When the legendary manga master Naoki Urasawa lends his ink to a guitar duo, the result is a video that feels like a comic strip come alive. On June 18 2026, Rodrigo y Gabriela dropped a music video for their single “Monster,” animated and drawn by the celebrated Japanese artist.

The clip offers the first visual glimpse of the duo’s forthcoming album OurHome, slated for release on September 18 2026. The single itself was finished before the duo learned that Urasawa, a long‑time fan of their live shows, had taken a particular interest in the track.

Urasawa, who has followed the duo’s performances for years, discovered that the composition was inspired by his own psychological thriller series Monster. After learning of the connection through their Japanese promoter, a meeting in Tokyo led to the collaboration that birthed the video.

“Monster” draws on the darker themes of Urasawa’s eponymous manga, which ran from 1994 to 2001 and has sold more than 140 million copies worldwide. The duo describe the song as one of the darker pieces on OurHome, echoing the psychological depth explored in the manga’s narrative.

The video’s release coincided with the announcement of the album’s North American headline tour. The tour will begin on September 30 in Dallas, Texas, and will include stops at Austin City Limits, Washington, D.C.’s The Anthem, New York’s Bowery Ballroom, and San Francisco’s Castro Theatre. The schedule was revealed in a post shared by the duo on their official YouTube channel.

OurHome will be available for pre‑order on the duo’s Bandcamp page, where listeners can stream the lead single immediately and download the full album in MP3, FLAC, and other formats upon its release. The album is also slated for distribution on major streaming platforms, though specific dates for platform releases were not disclosed.

Rodrigo y Gabriela, a Mexican acoustic guitar duo formed in Dublin, have built a reputation for blending flamenco, rock, and heavy‑metal influences into instrumental duets. Their 2020 album Mettavolution earned a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and their most recent release, In Between Thoughts…A New World (April 2023), continued that critical momentum.

Urasawa, born January 2 1960, is one of Japan’s most prolific manga artists. In addition to Monster, his bibliography includes 20th Century Boys, Pluto, and Master Keaton. He has received multiple awards, including the Shogakukan Manga Award three times and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize twice. His works have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into anime and live‑action films.

The collaboration between the duo and Urasawa illustrates a growing trend of cross‑medium partnerships in the music industry. By pairing a contemporary acoustic act with a legendary manga creator, the project bridges distinct fan bases and showcases how visual storytelling can complement musical composition.

While the video and album announcement have generated interest on social media, no official statements have been released regarding sales projections, streaming performance, or future licensing deals. The duo’s official channels continue to promote the single and provide updates on the tour schedule.

In summary, Rodrigo y Gabriela’s new single “Monster” and its accompanying video by Naoki Urasawa mark the first public glimpse of the OurHome album. The release is set for September 18 2026, with a North American tour beginning on September 30. Fans can pre‑order the album on Bandcamp and anticipate additional promotional material as the release date approaches.

The collaboration underscores the enduring influence of Urasawa’s Monster series and highlights the duo’s continued evolution as a globally recognized acoustic guitar act.