This is hands-down one of the best stories I have ever read, manga or otherwise. From the very first few chapters, it gripped me and never let go. Once I began, I did my best to binge-read it, not because it called for that, but because I wanted to.

Naoki Urasawa is a master of storytelling, and with 20th Century Boys, you can easily see why. The story evolved into something I couldn't have imagined when beginning it, embracing all different types of genres, be it comedy, paranormal, or outright horror. It takes a look at the silly dreams of children, and the terror those dreams could have. It sheds light on the horror and the beauty of humanity at the same time. It's a story about heroes and villains, justice and evil, and so much more.

This review might already be too long, so I'll wrap things up. The story, artwork, and characters are all nearly perfect. Urasawa did an amazing job crafting characters who feel like real people. If you're looking for a thrilling story to get absorbed in, I couldn't recommend 20th Century Boys more.

P.S. - While I maintain that the story is amazing, the ending is rather... oddly done. You'll probably want to read 21st Century Boys (a 16-chapter continuation of the story) afterward.