VIZ to release 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End on DVD

VIZ Pictures is set to release the epic sci-fi movie 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End on DVD this December 15th. The 20th Century Boys saga was directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, based on the popular manga series by Naoki Urasawa.

The saga begins in 1969 when a young boy named Kenji and his friends write “The Book of Prophecy” in which they write about a future where they fight against an evil organization trying to takeover the world and bring about doomsday. Years later in 1997, a mysterious cult being lead by a man only known as “Friend” emerges and begins to gain strong influence over society. A series of catastrophic events begin to occur mirroring the prophecies made up by the young Kenji and the greatest fear is the climax of “The Book” becoming a reality; December 31st, 2000, a terrifying giant virus-spreading robot will attack the entire city of Tokyo leading to the end of mankind. The only people who know about “The Book” are Kenji and his childhood friends. Who is “Friend”? Will Kenji and his friends be able to save mankind and live to see the 21st Century?

VIZ Pictures has scheduled theatrical screenings of 20th Century Boys 1 on December 10th at VIZ Cinema in San Francisco, to celebrate the DVD release of the first chapter of the trilogy.

20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End stars Toshiaki Karasawa, Etsushi Toyokawa, Takako Tokiwa, Teruyuki Kagawa, Hidehiko Ishizuka, Takashi Ukaji, Hiroyuki Miyasako, Katsuhisa Namase, Fumiyo Kohinata, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Shirô Sano, Mirai Moriyama, Kanji Tsuda, Takashi Fujii, Hanako Yamada, Arata, Nana Katase, Chizuru Ikewaki, Airi Taira, Taka Ando Toshi, Takahiro Suzuki, Toshikazu Miura, Orientaru Rajio, Atsuhiko Nakata, Shingo Fujimori, Fumiya Fujii, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, Tomiko Ishii, Naoto Takenaka, Ken Mitsuishi and Tamotsu Ishibashi.

CLICK HERE to pre-order 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End.