Who Is Naoki Urasawa? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on January 2, 1960, Naoki Urasawa is 65 years old in 2025. He was born in Fukuoka, Japan, and began his career in the manga industry in the late 1980s. Urasawa gained widespread recognition for his influential works, including Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto, each showcasing his ability to weave complex narratives that explore human psychology and moral dilemmas. His unique storytelling has garnered numerous awards, making him one of the most respected figures in the manga community.
| Occupation | Folk Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 2, 1960 |
| Age | 65 Years |
| Birth Place | Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Japan |
Popularity
Naoki Urasawa's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though specific details about Urasawa's height and weight are not prominently documented, it's known that he maintains a relatively average physique for an artist. His commitment to his craft often means long hours at his drawing table, leading to a lifestyle centered around creativity rather than fitness. As an artist, Urasawa's focus is more on his work than on public appearance metrics.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Naoki Urasawa tends to keep his personal life private, which has led to limited information regarding his family and relationships. However, it's known that he is married, and he has children. Urasawa values his family time and often draws inspiration from his personal experiences, which can be seen in the emotional depth of his characters. As of 2025, there have been no public statements or disclosures about any girlfriend or boyfriend, indicating he remains committed to his wife.
Between 2013 and 2014, Urasawa contributed to the essay series "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.
In August 2013, Urasawa created his first "monster manga" titled "Kaiju Kingdom", a 41-page one-shot published in Big Comic. 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 manga all day! You need to benkyō (study), too!". It began as a one-off special in November 2014, a first season was launched in September 2015, a second in March 2016, a third in September 2016, and a fourth in March 2017.
After three years, the show returned in October 2020 with Neo added to the end of its title. The show won the December 2015 Planning Award as part of Quick Japan's annual TV of the Year awards, decided by broadcast writers.
The June 9, 2021, episode on Yoshikazu Yasuhiko won the Grand Prize in the entertainment category at the 2022 Japan Media Arts Festival. Beginning in July 2015, Urasawa started contributing to the "Musica Nostra" column series that was published in Shueisha's Grand Jump magazine.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Naoki Urasawa's net worth is estimated to be in the range of $10 million to $15 million. His earnings primarily stem from his successful manga series, which have sold millions of copies worldwide, as well as adaptations of his works into anime and films. Urasawa's business acumen has also allowed him to invest in various projects, further boosting his financial standing.
Career, Business and Investments
Urasawa's career has been marked by critical acclaim and commercial success. After debuting in the manga scene, he quickly established himself with hit series that gained international popularity. Monster, serialized in the late 1990s, became a cultural phenomenon, leading to adaptations in different media. He has also ventured into music, showcasing his versatility and passion for creativity. In addition to his manga work, Urasawa has invested in various creative projects, including collaborations with other artists and participation in manga-related exhibitions.
Naoki Urasawa (浦沢 直樹) 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 best-selling authors of all time.
Social Network
Naoki Urasawa is somewhat active on social media, often sharing insights into his creative process and updates on his works. While he may not be as vocal as some other celebrities, he uses platforms like Twitter to connect with fans. His official accounts provide glimpses into his life, upcoming projects, and events, allowing fans to stay engaged with his work.
Urasawa cited Osamu Tezuka as one of his heroes, being particularly fond of his manga Phoenix. "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. Around that same age is when he started to draw manga, and at eight he created his first complete story.
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.
Education
Urasawa attended the Musashino Art University, where he honed his skills in art and storytelling. His education laid the groundwork for his future success in manga, providing him with the foundational techniques and artistic principles that he would refine throughout his career. This academic background has undoubtedly contributed to the depth and sophistication of his narratives.
Naoki Urasawa's journey from a young artist in Fukuoka to a celebrated figure in the manga industry is a testament to his talent and dedication. With many more stories to tell, his influence in the world of manga remains profound and enduring.
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! (1993–1999).
The thriller 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 (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.
