20th Century Boys, Volume 19

20th Century Boys [20世紀少年] #19

by Naoki Urasawa

The man with the guitar heads for Tokyo and arrives at a rough-and-tumble border town with an ominous-looking checkpoint. Only those who have a pass may go through, and those who try to get by without one are summarily shot. Many have tried, and many are buried nearby. Who can change this horrific situation and get through the checkpoint? And who or what could be waiting on the other side?

Genres: Manga, Comics, Science Fiction, Mystery, Seinen, Graphic Novels, Fiction

230 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2005

About the author

Urasawa Naoki (浦沢直樹) is a Japanese mangaka. He is perhaps best known for Monster (which drew praise from Junot Díaz, the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner) and 20th Century Boys.

Urasawa's work often concentrates on intricate plotting, interweaving narratives, a deep focus on character development and psychological complexity. Urasawa has won the Shogakukan Manga Award, the Japan Media Arts Festival excellence award, the Kodansha Manga Award and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. In 2008 Urasawa accepted a guest teaching post at Nagoya Zokei University.

Series list (not including short stories collections):
- Pineapple ARMY (パイナップルARMY) 1985-1988, written by Kazuya Kudo;
- YAWARA! 1986-1993;
- Master Keaton (MASTERキートン) 1988-1994, written by Hokusei Katsushika;
- Happy! 1993-1999
- MONSTER 1994-2001
- 20th Century Boys (20世紀少年) 1999-2006
- 21st Century Boys (21世紀少年) 2007
- PLUTO 2003-2009, based on Tezuka Osamu's Tetsuwan Atom
- BILLY BAT 2008-2016
- Master Keaton Remaster (MASTERキートン Reマスター) 2012-2014
- Mujirushi (夢印-MUJIRUSHI-) 2017-2018, collaboration with Musée du Louvre
- Asadora! (連続漫画小説 あさドラ!) 2018-ongoing

Reviews

[Tawfek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay this makes sense!
Kenji lost his memory, and that's why he disappeared for so long.
I mean its either that or what i thought for a long time, since i found out that he will be back, that he was disheartened from his goal, because he can't bring himself to kill Fukubei!
But he is back, he finally said he was Kenji so no going back on that lol
Its just getting better, and right now all that's happening, is how the good guys are winning, everything is unraveling to end the era of Friend.
Also little revelations here and there, like that guy who wants to be known as evil, he pieced together his part on friends plan all this time.
Also we learned that Friend while he is for sure E.S.P, he lacks the self control.
The way he took place of Endou Kiriko's lover is screaming E.S.P too, since he convinced her that he is the guy he had killed.
Overall i am really pumped to finish 20th century boys either this month or next, since i keep straying to keep my reading varied.
2021 Read

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just hearing, "I'm Kenji," made me laugh and break out in a sweat. I suppose that's a good sign. Maybe it's proof that we've got something seriously good going on here.

Can one song change the world? Can one manga? This is coming dangerously close to the fourth wall, but hell, I'm so deep in the story by this point that I'm not even attempting to read it from the mangaka's perspective. It's just that good.

Anyone up for a revolution?

[yel ᰔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our man of justice - Kenji is back. A lot of story about friend's past and evil deed are shown. Kenji enters the walled city of Tokyo. In all very exciting.

[Norman Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yabuki Joe may have a new name, but he still has the same driving will to be a good guy--a hero, showing that music and art have the power to rally people to overcome evil. Some of the plot in this volume seemed a bit more contrived than usual for this series (which is saying something), but at this point we all want the conclusion to get here sooner than later, and the contrivances helped facilitate this. The pieces are almost in place for the final showdown.

[ti☆ra · Rating 5 out of 5]

more or less a conclusion why endou kenji is one of the best manga protagonists of all time

[Adam Spanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 19 volumes the end is more or less in sight for 20th Century Boys. The Friend's regime is unraveling and the heroes are coming together again.

Urasawa continues his high quality art and story telling filled with neat ideas and fleshed out characters. He goes off on a bit of a tangent about the nature of art and whether manga and music can really change the world but that can be forgiven.

Most of the action is along the boarder between the Friend-controlled Tokyo and deserted wastes in the north as Yabuki Joe tried to get through a guarded check point. We meet a new villain and finally learned Joe's story.

As with a lot of the recent books the overall plot feels a bit slow and padded but the craftmanship is still incredible.

[riley ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenji forgot his past after that incident and that's why he disappeared, which well explained about why and where he was hiding all this time! When he said "I'm Kenji", I started laughing because man, we all know who you are, our Man of Justice. 🫡

[Estibaliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I'm Kenji'

Finally!

