20th Century Boys 6

20th Century Boys [20世紀少年] #6

by Naoki Urasawa

14 Jahre nach dem "Silvester, an dem die Welt blutete" - die Menschheit konnte damals knapp ihrer Auslöschung entgehen - scheint Frieden eingekehrt zu sein. Ein Frieden, ganz im Sinne und unter der Kontrolle des "Freundes"… Kanna ist inzwischen 17 Jahre alt und schlägt sich wacker durch das Chaos des neuen Tokyos. Doch dann kommt sie hinter eine Wahrheit, die ihr Schicksal und ihre Zukunft für immer verändern soll!

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

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2001

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]

(2020 Review)
I got the vibe many times that kenji might be friend himself.
But in this volume the vibe meter went crazy! when shogun laughed when the manga artist told him about his conspiracy manga, and how one of the heroes will turn out to be the ultimate villain.
But again there is a few things that makes us steer away from this idea, and that would be kanna's father, we were led to believe that friend is her father but is he really?
I can't believe that at one point we felt that this story was actually ending, because right after it was wide open all over again with endless possibilities, my mind is lit on fire the more i think about this its just so good u can take it in any direction, and at this point you can't really screw it up, or you would be an idiot with no imagination whatsoever.
I can't wait to get back on track and read this daily, and i ll start doing that next Saturday.
I also like how the Japanese implement trans people in their stories, and not in a bad way they are important witnesses and friends and amazing inspirational dancers with dreams, and a great backstory and a great character, in deadman wonderland it was someone with abilities and even more a amazing back story, one of the main heroes of the manga.
Its really touching and really important to change the way the world view them, so everyone can become kinder to them and understands them ❤

[Adam Spanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 6 definitely takes the storyline of "20th Century Boys" to a different direction. For the last five volumes, we have watched Kenji and friends try to find out who is the Friend and then grow their force to fight them. But with the New Year's massacre evidently not going their way, 14 years later, the storyline focuses on Kanna.

Although not an action driven volume, there is good character driven storylines featuring Kanna and Detective Chono who appears to have a bigger role in this storyline. Nothing is revealed to what happened to Kenji and friends but we do see Otcho (Shogun) and how he has been mistreated, chained and possibly tortured within these last 14 years. If anything, I enjoyed this volume as it shows how much the Friends have permeated into regular society and are now so powerful that they would be difficult to stop.

[RG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel and story has completely changed direction but its probably sitting as my favourite manga story or very close to. Love the story telling. Highly recommend this one!!

[library ghost (farheen) · Rating 2 out of 5]

author hates happiness huh (2.5)

[Anthony Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the time jump we are in 2014, with Kanna, the daughter of "Friend" and Kenji's sister.

This isn't an action driven volume, there is a good character driven storyline featuring Kanna and Detective Chono who appears to have a bigger role in this storyline. Nothing is revealed to what happened to Kenji and the gang but we do see Otcho (Shogun), chained and possibly tortured within a alcatraz like island prison. If anything, I enjoyed this volume as it shows how much the "Friends" have permeated into regular society and are now so powerful that they would be difficult to stop. We knew before that they had a strong reach but over time that grasp and reach is much stronger.

I have no idea where Urasawa is going to take the seventh volume of the series but from reading vol. 6, I can't wait. I know Kenji and the gang are going to jump in and take the reigns at some point, but who knows when that is. Another excellent volume of "Naoki Ursawa's 20th Century boys," his art and storylines are always top notch, sometimes slow to develop but always worth it. Highly recommended.

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Once again we're shifting forward in time about 14 years. We're introduced to several new characters, as well as seeing Kenji's niece Kanna, who is now a young adult. I'd admit that she does get on my nerves just a bit! I little too much teen angst for me.

Still missing the 1970's flashbacks and other characters. Hoping to feel more invested in the story in the next volume.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is building but this volume not a lot of major things happen. I get that it's building towards things but for once I felt this might be a bit of filler. Still, very well written and fun to go through but as far as plot progression I felt it was a bit weak from what I'd come to expect.

[yel ᰔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so fascinating <3

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is still a fun, interesting story about the sprouting of a cult and how it turned into a political movement that swept the world. This is still a fun Team of Disparate People Across Japan Must Unite To Save The World. While I'm still annoyed about the time jump in volume, my main problem with this book isn't the fresher cast of characters. I like many of them. What i'm not loving is that we get another self-insert in the future storyline.

