25 Jul / 20th Century Boys (vol. 21) by Naoki Urasawa, with the cooperation of Takashi Nagasaki, English adaptation by Akemi Wegmüller
As this is the penultimate volume in the 22-part series, I suppose I should have savored it … but, egads, patience is just not my virtue! Now I have almost a two-month wait, as volume 22 hits shelves September 18. How am I gonna hold out that long??!!
So … what happened here? Well, I certainly can’t tell you everything … but I will reveal (only because you’ll find out on the introductory “Profiles” page even before the panels begin) that a certain hero is out walking the streets … and headed straight to Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the Friend has apparently passed on his genes to a most unmotherly candidate, although who really knows what a paternity suit might reveal. While ordinary citizens think they’ll find salvation on Mars, flying saucers spraying blood-like emissions are making quite the mess of Tokyo. Bowling seems to be coming back into the limelight and a new President of the World is about to take a stand.
Yup, no doubt: The final showdown is definitely coming … [I think ‘patience’ should have been a four-letter word!]
To check out all the previous volumes of 20th Century Boys (which you should as the finale looms) – please click here.
Tidbit: I stand corrected … the series does not end with volume 22. It continues with two more, under a slightly different title – 21st Century Boys! Guess they’re all grown up and ready for a new millennium! 21st Century #1 hits shelves late November, while #2 debuts mid-January 2013. See illuminating comments from “Anon” below for more information. Thanks indeed!
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2012 (United States)
20 SEIKI SHONEN © Naoki Urasawa/Studio Nuts
Original Japanese edition published by Shogakukan Inc.
This isn’t the penultimate volume. You have three more after this. 21st Century Boys is a continuation, not a sequel.
If you treat 22 as the final volume you are in for a VERY disappointing ending.
Three more? Well, goody then! I was oh so crushed when Urasawa’s Monster ended.
Wikipedia says 22 volumes for 20th Century Boys, and also mentions that the final (translated) volume is scheduled to pub 9/18. I can’t remember if that’s where I got my original information (Wiki not always being the best source, I realize), but will be sure to ask my Viz Media contact for info on further (yes, CONTINUING) volumes and their pub dates.
Stay tuned! Will get back to you as soon as I hear (Viz contact is out of town through midweek, I think).
The last two volumes are under the label “21st Century Boys.” Amazon has them listed (searching should get them to pop up). Just below the volume count on Amazon it also lists those two volumes. Despite the misleading appearance of having the volumes billed under a slightly different title, they’re the wrap-up. It’s a weird consequence of the break Urasawa had to take from the series for a year when it was serialized due to double shoulder injuries from overwork.
Thanks SOOOO much for the clarification … have added the information to the post above. Thrilled to know I have more time with the Boys (and Girls!).