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バイオメガ [BIOMEGA] #2
Biomega, Band 2
BLAME!-Zeichner Tsutomu Nihei neues SciFi-Meisterwerk BIOMEGA: ... Teil 2 ... Der synthetische Humanoid Kanoe Zoichi, ein Agent der Toha Industries, dringt gemeinsam mit der künstlichen Intelligenz Fuyu in das von der Data Recovery Foundation kontrollierte Gebiet ein um die Menschheit trotz der Infektionen zu bewahren sowie die „Adaptierten“ zu schützen. Dort begegnen sie zwar Ion Green, einer jungen Frau die den Virus adaptiert hat, sie wird aber von den Behörden verschleppt. Durch einen Überraschungsangriff der DRF wird unter anderem die Zentrale von Toha Industries vernichtet. Als Kanoe die Zentrale der DRF – eine Quarantänestation – im Alleingang angreifen will, stellen sich ihm unzählige Dronen und brutale Killer in den Weg ...
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2007
20 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Tsutomu Nihei
214 books741 followersSee also 弐瓶 勉.
Tsutomu Nihei (弐瓶 勉 Nihei Tsutomu, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist. His cyberpunk-influenced artwork has gained a strong cult following. He has a relatively large community of fans in Germany where his manga Blame!, NOiSE and Biomega were published by Ehapa. Blame! was also published in France and Spain by Glénat, in the US by Tokyopop and in Italy by Panini Comics.
At first he studied architecture and later it is shown up in his manga works with drawing huge structures. This became one of his general theme that makes his manga unique. His works are usually in black and white. He is also an avid fan of the video game series Halo, as he mentions in his commentary section in the Halo Graphic Novel.
Taken from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsutomu_...
Tsutomu Nihei (弐瓶 勉 Nihei Tsutomu, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist. His cyberpunk-influenced artwork has gained a strong cult following. He has a relatively large community of fans in Germany where his manga Blame!, NOiSE and Biomega were published by Ehapa. Blame! was also published in France and Spain by Glénat, in the US by Tokyopop and in Italy by Panini Comics.
At first he studied architecture and later it is shown up in his manga works with drawing huge structures. This became one of his general theme that makes his manga unique. His works are usually in black and white. He is also an avid fan of the video game series Halo, as he mentions in his commentary section in the Halo Graphic Novel.
Taken from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsutomu_...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 5, 2018
Really more of the same. Which of course is a good thing if you enjoyed the predecessor. If you were on the other side of the fence from before, no matter what your reasoning(s), #2 will amount to a repetitious morass.
In either case, laconic dialogue, crushing atmospheres, and highly stylized violence are all cast about against a firmly dystopian backdrop to fierce effect. Uncompromising grit provides an extra level of crunch meshes well with the atmosphere that only becomes more suffocating as the story unfolds. Thankfully, just enough open spaces and empty fields of blank white give us just enough room to catch our collective breaths before we’re thrust head first into the dank underground of Nihei’s design.
Featuring a more sparing use of the exceptionally excessive in lieu of a more believable stream of action, replete with our protagonist’s copious array of weaponry (which now includes an evidently Spawn-influenced chain apparatus) Biomega comes are across as a more matured vision. Smoother applications of dialogue (which still retain their minimal dynamism) work well with streams of actions that follow. Only to be punctuated with plot development and the occasional over-extensions of the (readily forgivable) pompous, a firmly woven story is able to grow from a well prepared garden of the mental variety.
The result might seem at first glance just more of the same but, well develops into something far more cohesive and enjoyable. Still retaining the same style as before, seen remains mostly static, while the unseen, has been given far more room for growth. If you’re willing to overlook a few nit-picky flaws here and there, Biomega will be not just a great read for the already converted manga-devotees but, perhaps to a wider audience in this range of sequentially illustrated work.
In either case, laconic dialogue, crushing atmospheres, and highly stylized violence are all cast about against a firmly dystopian backdrop to fierce effect. Uncompromising grit provides an extra level of crunch meshes well with the atmosphere that only becomes more suffocating as the story unfolds. Thankfully, just enough open spaces and empty fields of blank white give us just enough room to catch our collective breaths before we’re thrust head first into the dank underground of Nihei’s design.
Featuring a more sparing use of the exceptionally excessive in lieu of a more believable stream of action, replete with our protagonist’s copious array of weaponry (which now includes an evidently Spawn-influenced chain apparatus) Biomega comes are across as a more matured vision. Smoother applications of dialogue (which still retain their minimal dynamism) work well with streams of actions that follow. Only to be punctuated with plot development and the occasional over-extensions of the (readily forgivable) pompous, a firmly woven story is able to grow from a well prepared garden of the mental variety.
The result might seem at first glance just more of the same but, well develops into something far more cohesive and enjoyable. Still retaining the same style as before, seen remains mostly static, while the unseen, has been given far more room for growth. If you’re willing to overlook a few nit-picky flaws here and there, Biomega will be not just a great read for the already converted manga-devotees but, perhaps to a wider audience in this range of sequentially illustrated work.
