Fourteen (manga)

Japanese manga series

Fourteen

14歳
(Fōtīn)
Genre| Horror, Science fiction
Manga
Written by| Kazuo Umezu
Published by| Shogakukan
Magazine| Big Comic Spirits
Original run| 1990 – 1995
Volumes| 20 (original)
4 (Perfection)

Fourteen (14歳, Fōtīn) is a horror, science fiction manga by Kazuo Umezu. It was serialized in Big Comic Spirits between 1990 and 1995 with 20 volumes released. A new final chapter was added in the 2012 Perfection release.

## Overview

[edit]

Fourteen is a spiritual sequel to The Drifting Classroom. While The Drifting Classroom illustrated a future after the fall of mankind, Fourteen illustrates how the destruction of mankind occurs. Other themes include child protagonists attempting to overcome environmental destruction and crises, as well as the bond and separation between parent and child.

In 1995, the series came to a sudden end due to Umezu's tenosynovitis. In 2012, a new final chapter consisting of 18 full-color pages was appended to the final volume of the Perfection release.[1]

## Story

[edit]

In the 22nd century, mankind seems to be flourishing, but they are facing an approaching destruction. At a chicken manufacturing plant, a heteromorphic creature with a bird's head—later known as Chicken George—appears from the fermenter. Chicken George studies and learns all human knowledge. He learns that all mankind and the planet will come to an end when children born that year reach the age of 14. With the goal of escaping planetary destruction due to mankind, he builds a planetary escape rocket, Tyrannosaurus, to carry the animals. However, Chicken George, falling for the beautiful Barbra, a minion of the rich Rose and American vice president Martha Gorman, decides to stay on Earth and chooses to de-evolve by separating the left and right hemispheres of his brain.

Eventually, aliens facing the same destruction as humanity appear. They rape humanity in a desire for sharing DNA in order to survive, but soon realize that there is no future for human DNA and instead steal spiritual energy from the Earth and leave. The Earth's balance is destroyed, causing massive earthquakes, tsunamis, and quicksand, resulting in a massive population decrease. The governments for each country were preparing a secret plan to select specific children to escape from Earth, but that came to an end due to violent mobs. Finally, as mankind comes to an end, humanity's true form began to manifest: monsters.

The selected children board the alternative rocket Tyrannosaurus and escape from Earth, but they face problems with the approaching 14 years time limit, as well as the spirit of Chicken George who has possessed the rocket. In addition, the destruction does not end with Earth, but also extends to their destination in the Andromeda Galaxy. Facing increasing problems, those close to 14 years go into hibernation.

America, the youngest of the children, sees the light of edge of the universe from Tyrannosaurus. As all things are being destroyed, America jumps beyond the edge of space. He appears in another universe and realizes that their universe existed within a single caterpillar in the middle of a road, and that the impending death of the caterpillar about to be run over by a car was the cause of his universe's impending death. After saving the caterpillar, America and the other children return to their universe and decide to go home.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ransom, Ko (July 26, 2012). "Kazuo Umezu's 14-Sai Reissue Adds New 18-Page Ending". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 February 2022.

* v
* t
* e

Works of Kazuo Umezu

Manga|

* Reptilia (1965)
* Cat Eyed Boy (1967–1976)
* Orochi (1969–1970)
* The Drifting Classroom (1972–1974)
* Makoto-chan (1976–1981)
* Heisei-ban Makoto-chan (1988–1989)
* My Name Is Shingo (1982–1986)
* Fourteen (1990–1995)

Adaptations|

* The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch (film, 1968)
* Drifting School (film, 1995)
* The Long Love Letter (TV series, 2002)
* Kazuo Umezu's Horror Theater (film series, 2005)
* God's Left Hand, Devil's Right Hand (film, 2006)
* Tamami: The Baby's Curse (film, 2008)

Other|

* Mother (film, 2014)

* v
* t
* e

Weekly Big Comic Spirits series

Current|

* Mogura no Uta (2008)
* Kenkō de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu (2014)
* Bōkyaku no Sachiko (2014)
* Dance Dance Danseur (2015)
* Fuuto PI (2017)
* Asadora! (2018)
* Shinkurō, Hashiru! (2020)
* Kujō no Taizai (2020)
* Hirayasumi (2021)
* Re Cervin (2022)
* Haibaiyōshi Mizuiro (2022)
* My Home Afro Tanaka (2022)
* Konoyo wa Tatakau Kachi ga Aru (2023)
* Robō no Fujii (2023)
* Alice, Doko Made mo (2024)

1980s|

* Maison Ikkoku (1980–1987)
* Wounded Man (1982–1986)
* My Name Is Shingo (1982–1986)
* Iron Virgin Jun (1983)
* Oishinbo [on hiatus] (1983–2014)
* F (1986–1992)
* Crying Freeman (1986–1988)
* Yawara! (1986–1993)
* Tokyo Love Story (1988–1990)
* Dance till Tomorrow (1989–1990)
* Utsurun Desu (1989–1994)
* Even a Monkey Can Draw Manga (1989–1991)

