“Sauna Wars” is a death game manga in which the protagonist and author, Anakubo Kosaku, and manga editor Tani get caught up in “Sauna Wars,” a sauna-based murder game hosted by the mysterious organization “SSS (World Sauna Circle).”

The lives of those who enter the sauna are at stake, and the story is depicted with the outstanding brushwork of a veteran manga artist. The bold style of the work, which challenges people’s views on life and death, has captivated many users, making it one of the hottest manga out there right now.

A big sauna fan who stays in the sauna for 12 minutes per session decided to write after the boom.

— Mr. Anakubo is 67 years old. He is a veteran manga artist with nearly 40 years of experience, but what prompted him to create a work with a sauna theme this time?

Professor Kosaku Anakubo (hereinafter the same)When I was thinking of ideas for serialization, I wondered if I could draw a manga based on a genre that was booming. So I thought I could make one set in a sauna, a place I’ve been going to for a long time.

I tend to give up on anything after just three days, but going to the sauna has been a part of my daily routine for nearly 40 years since I moved to Tokyo. Recently, saunas have become popular, and my editor also likes saunas, so we often go there together, which is why I decided to make this happen.

–In the story, Mr. Anakubo openly stated that he is a big fan of saunas and goes to them two or three times a week. He also said that he often comes up with ideas for his manga while struggling with the heat. By the way, how many minutes do you spend in a sauna each time…?

I’ve always tried not to come out for 12 minutes once I’ve entered. If I stay in for a long time, I feel good and my mind becomes clear. Although, lately I feel like I’m going to lose consciousness.

However, in places like Finland where it originates, the original way to enjoy it is to go out whenever you like, so I’m enjoying it in completely the wrong way (laughs).

— 12 minutes!? At 67 years old, that’s already out of the ordinary (laughs). By the way, there are many manga that use saunas as a theme, but a work that adds a “death game” element is unheard of. Could it have something to do with the fact that you’ve been enduring such long periods in the sauna?

For example, if you were in a sauna and an earthquake suddenly came and trapped you inside, everyone inside would die, right?

When I was planning the project, I initially thought of introducing sauna facilities, but that would be boring and wouldn’t appeal to children. So I thought it would be interesting to make it a sauna panic story. But since that doesn’t happen that easily in everyday life, I thought I’d add another twist and have a villain close the sauna’s exit on his own. And that’s how it came to be the death game.