July 12, 2012
I can't decide if this a simple plot made unnecessarily complicated by throwing acronyms at you or a complicated plot that is suffering from inadequate storytelling and world-building. Either way the result is a convoluted plot with action scenes and things blowing up. Sounds like the premise of a dozen different Hollywood summer action flicks, and visually speaking, the paneling and the art does feel very cinematic.
However, with all the focus on the action, there is very little time for any plot and the coherence of the story suffers for it. The first time I read this volume, I really didn't know what was going on and was so confused when I got to the end. I had to go back to the library to check out the first volume and read them together in order to make some sense out of things. Because while lots of things get blown up and there are some awesome shots of bikes, NOTHING REALLY HAPPENS in this volume. Also, lots of the plot that you get is shown, and if you skim you end up missing it. You also get some nice revelations at the end, and if you've read the first two volumes carefully, things fit together well and add to the mystery.
Actually, this manga might be a victim of packaging. I think the plot would feel less convoluted if volume 1 and 2 came together as an omnibus. The physical seperation of the two volumes usually also means a time separation and you lose all the momentum that was built in the first volume if you don't have the second volume on hand.
This is definitely not a quick read if you want to make sense of the plot. This is one that you have to be prepared to read slowly, even if the action scenes make you want to skim, examine panels for visual cues and digest the info they throw at you.
There are still things I'm unclear on, like how Kozlov, the Russian bear with an awesome right hook, comes into possession of the tube sent by now-dead agent Go containing his bike's AI Tyra Hinoto and the sample of the virus. Did Go mean to send it to Zoichi and Kozlov got it because he's wearing Zoichi's wrist communicator? ::shrug::
Now that I've written this review, I'm actually a lot more excited to read the rest of the volumes than I was before. Let's hope that the potential for a great story is realized and doesn't remain a story about a guy on a bike, looking for a girl so they can save the world as he fights acronyms and zombies along the way.
However, with all the focus on the action, there is very little time for any plot and the coherence of the story suffers for it. The first time I read this volume, I really didn't know what was going on and was so confused when I got to the end. I had to go back to the library to check out the first volume and read them together in order to make some sense out of things. Because while lots of things get blown up and there are some awesome shots of bikes, NOTHING REALLY HAPPENS in this volume. Also, lots of the plot that you get is shown, and if you skim you end up missing it. You also get some nice revelations at the end, and if you've read the first two volumes carefully, things fit together well and add to the mystery.
Actually, this manga might be a victim of packaging. I think the plot would feel less convoluted if volume 1 and 2 came together as an omnibus. The physical seperation of the two volumes usually also means a time separation and you lose all the momentum that was built in the first volume if you don't have the second volume on hand.
This is definitely not a quick read if you want to make sense of the plot. This is one that you have to be prepared to read slowly, even if the action scenes make you want to skim, examine panels for visual cues and digest the info they throw at you.
There are still things I'm unclear on, like how Kozlov, the Russian bear with an awesome right hook, comes into possession of the tube sent by now-dead agent Go containing his bike's AI Tyra Hinoto and the sample of the virus. Did Go mean to send it to Zoichi and Kozlov got it because he's wearing Zoichi's wrist communicator? ::shrug::
Now that I've written this review, I'm actually a lot more excited to read the rest of the volumes than I was before. Let's hope that the potential for a great story is realized and doesn't remain a story about a guy on a bike, looking for a girl so they can save the world as he fights acronyms and zombies along the way.
May 5, 2019
Volume 1 of Biomega had it all for me and that includes a talking grizzly who knows how to use a sniper rifle but it lacked a little something that would have put this manga series right up there with the best zombie-themed comics. With Volume 2, however, Biomega switches gears and things get a little more interesting.
Hot in pursuit of a girl who is considered an accommodator of the N5S virus that has turned most of the human population into zombie drones or worst, the synthetic human known as Zoichi Kanoe is determined to rescue Eon Green from the Data Recovery Foundation (DRF) who ordered that everyone be “baptized” in the N5S virus. What plans do they have for the girl who is somehow immune to the virus has yet to be revealed but as Zoichi races to catch up to her another problem arises. It seems that the DRF has set its sights on Toa Heavy Industries that is connected with Zoichi.
As the DRF forces storm Toa Heavy Industries, though, they target a Doctor Kurokawa and his daughter who not only have a link to Zoichi’s past but has been involved with the synthetic human program that helped create him and others like him. Despite the advice against going to Toa Heavy Industries by Zoichi’s digitized intelligence named Fuyu, the synthetic human does so anyway and fights his way to the main lab where he finds a tragic sight and goes up against a tough DRF agent. After say goodbye to a good friend, Zoichi makes his escape just in time to see the fall of Toa Heavy Industries.