[Thikrayat Al-aradi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read this manga so it's a bit confusing because I cannot remember all the characters.

[Jesus Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

20 century boy 19

Here is where you see Urasawa mastery on storytelling, spoilers but yes, the identity of the guitar man, and the evil man in the castle, and how they met in their youth days, in other writer hands, would seem like a plot driven coincidence that you can’t believe, in this book, it sounds just logical and perfect.


Definitively the main story on this book, with the fake passes, the guitar man identity, the flashbacks to the past, super.

Yet the most important thing is what we don’t see, Kana’s decision process, it begins with her hearing Manjome Theory on Amigo, and ends with her reuniting with Yoshitsune and telling him she’s going to kill Amigo .

5 stars

[নাজমুল হাসান · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inspiration of the evil guys are so laughable, it almost feels comedic. I really agree with Kenji that, Being Evil is hard, its easier to be a man of justice. Someone who got inspired by the bad guys in cartoons and tv shows, and then decided to become evil just for fun. That is just so childish, and he claims to be worst man there is. Clearly he is repenting himself for the mistakes he made. And, finally Kenji makes his appearance as the leader of the rebels.

[Leandro Dutra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Became a bit cheesy with its nonviolent resistance ethos — tip for mangakas: nonviolent resistance can nothing against totalitarianism, unless one is Jesus or the totalitarian state is in its death stupors.

[Julie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friend’s right-hand man, Manjome, has approached Kanna and Otcho with a shocking proposition—he wants them to kill Friend. Furthermore, he believes Friend is not who he says he is and that Fukube is actually and really dead. That’s a lot for them to take in.

Chono is fishing on his time off and he is joined by the newcomer, the guy with the guitar. He keeps trying to get this Yabuki Joe to admit that he is really Kenji, but so far that hasn’t happened. Meanwhile, Maruo and Namio and an assistant producer at the TV station turn to Kamisama, looking for a way to get the producer to safety as he has seen too much. Koizumi is still at the bowling alley, and she is utterly bored. She even hates bowling! But when she picks up a bowling ball just to show someone how it’s done, Kamisama realizes she might be the key to revitalizing the dying industry!

Chono travels with “Joe” toward Tokyo, but they’re stopped outside a great wall with a fortress, unable to pass. A town has sprung up there, filled with people trying to cross over to get to Tokyo. Forging travel permits is a big industry there. The trouble is that the fakes are quickly spotted for what they are, and the people carrying them are shot on the spot. Still, people try. A man in Western cowboy garb, who goes by the nickname of Ichi the Spade, catches some of the people leaving the bad forgery shops and convinces them not to try it, but to use his bus service to reach the other side through an underground tunnel. Can he be trusted?

Ichi runs into Joe and Chono, and admits that he knows Chono has a bounty on his head. He tells Joe about a man who used to be a really good forger but who isn’t in business anymore. They go to see him, and he turns out to be one of the manga artists who used to live next to Kanna. His partner was trapped on the other side, so he has had to go solo. He doesn’t make forged passes anymore because he doesn’t want to be responsible if people get killed because of him. Joe persuades the manga artist to make him an ID and agrees to take his pages to his partner inside of Tokyo, at the same time that Chono finds himself betrayed.

Joe takes his forged pass and not only gets inside the gate, but he comes back and tells the manga artist to make enough passes for everyone in town. It’s time for everyone to leave. But Kenji/Joe is about to meet someone from his past, someone who is the epitome of evil.

All right, it’s out in the open now, let’s say it all together. KENJI IS ALIVE! I’ve been saying that for some time, and I am finally vindicated! Huzzah! Okay, back to business.

I can feel everything winding down, the beginning of the end. Everybody and everything are falling into place, wherever they are meant to be. Kenji is headed toward Tokyo, and nothing and no one can stop him. He has the strength and courage of his conviction, and he has the immoveable force which has sustained him for all these years—his music. I can’t wait for him to connect with Kanna and the others again! And to finish what was begun so long ago.

Now the mystery remains as to who Friend is, since we know Fukube is really dead. And has been for some time, apparently. We still need to see the Holy Mother make her appearance. Although I once doubted her, now I suspect her arrival will be on the side of good, and hopefully she and Kanna can have a chance to have a real relationship.

This series just gets more and more exciting. Only three volumes left, can’t wait for the next one!

[Štěpán · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am worried, that some cracks are starting to show. On one hand, I think it is clear that everything is an illusion and the whole regime is not as strong as it seems. On the other hand, it is hard to believe that everything would start to crumble this easily. But I understand that the manga is not about a believable regime-destroying scheme, yet the execution feels a little bit too convenient. However, the message of this part is pretty clear and I have to say that it is a good one. The hope in it is very nice. And the notion of a one piece of media, which can change the world is actually a good one and I like it.

