Hailed as a master of thrill and suspense, Naoki Urasawa is a prominent figure in the manga industry. The legendary mangaka is responsible for several iconic titles, such as 20th Century Boys, Monster, Pluto, and many more. Interestingly, Urasawa credits Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson for inspiring his creativity to craft every fan-favorite character with layers of emotional depth.
Urasawa is renowned for crafting gripping narratives featuring realistic characters dealing with extraordinary situations that leave a long-lasting impression on the audience. From Monster‘s psychopathic serial killer to Pluto‘s emotionally complex robots, the mangaka has enthralled many fans with several compelling characters.
Urasawa’s work breathes a new life into his characters, with many emerging as the crowd favorite later. Apart from The Fugitive‘s deep influence, Naoki Urasawa revealed two famous actors who left a profound impression on the legendary mangaka and subtly shaped his creative vision.
Monster Creator Naoki Urasawa Reveals Two Iconic Actors Who Shaped His Work
Monster is undoubtedly the mangaka’s most popular title, which many fans regard as a psychological thriller masterpiece. Despite not ranking among the most mainstream titles in the industry, Monster’s success is extraordinary.
Besides Monster, the 20th Century Boys also rank among Urasawa’s most renowned work, featuring a captivating tale of childhood friendship, mysterious prophecies, and huge conspiracies. From being one of the best mangaka to a talented musician, Naoki Urasawa is a man of many talents.
Beyond his exceptional storytelling and cinematic touch, Urasawa’s work shines for introducing compelling characters known for their depth and emotional resonance. In an interview, the legendary mangaka disclosed the names of two iconic actors that shaped Urasawa’s creativity for future success. He said:
Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson… Those actors, they can tell so much just by the angle of the face, and also just the look in the eye. Just by their turning around, you can tell there’s something they’re holding back, something they want to say.
Robert De Niro is a prominent figure in the Hollywood film industry, who is a highly acclaimed American actor, director, and producer. Whereas Jack Nicholson is an American retired actor and filmmaker, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.
Naoki Urasawa also shares how being a creator enables him to discover subtle details and view stories from a unique perspective. He adds:
Whenever I watch films or theatre performances, I’m not really trying to make myself, but I do notice the difference between what’s “happening” and what the (characters) are trying to say, within the face.
Although Naoki Urasawa’s Monster is now regarded as the greatest psychological thriller masterpiece, the mangaka faced a lot of challenges before his glory days. He even struggled to gain full support from his publisher, who wouldn’t recognize Monster‘s hidden potential.
Naoki Urasawa’s Publisher Skeptical of Monster‘s Potential
Monster is a complex and thought-provoking anime series, where Naoki Urasawa explores a wide range of moral and psychological issues. Despite Monster‘s immense success, Urasawa failed to make his own publisher recognize his manga’s potential.
He shared that when he first pitched Monster to his publisher, the reception was far from enthusiastic. Moreover, his publisher politely tried to make Urasawa drop his greatest masterpiece.
The publisher believed that audiences wouldn’t connect with the grim subject matter and unconventional storyline. Regardless, Urasawa stuck to his roots and fought back, determined to bring his vision to life. Fortunately, his efforts were met positively, and fans were able to witness the greatest psychological thriller masterpiece.
Monster‘s exploring themes of morality, responsibility, and the nature of evil deeply resonated with viewers, leaving an impact the publisher once overlooked.
Monster is currently available to watch and read on Netflix and Viz Media, respectively.
