This is just amazing – Afternoon KC, the Japanese publisher for Samura Hiroaki’s Blade Of The Immortal manga has just released what is apparently the first ever video of the artist at work.

The 3 minute long video shows Samura-san drawing a piece for the character Manji, and although much of it is fast forwarded through it still gives us a fantastic insight into the elusive artist’s superb technique.

A long time back I was chastised by my art teacher back in school for sketching with a mechanical pencil, because it doesn’t give one the broad expressiveness of a standard graphite core pencil – but I feel a little consoled now seeing Samura-san doing the same. ( although he does switch to those when he starts rendering work. )

I also noticed that Samura-san is working on an A3 “canvas” size – does anyone know if this the the manga standard size for originals ? ( At least for the 18.5 x 12.5cm tankobon comics ) During my visit to the Otomo Genga Exhibition, I noticed that the Akira manga originals are B4 size – but Akira was released on a much bigger format, of course.

If you are new to Samura Hiroaki’s art work it is imperative you check out his art book for Blade Of The Immortal, as well as Brutal Love ( the latter contains adult content. )