Apr 3, 2017
First of all, it’s going to be my first review ever, so I’m might not be the best at it. But I hope you’ll appreciate anyway.
It’s been almost 9 years since I’ve read 20th Century Boys for the first time. Recently, a friend asked me to advise him about a manga. It’s the first manga who came to my mind. Thus, I decided to read it again.
With this review, I’ll include the Century Boys series as a whole, so 20th and 21st Century Boys.
The Century Boys Series has been written and drawn by Naoki Urasawa, creator of the brilliant Manga Monster, and of the non
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less brilliant Billy Bat, and was published in the Big Comic Spirits from 1999 to 2007. It’s a Seinen manga, the main themes being Science Fiction and drama.
Story : The plot begins in a simple manner : A group of friends formed a secret club when they were kids, imagining a whole scenario in their book of prophecies where “bad guys” try to take over the world, which is ultimately saved by their club. Several years later, adulthood is here and all of them have parted ways, each member living their lives, may it be what they were expecting as kids or not.
But their everyday lives are shaken up, when they discover that a Sect lead by its mysterious guru, “Friend”, is accomplishing step by step everything they have written down in their book of prophecies as children. Till the end of the world announced by it?
Let’s be clear from the start, this plot is nothing really new, when it comes to Science Fiction stories, as there is a lot of similar stories already. There are also a few inconsistencies in the story, particularly in the 2 last acts.
But as the starting point is kind of déjà-vu, its development, moving forward, is of a completely different breed and the inconsistencies of the story are quickly over-looked.
And that’s where the genius of Urasawa, in terms of plotting, is shown. A story who begins as just a child’s play takes huge proportions that no one could have imagined, not even the boys who created it. Fused with the faculties of story telling of its author, the story’s development will single handedly keep you on the edge of your seat during the whole series.
Art : It may be simple, but the drawing style is efficient and I find it personally great.
It’s not as much detailed as a Berzerk can be, but still enjoyable nonetheless.
Characters : Now, by all the qualities I can give to this manga, this is the most prominent one.
The details brought to the back story of each character just blew my mind, together with the evolution most of them gets, the events moving along.
And there is a heck of a lot of characters, may they be protagonists or antagonists.
Unlike many Shounen or Seinen, where the protagonists are White knights, defenders of the widow and the orphan and are mostly full of qualities, here, it’s a whole different deal.
Because almost all of the characters are just human beings, and you can feel it as you read.
They have their qualities, their defaults, their uncertainties. But despite that, they have to move through all the events occuring.
When you least expect it, a character who seems just ordinary at first, will turn out to have a great role, in a way you’ll not see coming.
Enjoyment : When it comes to enjoyment, the goal is definitely fulfilled.
But there might be quite a few moments, which’ll come to slow down the narrative, that’s not to be denied.
Conclusion : Does this manga has flaws? Yes, he has. Does it even matter? Not at all.
It’s definitely a masterpiece, by its characters’ development, by its story which’ll always make you want more, by the emotions his creator is able to let flaw inside you.
More than anything else, The Century Boys series is a tribute to the persons who’ve maybe disappeared, but’ll never be forgotten. It’s a tribute to the childhood, who must be a period of freedom and insouciance, no matter what. Get as much friends as you can and make the most of these times, it’ll not last long…
And the most important, live your dreams above anything else, otherwise, you’ll regret it forever.
Mr. Naoki Urasawa, thank you for this.
Hope you’ve appreciate this review, and sorry for the flaws in my writing and the spelling mistakes I’ve let through.
“Justice never dies.”
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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