An upcoming Japanese documentary TV series will examine the process of drawing manga from an insider's perspective. Urasawa Naoki no Manben (which, roughly translated, means "Naoki Urasawa's Manga Exertions") is hosted by veteran manga artist Naoki Urasawa (Monster, Pluto, 20th Century Boys) and follows different artists each episode, watching them draw their manga from scratch and exploring what differentiates their styles.





The first episode looks at Akiko Higashimura (Princess Jellyfish) as she draws her Warring States Era manga Yukibana no Tora ("Snow Tiger"), emphasizing her speed and the teamwork with her large team of assistants.





The second episode focuses on Kazuhiro Fujita (Ushio and Tora), who eschews rough drafts and uses lots of white-out to draw his latest series, The Black Museum: Ghost and Ready.





Episode 3 examines Inio Asano (Goodnight Pun Pun), who draws his science-fiction series Dead Dead Demon's Dededededestruction with a mixture of pen and paper and computer software.





The fourth episode peeks behind the curtain of Takao Saitō's workplace, where he has labored away at Golgo 13 for 47 years.





Urasawa Naoki no Manben premieres on NHK E on September 4 at 11 PM. It originated as a one-off last year, examining Kaiji Kawaguchi (Zipang) and Kazumi Yamashita (Tensai Yanagisawa Kyōju no Seikatsu). A second season will air in March 2016.

[Via Comic Natalie, NHK Online and Netlab]