Friend's True Identity in 20th Century Boys

Summary

This video explores the true identity of Friend in *20th Century Boys* and *21st Century Boys*, a long-misunderstood character in Naoki Urasawa's series. It addresses the confusion surrounding the roles of Fukubei and Katsumata, particularly in light of the *Perfect Edition's* revelations. The video delves into the themes of death, deception, and identity, clarifying how Katsumata was always the sole Friend and exploring his impact on the story. The analysis includes insights into the series' red herrings, the importance of metaphorical death, and Urasawa's narrative intentions, offering a deeper understanding for fans of the manga.

Takeaways

• 😀 Friend from '20th Century Boys' is widely regarded as one of manga's greatest antagonists, but many people still struggle to understand their true identity.
• 😀 The 'Perfect Edition' of '20th Century Boys' released in 2016 includes important changes and extra content, particularly in the final chapter of '21st Century Boys,' revealing Friend's true identity.
• 😀 Initially, many believed two characters, Fukubei and Katsumata, took on the role of Friend, but Urasawa later confirmed that Katsumata was always the only Friend.
• 😀 Urasawa's interview in 2018 clarified that Katsumata was the true Friend throughout the story, contradicting earlier fan assumptions and interpretations.
• 😀 Despite the addition of new content in the Perfect Edition, some fans still perceive the final reveal as a retcon or a separate continuity.
• 😀 The death of Friend in the science room was actually the death of a body double, not Fukubei, and Katsumata faked his own death to continue his role as Friend.
• 😀 Fukubei's actual death occurred in 1972, between elementary school and middle school, which is crucial in understanding the timeline of events.
• 😀 The story explores the contrast between physical death and metaphorical death, with characters like Fukubei and Katsumata representing different forms of death.
• 😀 The masks worn by Friend throughout the series are symbolic of his deceptive nature, and the story emphasizes how Friend's entire existence is based on lies and misdirection.
• 😀 The themes of truth versus lies and the idea of being forgotten versus remembered are central to the narrative, with Friend being a representation of a 'copy of a copy' in the world.

Q & A

What is the significance of Friend's identity in Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys?

Friend's identity is central to the story, and it's considered one of the greatest plot twists in manga history. The confusion about his identity, with many readers believing it was shared between two characters, is crucial to the narrative's intrigue and misdirection.

What is the difference between the original manga and the Perfect Edition of 20th Century Boys?

The Perfect Edition is a re-release that includes slight redraws and additional content, such as extended chapters and pages, which provide further clarification, especially regarding Friend's true identity. The final chapter of the Perfect Edition reveals the critical twist about Friend being Katsumata.

Why did some people believe that two different characters were Friends in the original manga?

The confusion arose due to misleading clues in the story, including the supposed death of Friend and a perceived shift in identity after the resurrection. Many readers, including the scriptwriter, mistakenly assumed that Fukubei and Katsumata took on the role of Friend at different points.

What did Naoki Urasawa confirm about Friend’s identity in a 2018 interview?

Urasawa explicitly confirmed that Katsumata was always the sole Friend from the beginning of the story, with other characters' appearances as Friend being misleading or red herrings designed to confuse both the characters and readers.

How does the Perfect Edition clarify the misunderstanding surrounding Friend's death?

The Perfect Edition explains that the character believed to be Fukubei's corpse in the Science Room was actually a body double, not Fukubei himself. This aligns with Urasawa's intent that Fukubei did not physically die in 1971, and the confusion was part of the larger deception surrounding Friend.

What is the significance of the metaphorical death of Fukubei in the story?

Fukubei's metaphorical death in 1971 marks the birth of Friend as a figure of lies. His friends realize his 'superhuman' persona is a fraud, which ties into the theme of being forgotten as the true form of death. Fukubei's real death is symbolized by the moment everyone stops remembering him.

Why is the concept of metaphorical death explored in 20th Century Boys?

The story contrasts physical death with metaphorical death, suggesting that true death is being forgotten by the world. This theme is explored through various characters like Fukubei, Katsumata, and Kenji, where their presence is felt even after their physical demise.

How does the idea of masks play into the deception around Friend’s identity?

Friend wears various masks to maintain the illusion of different personas, with the most prominent being 'Ninja Hattori-kun,' a representation of Fukubei. These masks contribute to the story's theme of lies, making it impossible for characters, and even the audience, to discern the true identity of Friend.

What role does Katsumata’s relationship with Kanna play in understanding Friend’s identity?

Katsumata's conversation with Kanna late in the story reveals that he is her true father, connecting his true identity to the origin of her psychic abilities. This further underscores that Katsumata was always Friend, as he had the ability to deceive even Kanna, who possessed special powers.

How does the Perfect Edition affect the overall understanding of 20th Century Boys?

The Perfect Edition, especially the extended final chapters, offers a more definitive understanding of the plot and character motivations. It clarifies key plot points, like Friend’s true identity, and enhances the climactic resolution that was missing in the original manga, making it the most accurate version of the story.