Meanwhile, making his way through a drone-infested city, the talking grizzly bear known as Kozlov runs into a problem when he catches the attention of a DRF agent aboard a subway train. What results is an exciting moment as the grizzly tries to escape the agent only to be rescued by a feminine figure that wears the same outfit and riding a similar-looking motorcycle as Zoichi. She is Nishu Mizunoe who has a digitized intelligence named Shin who actually gets emotional.
With word that the enemy has taken Eon Green to the Continental Geostationary Satellite, Zoichi redirects his attention towards rescuing her but this time relays his intentions to Nishu. On his way, though, he runs into a different kind of DRF agent that sends Zoichi flying off his bike. As it turns out, the DRF has powerful agents working under the direct order of a hideous freak that is interested in Eon Green’s background that is actually quite intriguing. Ah, the mystery behind Eon Green is slowly unraveling and she’s getting more interesting with each volume.
Speaking of getting interesting, the enemy is starting to show its face in the form of three powerful new agents that enter the DRF headquarters and with a new ally joining the fight things are about to get even more action-packed. We get a glimpse of what Zoichi and Nishu will have to go up against as Zoichi rescues what he thinks is a helpless girl only to find out that there is more to this girl than meets the eye. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but this girl is sure to show up again in this story so here’s hoping we find more about her in the next volumes.
We also find out a lot more about Zoichi in this volume, particularly his past living among the people of Toa Heavy Industries including the model that was used as the synthetic human program’s “mother.” Even more interesting is the program itself.
As the story begins to evolve and gather momentum, Volume 2 of Biomega is starting to become a lot more exciting than the series’ first volume. As new allies and new enemies show up, the fight to save humanity and a mysterious girl immune to the virus heats up in a good way. Consider is hooked and looking forward to Volume 3.
Hot in pursuit of a girl who is considered an accommodator of the N5S virus that has turned most of the human population into zombie drones or worst, the synthetic human known as Zoichi Kanoe is determined to rescue Eon Green from the Data Recovery Foundation (DRF) who ordered that everyone be “baptized” in the N5S virus. What plans do they have for the girl who is somehow immune to the virus has yet to be revealed but as Zoichi races to catch up to her another problem arises. It seems that the DRF has set its sights on Toa Heavy Industries that is connected with Zoichi.
As the DRF forces storm Toa Heavy Industries, though, they target a Doctor Kurokawa and his daughter who not only have a link to Zoichi’s past but has been involved with the synthetic human program that helped create him and others like him. Despite the advice against going to Toa Heavy Industries by Zoichi’s digitized intelligence named Fuyu, the synthetic human does so anyway and fights his way to the main lab where he finds a tragic sight and goes up against a tough DRF agent. After say goodbye to a good friend, Zoichi makes his escape just in time to see the fall of Toa Heavy Industries.
Meanwhile, making his way through a drone-infested city, the talking grizzly bear known as Kozlov runs into a problem when he catches the attention of a DRF agent aboard a subway train. What results is an exciting moment as the grizzly tries to escape the agent only to be rescued by a feminine figure that wears the same outfit and riding a similar-looking motorcycle as Zoichi. She is Nishu Mizunoe who has a digitized intelligence named Shin who actually gets emotional.
With word that the enemy has taken Eon Green to the Continental Geostationary Satellite, Zoichi redirects his attention towards rescuing her but this time relays his intentions to Nishu. On his way, though, he runs into a different kind of DRF agent that sends Zoichi flying off his bike. As it turns out, the DRF has powerful agents working under the direct order of a hideous freak that is interested in Eon Green’s background that is actually quite intriguing. Ah, the mystery behind Eon Green is slowly unraveling and she’s getting more interesting with each volume.
Speaking of getting interesting, the enemy is starting to show its face in the form of three powerful new agents that enter the DRF headquarters and with a new ally joining the fight things are about to get even more action-packed. We get a glimpse of what Zoichi and Nishu will have to go up against as Zoichi rescues what he thinks is a helpless girl only to find out that there is more to this girl than meets the eye. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but this girl is sure to show up again in this story so here’s hoping we find more about her in the next volumes.
We also find out a lot more about Zoichi in this volume, particularly his past living among the people of Toa Heavy Industries including the model that was used as the synthetic human program’s “mother.” Even more interesting is the program itself.
As the story begins to evolve and gather momentum, Volume 2 of Biomega is starting to become a lot more exciting than the series’ first volume. As new allies and new enemies show up, the fight to save humanity and a mysterious girl immune to the virus heats up in a good way. Consider is hooked and looking forward to Volume 3.
March 22, 2022
This definitely wasn't as good as the first one. Still interesting, but not as much. Probably because not much happened in this volume.
August 9, 2021
Nice artwork as expected, but somewhat difficult to follow on some of the panels. The cinematic and abrupt changes of perspective can be disorienting, and there are some closeup panels where I couldn't tell what I was looking at without going back and forth between other panels. It's all very grandiose, but is it more sound than substance? I'm still on the fence.
