How to read 20th Century Boys in English: where to start

What 20th Century Boys is about

20th Century Boys is a manga by Naoki Urasawa. It started in Japan in 1999. Its genres are Drama, Mystery, Psychological, Sci-Fi and Thriller.

Kenji Endo let go of rock music a long time ago. He runs a convenience store now. He is also raising the baby girl of his missing sister. Then a cult begins to spread. Its leader hides behind a mask and goes by the name Friend.

The cult has an emblem. Kenji knows that mark. His friend Otcho drew it for their secret base when they were kids. So Kenji sets out to find his old gang. He wants to learn how their symbol ended up with the cult.

The story does not stay in one time. It moves back and forth between their childhood around 1970 and the adult present. Urasawa uses those jumps to plant clues and build tension. The listed themes are Coming of Age, Achronological Order, Conspiracy and Cult.

This is a series for readers who like long mysteries and conspiracy thrillers. It also suits anyone who likes characters looking back at who they used to be.

How far the series is in Japan and in English

The series is finished in Japan. It ended there in 2006. There are 22 volumes and the story is complete.

English readers have the full run. As of October 2026 all 22 volumes are out in English. VIZ Media publishes them. Volume 22 came out in 2009.

Where to start

Begin with Volume 1. Only one way to start is listed for this series.

• Volume 1 (Vol. 1) from VIZ Media. It came out on 17 February 2009.

No omnibus or other edition appears in the facts for this series. The single volumes from VIZ Media are the route in. Pick up Volume 1 and go forward one book at a time.

The jumps between 1970 and the present carry the clues. Reading the volumes in order keeps those clues in the right place.

What comes next in English

There is no next English volume to wait for. Every volume from Japan already has an English release. Once you start you can read straight through to Volume 22.

Quick answers

• How many volumes does 20th Century Boys have? It has 22 volumes in Japan. The story is complete.
• Is 20th Century Boys finished? Yes. It ended in Japan in 2006. Every volume is out in English too.
• How many volumes are out in English? All 22. Volume 22 came out in 2009. VIZ Media is the English publisher.

Every volume on one page

The 20th Century Boys series page lists every English volume with its release date. Start at Volume 1 there. Then follow the list all the way to Volume 22.