Introduction

This is one of the best zombie stories I’ve experienced period. I doubt we will experience a journey such as I am Hero again. I know the reputation of the manga mainly revolves around the ending which will be addressed. The main reason for the creation of this review is to talk about that and my love for this series. In this journey, I will be talking about the good, the bad and the ugly.

Framing

Firstly, it’s one of the most impressive framing devices for a zombie outbreak. Zombie stories in nature are usually human-driven and the zombies are more there as a symbol, humans being the real monsters. This is a trope that has been done so many times, of course for a good reason like Walking Dead comic for a period ( or video game), The Last of us etc. Then you have gotten the World Z film (haven’t read the book) or something of that nature that purely focusing on the Macroscope of the tale. So, you know the scale of the situation and how it's impacting civilisation as you know it. They lack that human interaction. It's balancing between the Macro and Micro story giving them unity like Yin and Yang symbol. The first thing to discuss is that the zombies are a threat. They come in hordes, unique designs and you always have that sense of unease. How does the author make the zombies terrifying, it's utilising the medium that is given to him. The first volume you start with TV, then a bit of Radio then the message board etc. I never read a manga that perfectly describes the crudeness of humanity through messages boards. Online they no ramifications so individuals can say whatever they want. Especially when they a zombie outbreak, people are going to say some nasty stuff. So, we get a firsthand account or second accounts of these individuals in the message board they perspective on the zombies or how their family members been inflicted. It seems like a simple storytelling device, but you have no idea how effective it is conducted.

I will be exploring another key integration the author conducts, but at this moment I will exploring the micro-story. When I refer to Micro-story it is talking about the main narrative revolving around Hideo and Hiromi. Without these two individuals, the manga loses its individual touch. Though first I will talk about the misconception of the first volume of I am a hero. Many people critique aspects of it as boring, long, slow, and annoying but I will speak upon its favour. Firstly, I fundamentally disagree with all that notion, but I understand why it doesn’t click. The first volume of I am Hero does two major things firstly the slow build-up to the outbreak. As I’ve talked about above but the second aspect it delves into, is the pathetic aspect of Hideo character. Hideo is not a good person in the first volume, does he do an illegal activity? No, but how he acts in front of his peers and his lover is not good. The first volume is there to highlight the flaws of humanity. Hideo is a realistic character from the offset which makes it uncomfortable to read about him. In a lot of manga, you don’t depict the 30s years fellow whose dream is nowhere in sight. He very cynical individual and has some weird habits, the “disgusting or gross” is an important aspect to consider. Making things so distasteful in the beginning is risky but can have a massive payoff when handled right long term. This is paid off extremely well because this dude journey is truly something else. His growth is probably the best aspect of the manga. Now I discussed the first volume, the Micro story revolves around surviving. Hiromi is another character I love to discuss but that would lead to spoilers. So, to be vague, this character has a lot more than meets the eye and you will see this throughout the journey. The micro (main ) narrative is about them surviving, they have an overarching thread but to be vague survival is key. One aspect I really like is an intimate look at the cities they explore. It's either seeing it happen in real-time or the direct aftermath. Their reactions to the outbreak are fantastic.

Now I will talk about the bridge of the Micro and Macro aspects, the side stories. This component is fundamental to the I am a Hero journey, this manga could entirely just be about Hideo, and it would have been good, but this component is what makes this manga special. They a lot of side stories or interludes between each main arc of the main story. You can briefly see the outside world through this framework. This can investigate Honk Kong, France situation etc. Sometimes it's just not just a reaction to the outside world but plenty of side characters, used so all this transpiring feels grounded. One of the coolest aspects of the manga is this fever dream, acid trip while somehow making it feel grounded. Some aspects are so goofy borderlines to horror. One of my favourite aspects of framing is the message boards. I know that’s weird but they certain progression, from this framework which has some amazing payoff.