In the first five volumes there is the storyline that this is a story about a kid who writes a story about an apocalypse and then that story comes true and he and his friends must remember how the story played out so that they can prevent an apocalypse. They seem to have failed to do so.

Here in volume six, we're introduced to a manga artist who's trying to make sense of the post-apocalyptic world where his artform is strictly regulated to the point of being nearly outlawed, so he's been sentenced to lie imprisonment on a prison boat where looks ... a monster. A monster who will totally not end up being pivotal to the story, of course.

It's just a bit much for me. But i"m going to continue reading until they at least explain what happened off-screen during the timejump in volume five.

[Estibaliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75, mostly based on the fact that we don't get any real answers on what happened on that fatidic December 31st, and where Kenji et al are now; but with every new chapter that turned into less than an issue, and just a minor nuisance... and this is Urasawa anyway, so we know we'll get our answers in due time.

And, even more significant here, we got Shogun back! That 'Great Escape' storyline in the prison is just pure gold, and oh so intriguing and entertaining (who's 13?), and the episodes with Kanna are so character driven they are a different kind of delightful treat.

Addictive!

[Ludwig Aczel · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10
This one felt a bit like a transitional volume. A lot of dialogues and less action than usual. The new major characters are getting acquittance, while connections with the older cast are established. Moreover, in the previous five volumes some big reveal around chapter 10 or 11 would blow your mind. This volume went off a bit more quietly. Anyhow, the series keeps being great, although it has lost a bit of its appeal now that we are not following anymore Kenji's perspective while he descends deep into the rabbit hole of the craziest conspiracy ever.

[M. Ashraf · Rating 3 out of 5]

20th Century Boys
Volume #6
Naoki Urasawa

We continue in the future, with a new plot from to end of the world;
Kana is in danger;
We see a part of Prison Break :p Shogun!
Police corruption and infiltration by Friend!
The story is something different from where we started, the story is still interesting!
Great story so far!

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long segments involving Chono and the informant seemed a little long at times. Or it could have just been my mood in reading this one. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this volume almost as well as the others...especially the intrigues that are established closer to the end. That’s what drives you forward!

[Galo Díaz Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creí que ya estaba en el clímax de la historia y ahora me doy cuenta de que ni a la mitad voy. Esto tiene pinta de ser un pedazo de obra maestra. Lo mejor de este autor, me parece incluso mejor que Monster.

[Iman Danial Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manga marathon.

[Kesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This manga series is incredible.

[Shenniferr · Rating 5 out of 5]

15 mayo

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how much Kanna hates the cops and I'm already annoyed that Chocho is obviously on the path to a redemption arc and romance with her.

[Shubhankar Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

New time period. New characters.

Classic Urasawa!! I love it! I love it! I freaking love it!!

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So our intrepid heroes were all utter failures. I can't say I'm really surprised, but I am surprised by how much I was rooting for them anyway.

Regardless, I love these new characters and their interesting lives. I don't feel too sorry for Otchu because he's such a strong MF I just want to rely on him despite his situation. If anyone can pull the rest of the plot from the fire, I feel like he can. What a world they live in. Still plenty of intrigue and betrayal to go around. At least the underdogs are all very very underdoggy. I can't imagine rooting for anyone else. Everyone's an antihero except for "Friend".

[Julie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Business is way down at the tiny restaurant where Kanna works, thanks to the tight security surrounding the Papal visit to Japan. A young detective named Chono stops by and Kanna, who hates the cops, bites his head off. But he is there on official business, looking for a drag queen named Britney. Once the detective leaves, Kanna’s boss sends her to look for Britney, as she owes him money. It turns out that Britney saw something she shouldn’t, ie a murder, and that is why she is being sought, as a witness. Kanna and Mariah persuade Britney to go to the police station to turn herself in, but while waiting in line, she recognizes the killer… and he’s a cop!

Detective Chono Shohei is the grandson of a legendary detective, and he wants to be the policeman his grandfather was, to be called Cho-san too. But so far, that isn’t happening. Cho is also rather gullible. When he goes to Britney’s home, he catches Kanna coming out and confronts her. Kanna tells him that she knows Britney witnessed a cop killing someone, and she describes the cop before fleeing the scene. Cho can’t believe his ears. That can’t be true, can it?

