Manga creator Inio Asano is taking a unconventional approach to his latest project. On Monday, the artist posted a nearly two-minute video on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing an intricately detailed 3D model of a rural town he spent a full month building—all for a one-shot manga he hasn't started drawing yet.

In the video, Asano walks viewers through the digital environment, showing off a residential home, a rest area, and expansive rice fields. The work is impressively detailed, with careful attention to rural Japanese aesthetics. But in a characteristically self-aware caption, Asano admitted: "I haven't completed a single page of the draft yet!"

It's an amusing glimpse into Asano's creative process. Rather than sketching from imagination or reference photos, he's building entire environments in 3D to use as reference material—a technique that demands significant time investment upfront. Whether this extensive preparation will translate into a faster drawing process remains to be seen.

Asano hasn't formally announced details about the one-shot project itself, so for now fans are left speculating about the story and setting. Given his track record, the wait should be worth it. The artist is best known for his acclaimed series Goodnight Punpun, widely considered a modern manga classic, and Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction, a darkly comedic sci-fi work. He's also currently serializing Mujina Into the Deep in Shogakukan's Big Comic Superior magazine, with plans for a second season next year.

Asano's willingness to experiment with new tools and workflows shows why he remains one of manga's most respected voices. While some creators stick to traditional methods, Asano isn't afraid to spend a month on 3D modeling if it serves his vision—even if it means delaying his actual manuscript. It's the kind of commitment to craft that has earned him a dedicated international following.

With luck, the one-shot will arrive soon, and readers will finally see what rural town Asano spent all that time building.