endou kenji

Endou Kenji grew up in late-1960s and early-1970s Japan, a period when American phenomena like the space race and the Woodstock era were resonating globally. An avid manga reader who often encountered apocalyptic scenarios, he would always respond with a fervent cry of "I would fight!" During this time, he and his friends devised a scenario for world conquest, allowing them to play heroes. Fast forward to 1997, Kenji now runs his family's liquor store as a convenience store and is raising his sister Kiriko's daughter, who disappeared shortly after leaving her child with him. He leads a relatively ordinary life until events from the prophecy he once created start coming true. He discovers an evil organization led by a masked man known as "Friend," which is using his plans to take over the world. As the organization's grip on the government tightens, Kenji becomes a wanted man and lives on the streets, covertly opposing Friend through acts of terrorism and a protest song he wrote called "Bob Lennon." He was believed to have died in an explosion on New Year's Eve, but he survived. His actions between then and meeting Damian Yoshida, guitarist of the band Eroim Esseims, in 2014 are unknown. It seems he may have suffered from amnesia during this time, identifying himself as the devil, referencing the legendary blues musician Robert Johnson. Kenji continued to wander Japan until the third year of the Friend era, when a sudden surge of memory restored his identity. Heading to Tokyo, he meets his old friend Konichi, now a radio DJ who, unaware of Kenji's true identity, records his modified version of "Bob Lennon" and broadcasts it on the radio. Using charisma and song, Kenji gains more followers as he passes through border guards controlled by Friend. Upon reaching Tokyo, he confronts Friend and witnesses Friend and another old friend, Sada Kiyoshi, die in an explosion. Finally, he reunites with his old friends and niece, bringing the story to an end.