Meanwhile, new prisoners are being taken to the island prison of Umihotaru. The bridge to the island was destroyed fourteen years before, as was the tunnel, so there is no way off this hellish place. Kakuta has been sent there, his only crime being he’s a manga artist. His new roommate scares him with stories of this place, and the last roommate who died in the bed that now belongs to Kakuta. Also, there is talk of the Monster, a man who has been in this place for fourteen years, and is housed in the Punishment Block. Supposedly he is more monster than human, and is kept chained at all times. Unfortunately for Kakuta, he is caught with the pencil his roommate loaned him to draw with and he is sent to the Punishment Block!

Kakuta is in a terrible pickle with the guards in the Punishment Block and they are about to hurt him when the Monster intervenes and saves him from a terrible fate. He begins to talk to the man and learns he is not what they make him out to be at all. And he plans to escape this place. Meanwhile, Kanna is frustrated, hiding out with Britney and Mariah to keep them safe. She pens a letter to her uncle, who is in Umihotaru Prison, knowing it will never reach him. But she badly wants his advice.

In this volume, we learn the awful truth of what is referred to as Bloody New Year’s Eve. Up until now, we assumed that Kenji and his friends were victorious, saved the world and rid it of the evil Friend. Quite the contrary. Something else happened, the Friends emerged on top and Kenji and the others are nowhere to be seen. The only one I know the whereabouts of is the one in the prison. I have to admit I am very anxious about Kenji and will be very upset if something bad has happened to him.

Kanna is every bit her uncle’s niece, with a strong sense of right and wrong. Completely suspicious of the young detective, I think with time she will come to trust him, and perhaps more. He needs to lose some of his naivete, and I think that will happen. Unfortunately, not in time to save someone he inadvertently puts in danger.

A lot going on in this volume, what with Kanna trying to save her friends, and with the escape from the prison in order to continue the fight begun so many years ago. Mixed in with all that is the visit of the Pope, and a plot to assassinate him. So many questions, so much I want to know. And there is also an appearance by an old friend of Kenji, who has become unexpectedly successful thanks to a particular gift he has, the same gift which told him of the importance of Kenji to the world.

Great volume, can’t wait for the next one!

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of the entire series.

Synopsis: 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. 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.

Review: This is basically the manga equivalent of a Stephen King novel, channeling themes and plot devices from the likes of It, Dreamcatcher, The Running Man and quite a few others. A young group of friends that make an innocent promise which ends up creating the most dangerous cult in the world, a 'friend' turned into the world's greatest evil, a strange suicide that reunites a group of adults to solve a mystery from their childhood which ended up leading to an apocalyptic police state, clever use of cultural references, rock songs and historical allegories to tell the full story, extremely small actions resulting in extremely massive consequences, an eerie threat lurking in the shadows that may or may not be of supernatural origins, kids overthrowing a totalitarian regime and rebelling against society while fighting against a sinister threat that no one else knows about; sound King enough for ya?

Though I don't think it's quite as good as Monster by the same author, it's definitely very close. It's a masterpiece of intricate plotting, interweaving narratives, deep character development and psychological complexity. The villain's presence is suffocating from the very beginning while remaining mysterious and terrifying until the final chapter. It's intense, it's relatable, it's horrifying and it's an emotional rollercoaster. Be careful who you call your friend and be careful of the promises you make. You might just end up causing the end of the world.

[Kevin Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series started so strong, and I'm disappointed that in the course of just two books, I've lost most of my interest.

But first, the series still does some things amazingly well. The characters could be real people. Even with such a broad cast, there are very few that are one dimensional. The pacing is another highlight. The author moves easily between sections heavy with dialogue and exposition and sections with action and art.

The only problem is the story. Through the fourth book, the story is treated as a mystery, with clues slowly revealed as the story switches between the present day (1997) and the past. But in book five the pace picks up as we move to the final confrontation. Another character is introduced and we jump forward three years. Everyone is gathered, they go out to face the apocalypse . . . and we jump forward again, 14 years this time.

This is terrible storytelling. I was expecting a payoff and instead I got a tease. What's worse is that the author continues to hide the events from the reader for no other reason than to be mysterious! Everyone in 2014 knows what happened, we see a meeting at the UN marking an anniversary (or something like that), but the knowledge is withheld from the reader.

I've got the seventh book reserved from the library, so I will read it when it arrives. But if the story continues the way it has in book six and seven, then I will not continue the series

[Fany Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

El arco de la cárcel es de mis favoritos y lo he disfrutado un montón. Aunque ya sé como termina, se sigue sintiendo igual de emocionante, me agrada como se integran distintas referencias a otras obras y los protagonistas son Otcho, uno de mis personajes favoritos, y un mangaka, que es utilizado de una manera bastante interesante ¡es que está hecho para mí!

