youth Selection
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|title=Découvrez les 8 mangas sélectionnés au Festival d'Angoulême|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2020/11/19/dcouvrez-les-8-mangas-slectionns-au-festival-dangoulme|work=[[Crunchyroll]]|language=fr|date=2020-11-19|access-date=2020-11-21|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130175313/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2020/11/19/dcouvrez-les-8-mangas-slectionns-au-festival-dangoulme|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | [[Association des Critiques et des journalistes de Bande Dessinée]]
| 2010
| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| Prix Asie-ACBD
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acbd.fr/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/ACBD-2010-07-01.pdf|title=Pluto de Naoki Urasawa Prix Asie-ACBD 2010|publisher=[[Association des Critiques et des journalistes de Bande Dessinée]]|language=fr|date=2010-07-01|access-date=2021-10-08|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215172307/https://www.acbd.fr/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/ACBD-2010-07-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | [[Eagle Awards]]
| 2012
| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| Favourite New Manga
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Melrose|first=Kevin|url=https://www.cbr.com/winners-announced-for-2012-eagle-awards/|title=Winners announced for 2012 Eagle Awards|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=2012-05-29|access-date=2021-11-01|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105023035/https://www.cbr.com/winners-announced-for-2012-eagle-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="17"| [[Eisner Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| 2007
| rowspan="5"| {{sort|Monster|''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''}}
| [[Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia|Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Japan]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Japanese, World Manga Nominated for 2007 Eisner Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-19/japanese-world-manga-nominated-for-2007-eisner-awards|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2007-04-19|access-date=2013-07-28|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211012746/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-19/japanese-world-manga-nominated-for-2007-eisner-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"| Best Continuing Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2008
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Manga Listed Among Eisner Award Nominees for 2008|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/manga-listed-among-eisner-award-nominees-for-2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2008-04-14|access-date=2013-07-28|archive-date=August 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823123905/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/manga-listed-among-eisner-award-nominees-for-2008|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Manga Nominated for 2009 Eisner Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-07/manga-nominated-for-2009-eisner-awards|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2009-04-07|access-date=2013-07-28|archive-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511090132/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-07/manga-nominated-for-2009-eisner-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia|Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Japan]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2010
| {{sort|Urasawa|Naoki Urasawa}}
| Best Writer/Artist
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-04-08/urasawa-tatsumi-taniguchi-nominated-for-2010-eisners|title=Urasawa, Tatsumi, Taniguchi Nominated for 2010 Eisners|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2010-04-08|access-date=2013-12-31|archive-date=January 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200312/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-04-08/urasawa-tatsumi-taniguchi-nominated-for-2010-eisners|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| [[Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia|Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Limited Series or Story Arc
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| rowspan="2"| Best Continuing Series
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="bestcontin">{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-04-04/onward-towards-our-noble-deaths-20th-century-boys-get-eisner-nods|title=Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths, 20th Century Boys Get Eisner Nods|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2012-04-04|access-date=2013-07-21}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2011
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia|Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-31/viz-media-naoki-urasawa-20th-century-boys-wins-2011-eisner-award|title=Viz Media's Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys Wins 2011 Eisner Award|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2011-07-31|access-date=2012-02-29|archive-date=November 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111045049/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-31/viz-media-naoki-urasawa-20th-century-boys-wins-2011-eisner-award|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{sort|Urasawa|Naoki Urasawa}}
| Best Writer/Artist
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Todd|url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/news/2011-will-eisner-award-nominees-revealed/|title=2011 Will Eisner Award nominees revealed|work=[[CGMagazine]]|date=2011-04-08|access-date=2021-12-11|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211195911/https://www.cgmagonline.com/news/2011-will-eisner-award-nominees-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2012
