20th Century Boys 3

20th Century Boys [20世紀少年] #3

by Naoki Urasawa

Am Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts steht die Menschheit vor dem Abgrund, doch nur eine Handvoll Erwachsener sieht die Vorzeichen der nahenden Katastrophe rechtzeitig. Diese Erwachsenen verbindet ihre gemeinsame Kindheit, in der sie zusammenhielten wie Pech und Schwefel und zum Zeichen ihrer Freundschaft sogar ein Symbol kreierten.

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

201 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2000

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]

Thanks to power outage today i could finally finish this lol!
I like the new guy near the end shogun pretty interesting.
Also i think that naoki urasawa characters drawings in 20th century boys, are probably the most genuinely Japanese looking characters in all comics i read so far, maybe close second is i am a hero.
I love the story and where its headed its brilliant to say the least.
I also like the new possible suspect for who friend really is.
I hope i manage to read more very soon, it would be awesome if i stop being lazy and finish this by the end of the year <3

[Anthony Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Urasawa keep one-upping himself? I think he can, and he continues to do so by grabbing my attention volume to volume of this amazing series.

This volume focused heavily on Kenji's present and his difficulties in understanding what is happening, after the revelation in the last chapter of Volume 2, Kenji mind starts spinning. Why is this happening? What did that guy mean 'This was all your plan'? Why did Donkey want to talk to him? Why was Donkey killed? Who is 'Friend' really? As Kenji rushes home to sort things out he desperately tries to think of a reason, any other reason, that this string of craziness could be happening, but using logic just makes him more paranoid. The bottom line is this though: whatever they cooked up in their secret hideout as kids playing games, is coming to life FOR REAL!

As the plot thickens things start getting a little creepy, in a good mysterious sort of way. I mean weren't some of the games you played as a kid stupid and immature? What if someone played them as an adult and took them seriously? What if cops and robbers became real to someone? Cowboys and Indians? RISK?!?

A lot begins to come to light, his sisters history, a little of who 'Friend' is, that his sisters baby Kanna is somehow linked to 'Friend,' etc. Sometimes there is flashbacks in this volume but they are short and it comes right back to Kenji in the present day and his running all over town trying to get to the bottom of things and save who he loves because it has been prophesied by some crazy homeless guy nicknamed "God" that he will "save the world."

20th Century Boys can really be considered the opposite of the normal 'ordinary kid gets super powers' storyline. Kenji doesn't have any super powers, he's about as ordinary as you can get, but because of who he is, and what he did as a kid, he can make a difference. It is a powerful story that has engulfed me. Urasawa = A great writer/artist.

[ScottIsANerd (GrilledCheeseSamurai) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 volumes in and it's safe to say that this series has its hooks in me. I think the greatest selling point, for me, is the characters. The use of the flashback scenes where they are youngsters combined with the storytelling of their older selves really helps add a layer of depth to their personalities. Add the fact that Naoki Urasawa's art for the younger/older versions of these characters is really spot on - I never struggle to try and figure out who is who even though there are 30 years or so of an age gap at any given time.

I'm really enjoying the story too. At times things feel a bit like a slice of life and then all of a sudden there are crazy cult members burning down grocery stores - airports blowing up - and chemical warfare scaring the shit out of everyone.

It's all just so bizarre and entertaining that I often find myself grinning from ear to ear as I turn the pages. I just can't help wanting to read more and more and more. Which is good, I suppose, cuz there are still a shit ton of volumes to get through before this series is over.

Onto the next one...

*side note*
I love that when the shit hits the fan the best thing to do is to turn on your electric guitar and rock the fuck out.

*side note the 2nd*
I also love the fact that God in this series is a homeless man that can not only see the future - but also shares wisdom through the use of bowling anecdotes.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the title of this series really is inspired by the T.Rex song !!!

[Derek Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feature of Urasawa's writing, at least from what I've seen with ongoing series, is introducing new characters at strategic moments. For example, in this third volume of 20th Century boys, we see Shogun...but he doesn't appear until the last chapter, and without much information or context. On top of that, the additional twist with Kanna is also compelling. Onward!

[Fraser Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is still trucking along but it’s gotten slightly more silly, except for the mysterious kid no one can remember from back in the day. The pace remains very slow. I’m going to continue with it but it’s not blowing me away. It’s just the best out of the list of best manga I’ve tried so far, and a lot of that is because the people talk like real characters most of the time.

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol, so I spent 3 volumes thinking Yoshitsune and Keroyon were the same person? Lol, they both looked like a frog, I can't!! But yea, I can see the difference now, thanks for elaborating, Fukubei! Btw, this shit is really crazy.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still really like this series, and this volume has some of the best moments in the series (and some of the worst).

The confrontation with the killer was great, but then it turned out silly with the twist of the gun. Same thing with the reveal of who it is, but then let's play a guitar all night for the power of rock is strong! We did get a great burning down a store scene with zombie like people's, that was intense and scary. But we got a silly dog sniffing scene that made no sense.

