If you enjoy reading books by Naoki Urasawa then you might also like the following authors:
Osamu Tezuka is often called the father of modern manga. His storytelling is bold and heartfelt, often exploring morality and humanity in deeply personal ways. One of his standout works is “Buddha.”
It reimagines the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, weaving in vivid characters and moments that bring his journey to enlightenment to life. The story blends humor, tragedy, and reflection, creating a layered narrative that pulls you into its world.
If you’re a fan of Naoki Urasawa’s ability to craft intense and emotional stories, Tezuka’s work is worth exploring.
Katsuhiro Otomo is a Japanese manga artist and film director best known for his groundbreaking work in the cyberpunk genre. His most famous piece, “Akira,” is set in Neo-Tokyo, a city rebuilt after a massive explosion.
The story follows Kaneda, a biker gang leader, and his friend Tetsuo, whose sudden psychic powers spiral out of control. It’s a tale packed with government experiments, rebellion, and the bonds between friends during chaos.
Otomo combines gritty, futuristic settings with intense character struggles, creating a world that feels alive and unpredictable. Fans of Naoki Urasawa’s ability to weave complex, human stories will find something special here.
Yoshihiro Togashi is a manga creator whose work brings unique stories and characters to life.
One of his well-known series, “Hunter x Hunter,” follows Gon Freecss, a boy who learns that his father, whom he thought was dead, is actually a legendary Hunter—someone who takes on dangerous missions and explores uncharted territories.
Determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, Gon faces dangerous creatures, puzzles, and rival Hunters as he works to earn his own Hunter’s license. The story mixes intense battles with deep character development, and you never know what twists Togashi will throw in next.
Fans of Naoki Urasawa might find the suspenseful and layered storytelling here pretty interesting.
Tsugumi Ohba is a talented writer known for creating stories packed with twists and unique concepts. One of their most famous works, “Death Note,” revolves around a high school student named Light Yagami who stumbles upon a mysterious notebook.
The notebook gives him the power to kill anyone by writing their name in it. With this dangerous tool, he sets out to reshape the world according to his own sense of justice, attracting the attention of a genius detective named L.
The story becomes a tense battle of wits between the two as they try to outsmart each other at every step.
Masashi Kishimoto is the creator behind the popular manga series “Naruto.” The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with big dreams of becoming the leader of his village. He’s an underdog, often underestimated because of the Nine-Tails beast sealed inside him.
What makes the series stand out are the bonds between characters, like Naruto’s rivalry with Sasuke or his mentorship under Jiraiya. The story blends action with emotional moments, and the stakes always feel personal.
Fans of Naoki Urasawa might enjoy how Kishimoto weaves layers into his characters while keeping the momentum of the story strong.
Takehiko Inoue is a manga artist known for creating stories that blend deep character development with striking visuals. One of his standout works is “Vagabond,” which reimagines the life of Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary swordsman in Japanese history.
The story follows Musashi as he wrestles with his violent nature and searches for true strength and purpose. The journey takes him through brutal battles, moments of reflection, and encounters with other warriors who challenge his way of thinking.
It’s a tale about redemption and the cost of ambition, set against the backdrop of feudal Japan.
Eiichiro Oda is the creator of “One Piece,” a story packed with adventure, humor, and unforgettable characters. The series follows Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who gains the ability to stretch his body like rubber after eating a strange fruit.
He sets out to find the legendary treasure called One Piece and aims to become the Pirate King.
Along the way, he builds a quirky crew, each with their own dreams and talents, like Zoro, a swordsman with a knack for getting lost, and Nami, a navigator who dreams of mapping the world.
Fans of Naoki Urasawa’s ability to weave intricate character stories and long-term mysteries might find Oda’s mix of deep world-building and emotion equally satisfying.
Hajime Isayama is a Japanese manga creator best known for the series “Attack on Titan.” The story takes place in a world where humanity hides behind massive walls to protect themselves from giant, man-eating creatures called Titans.
