Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 2: The Prophet [Paperback]

Naoki Urasawa (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys | Publication Date: April 21, 2009

R to L (Japanese Style)

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.

The Friend, an enigmatic cult leader who plans to destroy the world, declares, "The cosmos has begun choosing those who are true friends." Meanwhile, horrifying incidents are taking place: the emergence of a mysterious virus, the death of a detective, the revelations of a man on the run... Kenji tries to find out who this Friend is, but the answer is still far ahead. The footsteps of doom slowly creep closer and a shadow falls over the city...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Naoki Urasawa has been a highly recognized and successful manga artist for more than twenty years. Creator of popular series such as 20TH CENTURY BOYS and YAWARA, Urasawa has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the first Japanese Media Art Festival Manga Award of Excellence, the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award in 1999, and the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award. Naoki Urasawa's Monster has thrilled and entertained well over 25 million readers in Japan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (April 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591169267
• ISBN-13: 978-1591169260
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't go wrong with Naoki Urasawa's work, November 17, 2009

By 

Chihiro (Boston Ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 2: The Prophet (Paperback)

Urasawa is one of the best storytellers and artists around. I can't say enough good things about 20th Century Boys and Pluto. I'm one of those people who can tell how a tv show or book is going to end at the beginning.
Urasawa keeps me guessing about what will happen next. Please check out Monster and Master Keaton too.

4.0 out of 5 stars Coffee For The Brain Book Reviews, October 28, 2011

By 

A. Maurer "Coffeechug" (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 2: The Prophet (Paperback)

After reading volume 1 in this series and finding myself really enjoying the story line I just had to keep on reading. Luckily, volume 2 was readily available at my library so I was able to snag the next volume within a day of reading volume 1.

I am really getting involved in the story line. The character development is strong. I truly have my characters I like and don't like. I feel committed to continuing with the series to find out the many answers to the questions I have. I like the main character Kenji. He is a well balanced main character that helps move the story along at the right pace. He is a good counterbalance to some of the other dynamic and one sided characters.

I am not sure what else to share in the review without giving away too much plot. I will simply state that if you give this series a try and enjoy volume you will not be disappointed in volume 2. Not off to find volume 3.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mystery deepens as the 'Friend' begins in earnest, May 24, 2009

By 

Alexandra Cenni "Poisoned Rationality" (hamilton, nj USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 2: The Prophet (Paperback)

And the mystery deepens! How is a childhood game played by Kenji and his friends related to this mysterious 'Friend' and his plans for the world? Why is Kenji the one person who can save humanity? Who is the 'Friend'? Could it be Otcho, the leader of the gang when they were kids, mysteriously missing for these 9 years? Why exactly does the 'Friend' world domination is the end all plan?

In the second volume of 20th Century Boys things begin to grow murkier as Kenji investigates further into his friend Donkey's 'suicide' and the mysterious symbol from his youth. I can easily understand why people can liken the narrative progression to that of the tv series Lost. The 'present', 1997, is used as the jumping up point. From there we jump back and forth between events of Kenji's childhood that directly relate to the current issues. Every so often events jump to December of 2000--when a disaster is about to change the world.

We learn more about Kiriko, Kanna's mother and Kenji's older sister, who raised Kenji and saved him more often then he thought from death. Through his memories we easily can see why he feels it is so important for him to take care of Kanna and no one else. We meet and learn more about Yukiji, a relentless tomboy from Kenji's youth who was one day 'saved' by Kenji from the neighborhood bullies. A homeless man who is called 'Kamisama' (God) by his fellows because he can see into the future on occasion dreams of the destruction to come and how to perhaps prevent it.

Once again Viz's presentation is wonderful and makes reading this series enjoyable. This is, in many ways, a hard manga to read for casual readers. There isn't a lot of 'action' or such, outside of the scifi elements and Friend plot, this is more about life and how life changes you. From Kenji's regrets that his sister was never able to do what she wanted because she was constantly caring for him to Yukiji's disappointment that Kenji couldn't stand up to the 'knight in shining armor' she remembered from her youth.

Volume 3 is due out in June, with volume 4 following in August, five following in October and 6 following in December. If Viz holds to schedule, you really only to wait every other month for the series, which is wonderful because this is a series you don't want to lose a grasp of the details on.