20th Century Boys, Volume 21

20th Century Boys [20世紀少年] #21

by VIZ Media

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.

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2006

Reviews

[Tawfek · Rating 5 out of 5]

No bloody way!!!
Did he just confess on national tv that he destroyed the world, and that the prophecies are all lies, and that he made them all happen?!!
Someone pinch me.

MEOUCH! not that hard, i still don't believe it though!
This is insane, i mean the people are already rising up against his rule, and Kenji is on his way to put a stop to him, now he will have even greater following.
This last chapter confession is insane, its like the best most unpredictable chapter of the series.
All the pieces are coming together to the last volume, its going to be huge, and i ll take 1 day off before reading it, to enjoy it to the maximum.
The whole volume carried many surprises Yanbo and Mabo are now good guys!
Yoshitsune kicked both their asses for real, that scene was gold! even though they are good guys now, they truly had it coming.
I am starting to believe god's last prophecy, that the bowling boom is coming thanks to koizumi.
The radio guy being their childhood friend, makes you feel the world is really small, and that in order to survive all these years, all you had to do is be in their class!
I am not sure what 13's purpose is wanting to see friend, could he possibly be the one who will assassinate him?
While in the Vatican the pope is trying to survive an attempt to poison him, and elect a new pope loyal to friend.
The frog Empire take down their flag, and literally take back their childhood symbol by raising it up high. 👏👏👏
One more volume in this amazing and epic journey ❤
2021 Read

[Mikael Kuoppala · Rating 5 out of 5]

The penultimate volume of "20th Century Boys" has the campiest title in the series, but one that fits the morbid absurdity of the totalitarian state lead by the Friend cult perfectly. At this point of the saga the enigmatic Friend has finally reached a dead end. He has decided to wipe out humanity once and for all it seems, as his megalomanic ambitions have reached their fulfillment. Our protagonists engage in a race against time to stop the apocalypse. But each of them has to face personal demons as the forgotten events from their childhood are finally coming back to haunt them.

Urasawa goes on keeping his pacing amazingly fast, but still he doesn't forget his characters for one moment. It's amazing how intense, dramatic and emotional his storytelling is, yet it feels completely real and not one bit over the top. And boy has he crafted his plot in a clever manner. He solves the almost unavoidable contrivance of a sci-fi saga of this magnitude by making it all about contrivance. All the events have been orchestrated and carefully set up by the cult, everything connects to everything else because the antagonist of the story has planned it so, beginning his manipulation in the characters' childhood.

With one more volume left I'm completely impatient to know how it all ends and how the two-parter "21st Century Boys" will connect with this saga. Completely and utterly impressed and ready for the grand final.

[yel ᰔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars

[Estibaliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Come on, let's play!'

Looks like the Friend is so ready for the final showdown as we all readers are.

This second to last volume didn't really offer many answers, and it actually introduced a few more questions, with some more old childhood friends popping out here and there (sort of); but it really was a really emotional one nonetheless, and it certainly ended with a bang.

Last volume, here we go...

[library ghost (farheen) · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest and say that I am getting disgruntled. We are on the last few volumes and that is not the time to be adding in integral characters and inserting them into the back story as if they were there all along! Plus, depending on the final outcome, I'm going to be really annoyed if there was a cheap, intentional feint just to confuse the readers about the identity of the Friend one more time. The series is wrapping up so I understand that the author may feel rushed, but there's already plenty of good content, characters, and twists in this series to work with. I think there would need to be an extraordinarily good reason to make some of these wonky plot decisions.

Sorry, Urasawa. I still like your book and I want to hear your ending.

[Adam Spanos · Rating 3 out of 5]

So … what happened here? Well, I certainly can’t tell you everything … but I will reveal (only because you’ll find out on the introductory “Profiles” page even before the panels begin) that a certain hero is out walking the streets … and headed straight to Tokyo.

Meanwhile, the Friend has apparently passed on his genes to a most unmotherly candidate, although who really knows what a paternity suit might reveal. While ordinary citizens think they’ll find salvation on Mars, flying saucers spraying blood-like emissions are making quite the mess of Tokyo. Bowling seems to be coming back into the limelight and a new President of the World is about to take a stand.

Yup, no doubt: The final showdown is definitely coming …

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are beginning to wrap up with this series. In this volume, more ambiguity generated by the one going under the “friend” identity. And along with that, the creepiness factor was raised significantly.

[Iman Danial Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manga marathon

[Sogol torabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

خوندن مانگا تجربه بی‌نظیری بود.

[Kesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's play Keenji-Kun let's play?
I still have like one hundred questions left ...

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down to volume 21 still no answers at all. Just the Friend evil intention and fearsome words Kenji-Kun Let's Play.