Art/Panel Work

If you have read my Wave Listen to Me review you understand, that besides the artwork, the attention to panel work is almost as important if not more than art. Because you can have awesome art but if composed correctly, it can have a lesser impact. So firstly the art being display is fabulous, it’s pretty mind-boggling how he did this at a weekly rate. He draws humans in a somewhat ugly manner that align with real people appearances. It can sometimes look too ugly in a real sense and adds that discomfort. I will use Inoue Takehiko and Hiroaki Samura as a reference points. Both are preferred artists for a different reasons. But both uniquely convey realism, For Samura, his anatomy is the most important component so that is empathised, in Inoue case, it’s the eyes he captured that feel real. Both authors are known for realism, but they are so stylised that it's pleasant to look upon. Where in Kengo Hanazawa case the art is not as stylised and depicts people with they imperfection a lot which sometimes you don’t know you dislike that. I enjoy the author, art style purely from the rawness of everything. The grotesque is examined so thoroughly, it can be horrific to observe. It's a weird line, to say the least, I'm not criticising the art style as I do enjoy it. Just it's hard to describe it, my view is that this crude realistic ish art style compliments this crazy story that is being presented. My favourite pieces of the manga would be the spreads and trippy acid feeling chapters.

I think panel work, in general, deserves more praise. Sure, you can be a brilliant technical artist death note being a prominent example. But what more important to me is the fantastic panel work to compliment the story and being art featured. I love Death Note I am just using that as a reference point, but in that series, while the artist being amazing it's not using their medium to its maximum effect. Some of the panel work is uninspired, though the spreads are handled well. Here the author is not only a brilliant technical artist but his panel work is some of the best in the business. He understands when to use a POV shot literally with a shotgun. One chapter specifically all one person POV and it's glorious to read. The author is great at spreads but understanding the concept of the one, two and three punch. Some of my panel work and art is the psychological depiction of individuals, the art is brilliant and how it's laid out is nothing short but genius. He knows when a large scale can distract or enhance the experience, so he really deliberate with his panels within the big scenes. He wants you to be awed at moments. When reading some manga you like okay this is great, but I feel this can be presented better. In this case, utilises his medium maximum potential and it's an amazing experience.

Characters

Well, I already talked about Hideo in this review and this is non-spoilers so I can’t be specific. But I enjoy the characters in this manga, yes they are definitely throwaway or one-note individuals just merely due to the size of this manga. The characters that matter the most are pretty well developed. The reader kinda has to interpret the mindset and actions of the character because it's definitely there but it's for you to dig into which rewards observant readers. Sometimes you want to read between the lines and process the information and continue forward. This is most definitely a thrill ride, but the characterisation is a bit more subtle, and it can be lost within the rush. But if you going to read this for the thrill you will have a blast.

Ending

The ending is pretty infamous for being unsatisfying and just “one of the worst endings etc". They are some merit to an unsatisfying claim. Upfront this ending is not insulting to the fanbase or the series like how I view Attack on Titan Ending. The ending portrayed fits within the overall theme of the manga, for Hideo character specifically. They are more I wanted to be explored in the ending regarding Hideo character, but I think the author succeeded in finishing his character Arc. You contrast him from beginning to the ending and it fits. It's hard to say if it's good but it’s a fitting conclusion. The main bulk of the criticism lies with the Macro narrative. The bigger narrative was building towards something, which we really don’t have a concrete answer for it. It's this aspect of the ending that is disappointing. Though that is ripe for active discussion, because of the author attention to detail.

In general, I don’t think I am a Hero was going to be super conclusive. Just due to the nature of the manga and scope. But during the final phase of the manga the author father passed away, which is a tragedy and it makes sense why the final product got kinda cut loose. He most likely didn’t have that sense of fun anymore, it probably tolled heavily upon him, plus mangaka with taking breaks it’s a messy industry on this front. So yeah, I do believe this manga would have gone on for longer if tragedy didn’t occur. The manga stopped becoming just about Hideo Journey but the balance between Macro and Micro aspects, sadly the Macro didn’t get the conclusion it probably deserved but the main narrative got an ending that fits.

Conclusion

This is a manga worth reading, I truly believe that. The execution of the end is quite flawed, yes undeniably. But this journey is amazing, it’s the most unique take of this zombie outbreak I’ve experienced. They a lot that can be said in the review for example I didn’t talk about the weapons and attention to detail. Like super-specific and even display complete maintenance of like a shogun. This is a unique piece of art and worth experiencing, you won’t regret giving this a go.

I am having a hard time deciding between 8-8.5/10 but currently going to give it an 8/10.