Gosho Aoyama revealed details about his creation process for Detective Conan and other works in Aoyama Gosho 30-Shūnen Hon (Gosho Aoyama 30th Anniversary Book), which Shogakukan released on October 18.

Some fans are stunned at the taxing work schedule Aoyama revealed.

About five days per week, Aoyama draws manga for 20 hours per day. He takes three 15-minute breaks throughout the day to eat, and he sleeps (at the office) only from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on those days. Aoyama also allows himself a nap from 2:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. However, when times are tough, he skips the nap and keeps working.

Working such long hours, it seems reasonable that Aoyama would take the other two days per week off. On the contrary, the book states that Aoyama works on storyboards about three days per week. On those days, he works on storyboards for eight hours and allows himself a generous 12 hours to sleep. He eats only twice per day and has four hours of “private time.” Aoyama apparently plays Kan Colle during that time.

Aoyama is not alone while working; he has six assistants who perform various tasks. While they may not keep exactly the same schedule as Aoyama, they too have demanding schedules. The book notes that they might nap while he sleeps or bring him salads at 1:45 a.m.

Aoyama has series prep meetings about once every three weeks before starting a new cycle of alternating storyboard and drawing days. In a typical month, he spends three weeks working mostly on storyboards and drawing and spends the remaining week in preparation for the next series.

In addition to detailing his schedule in the book, Aoyama outlines his career from its start in 1986 to now. Aoyama’s editor participated in a six-hour interview to discuss the creation process of Detective Conan. Fans can also get a behind-the-scenes look at Aoyama’s work space and his favorite things. To celebrate the creator’s long career, 20 fellow manga creators contributed congratulatory messages and illustrations to the book.

▼ Gosho Aoyama 30th Anniversary Book

Besides Aoyama, many renowned manga creators have demanding work schedules. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda claims to only sleep from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and take no time off. He also reportedly told a former editor to “die for One Piece.”

Source: Yaraon!
Featured image: Instagram/Moriharu731

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