Naoki Urasawa is a Demi-God!

Dork Warning: I did not provide any links to the mentioned series below - because you should be spoiler free when reading a Naoki Urasawa series.

Dork Note: A few years back my friend introduced me to the Monster series by Naoki Urasawa. I was hesitant, because a crime-thriller about a surgeon isn't really my cup of tea. Holy cannoli, I couldn't have been more wrong. I devoured the first volume then preceded to work my way through all 18 volumes. Naoki Urasawa is so unbelievably good at weaving a tale back and forth and side to side that at times you feel both lost and found.


Monster Series Info: In 1994, after finishing Master Keaton, Urasawa began writing what would become another one of his most famous works, Monster. He wrote Monster alongside Happy!, with Monster ending in 2001. It consists of 18 volumes in total and was serialized in Big Comic (1995–2001). The series was licensed in English by Viz Media. The final volume was released in December 2008. Monster won the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 2001. The story revolves around Kenzo Tenma, a Japanese surgeon living in Germany whose life enters in turmoil after getting himself involved with Johan Liebert, one of his former patients who is revealed to be a dangerous psychopath.

Dork Note: I closed the last page of Monster and opened the first page of Pluto. And just as quickly - 8 volumes were gone in the blink of an eye...


Pluto Series Info: Beginning in late 2003, Pluto is a more realistic retelling of Osamu Tezuka's Mighty Atom, better known as Astro Boy. Pluto received an Excellence Prize at the 2005 Japan Media Arts Festival and the 2005 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Grand Prize. The series ended in early 2009, at 8 volumes. "Pluto" was also licensed by Viz for an English language release from 2009 to 2010.

Dork Note: ...so I turned to the 20th Century Boys. 22 volumes of pure awesomeness! I am currently on volume 13 and back and forth and side to side I go where it will stop I do not know.

20th Century Boys Series Info: In 1999, after finishing Happy!, Urasawa began 20th Century Boys, which would become another one of his most popular works. He wrote 20th Century Boys alongside Monster, until the later ended within two years. The series spans 22 volumes, with the concluding chapters released under the title 21st Century Boys. It was licensed in English by Viz, however, at Urasawa's request, its release was rescheduled until after Monster finished its English serialization due to the change in his art style over time. Publication in the US began in February 2009. 20th Century Boys won Kodansha Manga Award for general manga in 2001, an Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival, and the Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 2003.
Dork Conclusion: With volume 22 (which hasn't been released yet in English) that will be it. No other series by Naoki Urasawa has yet to be translated and that makes me sad.