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I am a Hero Omnibus #3

I Am a Hero Omnibus, Volume 3

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Hideo and his new ward, young Hiromi, head out of the desolate forest they've been hiding in, hoping to find refuge at a local shrine. Once there, however, they soon realize that populated areas are just as dangerous as the haunted woods they've left! A new ally may help them find a safe place to hole up again--but one quick, deadly bite could threaten all of their lives! Collecting two of the original Japanese volumes into each Dark Horse edition, this value-priced excursion into the world's weirdest zombie apocalypse is not to be missed!
-I Am a Hero is probably the greatest zombie manga ever. It has the slow buildup of a psychological horror manga, but when the zombies hit, they hit hard, and the manga accelerates into volumes-long fight-or-flight sequences that seem like they'll never stop.- -Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide)
-... an amazing story that puts it firmly in my Must Read list of manga. If you like zombie stories and are curious as to what other countries might have to offer to the genre, trust me when I say, you do not want to skip this one.-
-Kotaku

512 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2017

5 people are currently reading
236 people want to read

About the author

Kengo Hanazawa

113 books136 followers
Kengo Hanazawa (花沢健吾 Hanazawa Kengo, born January 5, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist known for his seinen works. He won the Topic Award of the 2005 Sense of Gender Awards for Ressentiment and was nominated for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Manga Taisho for I Am a Hero.

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5 stars
265 (34%)
4 stars
322 (42%)
3 stars
149 (19%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Chad.
10.3k reviews1,059 followers
May 1, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Jessica.
256 reviews27 followers
February 8, 2019
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 :(
Profile Image for Newly Wardell.
474 reviews
June 4, 2019
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rebecca Harris.
89 reviews
August 31, 2023
Actual rating: 4.5 stars 🌟

It's starting to get juicy. Hideo is also completely unlikeable, and I can see him becoming a super convoluted MC with some messed up morals. I love complex characters, warts and all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ronald.
1,454 reviews16 followers
April 27, 2023
This was fine I guess. It is all kind of rambling of one character or another. The two get into a crowd which they had been trying to avoid and it ended as you would expect for a zombie story.

And then...

So then there are chapters of lazy uninteresting filler useless text from message boards and images of dumb people getting killed/eaten.

I would have prefered actual storytelling about say how the girl ended up in a bag and fighting zombies. Oh, now there are three survivors in our little group. They make their way to a different group of suspicious survivors with probably evil leaders. Well see how this goes, library only has one more of these Omnibus.
Profile Image for vvb.
557 reviews19 followers
May 19, 2018
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.
3,168 reviews
June 11, 2019
Hideo, Hiromi, and a new friend try to find a safe spot from zombies in a shrine, and then a shopping mall.

We all know how that second place is going to work out! Actually, part of what I like about this series is its realism. Even with the news shouting out that people are dying, and even in crowds where people hear screaming, there are those who just keep going on with their day. Because nothing bad can really happen, right?

Slow-paced with bursts of eye-popping zombie grossness. I'll definitely be reading the fourth volume.
Profile Image for Jorge Baptista.
28 reviews
December 3, 2025
No, Im the main character. I lived my life like a side character, but now... I am a hero.
Profile Image for Alex.
312 reviews4 followers
January 22, 2020
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.
Profile Image for Derek Royal.
Author 16 books74 followers
July 4, 2017
Absolutely enjoying this series, which has become much more zombie-centered than the earlier chapters.
Profile Image for Justin.
853 reviews13 followers
December 18, 2017
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.
Profile Image for Lisa Lynch.
696 reviews360 followers
May 22, 2019
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.
Profile Image for Rose Camara.
35 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2021
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 :)
Profile Image for Akirakitamura82.
113 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2025
I am a Hero von Kengo Hanazawa

I Am a Hero – eine Manga, der dir erst die Haut von den Nerven zieht und dir dann mit voller Wucht klarmacht, dass Normalität nur ein verdammt fragiles Konstrukt ist.
Kengo Hanazawa macht keine Standard-Nummer.
Er setzt dich erst mal neben einen Typen, der so verkantet, neurotisch und komplett überfordert durchs Leben wankt, dass er kaum als Held durchgeht. Hideo funktioniert nicht mal als Mensch sonderlich gut und genau das macht ihn so real, so greifbar, so verstörend authentisch und auch Sympathisch.