December 14, 2010
This manga is the usual Nihei stuff, some Killy-like badass character is on a mission and kills monsters along the way. You can expect action, violence, blood, decapitations, etc. The drawings are beautiful as usual. The whole world seems to be set in the same as Blame but before Blame and Noise. Nihei introduces interesting characters, new monsters and a new storyline. But, and there is a big but, the manga would have been better if it would have been a book or two longer. The manga is good up until the fourth volume and then you have the feeling Nihei is on hyper speed and he goes so fast introducing a new world and new characters, and reintroduces the old ones, by the sixth book we're short of breath anf it ends so quickly we wonder if there is going to be more volumes or a sequel but there won't be any. Nihei should have slowed down and make the serie a bit longer so we can enjoy it better and that we are less confused. Still, it's a great read, not as good as Blame but definitively better than Noise or Abbara.
August 29, 2024
On quitte les vastes étendues solitaires de la ville pour un tome bien plus bavard où l’auteur semble condensé les explications au détriment de son efficacité narrative précédente. C’est toujours percutant mais moins vertigineux.
Si le mystère était complet dans le tome 1, nous avons cette fois toutes les explications nécessaires et c’est un classique scénario de puissants organismes qui dérape et veut transformer l’humanité que nous avons. Le héros appartient bien sûr au camp d’en face et n’est pas exactement humain. L’auteur nous parle ainsi transhumanisme, colonisation sur Mars, virus… De la bonne SF mais des informations assénées de manière trop resserrée ici.
En effet, l’efficacité graphique du tome 1 a disparu en même temps que le vertigineux espace urbain vide où on était. En s’approchant de ceux ayant enlevé Ion, on retrouve ce qu’il reste de l’humanité et on rejoint des espaces peuplés, bondés même parfois. Ce n’est plus la même ambiance. C’est oppressant, violent mais moins vif moins scotchant dans le vertige autrefois proposé. Il faut maintenant traverser des marées de corps hostiles et malades dans une ambiance très SF organique avec Body horror à la clé. C’est différent. J’ai trouvé la ligne moins clair, le trait plus pesant, l’action plus violente psychologiquement et moins percutante visuellement.
L’aventure, elle, se poursuit à, vive allure et Zoichi nous entraîne toujours plus loin sur sa monture mécanique. Il est néanmoins rejoint par des alliés et des antagonistes venant peupler cet univers et accompagner les révélations qui pleuvent sur l’origine du virus, les identités des personnages et des organismes participant de la chasse. C’est un univers classique fort bien pensé qu’on nous présente avec cohérence et qui met bien en lumière ce à quoi on assiste depuis le début. Zoichi est donc bien lancé dans sa quête et ses allures de Kandahar (Akira) déterminé payent. Il nous entraîne à vive allure et on ne le lâche pas, c’est notre fil conducteur avec sa quête du remède, aka Ion qu’il doit sauver.
Changement de rythme et d’intention dans un tome qui s’éloigne de la charte habituelle de Nihei. C’est moins graphique, plus bavard. J’ai moins aimé j’avoue. J’ai perdu mon sentiment de vertige pour m’enliser un peu dans toute cette noirceur. Le scénario se fait aussi plus classique et prévisible quand on aime la SF. Reste une lecture plus compréhensible qu’habituellement avec lui, une lecture vive, percutante et jouissive qui en fait un divertissement punk fort efficace.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
Si le mystère était complet dans le tome 1, nous avons cette fois toutes les explications nécessaires et c’est un classique scénario de puissants organismes qui dérape et veut transformer l’humanité que nous avons. Le héros appartient bien sûr au camp d’en face et n’est pas exactement humain. L’auteur nous parle ainsi transhumanisme, colonisation sur Mars, virus… De la bonne SF mais des informations assénées de manière trop resserrée ici.
En effet, l’efficacité graphique du tome 1 a disparu en même temps que le vertigineux espace urbain vide où on était. En s’approchant de ceux ayant enlevé Ion, on retrouve ce qu’il reste de l’humanité et on rejoint des espaces peuplés, bondés même parfois. Ce n’est plus la même ambiance. C’est oppressant, violent mais moins vif moins scotchant dans le vertige autrefois proposé. Il faut maintenant traverser des marées de corps hostiles et malades dans une ambiance très SF organique avec Body horror à la clé. C’est différent. J’ai trouvé la ligne moins clair, le trait plus pesant, l’action plus violente psychologiquement et moins percutante visuellement.
L’aventure, elle, se poursuit à, vive allure et Zoichi nous entraîne toujours plus loin sur sa monture mécanique. Il est néanmoins rejoint par des alliés et des antagonistes venant peupler cet univers et accompagner les révélations qui pleuvent sur l’origine du virus, les identités des personnages et des organismes participant de la chasse. C’est un univers classique fort bien pensé qu’on nous présente avec cohérence et qui met bien en lumière ce à quoi on assiste depuis le début. Zoichi est donc bien lancé dans sa quête et ses allures de Kandahar (Akira) déterminé payent. Il nous entraîne à vive allure et on ne le lâche pas, c’est notre fil conducteur avec sa quête du remède, aka Ion qu’il doit sauver.
