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IMDbPro

20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End

Original title: 20-seiki shônen: Honkaku kagaku bôken eiga
  • 20082008
  • 2h 22m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)
20th Century Boys Trilogy Trailer
Play trailer1:43
1 Video
6 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Fantasy
  • Mystery
Years after a schoolboy writes a book of prophecies, a mysterious super-villain uses it as his master-plan of world destruction.Years after a schoolboy writes a book of prophecies, a mysterious super-villain uses it as his master-plan of world destruction.Years after a schoolboy writes a book of prophecies, a mysterious super-villain uses it as his master-plan of world destruction.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Yukihiko Tsutsumi
  • Writers
    • Yasushi Fukuda(screenplay)
    • Takashi Nagasaki(screenplay)
    • Naoki Urasawa(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Toshiaki Karasawa
    • Etsushi Toyokawa
    • Takako Tokiwa
Top credits
  • Director
    • Yukihiko Tsutsumi
  • Writers
    • Yasushi Fukuda(screenplay)
    • Takashi Nagasaki(screenplay)
    • Naoki Urasawa(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Toshiaki Karasawa
    • Etsushi Toyokawa
    • Takako Tokiwa
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 13User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    20th Century Boys Trilogy Trailer
    Trailer 1:43
    20th Century Boys Trilogy Trailer

    Photos6

    20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)
    20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)
    Takako Tokiwa in 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)
    Toshiaki Karasawa in 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)
    20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Toshiaki Karasawa
    • Kenji Endôas Kenji Endô
    Etsushi Toyokawa
    Etsushi Toyokawa
    • Otchoas Otcho
    Takako Tokiwa
    • Yukijias Yukiji
    Teruyuki Kagawa
    Teruyuki Kagawa
    • Yoshitsuneas Yoshitsune
    Hidehiko Ishizuka
    • Maruoas Maruo
    Takashi Ukaji
    Takashi Ukaji
    • Mon-chanas Mon-chan
    Hiroyuki Miyasako
    • Keroyonas Keroyon
    Katsuhisa Namase
    Katsuhisa Namase
    • Donkeyas Donkey
    Fumiyo Kohinata
    Fumiyo Kohinata
    • Yamaneas Yamane
    Kuranosuke Sasaki
    Kuranosuke Sasaki
    • Fukubêas Fukubê
    Shirô Sano
    Shirô Sano
    • Yan-bôas Yan-bô…
    Mirai Moriyama
    • Comic Artistas Comic Artist
    Kanji Tsuda
    Kanji Tsuda
    • Moroboshias Moroboshi
    Takashi Fujii
    Takashi Fujii
    • Friendship Party Promotoras Friendship Party Promotor
    Hanako Yamada
    • Friendship Party Promotoras Friendship Party Promotor
    Arata Iura
    • Masao Tamuraas Masao Tamura
    • (as Arata)
    Nana Katase
    Nana Katase
    • Mika Shikishimaas Mika Shikishima
    Chizuru Ikewaki
    • Convenience Store Clerkas Convenience Store Clerk
    • Director
      • Yukihiko Tsutsumi
    • Writers
      • Yasushi Fukuda(screenplay)
      • Takashi Nagasaki(screenplay)
      • Naoki Urasawa(screenplay) (manga series "20-seiki shônen")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Followed by 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      20th Century Boy
      Written by Marc Bolan

      Performed by T. Rex

    User reviews13

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Below average manga inspired movie
    The story is interesting to begin with, with a bunch of kids creating an "end of the world" story and then watching it made come true when they are adults. They embark on a mission to save the world, as their original story prophesied.

    However, the plot is really weird. There is a virus that kills people by making their blood explode, but it seems it is not contagious, it needs to be sprayed on. A giant robot smashes through Tokyo and the police stop in front of it to shoot guns. The leader of a hypnotic cult becomes the leader of the most important party in Japan, and so on and so on.

    Then, as world saviors go, the heroes are the most inept I have ever seen. The movie is very long, at 142 minutes, and it is only the first part of a three film story. The acting is pretty bad, too.

    Bottom line: it seems this is a failed attempt to mix the success of the Death Note franchise (I don't know what that thing was successful either) and the comic book/manga craze that is taking over the movie world in the US and the rest of the world. There is a feel reminiscent of Watchmen in the film, but only a trace. I am not saying that it is not worth watching, but I can't say I liked it.
    helpful•6
    29
    • siderite
    • Nov 22, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 30, 2008 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • Official site (France)
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • Japanese
      • Thai
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 20th Century Boys
    • Filming locations
      • Bangkok, Thailand
    • Production companies
      • Cine Bazar
      • Dentsu
      • Nippon Television Network (NTV)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,231,562
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 22 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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