20th Century Boys

This is the greatest story I have ever read. This manga has one, if not the best, side cast, and I can't believe anyone could come out of this manga without finding at least one character to relate to. The story is the most enjoyable I've ever encountered in a manga, and the main cast is exceptionally well-written and relatable.

The story: 10/10

The art style: 9/10

It's the most realistic manga I've ever read. You can't even predict what will happen next because the plot distracts you with jaw-dropping side stories that will break your heart and make you cry.

While the story might falter a bit in the last 30 chapters, the character writing remains as strong as ever. This manga features one of the biggest plot twists in manga and anime history.

It's 100% my favorite story and manga I've ever consumed—100/10. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy mystery stories and the most realistic manga.

20th Century Boys was created by its artist, Urasawa, from 1999 to 2006. However, the manga gives the impression of an art style reminiscent of the 70s and 80s. The artist used character designs that seemed to belong to an "older generation." The main characters are drawn like ordinary citizens, without the flawless handsome features for men or oval-shaped faces for beautiful women. In fact, the main characters are so realistically depicted as ordinary citizens that I almost stopped reading this manga.

Beyond the artistic quality, the story in 20th Century Boys is innovative, complex, and filled with numerous flashbacks. Readers get a break from the typical shounen protagonist-get-power-and-save-the-world plot and instead enjoy protagonist Kenji unraveling a conspiracy throughout the manga. This conspiracy is intimately tied to Kenji’s family and his elementary school classmates, leading him on a journey to solve the mystery by delving into events from his childhood. Though it may sound strange, I promise the plot is compelling.

The characters in 20th Century Boys face many hardships, such as the dangers of diving deep into the conspiracy or even the pressures of everyday life. This sets this manga apart from others. The main characters lack the "hero aura," and I can't help but respect them for fighting against unknown enemies without any special powers or overwhelming intelligence. This manga demonstrates that even normal humans can be world-saving heroes, minus the special abilities, intelligence hacks, and unbelievable luck.

Overall, whether or not it deserves the fourth place ranking given by MAL, 20th Century Boys is a classic that will be remembered for years to come.

Story: 9
Art: 7
Character: 9
Enjoyment: 9
Overall: 9

First of all, I would like to apologize for any mistakes I might make. I'm not a native speaker, so it's not always easy for me to express myself in a foreign language.

Story: 10/10

I know that giving a 10 may not seem objective, but if I had to choose just one manga for the rest of my life, it would be this one. I won't go into the details of the story because it's not necessary. What I want to highlight is how perfectly the author has developed the plot. There are no mistakes or inconsistencies. The suspense is masterfully crafted, which is why the author is often referred to as "the master of suspense." 20th Century Boys is captivating; I've never read a manga quite like it. It never gets boring, and the story never stagnates.

Art: 8/10

When I first saw the character designs, I was quite skeptical, which is why I think an 8 is a fair score. However, upon closer inspection, you can appreciate the beauty of the artwork. There are so many details, and the characters' faces are drawn with a level of realism that is impressive. I understand that this style may not appeal to everyone, but if the design initially puts you off, take a moment to look more closely.

Characters: 10/10

All the characters are interesting and have their own stories to tell. None of them feel unnecessary or clichéd, which is a significant achievement. You can easily relate to at least one character, as they are portrayed as regular people, not superhumans. They could be you! You quickly become attached to each protagonist, even if you don't like one at first. As the story unfolds, you discover something about them that shows they are all interesting and have reasons for who they are. (I know this sounds optimistic, but it's true.)

Overall: 10/10

I've already mentioned it, but you simply can't get bored with this manga. For me, it's perfect. I have nothing negative to say about it. If you're hesitating, stop right now and start reading it! If you enjoy psychological thrillers, 20th Century Boys is ideal for you. I promise you'll love it! I've never met anyone who didn't enjoy it.

First off, I would like to say that this is my first review ever, so don't expect anything too detailed.

Now, a little about the manga itself...

Firstly, I want to mention that this is something you don't see often: originality. This manga takes a fresh approach not only in terms of the storyline but also in its writing style.

The characters really talk; they don't just exchange lines. When you're reading it, you can genuinely feel that the characters are communicating. The character development is excellent. Most of the characters, like Kenji, have very interesting backstories and somewhat dramatic histories as well. By dramatic, I don't mean the cliché of someone losing their family or something similar. The characters have great personalities that make you either like or hate them.

The story...

The story itself might seem a bit cliché at first glance. You know, the old "we're going to save the world" theme? Well, yes, it's exactly like that, but it's the kind of world-saving story that really makes you want to keep reading.

The narrative constantly switches between the present and the past. In the present, it focuses on Kenji trying to find answers to his questions, while the past events are closely connected to those answers. The story also includes a surprise or two, but to avoid spoilers, I won't mention any specifics right now ;).

Overall, if you're looking for a manga with a deep story, likeable characters, and more than the usual writing style, then 20th Century Boys is definitely your cup of tea :].

I don't seem to share the same enthusiasm for Urusawa's work as most people do. My feelings about 20th Century Boys are similar to those I had about Monster: it's too long, with average art and characters. This isn't meant to offend anyone; it's just a different perspective on the series.

Story: Like Monster, the story drags on far too long. There were two or three points where it could have ended satisfactorily, but instead, it kept going for several more volumes.

The plot is straightforward: a man tries to destroy the world, and others try to stop him. To be fair, the fact that I read it all the way through shows that Urusawa keeps you hooked, wondering what happens next. However, it feels like a waste of time. You keep expecting something mind-blowing, but the only truly interesting revelation is Friend's identity.

What we have here is an endlessly drawn-out story, much like Bleach or Naruto, but without any of the flashy elements or fan service that make those series popular. The moments that make you jump out of your chair in excitement are few and far between. The second half, in particular, feels like it's being stretched out unnecessarily.

Art: Urusawa's art style is unique, but it's not for everyone. Personally, I find it bland and uninteresting. He excels at drawing facial expressions and conveying characters' emotions, but overall, his art is fairly mediocre compared to other manga artists.

Character: Due to the story being overly long, there are too many characters. Because of Urusawa's semi-realistic art style, some of them look very similar, making it confusing by the end. With so many characters, their personalities tend to be somewhat shallow. While the main cast is solid, and there are a few likable characters, the story would have benefited from a smaller, more intriguing cast.

Enjoyment/Overall: I was disappointed, considering how highly rated this series is. If you're looking for something to pass the time, you could do much worse, but I wouldn't recommend putting this high on your priority list.