[Celebrity Series] What watches do world-famous manga artists wear? Naoki Urasawa, Katsuhiro Otomo, Hayao Miyazaki, and Leiji Matsumoto are featured!

Have you ever wanted to own a watch that a celebrity wears?

If you look closely at their wrists, you will notice that many celebrities wear top-notch luxury watches, with "stylish designs" and "luxurious, eye-catching watches."

This time, we will focus on the wrists of world-famous manga artists . What kind of watch does this legend who spread the Japanese popular culture of "manga" all over the world wear? Please enjoy until the end.

Worn by manga world leader Naoki Urasawa
[Grand Seiko]
『Heritage Collection』
"Ref.SBGA211"

Source: GQ JAPAN

Naoki Urasawa is a manga artist who continues to lead the Japanese manga world as a top runner.

Since his debut in 1983 with "BETA!!", he has produced numerous hits such as "YAWARA!", "MASTER Keaton", "MONSTER" and "20th Century Boys", with a total of over 128.5 million copies in print. Supported by fans around the world, his works have been translated into more than 20 languages.

The watch worn by Naoki Urasawa, who is still in his prime, is the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Ref. SBGA211, which features a beautiful snow-white pattern.

Source: GRAND SEIKO

The dial features a "snow white pattern" inspired by the snow white of Shinshu, and the contrast with the blue steel second hand is very striking. The case and bracelet are made of bright titanium, which is much lighter than stainless steel, has less effect on metal allergies, and is highly corrosion-resistant.

[Author's comment]
Even now at over 60, Urasawa Naoki continues to draw for more than 12 hours every day. That's amazing. For a writer, deadlines = time is something he must always be conscious of. However, if he is too caught up in that, he will not be able to produce good work. He has chosen this simple and beautiful Grand Seiko as an item to help him know deadlines = time, which does not have a very good image for such a writer, and it seems to give him peace of mind. What great taste!

Worn by Katsuhiro Otomo, a pioneer of the Japanese anime movement
[Grand Seiko]
『Sports Collection』
"Ref.SBGC221"

Katsuhiro Otomo is a manga artist who has received high acclaim overseas and is a pioneer of the Japanese animation movement outside of Japan known as "Japanimation ." He is also a creator who is not bound by any particular genre, working as an illustrator, film director, and screenwriter.

The animated film "AKIRA," one of Katsuhiro Otomo's masterpieces, is very famous. Its style is said to have had a major impact on the manga world since the 1980s.

Katsuhiro Otomo, who has such a unique worldview, wears the cutting-edge Grand Seiko "Sports Collection" "Ref. SBGC221" model, which uses bright titanium and ceramics.

Source: SEIKO

The ceramic case is difficult to polish, but the entire surface is mirror-finished, and the polyhedral form beautifully accentuates the edges, giving the watch a unique look with a deep shine.The second hand, hour and minute hands, GMT hand, and indexes on the white dial are all Lumibrite-finished, providing high visibility.

[Author's comment]
The cutting-edge design using hybrid materials is a perfect fit for Otomo, who depicted the near future in "AKIRA." Although Otomo is not limited to a single genre, he has a hidden love for Japan, as he chose Grand Seiko, a watch brand that Japan is proud of. His cool style peeking out from under his black shirt is just too cool!

Worn by the master of animation, director Hayao Miyazaki
[Jaeger-LeCoultre]
『Big Reverso』
"Ref.Q270.14.10"

Source: SANKEI BIZ

Hayao Miyazaki , director of Studio Ghibli, is one of Japan's greatest animation filmmakers.

Director Hayao Miyazaki, who created an era in the world of animated films, made his directorial debut with "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro" after working on "Future Boy Conan," and has since produced numerous masterpieces for Ghibli, becoming a leading figure who needs no introduction.

The watch worn by Japan's most famous director, Hayao Miyazaki, is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Big Reverso Ref. Q270.14.10, which features an eye-catching rectangular case.

Source: Web Chronos

This film was presented to Hayao Miyazaki by Jaeger-LeCoultre, a long-time supporter of the Venice International Film Festival, one of the world's most prestigious film festivals. In 2005, when the two companies formed a partnership, Hayao Miyazaki was awarded the festival's Honorary Golden Lion in recognition of his significant contributions to the film industry.

The Reverso is an important and iconic model in the history of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Big Reverso features a rectangular case with an Art Deco-style inverted case and a small second hand, and is an attractive piece that is one size larger than the classic model.

[Author's comment]
With its slim case that doesn't get in the way of your work and its well-balanced design, this must be the perfect watch for Director Hayao Miyazaki. I'm not the only one whose heart dances when I imagine him creating masterpieces wearing this. Still, Director Hayao Miyazaki wearing a Reverso with his apron is a great look, and it matches his personality.

Worn by the leading Japanese manga artist, the genius "Reiji Matsumoto"
[Breitling]
Navitimer
"Ref.806"

Source: excite.ism

Our last introducer is Matsumoto Leiji, a manga artist who created a huge boom in the 1970s and 1980s when many of his works were adapted into anime.

After making his debut at the age of 15 when he won the Manga Shonen Newcomer Award, he has left behind numerous masterpieces, including the well-known Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and is a legend in the manga world with many fans all over the world.

The watch worn by this world-famous manga artist, Leiji Matsumoto, is the mechanical chronograph Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806.

Source: excite.ism

This is a watch that Matsumoto Reiji has been lovingly using since he bought it at the age of 25, repairing it many times. He wore it awake and asleep, and apparently he wrote "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Battleship Yamato" while wearing this Navitimer. In the TV anime, he even used the chronograph function to measure the length of the voice actors' lines.

[Author's comment]
Breitling's Navitimer is a pioneer of chronographs that appeared in the 1950s. Matsumoto's model is the second model manufactured in the 1960s, and it's a chronograph that tickles the masculine heart, with a mirror dial design that is simply cool! Currently, Matsumoto Leiji owns many Rolex hand-wound Daytonas and Omega Speedmasters. His commitment and love of watches seems to be in line with the passion that created his soul-stirring works.

summary

That's all, what do you think?

This time, the cast was so great that I felt humbled even writing this article. (laughs) However, as I researched each of them in order to write the article, I was able to learn about their fascinating anecdotes and backgrounds, and before I knew it, I was so engrossed in their charm that I couldn't stop writing! I am truly overwhelmed!

I myself have learned a lot through this series, and my love for watches is growing day by day. I hope that this article will help you choose your favorite watch, and that it will be an opportunity for you to grow even more fond of watches.

see you!