1990s|

* Fourteen (1990–1995)
* Wangan Midnight (1990)
* Hanaotoko (1991–1992)
* Gallery Fake (1992–2005, 2012, 2016)
* Asunaro Hakusho (1992–1993)
* Tokyo Daigaku Monogatari (1992–2001)
* Tekkonkinkreet (1993–1994)
* Happy! (1993–1999)
* Henshū Ō (1993–1997)
* Itoshi no Irene (1995–1996)
* Ping Pong (1996–1997)
* Tanabata no Kuni (1996–1999)
* Yoiko (1996–2001)
* Uzumaki (1998–1999)
* Believers (1999)
* 20th Century Boys (1999–2006)
* Chocolat (1999–2003)
* Saikano (1999–2001)

2000s|

* Gyo (2001–2002)
* Kōkō Afro Tanaka (2001–2004)
* Pet (2002–2003)
* Homunculus (2003–2011)
* Danchi Tomoo (2003–2019)
* Last Inning (2004–2014)
* Ushijima the Loan Shark (2004–2019)
* Chūtai Afro Tanaka (2004–2007)
* Bambino! (2004–2009)
* Hakuba no Ōji-sama (2005–2008)
* Boys on the Run (2005–2008)
* Takemitsuzamurai (2006–2010)
* Jagan wa Gachirin ni Tobu (2006–2007)
* 21st Century Boys (2006–2007)
* Shin Black Jack ni Yoroshiku (2007–2010)
* Jōkyō Afro Tanaka (2007–2010)
* Hana to Oku-tan (2007–2019)
* Channel wa Sonomama! (2008–2013)
* Misaki, Number 1!! (2008)
* Birdy the Mighty (2008)
* Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit (2008–2012)
* Shin Kurosagi (2008–2012)
* Tomehane! Suzuri Kōkō Shodōbu (2008–2015)
* Birdy the Mighty: Evolution (2008–2012)
* Goodnight Punpun (2008–2013)
* Shut Hell (2008–2010)
* D no Maō (2009)
* Bambino! Secondo (2009–2012)
* I Am a Hero (2009–2017)
* Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin (2009–2010)
* Seven Shakespeares (2009–2011)

2010s|

* Sasurai Afro Tanaka (2010–2013)
* Hideout (2010)
* Ushiharu (2010–2011)
* Shichigatsu no Hone (2010–2011)
* Asahinagu (2011–2020)
* Hanamote Katare (2012–2014)
* Shin Kurosagi Kanketsu-hen (2012–2013)
* Chiisakobee (2012–2015)
* Ōsama-tachi no Viking (2013–2019)
* Hakubo no Chronicle (2013–2017)
* Yūzora no Cruyffism (2013–2016)
* Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction (2014–2022)
* 1518! (2014–2019)
* Ginkai no Speed Star (2014–2015)
* Tokusatsu Gagaga (2014–2020)
* Kedamame (2014–2015)
* Joker Game (2014–2015)
* Hikari-Man (2014–2020)
* Aoashi (2015–2025)
* Furo Girl! (2015–2016)
* Million Yen Women (2015–2016)
* Shiawase Afro Tanaka (2015–2018)
* Kanata-Kakeru (2016–2018)
* After the Rain (2016–2018)
* Neko no Otera no Chion-san (2016–2018)
* Tenohira ni Ai o! (2016–2017)
* Slow Motion o Mōichido (2016–2018)
* Saotome Senshu, Hitakakusu (2016–2019)
* Jagaaan (2017–2021)
* Nigatsu no Shōsha (2017–2024)
* Yukibana no Tora (2018–2020)
* Peach Milk Crown (2018–2019)
* Kekkon Afro Tanaka (2018–2021)
* Saturn Return (2019–2022)
* Ponkotsu Ponko (2019–2021)
* Battleground Workers (2019–2021)
* Insomniacs After School (2019–2023)
* Run on Your New Legs (2019–2020)
* Bushi-Stant Aisaka-kun! (2019–2021)

2020s|

* Ōjōgiwa no Imi o Shire! (2020–2023)
* 365 Days to the Wedding (2020–2023)
* Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (2020–2022)
* Platanus no Mi (2020–2023)
* Aoashi Brotherfoot (2021)
* Watashi no Musuko ga Isekai Tensei Shitappoi Full Ver. (2021–2022)
* Kurosagi Sakidō: 18-sai Shinseijin Sagi Hanzan-hen (2022)

Zōkan|

* Remina (2004–2005)
* Black Paradox (2007–2008)

* Big Comic
* Big Comic Original
* Weekly Big Comic Spirits
* Big Comic Superior
* Monthly Big Comic Spirits
* Yawaraka Spirits

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