My biggest gripe with this might be Kenji and his meeting with the super-evil Furher. Kenji not dying meant that he would have to do something and we have to get a reason for why he didn't come back after 2000 and 2015. And his reasoning for shameful memory loss just does not work for me.

And the Furher, who was always there, just behind the curtains and being almost moustache-twirling and completely evil feels a little bit too late to the party. It puts together some minor things throughout the series, but as there are no connections to him, it lacks emotions and weight.

Overall, I am conflicted. I could give this more stars as a part of the whole narrative, yet I do not feel like it deserves it right now. I'll see after some time.

[Dani Wladdimiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hay varios conceptos que considero tremendamente interesantes, como el discurso de dar un mensaje político en una canción o un manga. Kenji hace toda una reflexión sobre lo importante que es el arte, y su implicancia en el ser activo, donde finalmente da un mensaje a la sociedad, explícito o implícito, para que así la ciudadanía tenga más herramientas contra la mano invisible.
Y respecto a la amnesia de Kenji, no sé, es rarísimo, y sinceramente no logro entender del todo el sentido de esto. Comprendo que lo querían añadir para volver a traer la contraposición de Amigo, pero la siento rara, aunque ya ha sido una decisión bastante positiva en la trama. Finalmente, me quedo más con el meta-mensaje que el desarrollo de la trama.

[Zare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the slowest book int he series by far. Story centers on Kenji as he mobilizes the people from behind the wall and finds the way to defeat one of the strong-points at the wall. Here he encounters the mysterious Evil Man and we are shown how strong and long is Friend's hate towards Kenji. How he was always plotting to bring Kenji and those nearest to Kenji down.

Art as always is great.

Highly recommended. While this is slowest book so far it is still good. If you got this far have patience, finale is near.

[Emiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s back!!

Really enjoyed the Kenji story for this volume and basically seeing the beginning of the end for The Friend empire, I think. One of the best things about this series is how everything is connected so well like a random character from volumes ago will make an appearance and be important when it comes to Kenji finally reverting back to his old self again. Who knows what comes next because I’m still baffled about The Friend situation like who could it be….

[Francisco Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creo su titulo habla por si mismo y deja más menos claro de que va el tomo. Una vuelta que se venía insinuando de forma quizás algo torpe desde hace unos tres volúmenes atrás. El héroe retorna y deja más menos planteado este enfrentamiento final entre el bien y el mal, desarrollado con un toque cuanto menos grueso.

[Farhana Lüba · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another slow progressing volume, I guess?
I was wondering the whole time how Kenji survived. And well, I think now I have my answer.
But I loved when he said, "Being evil is really tough. It's much easier to become a man of justice."
I do think the opposite though. All you have to do is give up your remorse. And after that, being evil is easy as pie.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenji reaches a border fence controlled by armed guards who shoot people trying to get through with forged permits. We meet two new characters, a coyote and a man who has embraced evil. I don't think it was necessary to introduce more characters this late in the game, but there had to be some kind of impediment for Kenji.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this volume. Our characters take down a border town, and it is just way too cool. I love that Urasawa slips in he introduced ton of new characters, while also bringing in previously unimportant ones. Can't wait to borrow the rest ofbthis series from the library, I'm dying to start Urasawa's other series, Monster, after this 🤙

[kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

THAT'S the explanation? THAT??! I waited 13(?) MIA volumes for THAT to be the explanation? BOOOO. I'm gonna need the last 3 volumes to get really good again bc although the vast majority of this series has felt masterfully crafted, this final "arc" has kinda felt like Urasawa doesn't know how he wants to end it...

[Anthony Wendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume seems to prove there are no unimportant characters in a Urasawa work. A character only briefly touched on more the 10 volumes previously returns. The volume showcases just how much damage the character did behind the scenes to the other cast members of the manga. This series proves how much talent Urasawa has.

[Peter Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good episode of Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys. There are a couple of new characters and , what appears to be the set up of a big event. The storyline moves along and the art work is very good. I'm looking forward for Volume 20.

[Adam Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

More minor twist and turns on the road to the impending conclusion. There wasn't anything shocking or innovative in this particular volume but it was great for ramping up interest in where this story is going.

[Valush T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

" I am Kenji" I remember when I read his death and I didn't cry because he was the main character and it was still 17 vols away. when I realized it was "really" death I cried and when I read this it was like give me back my tears.

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As if there were any questions about Kenji, at this point. Not so much of a surprise, but nice that any suppositions are confirmed. You knew he'd come back.

[Iman Danial Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manga marathon

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenji!