I Am a Hero Omnibus, Volume 3 (I am a Hero Omnibus, #3) by Kengo Hanazawa

I Am a Hero Omnibus, Volume 3 (I am a Hero Omnibus, #3) Reviews

• 
  Chad

  I'm all in on the zombie babies, but the storytelling got real disjointed in the middle. It was weird to cut away from Hideo's story for multiple chapters to show random attacks while random people talked on message boards. Then in the 2nd half it's like there was a chapter missing out of the book. Circumstances had changed without explanation. There's also a real skeevy moment that doesn't belong in any story. I don't ever want to think about zombies having periods ever again.
• 
  Jessica

  Ahhhh this is so good.
  
  I love the zombies in this. From someone who is used to the Walking Dead zombies (who completely lose their humanity after turning), these zombies seem to keep hold of a tiny bit of themselves, which makes the transition more heartbreaking. And poor Hiromi :(
• 
  Newly Wardell

  Spoiler alert
  I was there until he put a tampon in the zqn. If there ever was a zombie attack I can totally see a certain number of the male survivors dying because they tried penile rehabilitation with the undead. I seriously hadnt thought about before, but oh yeah it would totally happen. The illustrations are superb and the story is out there but I don't know why he isn't looking for more guns and ammo. I kinda love how reluctant he is to dispatch infected zqn but the reason is starting to be unrealistic. He doesn't want to be viewed as a murderer but he is quick to threaten violence with this weapon against humans.
• 
  Sarah

  Zombie babies are so stinking creepy!!
• 
  vvb

  Got some baby zombies and swimming zombies as the duo travels to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji. They gain an addition to their group.
  
  Starting to get into types of survivalists.
  
  Interesting definitions for "hero" are presented that cause for pause.
• 
  Alex Lawless

  I enjoyed this one, for the most part. It was interesting to see where they decided to take the Hirumi character. However, I really did not like the scene where he cleans her genitals for her, it super skeezed me out. Right now in the series it seems like we’ve finally reached the point where it turns into a regular old zombie series. I think the only reason to continue is to see what happens to Hirumi. I know Hideo’s character isn’t supposed to be likeable, but it’s to the point where he’s too unlikeable and boring and it does a disservice. I think I’ll read some spoilers and see if it’s worth it to me to continue.
• 
  Derek Royal

  Absolutely enjoying this series, which has become much more zombie-centered than the earlier chapters.
• 
  Justin

  I went into this series, largely on the word of mouth that it's the best zombie manga ever written. But as of the end of Omnibus 3, I personally feel that it's got a handful of potentially good story hooks, that are mired in very tired, familiar tropes. People still follow herd mentalities, even when it's a terrible idea. There are sketchy, militaristic enclaves of survivors, where all is probably not as it seems. A lot of people are terrible under the surface, without the conventions of society to keep them in check. Children are invariably more trouble than they're worth. These are all cliches of the zombie genre by this point, and they're not much more engaging here than they are anywhere else.
  
  Time will tell if the few interesting bits will pan out or not, like the shut in-turned-prophet, courtesy of YouTube, or the...situation that Hiromi is in. As it stands, those are enough to keep me reading for now, but they'll need to be buttressed with more creative storytelling overall to keep me around for the long haul.
  
  That said, Hiromi is still definitely the most likable and interesting character of the cast. Hideo's continual clinging to social trappings that don't really apply anymore is getting tiresome, though at least other characters are starting to call him out on it. Araki (a new character, who was a photographer before the zombie apocalypse) starts off as initially likable, but he's showing signs of possibly turning into a scumbag. Really, of the main cast, Hiromi is the only one I can say I genuinely like at this point. Even after what happens to her.
  
  All in all, this far into I Am a Hero, I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about. It's not a bad series, but it's nowhere near the groundbreaking epic a lot of people are making it out to be. At least, not after 60-some chapters. Maybe the next omnibus will take things to the next level, but that remains to be seen.
• 
  Lisa Lynch

  So, I've read three of Kengo Hanazawa's I Am a Hero omnibuses now, and I've had the same complaint about each; the narrative progression in this series is as slow as a well-rotted zombie. I'm not sure what it is about these manga, but the pacing is so... damn... slow...
  
  This sucks because I really like the main character and the artwork is great. I've been able to find some really stunning, unforgettable moments in these books. Unfortunately, the slow pacing has a negative impact on all the positive things in this series.
  
  I have a soft spot for protagonists like Hideo. He has a lot of issues and insecurities to overcome and I can't quite figure out if it is potential or luck that propels him forward in his own story. He wants to be a hero, but he is painfully inept most of the time. As one of the very few people in Japan who owns a gun, Hideo should be the hero of the story. But despite wanting to be the hero, Hideo is just a bit too crazy, socially awkward, immature, and he barely pulls himself together when he needs to.
  
  But this is exactly why I like him. Hideo is no swashbuckling protagonist. When given the chance to take charge and lead everyone like a typical hero, he ends up so frozen by fear and nerves that he just embarrasses himself and moves on unnoticed. This is kind of Hideo's MO. And did I mention that he is also very psychotic?
  
  Despite how much I like Hideo and how much I'm interested by his character arc, I'm just not finding enough plot outside character development that interests me. The plot here is your basic, run-of-the-mill zombie tale so far. I'm predicting right here right now that this will end up following your standard zombie narrative. Zombies are the biggest threat until all the humans start like monsters. Somewhere in between there will be a search for a cure.
  
  There is a pattern to these omnibuses. They all start off slow for the first half, pick up slightly in the last half, and end with one last, compelling tidbit to keep me just interested enough to pick up the next book.
  
  I told myself after finishing the last omnibus that I would read one more and, if the plot didn't pick up, I would quit the series altogether. I'm not quite ready to commit to quitting, because I do really like Hideo, but I need to take a break from these for a bit.
  
  Like all the others, I rated this one 3 out of 5 stars.
• 
  Rose Camara

  This volume took a hard left turn for the worst (but in a dramatic cliff hanger type of way) and then took an immediate right for the better. This volume is a fast paced continuation and it picked up the slack from V2. Great pacing, plot twists abound, and it continues to be thought provoking about the realities of the end of “civilization” - especially the role that the internet and social media may have if it were ever to come to that. The internet plays a larger role in this volume (its use as a means of communication and connection, a harbor of fanatic ideals and conspiracy theories, and also a dangerous platform that stirs confusion and chaos). There are a few details in regards to the internet that are subtly mentioned in this volume that may be the seeds for future conflict...we’ll see.
  
  Hideo continues to be an uncomfortable character, but his character development has taken on a softer, caring aspect. Despite his awkwardness, there is a clear shift in his personality with the introduction of new responsibilities - and affection. In this volume I think it’s safe to say that Hideo’s character calls into question what it actually means to be a hero. Is that status achieved with the use of his gun and brute force at every opportunity he gets? Or is it achieved through simpler, more restrained acts that focus on getting himself and those he cares about from point A to point B? Again, just as in V1, there’s a duality to him. It’s no longer a question of if he is a hero or not, it’s now a question of now that he’s clearly coming into his own as a hero in the story, what exactly does that entail?
  
  On to V4, of course :)
• 
  Sean Twist

  There is a definite shift in this volume--not in quality, but in narrative intent. As the two previous volumes have shown, I Am A Hero takes the common tropes of the zombie genre and subverts them, from having a hero who is very mentally unstable to having zombies that still retain a degree of individuality.
  
  This volume takes that last subversion even deeper, by showing just what the zombies may be thinking. Which succeeds in making the horror of their existence even moreso. Why they see things the way they do is not explained--is this how they survive the trauma? Or is this part of whatever chemical change is occurring? We don't know. We can only feel pity for monsters that in most zombie fiction heroes are wired to just kill.
  
  It's not surprising, then, that parts of this volume feel like an exploration of dealing with a terminally ill relative. The unease of dealing with someone else's personal hygiene, of feeding them, all set against an environment that makes such caring a threat to one's own existence. It's as well done as it is heartbreaking.
  
  By the volume's end, new characters have been introduced, tying themselves to perhaps finding an answer to the zombie infestation destroying the world. I wasn't thrilled with this turn of narrative, because elements of it reminded me quite a bit of The Last Of Us. But if reading this series has shown me anything, it's not to think I'm going to get what I expect.
  
  A brilliant, heartbreaking horror story.
• 
  Jake

  I am flying through this series on reread, and really enjoying the journey. I think Vol 3 is the weakest of the 3 I have read so far.
  
  There is a long break where we get perspective on the outbreak across Japan, with discussion on a server as the primary narration. This works well, but the time away from our main cast, particularly just as things were really grabbing me, hurts the flow a bit.
  
  Once we rejoin Hideo it feels like some time has past, there are some interesting developments that take a bit of catching up on to wrap my head around. We then get introduced to what will clearly be the next beat of the story, finding a group of survivors.
  
  In many ways this volume felt like what it was, a series of chapters concluding our intro arc, and introducing the next one. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it created just a bit of a fractured reading experience.
  
  Still pumped for the next bit!
• 
  ダンカン

  The third omnibus volume continues with one focus - the society of people today. The realism of people not taking news seriously is true today. What I love is the depiction of how people are more focus on their technology today and not aware of their surroundings makes this a politically correct of the 21st century people.

  
  

  But coming back to the series, now the zombies has a name - ZQNs. How it came to be is surprising but what is more surprising, the purpose of taking over the world when it comes to the end of the world. I love the reasoning behind of taking over the world (it's a dog eat dog world). The artwork, as always, beautifully cruel. The story as it moves forward has now taken an interesting turn. I can't wait for the next volume!
• 
  Craig Schorling

  I am loving this series. It does have some common tropes found in the genre and the humanities last hope is overplayed. However, the infusion of Japanese culture is a breath of fresh air. They still pay for things at the store, they leave notes asking to be taken care of after death and leave money to do so, and the sight of a real gun is rarer than anything else. I also really enjoy the use of mental illness to help explain what makes a hero is going a long way in creating an engaging narrative. This volume had great action and heartbreaking moments while also maintaining some humor. This is up there in my favorite zombie story period.
• 
  That one who reads

  Again it’s such a mix bag with this series… is this amazing no! Does it have potential? So much it hurts. This definitely is a weaker novel from the series so far. It feels super misjointed for some reason. Hideo is the main character but the story focuses on the general population of Japan and their reaction??? Super gross scene which I won’t mention but very unappreciative moment of the series. Book number four from the series really needs to reel this in. I still don’t know what caused the outbreak but it’s like nearly 2000 pages into the series and there is so much unknown.
• 
  Kevin Berrey

  This zombie manga brings an element to horror that is it typically seen in zombie stories. It's a sign the pure creativity that a manga can capture and would be so hard to do well in a feature film. The relationships here are strong and disturbing. The people are nearly all flawed. Sometimes the flaws help them, sometimes they signal their downfall. Very fun, immersive read if you dig this genre.
• 
  Vivian

  Omg this volume was so good and I was so engaged the whole time. Also what the heck with the zombie babies I literally gasped when I saw that panel. To add on I am very curious how Hiromis character will continue since she is like half a zombie or something and if that will lead to a cure. I also really like the idea of the little community living above the outlet mall I think this arc will be very good since also Hideo is the only one with a gun which will definitely take a turn
• 
  ava _ nvn

  Tbh, a little bizarre how 2Chan is now a main plot point, and the whole, "she's our last chance to save humanity" cliche was disappointing, still, "I Am A Hero's" ability to be so grounded in reality is still impressive. I like the idea of the internet having a part in collectivising but I just don't think any normal survivor would start companion-searching on 2Chan lol. Furthermore, it appears that this lawless attitude the survivors have is going to last the rest of the series, and that's SUCH a shame because I always wanted to hear a story about the restoration of humanity after the apocalypse. Even the warping of reality and unreality in our unstable main character has been watered down, if not, mostly ignored.
  
  All in all, I'm not sure how the series will continue but I still have my hopes!
• 
  Candice Snow

  This one so far had the best pacing, but there's still something missing for me overall. I found myself struggling to care about where the (generic) plot is going in the grand scheme of things, and I still don't enjoy Hideo as a main character. I think I'm going to stop my adventure here and move on to another horror series.
• 
  Guerrera de fuego Lectora

  En esta ocasión ha pasado escenas que me han parecido algunas bastantes surreales pero me han hecho reír mucho. Hideo es de los protagonistas con este tema que he visto, me da pena el pobre y me da ganas de abrazarlo.
  
  Un 8,5 le doy.
• 
  Grg

  I read the first two volumes of this before the COVID-19 pandemic. This one was a very different reading experience after the last year and half of seeing humanity's deadly mishandling of the virus. It hit hard.
• 
  Rachel

  This series keeps getting better with each omnibus.
• 
  Xavfro

  stating to think it's a bit... slow (the series on it's whole)
• 
  James

  The strange internet chatter interlude left me cold but the rest was delightfully unhinged.
• 
  Edward Sanchez

  So far this series has me cracking up! I love it when the humor with sexual innuendo and Hideo are thrown in and the cracks taken at Japanese culture.
• 
  chloe

  4.25 stars. The 2chan threads were hilarious and keen to see what goes down with the half-zombie schoolgirl.
• 
  Keith

  Fun with zombies
• 
  Bad_Eda

  All I am thinking about at this point while reading it: take this bloody gun out dude and soot them all!