Reviews

20th Century Boys, Volume 1 by Naoki Urasawa

emmel1ne's review against another edition

3.0

couldn't really follow the story but maybe that's because I'm so tired

ketallpot's review against another edition

3.0

This manga has an interesting premise and I heard good things about it, so I'll definitely keep reading this.

atalinay's review against another edition

Glad I'm choosing to continue this series. It's got mystery. It's funny with the humorous parts being well timed. Since we're following characters who knew each other as kids there's also this lightness to it and a bit of a small town feel. Overall all a thumbs up from me :))

I had to reread this volume to continue with the series so here are some spoiler-y notes I made

Spoiler

Girl: time period unknown but looks to be in an (alien?) invasion; trauma
Kenji (conbini owner) currently taking care of sister baby; mom is around
Missing professor and fam
Keroyon wedding (Monchan and Otcho not there)
Flashback to 1969
Kaneda Seitaro: grad student found dead (lost all blood; tied to african disease?)
Kanna has 6th sense?
Cult
Donkey (now science teacher) died (presumed suicide)
Monchan arrives form overseas to wake
Flashback to when Donkey jumped out of window of science lab b/c he was scared
Masachan: part of cult;
'97 Kenji showed Donkey's wife the letter he had sent him asking about the symbol; apparently a kid in his class was having issues with a negative (cult) influence
Pierre Ichimonji (founder of religious group) stabbed to death (by Tamura Masao tied with Donkey's storyline)
Monchan remembered a time capsule they had burried. It had the symbol on it.
Intro to Yukiji (now custom's officer) and friend
Creepy cult parade float or weapon thing??
Monchan went back to Germany



The cult leader, "Friend", mentioned being Collins (ie the astronaut who didn't step on the moon in '69) and it might mean that he was a bystander who wanted to join the gang as a kid, and is now using stuff from the past as cult things. (there was also a flashback of a kid who mentioned that- but who was it dun dun dun)

moonchildshine's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Interesting premise. I read this because I need some science fiction manga to complete my 12 genre reading challenge, but I guess I would continue to read the entire series next year bcs I genuinely curious about the continuation.

orlaelan's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

alsopato's review against another edition

generational interwoven narrative mystery, written and delivered well with so many good characters, declined towards the end but very much enjoyed it. urasawas setup and payoffs are really well written and the artstyle is deeply charming

ainiali's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars. The story give us two alternating timelines; the past & present and follows a group of friends. Our main MC is Kenji, a man who owns & manages a mini mart while taking care of his sister's baby after she left. One day, a university professor, who lives in the neighborhood, & his wife went missing. Kenji was one of the people that went to their house before they're gone so the police came and question him. When he went back to their house to collect beer bottles, he found something that reminded him of his group of friends in the elementary school. The story then takes off from there and more incidents & mysteries unfold.

I keep starting new series and haven't finish any for quite awhile now. Tried to read this one few years back but I put it down after a few pages & I seriously didn't remember why because this is a good one! Volume 1 is a mere introduction but I feel that a great story is coming in next volumes. One thing that I can't shake off is that vibe of 1984 or those dystopian novels and I'm ready to go into this with that mindset.

kristenbooks's review against another edition

4.0

I have... NO idea what to rate this. But what I DO know is that I'm fascinated, I'm intrigued, and I want more. I need to know how this plays out.

darklings's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rashi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

Took me a little while to settle into, especially with the traditional manga style of reading the panels, but once I got into it I enjoyed reading it a lot! It was a very quick read and I’m definitely left with more questions than answers. Most of the manga was just introducing character and concepts so I’m excited to keep reading and see where it goes!! Hopefully it continues getting more and more interesting!