Die ZQN sind keine billigen Zombies. Das sind körperliche Albträume, verzerrte Fleischskulpturen, psychisch wie physisch komplett jenseits. Jede Seite wirkt wie ein eingefrorener Horrorschrei, fein gezeichnet, dreckig, eng, unangenehm nah dran. Atmosphärisch ist die Reihe ein Meisterstück: Japanischer Alltag, schleichende Paranoia, totale Apokalypse. Der Übergang ist so leise und gleichzeitig so gnadenlos, dass du irgendwann nicht mal mehr merkst, wann deine innere Ruhe den Löffel abgegeben hat.

Was I Am a Hero unvergesslich macht:
Es ist brutal ehrlich über Angst, Einsamkeit, Fehlentscheidungen und diesen erbärmlichen Versuch, irgendwie weiterzuleben, obwohl man längst überfordert ist.

Für mich: 10/10 für die gesamte Reihe, weil kaum ein Werk so kompromisslos, so atmosphärisch dicht und so unheimlich menschlich bleibt, während links und rechts die Köpfe und Leben zerfetzen.
Profile Image for Mark Will Never Cry.
598 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2023
It is better than volume one, but I am not sure if it is just as good as volume 2. It kinda entered the stage of "it is okay, let's keep moving", which usually happens with me after volume 1. Oh well, let's see how it goes after.

However, important point, there is some questionable sexually charged content, that is about a school girl, which is probably sexual assault, so keep that in mind.

Reading notes:

The whole thread chapter was a bit annoying, it is just tiring to read trolls.

There is a mention of someone literally becoming disabled? This is getting questionable.

"In times of crisis, women are drawn to strong men" didn't a bunch of people break up during corona?

We got the school girl with incredible power and fighting abilities, but she is not mentally here, so she needs someone to guide her.

Oh no, we got a communism depiction, let's see how fast this community becomes terrible. And yeah, there is the thing about "some freedoms should be limited in the time of danger".

Kinda getting the last of us vibes from the whole "she is the only one like that and you need to protect her".
Profile Image for Jake.
758 reviews5 followers
October 25, 2021
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!
Profile Image for ダンカン.
299 reviews
May 8, 2017

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!

Profile Image for Craig Schorling.
2,245 reviews11 followers
February 10, 2022
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.
3,035 reviews14 followers
December 5, 2017
It seems difficult for a zombie apocalypse story to turn darker, but this volume begins to focus more on how things involving people can always get worse. Hideo and his friends encounter a group of survivors, but the reality of crazy they are takes a while to sink in.
The only thing I don't like about this story is that occasionally the events jump forward, skipping things that the reader might want to see happen. That is the case in this volume, in that a few major things happen off-screen. Mildly frustrating, but not enough to ruin the story.
Profile Image for Dragan.
193 reviews10 followers
January 29, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Kevin Berrey.
15 reviews
June 26, 2017
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.
Profile Image for Vivian.
51 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2021
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
Profile Image for Emily.
707 reviews7 followers
Read
August 7, 2025
zombie baby!!!!!

I kind of dug the interstitial chapter that was cut against 2ch message boards, interesting choice to show the progression of the outbreak, and also lends a bit of mystery as to what exactly happened with Hiromi. I am invested in where this Hiromi plot ends up going, .

bye
Profile Image for Kaoyi .
266 reviews
September 19, 2018
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.
Profile Image for Grg.
840 reviews16 followers
July 20, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Steven Folden.
114 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2025
The best the series has been so far. The chat room section was a very fun and interesting way to tell world building and the rumors surrounding the virus.

Some shit is def going to go down at the mall
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