Changement de rythme et d’intention dans un tome qui s’éloigne de la charte habituelle de Nihei. C’est moins graphique, plus bavard. J’ai moins aimé j’avoue. J’ai perdu mon sentiment de vertige pour m’enliser un peu dans toute cette noirceur. Le scénario se fait aussi plus classique et prévisible quand on aime la SF. Reste une lecture plus compréhensible qu’habituellement avec lui, une lecture vive, percutante et jouissive qui en fait un divertissement punk fort efficace.
Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
August 12, 2022
Přestože se na prvních stránkách opětovně objevují dosti šablonovití záporáci, zhruba od poloviny volume nám Nihei už začíná servírovat poměrně unikátní postavy. V případě tria korporátních padouchů si nicméně nelze nevzpomenout na slavné gore fantasy Berserk (Miura Kentaro).
Tato bezpochyby čistě náhodná a zcela nechtěná podobnost je možná trošičku ke škodě, neb Biomega se již od začátku prezentuje jako post-apokalyptický cyberpunk, v němž meče a pseudo-brnění, tolik typické pro fantasy žánr, působí trochu divně. Dalším poněkud neobvyklým aspektem je kresba obličejů postav, zejména pak jejich nosy, které v porovnání s jinými manga sériemi z téže doby připomínají mnohem víc západní styl komiksů.
Když autorovi odpustím do jisté míry repetitivní souboje a postavu "nesmrtelného" Zoichiho, u něhož se s tímto aspektem už tak nějak musí počítat, neb je to v podstatě takový novodobý Terminátor, pak mohu s klidem říct, že mě druhý díl Biomega příjemně překvapil a zaťal do mě své háčky.
Projekt doktora Kurosawy Shikiomi mi sice okamžitě připomněl Jenovu z RPG videohry Final Fantasy VII (1997) a vzápětí nato se dostavily i asociace s mangou Trigun (Nightow Yasuhiro), stejně jako i s další z řady profláknutých videoher F.E.A.R. (2005), nicméně Niheovo zpracovaní dané problematiky mě upřímně nadchlo a potěšilo.
Podobně kladně na mě zapůsobila i hláška v souvislosti se vznikem viru: "Postavit kolonii na Marsu zabralo celé dvě století, zničit ji pouhé čtyři dny." Zde stojí za zajímavost zmínit, že v japonském jazyce má číslo "čtyři" stejnou výslovnost jako slovo "smrt".
Jediným slabším prvkem v tomto díle mi přišlo závěrečné setkání Zoichiho s neznámou dívkou, jejíž identita mi zůstala nejasná. Je pravděpodobné, že přesně to byl autorův záměr, leč dívčina vizuální podobnost s jednou ze záporaček a následné představení první imunní nositelky viru z Marsu, mě spíš zmátlo a lehce otrávilo než abych propadl zvědavosti, co se odehraje příště.
Tato bezpochyby čistě náhodná a zcela nechtěná podobnost je možná trošičku ke škodě, neb Biomega se již od začátku prezentuje jako post-apokalyptický cyberpunk, v němž meče a pseudo-brnění, tolik typické pro fantasy žánr, působí trochu divně. Dalším poněkud neobvyklým aspektem je kresba obličejů postav, zejména pak jejich nosy, které v porovnání s jinými manga sériemi z téže doby připomínají mnohem víc západní styl komiksů.
Když autorovi odpustím do jisté míry repetitivní souboje a postavu "nesmrtelného" Zoichiho, u něhož se s tímto aspektem už tak nějak musí počítat, neb je to v podstatě takový novodobý Terminátor, pak mohu s klidem říct, že mě druhý díl Biomega příjemně překvapil a zaťal do mě své háčky.
Projekt doktora Kurosawy Shikiomi mi sice okamžitě připomněl Jenovu z RPG videohry Final Fantasy VII (1997) a vzápětí nato se dostavily i asociace s mangou Trigun (Nightow Yasuhiro), stejně jako i s další z řady profláknutých videoher F.E.A.R. (2005), nicméně Niheovo zpracovaní dané problematiky mě upřímně nadchlo a potěšilo.
Podobně kladně na mě zapůsobila i hláška v souvislosti se vznikem viru: "Postavit kolonii na Marsu zabralo celé dvě století, zničit ji pouhé čtyři dny." Zde stojí za zajímavost zmínit, že v japonském jazyce má číslo "čtyři" stejnou výslovnost jako slovo "smrt".