The main character, Eren Yeager, dreams of seeing the world beyond the walls. When tragedy strikes, his life takes a dramatic turn that reveals secrets about the Titans and humanity’s own history.
The series blends intense action and character-driven tension, with twists around every corner. It explores survival, loyalty, and the cost of freedom in ways that can leave you thinking long after you put it down.
Satoshi Kon, known for his work as a filmmaker and manga artist, also explored thought-provoking storytelling in his manga. One of his notable works is “Opus.” The story follows a manga artist named Chikara, who is suddenly pulled into the world of his own creation.
He encounters his characters, including the rebellious hero Satoko, as they wrestle with their destinies and question the role of their creator. The blend of reality and fiction creates unexpected twists that make the stakes feel personal.
Fans of Naoki Urasawa’s ability to blend suspense with human emotion might find something to appreciate in this creative tale.
Junji Ito is a Japanese manga artist known for creating horror stories that dig into disturbing and surreal themes. One of his standout works is “Uzumaki,” which tells the story of a small town gripped by an obsession with spirals.
This obsession begins harmlessly, with people noticing spirals in everyday objects, but soon it turns into a terrifying curse that consumes the townsfolk in horrifying ways.
The story builds tension as the spiral shapes start overtaking the environment and even twisting the human body in grotesque forms. Ito’s artwork brings the madness to life, making every page unforgettable.
Hirohiko Araki is a Japanese manga artist known for creating imaginative and unpredictable stories.
One of his most famous works, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” follows multiple generations of the Joestar family as they face off against strange foes and uncover deep family connections.
In the third part, “Stardust Crusaders,” Jotaro Kujo teams up with his grandfather Joseph Joestar to travel across the world and defeat an ancient enemy named Dio.
The story is full of intense battles that revolve around mysterious powers called Stands, which are unique to every character and keep the stakes high.
Kentaro Miura was a Japanese manga artist known for creating the dark fantasy series “Berserk.” The story follows Guts, a lone mercenary with a massive sword, as he battles both human enemies and supernatural creatures in a haunting medieval world.
The series explores Guts’ journey through betrayal, revenge, and survival while uncovering the mysteries of the ominous Brand of Sacrifice he bears. The artwork is stunning, and the story digs deep into its characters’ motivations and struggles.
Fans of Naoki Urasawa may appreciate the depth of storytelling and the tension that builds as Guts faces impossible odds. “Berserk” combines intense action and heartfelt moments that leave a lasting impact on readers.
CLAMP is a group of talented manga creators known for their unique storytelling and intricate art. One of their standout works is “Tokyo Babylon.”
The story follows Subaru Sumeragi, a kind-hearted onmyoji, or spiritual practitioner, who works to protect people from unseen forces in modern-day Tokyo.
Alongside his sharp-tongued twin sister, Hokuto, and the mysterious veterinarian Seishiro, Subaru tackles cases involving curses and spirits. Beneath the surface, secrets and tensions between the main characters build, creating a rich story full of unexpected twists.
Fans of Naoki Urasawa’s layered characters and engaging plots may find themselves drawn to CLAMP’s style as well.
Akira Toriyama is a Japanese manga artist best known for creating bold, imaginative worlds with a mix of action and humor. One of his standout works is “Dragon Ball.”
The story follows Goku, a carefree but incredibly strong boy with a monkey tail, as he teams up with others to search for the Dragon Balls, powerful artifacts said to grant any wish when gathered. The story balances quirky characters, intense fights, and mysterious threats.
From Goku’s first encounter with Bulma to his fights against enemies like the Red Ribbon Army, the series constantly takes unexpected turns, keeping the adventures fresh and exciting.
If you enjoy Naoki Urasawa’s storytelling with its intriguing twists, “Dragon Ball” might introduce you to a lighter, adventurous style.
Creator of “Inuyasha” and “Ranma ½,” Rumiko Takahashi is known for her talent in blending romance, humor, and supernatural themes. Her versatile storytelling and emotional depth might attract Urasawa readers.