[Andria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The localization quality took a weird dive here! Not sure what happened. Still not confident things can wrap up in a satisfactory manner in just 1 volume.

[fm.juan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sinceramente, la historia arranca genial pero se acaba yendo de madre. Es un galimatías alargado y estirado como un chicle. El final me ha dejado muy frio

[ti☆ra · Rating 4 out of 5]

being skeptical whether urasawa could wrap up the entire series by just 1 volume (it seems no bc there is a continuation). i still have many questions left to be answered

[Julie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lone DJ plays the same song constantly, and begs for listeners, if there are any, to please call in. He finds he has to travel farther to forage for food as his local sources run out. What is this place with an old helicopter sitting close at hand? The DJ finds someone who has locked himself into the back room, and begins to talk to him. About the friend he let down in the year 2000 when his friend needed him. Turns out the DJ was a friend of Kenji’s. Small world.

In Rome, the Pope is rumored to be very ill, and people wait anxiously outside the Vatican. Father Nitani has been summoned by the Pontiff himself but finds he cannot gain entrance due to the fact he can’t prove he isn’t a space alien such as the Friend says are coming. Day after day he waits nearby, and notices a young boy who goes in and out through a subterranean entrance. Turns out this child has been looking for him, on the orders of the Pope himself. The boy’s family, who once lived in Japan, cook for the Pope, because he doesn’t trust anyone else, thinking he is being poisoned by them. And the boy carries a message for the priest.

Just a wall separates Kenji and the others from Tokyo, but it’s a big one. Kenji talks to Chono about the Osaka Expo in 1970 and how badly he wanted to go but couldn’t. Chono then tells Kenji about the Expo he was at in Tokyo, and how he and a priest named Luciano ended up inside the Dark Tower, and what he heard— the sound of playing children and a voice crying “Yoo hoo, Kenji, c’mon let’s play.” Now Kenji is convinced he needs to go to the new Tokyo Expo. Luckily an underground entrance has been found to circumvent the wall. It might be smelly, but they have little choice but to take it.

Takasu has assumed the title of secretary-general, following the death of Manjome (at her hands). And she has accomplished her other goal as well – she is pregnant! She doesn’t even care if the current Friend isn’t the one they once knew. It’s all the same to her, as long as she is the Holy Mother.

Friend has told the people of the world of the coming of the space aliens with a dreadful virus that will wipe out all of humanity. The only way to survive is to emigrate to Mars! But even that is a sham, as the first rocket sent to Mars disappeared, and the footage shown of their arrival is all computer-generated. Meanwhile, space ships have begun to appear above various locations around the world, and they are shooting out red paint, as if doing a test run. It’s only a matter of time until they begin to spray the actual virus.

How can humanity be saved? Is there any place on Earth that is safe? And why is the Friend making this announcement right now? Did he just make a major confession?

Omigosh, everything is coming to a head and yet who knows how it will end? This could go so many ways. One more volume, do you believe it? Such an exciting ride this has been. I’ll be sorry when it ends. Good thing the author has other books. I intend to start reading Pluto, and I’m already reading Monster.

My hope is that Kenji and his song will save the day, and the Friend (whoever he is now) and his organization will be defeated and then the world can go back to normal. Whatever normal is now. But I also worry that something will go horribly wrong. I have to say I am really curious to know who is playing the part of the Friend now.

Cross your fingers and keep rooting for Kenji!

[Vicenç Sanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya queda menos, un tomo más y acaba la relectura de 20th century boys (la semana que viene casi seguro). Y es curioso porque pese a tratarse del penúltimo tomo y haber cierta sensación de estar a punto de terminar, también tengo la sensación de que he estado ante un tomo más, no ha habido esa traca habitual ni ese colocar de piezas previos a un final apoteósico que tanto acostumbramos a ver en las obras japonesas.

El tomo en cambio sigue desarrollando las tramas, que si los Ovnis, que si lo que sucedió realmente con la base secreta del grupo, que si reaparecen un par de personajes olvidados (por el público, Urasawa nunca olvida nada), que si falta el canto de un duro para el reencuentro final, que si Amigo al fin dice la verdad… montón de pequeñas tramas que son lo que acaba por atraparte, pero que os digo desde ya que muchas de ellas quedarán abiertas.

En lo personal sigo pensando que es una obra excelente (y para muestra éste tomo), capaz de jugar con los recuerdos, la nostalgia de la infancia, el saltar adelante en el tiempo y hacer malabares con multitud de personajes carismáticos (como el cura de los tatuajes). Pero peca de querer ser una trama demasiado ambiciosa y no cumplir la expectativas cuando las cosas van resolviéndose (lo que me temo me pasará con Billy Bat).

Aun así, una obra totalmente recomendable para los amantes de los thrillers o las historias con suspense y cliffhabgers a cada paso.

[kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

this volume gave me a little more hope for the ending of this...
I thought the reveal of the DJ's identity was actually rather clever, but mostly because it gave me confidence that Urasawa had at least SOME of this planned in advance, even if at times it feels like he's improvising the ending as he goes. Because that kid, Konchi, who eventually becomes the DJ, I've seen him before. He's been around quietly in the background-- I'm not sure how long, but he's been there a while. I'm pretty sure I remember him being around at least as far back as the 4th perfect edition. That said, the extra masked kid, who's supposed to be the new friend(?)... I'm confused and a bit sus. Wondering if it's somehow just... Fukube's identical twin or something stupid like that, since people saw Fukube after he died. It's the only thing that would make sense to me...

[Zare · Rating 5 out of 5]

As day of extinction comes ever so near Kanna tries to save the people by trying to get them to the Expo grounds, Friend's holy ground. With the unexpected help from one other Kenji's friends she will manage to do that by organizing their own Woodstock-like concert. But question remains if everything will be done in time because, quite unexpectedly, Friend takes the place before the cameras and discloses that he is behind every disaster from 2000 'til present day.

And as if that was not enough he discloses that main target for "Aliens" is actually Expo grounds.

I mean, c'mon, give our heroes some slack. It is five minutes to midnight and everything looks very grim.

Art as always is excellent.

Highly recommended.

[Zita Azlina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't think of anything more baffling than this (Lol). Wanted to open up Urasawa's brain and let's see whatever the fuck is up with his mind when he created this (also LOL). Tbh I think this series is too short (?). The end is too abrupt and I kind of think there is potential for the villain to be developed into something more. I mean he is freakish enough, but idk, honestly feels a lil bit too mundane.

Still extraordinary though.

[Dani Wladdimiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este volumen está hecho para dejar todo listo para la parte final, dándonos a entender que ya está en funcionamiento los platillos voladores, ya saben donde refugiarse, e incluso Amigo dejo entrever sus intenciones a todo el mundo. Y por otra parte, hay muchas cosas que me cuentan que no tengo claro si servirán a futuro, pero la siento más relleno que otra cosa, como lo de Dios o el tipo de la radio, pero espero estar equivocado.

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's only one volume left before the series transforms into 21st Century Boys, and instead of answers, we're still getting flashbacks to the characters' childhoods where they don't properly remember what's happening, and everyone trying to guess who The Friend is.

It's actually pretty tiresome at this point, and I can't wait for it to be over.

This is a near-perfect five or six volume story stretched out waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long.

[Omexmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - A batalha final vai começar...

cara eu tô tentando realmente descobrir quem é o amigo mas não dá, o Fukubei aparentemente tá morto, o Sadakiyo até que dá pra suspeitar pq nunca tivemos a confirmação que ele era mesmo o cara que morreu porém nas memórias da Kiriko ela lembra do Sadakiyo falando com ela e de outro menino com a máscara. O cientista lá morreu. Vai ser quem o maluco que disseca as carpas?

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot happened in this one. We find out who the radio DJ is. Father Nitani tries to get in to see the Pope. Kenji and his followers work to get through the wall inti Tokyo. The flying saucers show up. It turns out Kyoko is good at bowling. And the book ends with the Friend upping the ante.

The usual. Good art, good characterization. And we're so close to the end.

[Francisco Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

No sé, no puedo evitar sentir que este penúltimo tomo me parezca un alargue. O bien no tiene la suficiente urgencia que requeriría el estar tan cerca del final. Más todavía en una obra que abarca tanto como esta.

[M.i. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its heavy on nostalgia and I am shocked that even at this point we are still getting flashbacks cogent to the story, but I have come to regard Urasawa as a story telling genius. Yet another brilliant volume and I am sad that I will have to bid this series farewell in the final chapter.

[Farhana Lüba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Otcho would be my favorite character from the series. But I'm pretty sure Yoshitsune is my most favorite character, haha. He's adorable. And I absolutely love him.
So, final volume. God, I think I'm actually gonna miss this a lot 😅

[Shin Donghae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Menuju pertempuran puncak. Sahabat tiruan ternyata sudah mengantisipasi pemikiran Kanna. Bukan Expo yang paling aman.
Kenyataan demi kenyataan mengejutkan terus menguak ke permukaan.
Sungguh di luar dugaan.

[riley ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we are approaching the end of this series, it is supposed to start to wrap things up but a new mysterious character was introduced as an antagonist and there are so many events going on which are still unsolved. I’m afraid that the ending is gonna be rushed out!

[Štěpán · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final reveal of the volume is great. But the rest of the book is slow and episodic. It probably will go together and the Avengers will meet at the end, but we are almost at the end it still feel like the end is far away.