Jediným slabším prvkem v tomto díle mi přišlo závěrečné setkání Zoichiho s neznámou dívkou, jejíž identita mi zůstala nejasná. Je pravděpodobné, že přesně to byl autorův záměr, leč dívčina vizuální podobnost s jednou ze záporaček a následné představení první imunní nositelky viru z Marsu, mě spíš zmátlo a lehce otrávilo než abych propadl zvědavosti, co se odehraje příště.
January 3, 2021
Seven hundred years ago, the colonists of Mars tried to unlock the secret to immortality. Instead they created the N5S virus. The Drone epidemic hit without warning. N5SV leaked... and in a matter of hours the entire colony was infected.
The story continues with Eon Green, an 'Accommodator' of the N5S virus, imprisoned having been captured by the Public Health Service's Compulsory Execution Unit, a subsidiary of the Data Recovery Foundation. Meanwhile, the Toa Heavy Industry headquarters is under attack and Zoichi Kanoe, a synthetic human, has to abandon his search for Eon and go to try and help. Things move quickly as the virus spreads around the world. Is there any hope left for humanity!
A very faced paced Manga offering which is really easy to read. Beautifully drawn in black and white, it draws you in quickly and then hits you with a talking bear with a hook for a hand! Because, why not!
The story continues with Eon Green, an 'Accommodator' of the N5S virus, imprisoned having been captured by the Public Health Service's Compulsory Execution Unit, a subsidiary of the Data Recovery Foundation. Meanwhile, the Toa Heavy Industry headquarters is under attack and Zoichi Kanoe, a synthetic human, has to abandon his search for Eon and go to try and help. Things move quickly as the virus spreads around the world. Is there any hope left for humanity!
A very faced paced Manga offering which is really easy to read. Beautifully drawn in black and white, it draws you in quickly and then hits you with a talking bear with a hook for a hand! Because, why not!
October 5, 2021
While Zoichi heads for Eon, the DRF are purging the infected left and right. She is wanted not just for being an accomodator, but for being the key to open the Zell laboratory where the DRF was researching immortality, but ended up with the N5S virus instead. The DRF has some new players join the fray which may prove a challenge for Zoichi. Meanwhile Eon's bear Kozlov is saved by another Toa team made up of Nishu and Shin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2020
Nightmarish megastructural architecture, telekinetic mutants, 'synthetic humans', a hero who can punch heads clean off shoulders, virtual reality, heavy artillery, gravity-defying sentient motorcycles with insect legs, and the return of Kozlov L. Grebnev, the hook-handed, sniper rifle-wielding bear! This is the good stuff. Do I have the faintest idea what's going on? That's beside the point.
January 4, 2021
Determinations to Survival...
Zoichi’s nearly in one piece. Tried to rescue other but was too late. Now, determined to extract Eon Green. DCF is determined to not make it easy. They intended to purge humanity to make way for the new. But there was a complication, other synthetic humans were on the scene along with the bear.
Zoichi’s nearly in one piece. Tried to rescue other but was too late. Now, determined to extract Eon Green. DCF is determined to not make it easy. They intended to purge humanity to make way for the new. But there was a complication, other synthetic humans were on the scene along with the bear.
May 8, 2017
Compared to the first volume & all of Blame! this one just felt kinda weak. Still a good time & loving the character designs and perspectives, just had higher expectations I guess.
January 13, 2019
Things start to move in the direction of a plot.
February 7, 2019
"Mission or not, I can't believe I'm getting food for a bear."
Nihei and his anthropomorphic bears . . .
Nihei and his anthropomorphic bears . . .
January 29, 2022
It's getting good and the drawings are top tier
September 2, 2022
Se pierde en la acción, no se entiende mucho lo que pasa en las escenas..no hay muchas explicaciones en texto tampoco..
February 7, 2023
Getting more stakes, but things are becoming murkier and I'm not sure Nihei fleshed anything out before getting this out. The actual art is gorgeous and I'm hooked so I'll keep going.
February 10, 2023
Zombie manga with a darker twist.
February 28, 2023
I love Nihei's art style, and Blame! is one of my favourite series. However, Biomega just feels messy. Stunning to look at though.
October 31, 2023
3.75 ⭐️'s. Still have no clue what I'm reading but quite enjoying it
January 20, 2024
Getting a little more into the “crazy action movie” vibe of this
February 4, 2025
Nihei's art blows my mind every time
Read
April 10, 2025Nichts viel ist in diesem Band passiert aber der Stil des Niheis bleibt geil.
November 28, 2025
This was cool but there are messy panels and unfortunately makes it hard to follow at times.
February 28, 2011
I'm no manga expert so this review is just going to be my n00b thoughts on the storyline and artwork.
****Spoilers for plot****
Plot: Motorbike dude (aka Zoichi) is still doing his thing, driving around killing CEU agents and destroying some of their submarines. The CEU have infiltrated Toha Heavy Industries and are either killing off the staff or infecting them with a weakened version of the N5S virus. They're also going around raping drones and each other for good measure. We get a bit of backstory on motorbike dude, finding out that Toha Heavy Industries created synthetic humans to fight back against the DRF, who actually created the N5S virus. Several hundred years ago, the scientists that colonised Mars were trying to unlock the secret to immortality, and in doing so created a deadly virus that rewrites your genes and essentially turns you into a zombie "drone".
