Naoki Urasawa

Could this new death be related to the rise of a bizarre new cult that's been implicated in several other murders and disappearances? R to L (Japanese Style) Failed rock musician Kenji's memories of his past come rushing back when one of his childhood friends mysteriously commits suicide. Could this new death be related to the rise of a bizarre new cult that's been implicated in several other murders and disappearances? Determined to dig deeper, Kenji reunites with some of his old buddies in the hope of learning the truth behind it all. Humanity, having faced extinction at the end of the 20th century, would not have entered the new millennium if it weren't for them. In 1969, during their youth, they created a symbol. In 1997, as the coming disaster slowly starts to unfold, that symbol returns. This is the story of a gang of boys who try to save the world.

The Prophet

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 1

Reiza H

Apa jadinya kalau khayalan masa kanak-kanak yang terlupakan tiba-tiba "dihidupkan" kembali oleh seseorang yang tak dikenal? 

keseluruhan inti komik ini ada di kata-kata itu. Well, imho ini adalah salah satu manga terbaik yang pernah saya baca. twistnya, karakternya, ceritanya, dll~

recommended!

This is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world! As boys, Kenji and his friends came up with a bunch of stories about an evil organization bent on world destruction. As adults, someone is now turning their fantasies into reality! Reads R to L (Japanese Style). Far, far from Tokyo, a man approaches the checkpoint at the Northern Border... Everyone north of the gate is dead, but here he comes on a motorbike with a guitar strapped to his back. Who is this man who calls himself Joe Yabuki, and why does he break out in song? Is he a Messiah here to save the people, or is he just a deluded nut?

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 18

This is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world! As boys, Kenji and his friends came up with a bunch of stories about an evil organization bent on world destruction. As adults, someone is now turning their fantasies into reality! Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences rated teen plus. Humanity, having faced extinction at the end of the 20th century, would not have entered the new millennium if it weren't for them. In 1969, during their youth, they created a symbol. In 1997, as the coming disaster slowly starts to unfold, that symbol returns. This is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world. There once was a boy who imagined the end of the world. It was just a child’s game… but not anymore! The Friend is carrying out his plan for the extermination of the human race—all according to his predictions. And the man who survived Bloody New Year’s Eve is heading toward Tokyo. The boys are coming back together one by one. The time is come. This is the countdown to the final battle.

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 21

This is the story of a gang of boys who try to save the world! As boys, Kenji and his friends came up with a bunch of stories about an evil organization bent on world destruction. As adults, someone is now turning their fantasies into reality! Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for T+ audiences. Will 2015 bring an end to human history?! An urgent but mysterious messsage left by her mother Kiriko in 2002 finally reaches Kanna. But where is Kiriko, who developed the germ warfare weapons used on Bloody New Year's Eve, and what is she doing now? Memories of New Years past flood the minds of Kenji's friends and family. Will Yoshitsune's clandestine actions eventually prove fruitful, or are they doomed to repeat the tragedies of the year 2000?Meanwhile, Otcho and Kakuta are busily trying to track down Kiriko's former colleague, Dr. Yamane. Unexpectedly, their search leads them to the very neighborhood that Otcho, Kenji, Maruo and the rest of their childhood pals grew up in. Can a visit to their old school shed new light on a bizarre incident that happened when they were all in the sixth grade?

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 12

This is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world! As boys, Kenji and his friends came up with a bunch of stories about an evil organization bent on world destruction. As adults, someone is now turning their fantasies into reality! Humanity, having faced extinction at the end of the 20th century, would not have entered the new millennium if it weren't for them. In 1969, during their youth, they created a symbol. In 1997, as the coming disaster slowly starts to unfold, that symbol returns. This is the story of a group of boys who try to save the world. The Friend, an enigmatic cult leader who plans to destroy the world, declares, "The cosmos has begun choosing those who are true friends." Meanwhile, horrifying incidents are taking place: the emergence of a mysterious virus, the revelations of a man on the run... Kenji tries to find out who this Friend is, but the answer is still far ahead. The footsteps of doom slowly creep closer and a shadow falls over the city... Yukiji remembers who came up with their group's enigmatic symbol: Otcho. She also discovers that, nine years earlier, Otcho had been working in Thailand but mysteriously vanished. Could Otcho be the mysterious Friend? Also, a legendary detective is hot on the trail of the Shikishima kidnappers, but the clues he uncovers lead him dangerously close to the Friends cult. Is his life now in danger as well?

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 2

Wynter

February 8, 2018: One of my absolute favourite manga series. Revisiting it brings back a lot of memories. Urusawa is sort of famous for creating complex thrillers with a touch of nostalgia, and this one is definitely one of his crown jewels. 20th Century Boys tells the story of a group of childhood friends who get to realize their old dream of saving the world years after they concocted tales of secret bases, giant robots, deadly outbreaks, and formidable evil. But now that the danger is more real than a child's silly play, they must figure out which one of their friends has become their greatest adversary and risk everything while doing it.

First volume sets up the plot with a mysterious cult taking over the country. To the shock of our heroes, the cult is using the symbol that Kenji and his friends made up as children. One by one the gang gathers once more to figure out how their fantasies are linked to a string of terrible deaths and a secret organization. Because it's been almost 15 years since I last read this series, I recall no major plot points, so it's nice to still have that intrigue. 

I also love Yukiji's introduction. Can't wait to find out (again) what Donkey saw in the science room that night.

February 8, 2018: The second volume expands on the spreading influence of "Friend" among his devotees. Police can't be trusted. Germ warfare has been launched according to the rules of a childish game. God has prophetic dreams and shoplifts lunch box from the convenience store. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Kenji's sister might have had a dark secret when she disappeared. This series is so damn good..........

August 26, 2019: A very suspenseful volume. Here’s the problem of re-reading: I can’t recall if the reveal was done earlier in the series, or if I’m just remembering things from the past. Aren’t we supposed to know already who this guy is? So confusing!

Gavin

Loveable! Think Stranger Things with emotional weight to the cultural references, and doubled in meaning (here we get the melancholy of adulthood), and a tacit defence of ordinary life against the extreme. 

Gets really good after volume 5, when the plucky underdog bit gets obliterated, Urasawa does a self-insert, and new themes unfold.

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 1 The Prophet

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