Customer Reviews

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 5

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you've been keeping up with this series, you know how exciting the 4th volume was. This one takes things up a notch as it brings us the the actual night of the "Friend"s attack, December 31st, 2000. Wasting no time between accusations of Kenji's terrorizing and all out street-war, Urasawa spins the story as quickly as possible, moving seven of the nine friends of Kenji's together, in a covert and now demonized troupe out against the actual purveyors of evil, the "Friend" and his FDP.

Without spoiling too much, Urasawa takes us through both the events of the final night AND the events of the life of Kanna, fourteen years after Kenji's group had saved the world. Or did they? Things are still not completely revealed and a lot of gray area exists between characters and events that are alluded to but not seen. At least not in this volume. Along with the snappy writing, that's what makes this one of the best shonen manga on the market in '09 - Urasawa takes a consistently slow-burn approach in revealing information. There is always a pay-off that is satisfying and leaving you anxious for more. Let's only hope the rest of the series can live up to how great this has been so far.

This review contains minor spoilers.



For 4 books 20th Century Boys has teased and built towards the final battle to save world on December 31, 2000, there have been flashbacks and flashfowards to hint at would happen.

In book 5 the day finally arrives and Kenji and his band come together for the final battle against the friends. And you turn the page and...

It's 14 years later.

We have a new status quo, new characters and new new conflicts. The results of that battle are hinted at and teased some more but nothing is confirmed. We'll just have to keep reading to find out.

It's a bold move that could have gone very wrong but Urasawa pulls it off. And it's one that's sure to keep me on the hook for a good long time.

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.