Motorbike dude is still looking for Eon Green, who we learn is not actually infected at all, but a true immortal. She is only the second immortal ever created, with the first supposedly on the Mars colony. We also learn that the talking bear may have been transplanted with the consciousness of a human, and not just any human: a descendent of the guy responsible for creating N5S.
The CEU seem to be taking orders from giant sentient blobs not entirely unlike Jabba the Hutt, and there's a weird creepy mummy lady who appears to have telekinetic abilities. Said weird creepy mummy lady meets some other weird people on a CEU/DRF ship, presumably the heads of the DRF/CEU/PHS (are there enough acronyms in this story?!) A couple of them look like CEU agents, while the other two look like evil synthetic humans. We're also introduced to another synthetic human motorbike person. Fun times!
****End Spoilers****
Many of the problems from Biomega #1 carried over into #2, namely my inability to tell what was going on in several of the panels. Much like the first one, I figure that the important information is in the dialogue, so hopefully I haven't missed much. It's no less irritating though - if you're going to write a manga where readers spend 80% of their time watching a guy ride his motorbike or fight CEU agents, you should spend a bit more time perfecting the scenery. It's useless having 50 pages of motorbike action in the first place, but even more so when you can't tell where he's driving to or who he's fighting.
There was, however, a slightly higher concentration of story and dialogue in Biomega #2, which I was pleasantly surprised about. We get to learn why and how the synthetic humans were created, how the N5S virus came about, what's so special about Eon Green, and why the talking bear can actually talk. We find out that the DRF/PHS/CEU don't really want to start over with Accommodators as the new human race - they'd much prefer everybody were infected with N5S! We also get to see the people behind the DRF, who are less human and even creepier than the CEU agents and drones combined.
I'm incredibly intrigued by the people (or should I say things?) behind the DRF. We have mummy lady, giant sentient blobs, CEU agents and what appears to be a couple of mutant synthetic humans. I hadn't really given much thought to the people running DRF. I guess I imagined they were evil uninfected humans, plotting from within a hermetically sealed underground bunker or skyscraper. It makes total sense that they'd look like evil incarnate! I simply have to finish this series to find out what they are, if not who they are.
I am a little confused about the CEU though. Are they humans that were infected with a weakened strain of the N5S virus? I assume they weren't infected with full-strength N5S or they'd be disfigured and mindless like the rest of the population. Did they go willingly to be infected? I can only imagine they were field agents given the virus to heighten their abilities. And if they want the entire world to be infected, why are they bothering to kill off drones in the street? Do they only want those infected by the weakened strain to survive?
Overall: Biomega #2 suffers from the same ambiguous and confusing artwork as #1, but compensates with a slightly higher concentration of story and dialogue. We get answers on the origins of the synthetic humans, the N5S virus, and who's running the DRF. This poses more questions than it answers though, and I'm going to have to keep reading or I'll go nuts trying to figure it out!
****Spoilers for plot****
Plot: Motorbike dude (aka Zoichi) is still doing his thing, driving around killing CEU agents and destroying some of their submarines. The CEU have infiltrated Toha Heavy Industries and are either killing off the staff or infecting them with a weakened version of the N5S virus. They're also going around raping drones and each other for good measure. We get a bit of backstory on motorbike dude, finding out that Toha Heavy Industries created synthetic humans to fight back against the DRF, who actually created the N5S virus. Several hundred years ago, the scientists that colonised Mars were trying to unlock the secret to immortality, and in doing so created a deadly virus that rewrites your genes and essentially turns you into a zombie "drone".
Motorbike dude is still looking for Eon Green, who we learn is not actually infected at all, but a true immortal. She is only the second immortal ever created, with the first supposedly on the Mars colony. We also learn that the talking bear may have been transplanted with the consciousness of a human, and not just any human: a descendent of the guy responsible for creating N5S.
The CEU seem to be taking orders from giant sentient blobs not entirely unlike Jabba the Hutt, and there's a weird creepy mummy lady who appears to have telekinetic abilities. Said weird creepy mummy lady meets some other weird people on a CEU/DRF ship, presumably the heads of the DRF/CEU/PHS (are there enough acronyms in this story?!) A couple of them look like CEU agents, while the other two look like evil synthetic humans. We're also introduced to another synthetic human motorbike person. Fun times!
****End Spoilers****
Many of the problems from Biomega #1 carried over into #2, namely my inability to tell what was going on in several of the panels. Much like the first one, I figure that the important information is in the dialogue, so hopefully I haven't missed much. It's no less irritating though - if you're going to write a manga where readers spend 80% of their time watching a guy ride his motorbike or fight CEU agents, you should spend a bit more time perfecting the scenery. It's useless having 50 pages of motorbike action in the first place, but even more so when you can't tell where he's driving to or who he's fighting.