Overall it was the most uneven volume so far, but saying that, the series is till great. On to the next one!

[RG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. Love the mystery involving the group of "friends". The jumping from different time lines to explain the plot works so well here. The characters are great. Highly recommended

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

T-Rex

[riley ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm guessing Shogun could be the boy with the mask when they were younger! Gosh, everyone is suspicious, even for that chubby guy and the main character himself. Now that Kenji found the book of prophecy back, let's see what's gonna happen!!!

[Thikrayat Al-aradi · Rating 3 out of 5]

things are starting to make some sense now.. we'll see how it turns out

[Readingmanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to be so interesting.

[Aaron Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the three volumes I have read in this series, this one is my favorite. I read this in one sitting. I was not able to put it down. There were a couple little surprise factors that really drew me further into the story.

Not being a huge manga fan or I should say not having read many, this series is really taking a hold of me. I was hooked with Volume 1 and really enjoyed the storyline line development in Volume 2. I have more volumes awaiting me to be read. I only hope the series continues to get better and better like it has done so far.

The plot is starting to thicken and some very interesting events are starting to unravel. Based on what Kenji discovers I can only guess at what is to happen next.

As mentioned by the other reviewer on Amazon, I think what I like best about Kenji is that he is just a normal person. He has so super powers(at least not that I know of). He is one that we can relate to while we read about his adventures.

Time to track down the other volumes in this series. I need more!!!!

[Brianne Haddow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the films of 20th Century Boys when I was a teen and reading this now just reminded me of how good the story is. Love this idea so much.

[ti☆ra · Rating 5 out of 5]

more and more characters introductions. and more suspects. it’s kinda hard for my little brain actually. one thing that makes this manga addictive is the strategic placement of character introductions. its plot-wise is unbeatable. shogun's introduction in the last chapter with the ambiguity of his identity keeps me hooked to read on.

more to say, kenji is one of great manga protagonists. his depiction of character is truly human. before, he was just an ordinary man who lived his mundane life as a manager of convenience store. now he is said to be the one who can save the world, but can he? he has to face the burden of losing his home and doubled with stopping that menace called “friend”.

[Ludwig Aczel · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5/10
This stuff is seriously addictive. I cannot stop reading. Usually I like to read slowly, so to enjoy the art and so on. (Even because I am not much of a 'rereads' guy.) But with this story it is hard not to rush turning page after page voraciously.
This volume does not get 8/10 from me only because a certain plot choice that I saw coming and that I did not want to come came.
But when in the last chapter I realised who the man of Bangkok was, I jumped! Way to close a tankobon!

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must have read to at least this point before because the story beats were familiar. I didn't realize on my first read that Urasawa opens the series in media res, so the reader already knows the end, or at least some point in the far future. Figuring out where and how the parts of this story fit together makes it all the more engaging.

[Nadia Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

...still going strong Kenji

[Megi · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank god for my uni library

[Fiyinfoluwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Graham Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Pluto, but I'm starting to think this was the manga that should have been adapted to anime instead!

[Kesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confusion .. I really want to know why there's this mark in the Shonen Sunday magazine in Bangkok. I hope we can see more of Thailand in this manga. And about the story, the manga has a good pacing, interesting characters, a well thought of plot and just very sophisticated writing. Great volume. I think every volume will be great. Also did I mention that Kanna looks just like my sister as a baby?

[Fany Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mientras que los dos primeros tomos son un poco más reflexivos e introductorios, en este se desborda la acción y se hace muy rápido de leer. Me la pasé genial.

[Judah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite volume of 20th century boys so far and it was amazing. Kenji is such a human character and in this volume I couldn't help but relate to him in a lot of ways. The way Kenji interacts with friend was so creepy and the whole premise of everything from there childhood coming true was amazing and fully formed in this volume. I am intrigued by the mystery and I cannot wait to read and review volume 4.

[Vera Hoogstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Albus2122 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avanza la historia y tengo esa sensación de que estamos llegamos al final, pero sé que me faltan como veinte tomos más. No llego a concebir cómo. En este (y en todos hasta ahora) se han revelado detalles clave, agregado personajes y ciudades, manteniendo una cadencia semejante a trotar en línea recta, pero reconociendo (o confundiendo) árboles en el camino: no hay paso atrás, es un círculo.

[Kristin Fletcher-spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad that it isn't Otcho being the Friend. I would have been disappointed in Urasawa if I saw that one coming from page one. Creepy cult members in this volume too.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y se sigue poniendo mejor la cosa. Pensar que todavía me quedan como 20 tomos por delante y sólo tengo a mano uno más :(

[Anna Kļaviņa · Rating 3 out of 5]

After cult's followers tried to kidnap Kanna and burned Kenji's shop and house he is on the run with his sister's baby and his grumpy mother.