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Homunculus Omnibus #1
Homunculus (Omnibus) Vol. 1-2
From the creator of HIKARI-MAN, Ichi the Killer, and Voyeur, this hit supernatural horror tale inspired the live-action film on Netflix–and will be available in English for the first time in oversized omnibus editions!
Nakoshi Susumu, age thirty-four, lives out of his car. Between spending his days with the homeless and his nights in his vehicle, he has little to his name. When a medical student begins to stalk him, offering to pay Nakoshi a significant sum of cash to undergo a strange surgical procedure, Nakoshi initially refuses. But after his beloved car is towed, he finally agrees to take the offer and subjects himself to the operating table. What, if anything, will Nakoshi see differently once he awakens?
Nakoshi Susumu, age thirty-four, lives out of his car. Between spending his days with the homeless and his nights in his vehicle, he has little to his name. When a medical student begins to stalk him, offering to pay Nakoshi a significant sum of cash to undergo a strange surgical procedure, Nakoshi initially refuses. But after his beloved car is towed, he finally agrees to take the offer and subjects himself to the operating table. What, if anything, will Nakoshi see differently once he awakens?
672 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2015
106 people are currently reading
1282 people want to read
About the author
Hideo Yamamoto
174 books248 followers 山本英夫 Yamamoto Hideo , is a Japanese manga artist best known for the manga series "Ichi the Killer" (which was adapted into a live-action film in 2001) and the series, Homunculus (manga).
Recurring themes in his manga are crime, sexual deviations, and psychology.
Recurring themes in his manga are crime, sexual deviations, and psychology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
December 16, 2025
EN What a fantastic concept! I bought this series quite some time ago because it clearly felt like something I would enjoy reading, and now that I’ve finally started it, I’m very happy that I did.
Hideo Yamamoto’s artwork is absolutely spectacular.
Here we follow Nakoshi Susumu, a man about whom very little is known, who lives out of his car and spends his days among the homeless. His past remains largely a mystery, but it is clear that something deeply traumatic pushed him into this way of life.
After exhausting his savings and with no source of income, he is forced to accept an offer to take part in an experiment conducted by a somewhat eccentric doctor. From this point on, the story truly begins to gain momentum, as this experiment opens his eyes to a completely different world.
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PT Que conceito fantástico! Comprei esta série há bastante tempo, precisamente porque tinha todo o aspecto de ser algo que iria gostar de ler, e agora que finalmente a comecei, fico muito satisfeito por o ter feito.
A arte de Hideo Yamamoto é absolutamente espectacular.
Aqui acompanhamos Nakoshi Susumu, um homem sobre o qual pouco se sabe, que vive dentro do seu carro e passa os seus dias entre sem-abrigo. O seu passado é em grande parte um mistério, mas é claro que algo profundamente traumático o empurrou para este tipo de vida.
Depois de esgotar as suas poupanças e sem qualquer fonte de rendimento, vê-se obrigado a aceitar a proposta para participar numa experiência conduzida por um médico algo excêntrico. É a partir deste ponto que a história começa realmente a ganhar força, com esta experiência a abrir-lhe os olhos para um mundo completamente diferente.
Hideo Yamamoto’s artwork is absolutely spectacular.
Here we follow Nakoshi Susumu, a man about whom very little is known, who lives out of his car and spends his days among the homeless. His past remains largely a mystery, but it is clear that something deeply traumatic pushed him into this way of life.
After exhausting his savings and with no source of income, he is forced to accept an offer to take part in an experiment conducted by a somewhat eccentric doctor. From this point on, the story truly begins to gain momentum, as this experiment opens his eyes to a completely different world.
--
PT Que conceito fantástico! Comprei esta série há bastante tempo, precisamente porque tinha todo o aspecto de ser algo que iria gostar de ler, e agora que finalmente a comecei, fico muito satisfeito por o ter feito.
A arte de Hideo Yamamoto é absolutamente espectacular.