| rowspan="2"| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| Best Continuing Series
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="bestcontin"/>
|-
| 2013
| rowspan="3"| [[Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia|Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-20/urasawa-20th-century-boys-wins-2nd-eisner-award|title=Urasawa's 20th Century Boys Wins 2nd Eisner Award|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2013-09-20|access-date=2013-07-21|archive-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723090503/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-20/urasawa-20th-century-boys-wins-2nd-eisner-award|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2015
| rowspan="2"| {{sort|Master|''[[Master Keaton]]''}}
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-22/all-you-need-is-kill-in-clothes-called-fat-master-keaton-one-punch-man-mizuki-showa-wolf-children-nominated-for-eisner-awards/.87407|title=All You Need Is Kill, In Clothes Called Fat, Master Keaton, One-Punch Man, Mizuki's Showa, Wolf Children Nominated for Eisner Awards|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2015-04-22|access-date=2015-11-08|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024337/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-22/all-you-need-is-kill-in-clothes-called-fat-master-keaton-one-punch-man-mizuki-showa-wolf-children-nominated-for-eisner-awards/.87407|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2016
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite news|last=Cavna|first=Michael|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/04/19/2016-eisner-awards-the-oscars-of-comics-announces-record-number-of-nominations-for-women/|title=2016 Eisner Awards: 'The Oscars of comics' announces record number of nominations for women|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=2016-04-19|access-date=2021-12-11|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808093043/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/04/19/2016-eisner-awards-the-oscars-of-comics-announces-record-number-of-nominations-for-women/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2019
| {{sort|Urasawa|Naoki Urasawa}}
| Will Eisner Hall of Fame
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="eisnerhall"/>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="4"| [[Harvey Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| 2010
| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| rowspan="3"| Best American Edition of Foreign Material
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-12/pluto-20th-century-boys-tezuka-nominated-for-harveys|title=Pluto, 20th Century Boys, Tezuka Nominated for Harveys|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2010-07-12|access-date=2013-12-31|archive-date=January 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102203451/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-12/pluto-20th-century-boys-tezuka-nominated-for-harveys|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-15/naoki-urasawa-20th-century-boys-manga-gets-harvey-nod|title=Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys Manga Gets Harvey Nod|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2013-07-15|access-date=2013-07-21|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122111619/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-15/naoki-urasawa-20th-century-boys-manga-gets-harvey-nod|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2013
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2021
| {{sort|Asadora|''[[Asadora!]]''}}
| Best Manga
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Alverson|first=Brigid|title=2021 Harvey Awards Nominations Announced|url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/48831/2021-harvey-awards-nominations-announced|work=[[ICv2]]|date=2021-07-16|access-date=2021-12-11|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211195911/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/48831/2021-harvey-awards-nominations-announced|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | [[Japan Cartoonists Association Awards]]
| 2008
| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]'' and ''[[21st Century Boys]]''}}
| Grand Prize
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-10/37th-japan-cartoonist-awards-announced|title=37th Japan Cartoonist Awards Announced|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2008-05-10|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150607/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-10/37th-japan-cartoonist-awards-announced|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3"| [[Japan Media Arts Festival]]
| 1997
| {{sort|Monster|''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''}}
| rowspan="3"| Excellence Prize
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/1997/manga/|title=Manga Division 1997 (1st) Japan Media Arts Festival Archive|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=2018-02-05|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073620/http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/1997/manga/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2002
| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2002/manga/|title=Manga Division 2002 (6th) Japan Media Arts Festival Archive|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=2018-02-05|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210610233435/http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2002/manga/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2005
| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2005/manga/|title=Manga Division 2005 (9th) Japan Media Arts Festival Archive|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|language=ja|access-date=2018-02-05|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131458/http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2005/manga/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" | [[Kodansha Manga Awards]]
| 2001
| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| General
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="KodanshaHahn"/>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="4"| [[Lucca Comics Awards]]
| 2004
| {{sort|Monster|''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''}}
| rowspan="4"| Best Series
| {{won}}
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-11-01/naoki-urasawa-asadora-manga-wins-lucca-comics-award-for-best-series/.179085|title=Naoki Urasawa's Asadora! Manga Wins Lucca Comics Award for Best Series|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2021-11-01|access-date=2021-11-01|archive-date=August 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810180811/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-11-01/naoki-urasawa-asadora-manga-wins-lucca-comics-award-for-best-series/.179085|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2010
| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| {{won}}
|-
| 2012
| {{sort|Billy|''[[Billy Bat]]''}}
| {{won}}
|-
| 2021
| {{sort|Asadora|''[[Asadora!]]''}}
| {{won}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"| [[Max & Moritz Prize]]
| 2014
| {{sort|Billy|''[[Billy Bat]]''}}
| Best International Comic
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comic-salon.de/en/max-und-moritz-award-1984|title="Max und Moritz" Award 2014|work=Comic Salon|date=November 27, 2017 |access-date=2018-10-07|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150506/https://www.comic-salon.de/en/max-und-moritz-award-1984|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
| {{sort|Urasawa|Naoki Urasawa}}
| Lifetime Achievement Award
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comic-salon.de/en/lifetime-achievement-award|title=Lifetime Achievement Award|work=Comic Salon|access-date=2022-06-01|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906150508/https://www.comic-salon.de/en/lifetime-achievement-award|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"| [[Seiun Awards]]
| 2008
| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]'' and ''[[21st Century Boys]]''}}
| rowspan="2"| Best Comic
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|title=2008年星雲賞|url=http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/2008result.html|work=[[Nihon SF Taikai]]|language=Japanese|access-date=2021-10-08|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516094031/http://sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/2008result.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2010
| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-07/guin-saga-summer-wars-pluto-win-at-japan-sci-fi-con|title=Guin Saga, Summer Wars, Pluto Win at Japan Sci-Fi Con|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2010-08-07|access-date=2013-12-31|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802165209/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-07/guin-saga-summer-wars-pluto-win-at-japan-sci-fi-con|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3"| [[Shogakukan Manga Award]]
| 1989
| {{sort|Yawara|''[[Yawara!]]''}}
| rowspan="3"| General
| {{won}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="ShogakukanAward"/>
|-
| 2000
| {{sort|Monster|''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''}}
| {{won}}
|-
| 2002
| {{sort|20|''[[20th Century Boys]]''}}
| {{won}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"| [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]]
| 1999
| {{sort|Monster|''[[Monster (manga)|Monster]]''}}
| rowspan="2"| Grand Prize
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="TezukaAwards"/>
|-
| 2005
| {{sort|Pluto|''[[Pluto (manga)|Pluto]]''}}
| {{won}}
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Dorsey |first=James |year=2011 |chapter=Urasawa Naoki's Twentieth Century Boys: Autobiographical Manga for Japan's Children of the 60s |editor-last=Chaney |editor-first=Michael A. |title=Graphic Subjects: Critical Essays on Autobiography and Graphic Novels |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780299251048/mode/2up |url-access=subscription |location=Madison, WI |publisher=The University of Wisconsin Press |pages=117–120 |isbn=9780299251048 |oclc=665064402}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Twitter|urasawa_naoki}}
* {{Youtube|channel=@-urasawachannel-5463}}
* [http://www.nhk.or.jp/manben/ ''Urasawa Naoki no Manben'' official website]
* [https://www.nhk.jp/p/manben/ts/7W327R2Y4N/ ''Urasawa Naoki no Manben Neo'' official website]
* {{Anime News Network|people|7081}}
* [http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/Urasawa_Naoki Naoki Urasawa] in ''[[The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction]]''

{{Naoki Urasawa}}
{{Kodansha Manga Award - General}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - General}}
{{Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Urasawa, Naoki}}
[[Category:Naoki Urasawa| ]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese singers]]
[[Category:Eisner Award winners]]
[[Category:Japanese folk singers]]
[[Category:Japanese male guitarists]]
[[Category:Japanese male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Japanese radio personalities]]
[[Category:Japanese television presenters]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Manga artists from Tokyo]]
[[Category:Osamu Tezuka]]
[[Category:People from Fuchū, Tokyo]]
[[Category:Winner of Kodansha Manga Award (General)]]