20th Century Boys

20世紀少年

249 chapters

22 volumes

1999 – 2006

As the 20th century draws to a close, a growing sense of unease spreads across the globe, hinting at a major and possibly ominous turning point for the world. Kenji Endou, an ordinary convenience store manager living a mundane life, learns that an old acquaintance nicknamed "Donkey" has tragically died by their own hand. Around the same time, a new cult led by someone called "Friend" begins to attract widespread attention. Kenji starts to suspect that something dark is unfolding. Using cryptic clues left behind by his late friend, he discovers that this cult is a far greater threat than it first appeared—one that directly targets him and his childhood friends, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Only they hold the key to preventing disaster. Kenji's routine life is disrupted as he reconnects with his childhood friends. Together, they must uncover the link between their past and the cult, as the dawn of the new millennium may signal the end of the world.

Information

Status: Finished
Format: Manga
Chapters: 249
Volumes: 22

Statistics

Rank: #24
Score: 8.90
Votes: 110,073
Members: 312,164
Favorites: 23,118

Authors

Urasawa, Naoki

Serialized in

Big Comic Spirits

Volúmenes & Capítulos22 vol · 240 ch

Volume 1Ch. 1

Cap. 1

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Background

20th Century Boys won the Kodansha Manga Award in the general category in 2001, an Excellence Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2002, and the Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category in 2003. The series' combined storyline won the Grand Prize at the 37th Japan Cartoonist Awards on May 9, 2008. VIZ Media published the series in English under the VIZ Signature imprint from February 17, 2009, to September 18, 2012. VIZ Media licensed the series in 2005; however, at Urasawa's request, it was rescheduled for release after Monster finished its English publication due to a change in art style over time. It was also published as 2-in-1 omnibus volumes from September 18, 2018, to March 16, 2021. The series has also been published in Brazilian Portuguese by Panini Comics/Planet Manga since September 2012. The series was adapted into a trilogy of live-action films which released in Japan between August 30, 2008, and August 29, 2009.