Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 9 (9)

Koizumi was sent to Friend Land because of her desire to write her paper on Bloody New Year’s Eve, although she tried to change her subject but was not allowed to. There she discovers that people who do not conform disappear. And just what is Friend World? Can it be worse than this? She learns that being sent to Friend World is not something anyone wants. Koizumi is shocked to learn one of the janitors is none than Yoshitsune, one of the Kenji Faction and long presumed to be deceased. He warns her that if she flunks out of Friend Land she will be sent to Friend World, so she has to do well. When she places in the top three, she finds herself in the past, where she meets the Kenji Faction as children. She thinks this is her opportunity to get to the bottom of things, but Yoshitsune is afraid she will see the Friend’s actual face… and be killed for that knowledge. He must stop that from happening!When Kanna finds a token, her friend Mariah explains that it comes from the Casino. Remembering her uncle Kenji’s stories about the Woodstock experience, Kanna decides to make a lot of money, using her unusual talents, in order to do what must be done. She and Mariah and Chono head to the Casino. She starts off winning a little, but decides that method is too slow. That’s when someone tells her about a game with great risks but enormous payoffs, known as Rabbit Nabokov.Yukiji learns of the crowd that is gathering because someone is allegedly giving out money. But Yukiji remembers what was said in the Book of Prophecy: “At the meeting a savior will rise up for the forces of good…but the savior will be assassinated.” Both Yukiji and Otcho race to the scene of the meeting, hoping to prevent that from happening. Can they outrun Fate?Things are really getting exciting, what with Koizumi undercover at Friend Land, and Kanna raising awareness to prevent the assassination of the Pope. Otcho comes out of hiding and we now know that Yoshitsune is still alive. Can we hope that Kenji’s arrival is imminent, or is that expecting too much? And yet, he has been the leader all along, the voice crying in the wilderness. I’m going to cross my fingers and keep on believing!Also, look for someone we’ve often wondered about but never really met to make an unexpected appearance at the end of this volume! Can’t wait for the next one!

Volume 9 of "20th Century Boys" is a Kanna-driven storyline that gives us an idea that she is a special person who has special abilities. Not only is she clairvoyant but she also has the similar ability of the Friend, that she can also bend spoons at will. But as she tries her best to create a crowd to protect the pope from assassination, a new prophecy is revealed and speculation of who will be the savior and who will be assassinated.Although there are two chapters dedicated on Kyoko Koizumi and this virtual world that she was able to tap into, you are kind of left in the dark and hopefully we learn more in volume 10.As always, Naoki Urasawa knows how to grab the attention of the reader. His artwork and how he is able to capture the sense of action and emotion through the pages is magnificent and so far, this series has been engrossing and highly enjoyable thus far.Needless to say, readers are being setup for something huge and I definitely can't wait for the next volume. Overall, a gripping and exciting ninth volume of Naoki Urasawa's "20th CENTURY BOYS". If you haven't started already and you are looking for a deep, well-drawn, well-written manga series, Naoki Urasawa's "20th CENTURY BOYS" is highly recommended!

Nous sommes en 2014 et le Japon est confronté à une organisation de type sectaire ("L'Ami") qui a mis le pays en coupe réglée malgré la tentative de révolte menée 14 ans plus tôt par Kenji et ses quelques fidèles amis d'enfance. Kanna, la jeune nièce de Kenji, prend les choses en main et utilise les dons ou pouvoirs qu'elle nous fait découvrir dans ce volume pour tenter de fédérer un groupe de mafieux et d'indigents propre à faire pièce contre l'Ami. Y parviendra-t-elle, sachant que second "Livre des Prophécies" est découvert et que si on interprête un de ses chapitres, il y a de quoi s'inquiéter... Pendant ce temps, Koizumi Kyoko, élève dans le même bahut que Kanna, a l'occasion de découvir le visage du mystérieux Ami. Beaucoup de mystère et d'action dans ce volume, comme d'habitude est-on tenté d'ajouter. Il faut (gras, italique, souligné) découvrir le remarquable auteur contemporain qu'est Naoki Urasawa.