La parte de Kanna y compañía me gustaba mucho y todavía me gusta, pero la he disfrutado menos que la primera vez. Britney y Mariah me parecen simpáticas, me gustan sus personalidades (sobre todo Mariah me causa gracia con sus comentarios) y Britney es un personaje que logra conmoverme, pero me choca mucho la manera en que retratan a las mujeres trans (tampoco me queda claro, por la traducción, si son travestis o trans, mas eso importa poco porque de cualquier manera los personajes son manejados de manera problemática) y el detective, que antes me caía muy bien, ahora me desespera muchísimo (aunque me sigue dando pena en ciertas escenas).

Eso sí, sigo adorando como está construida y dibujada la muerte de Britney, la viñeta donde le disparan tiene mucha fuerza y hasta parece que puedes escuchar el disparo. Un grande el Urasawa.

[Florencia · Rating 4 out of 5]

20th Century Boys, Band 6
4.5 ★
Leído: 30.01.23

Prision break & mafia wars!

La inminente vista del Papa a Japón pone a todos de cabeza.

Barrio chino, mafias thai y china en guerra. Currupción de la policía en un sistema político que parece sacado de la mente de Huxley. Kanna intenta proteger a una travesti que accidentalmente presenció un crimen cometido por un miembro de la policía. El joven detective Shou comienza a desconfiar de sus compañeros al escuchar la verdadera versión de los hechos. Las vidas de todos peligran, en un plot al mejor estilo Chinatown.

Por otro lado, Shogun y un nuevo aliado buscan escapar de prisión. La corrupción alcanza la isla en la que están encerrados, donde uno de los prisioneros es enviado como asesino a sueldo por los grupos de poder para ¡asesinar al Papa! Shogun me recuerda al Conde de Montecristo, y no puedo esperar a ver cómo logra escapar y ejecutar su venganza.

La gran pregunta que espero sea resuelta pronto, es ¿qué carajos le ocurrió a Kenji?

[Dani Wladdimiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otcho es definitivamente el gran protagonista de esta parte de la historia, con demasiadas intrigas sobre que significa la cárcel y por qué él se encuentra ahí. Pero ahí es donde de cayó considerablemente mi interés en la obra, porque si bien estaba muy entusiasmado con el segundo volumen, aquí existe un volver a explicar todo un contexto, para algo que se generó demasiada expectativa y dudo sinceramente que pueda cumplirse. ¿Por qué lo dudo? Porque básicamente el presentar un climax tan grande y dar paso a otra historia, hace que al leer y leer teorices demasiado con lo ocurrido, haciendo que la respuesta a veces se vuelva más sencilla de lo que uno pensó. No lo sé, iba con muchas energías para hacer una marathon, pero decaí un poco en este volumen, espero equivocarme en los siguientes y recuperar el interés.

[Zare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story arc starts in 2014. Kanna, Kenji's niece is now 17 years old and she spends her time between a small restaurant delivery and her college. Being rebellious as her uncle, she very soon starts on bad foot with her neighbors due to loud music and gets in the middle of gang conflict and attracts the attention of police. This brings Yukiji to Kanna's flat to apologize for Kanna's behavior.

Way this volume's story develops is perfect. As we follow Kanna's adventures we are not quite sure what is going on and what happened in 14 years. And then the end! Story ends on a high note indeed.

Art as always is gorgeous.

Highly recommended.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

My theories for how the story would progress seem to have been proved entirely wrong with the massive time skip in volume 5. I loved the character reveals and was excited to see a major confrontation with our cult-leader antagonist, but Urasawa pulls a bait and switch in the final moments, and shifts our focus to the future around an entirely new set of characters. I still find the story entertaining, but I already miss reading about our original ensemble cast and their final conflict, though one of them does make a surprise appearance in volume 6.

[Geo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest, my interest in this series is waning. The world after the time-skip is interesting but I wanted more time with the characters back when they all met up. I like Kanna and the detective’s dynamic but I’m more curious about the original cast of characters and how they factor in. I won’t quit reading because I need to know how it ends, and most of all, the identity and motive of “Friend”. This entry ends on an interesting cliffhanger, but I do feel like we’ll be treading water until we reach the conclusion and final volumes.