There was, however, a slightly higher concentration of story and dialogue in Biomega #2, which I was pleasantly surprised about. We get to learn why and how the synthetic humans were created, how the N5S virus came about, what's so special about Eon Green, and why the talking bear can actually talk. We find out that the DRF/PHS/CEU don't really want to start over with Accommodators as the new human race - they'd much prefer everybody were infected with N5S! We also get to see the people behind the DRF, who are less human and even creepier than the CEU agents and drones combined.
I'm incredibly intrigued by the people (or should I say things?) behind the DRF. We have mummy lady, giant sentient blobs, CEU agents and what appears to be a couple of mutant synthetic humans. I hadn't really given much thought to the people running DRF. I guess I imagined they were evil uninfected humans, plotting from within a hermetically sealed underground bunker or skyscraper. It makes total sense that they'd look like evil incarnate! I simply have to finish this series to find out what they are, if not who they are.
I am a little confused about the CEU though. Are they humans that were infected with a weakened strain of the N5S virus? I assume they weren't infected with full-strength N5S or they'd be disfigured and mindless like the rest of the population. Did they go willingly to be infected? I can only imagine they were field agents given the virus to heighten their abilities. And if they want the entire world to be infected, why are they bothering to kill off drones in the street? Do they only want those infected by the weakened strain to survive?
Overall: Biomega #2 suffers from the same ambiguous and confusing artwork as #1, but compensates with a slightly higher concentration of story and dialogue. We get answers on the origins of the synthetic humans, the N5S virus, and who's running the DRF. This poses more questions than it answers though, and I'm going to have to keep reading or I'll go nuts trying to figure it out!
April 23, 2021
Not always easy to follow what's going on, and minimal characterization, but brilliant, strange, and disturbing in the best of ways. Also there's a talking bear.
January 29, 2015
Ever since Blame!, I've been following Tsutomu Nihei's works as he becomes progressively more popular in the United States. It is unfortunate that Blame! is out of print in the US, being that it's become a cult phenomenon in terms of darker, cyberpunk manga.
Biomega is the next level. Nihei's usage of huge, expansive spaces and massive architectual structures creates a heightened sense of grandeur. A style that has certainly become one of his distinctions as a manga artist. He chooses to carry on certain elements from his prior works, such as Toha Heavy Industries, so it makes you wonder if the worlds he creates are tied together thematically.
The art work is a bit sharper than the drawings in Blame!, but just as dark and detailed as ever. What I really appreciate about Biomega is that he really conveys a sense of SPEED. The main characters ride these cyberpunk motorcycles that can apparently accelerate to the point of riding on walls.
There is a lot of gore. The zombie-like creatures trudging around the cities get popped in the face left and right, so this is not for the faint at heart.
Volume 2 elaborates on the elements from Volume 1, but I think the story is told quite clearly from the get go. Usually I have a hard time understanding Nihei's stories until deeper in, so this is a pleasant surprise for me. Can't wait to crush the rest of these books!
Biomega is the next level. Nihei's usage of huge, expansive spaces and massive architectual structures creates a heightened sense of grandeur. A style that has certainly become one of his distinctions as a manga artist. He chooses to carry on certain elements from his prior works, such as Toha Heavy Industries, so it makes you wonder if the worlds he creates are tied together thematically.
The art work is a bit sharper than the drawings in Blame!, but just as dark and detailed as ever. What I really appreciate about Biomega is that he really conveys a sense of SPEED. The main characters ride these cyberpunk motorcycles that can apparently accelerate to the point of riding on walls.
There is a lot of gore. The zombie-like creatures trudging around the cities get popped in the face left and right, so this is not for the faint at heart.
Volume 2 elaborates on the elements from Volume 1, but I think the story is told quite clearly from the get go. Usually I have a hard time understanding Nihei's stories until deeper in, so this is a pleasant surprise for me. Can't wait to crush the rest of these books!
May 9, 2010
This book does not have page numbers but I managed to read 3/7 chapters. I was wary going in as I had problems with Vol. 1 but the story was intriguing enough for me to give Vol. 2 a try. Surprisingly enough, I had different problems this time around. After writing my review on Volume one I was contacted by fans of the author and told that he is well-known for his stark, wordless mangas with minimal text, and from that I knew I was probably reading the wrong guy as I like words. So when I started to read Vol. 2 I was surprised at the amount of text. Not as much as normal but way more than in Vol. 1 and this was a level of text and art I could get along with. My problem this time was I got completely lost with the story. I have a very bare bones idea as to the story line but this volume was just getting me more and more muddled. The art is gorgeous though. But I'm just going to have to say that this is not an author for me. But if you are a manga fan who enjoys futuristic stories with lots of zombie violence and motorcycle action, plus enjoys stretches of wordless panels this could be right up your alley!
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