Aqui acompanhamos Nakoshi Susumu, um homem sobre o qual pouco se sabe, que vive dentro do seu carro e passa os seus dias entre sem-abrigo. O seu passado é em grande parte um mistério, mas é claro que algo profundamente traumático o empurrou para este tipo de vida.
Depois de esgotar as suas poupanças e sem qualquer fonte de rendimento, vê-se obrigado a aceitar a proposta para participar numa experiência conduzida por um médico algo excêntrico. É a partir deste ponto que a história começa realmente a ganhar força, com esta experiência a abrir-lhe os olhos para um mundo completamente diferente.
August 19, 2024
Homunculus (Omnibus) - Vol. 1 & 2 (My Kindle Review)
Vol. 1 - Nakoshi Susumu is a thirty-something guy who lives in his small car, his only precious possession, and makes talk with other homeless men while also living near a grand apartment complex. He gets an unexpected surprise in the form of Ito, a medical student with a shady personality who offers him a lucrative opportunity by letting him drill a hole in his skull as part of his research to its link involving trepanation. At first Nakoshi strongly declines the offer but after he faces some serious financial troubles, he reluctantly agrees to do the medical procedure. After the procedure and as Ito studies the after effects, Nakoshi slowly begins to see very bizarre sights of people in different forms and even gets in a fatal confrontation with a yakuza boss, and it all might bring him over the edge.
Vol. 2 - While dealing his new “sixth sense” ability, Nakoshi is dragged back to the yakuza boss he recently had confronted and it all turns into a shocking connection to his childhood involving a accidental incident that would become the man’s emotional scar. Later, he and Ito continue their research and they soon find a perfect specimen in the form of a rebellious girl who happens to be a sand chameleon. While they stake her out, Ito seems to have his own unusual desires for her.
“Homunculus” is a real gritty and surreal psychological sci-fi story with a touch of shadiness. Nakoshi is an interesting protagonist who deals with his new ability while Ito is an unusual character as there’s definitely more to him than meets the eye. The best part certainly come from the sights of many homunculus that are just so frighteningly fascinating to look at as they seem so Junji Ito-like. For now, it’s a great story with some bizarre frights but it also had a bit of its own dark side. A- (91%/Excellent)
Vol. 1 - Nakoshi Susumu is a thirty-something guy who lives in his small car, his only precious possession, and makes talk with other homeless men while also living near a grand apartment complex. He gets an unexpected surprise in the form of Ito, a medical student with a shady personality who offers him a lucrative opportunity by letting him drill a hole in his skull as part of his research to its link involving trepanation. At first Nakoshi strongly declines the offer but after he faces some serious financial troubles, he reluctantly agrees to do the medical procedure. After the procedure and as Ito studies the after effects, Nakoshi slowly begins to see very bizarre sights of people in different forms and even gets in a fatal confrontation with a yakuza boss, and it all might bring him over the edge.
Vol. 2 - While dealing his new “sixth sense” ability, Nakoshi is dragged back to the yakuza boss he recently had confronted and it all turns into a shocking connection to his childhood involving a accidental incident that would become the man’s emotional scar. Later, he and Ito continue their research and they soon find a perfect specimen in the form of a rebellious girl who happens to be a sand chameleon. While they stake her out, Ito seems to have his own unusual desires for her.
“Homunculus” is a real gritty and surreal psychological sci-fi story with a touch of shadiness. Nakoshi is an interesting protagonist who deals with his new ability while Ito is an unusual character as there’s definitely more to him than meets the eye. The best part certainly come from the sights of many homunculus that are just so frighteningly fascinating to look at as they seem so Junji Ito-like. For now, it’s a great story with some bizarre frights but it also had a bit of its own dark side. A- (91%/Excellent)
December 27, 2023
A homeless man agrees to have a hole drilled in his head for cash in an unlicensed medical experiment to see if the trepanation will open up a sixth sense. Since this is manga, when his perception of reality starts to shift, the unstable medical student running the experiment immediately thinks to apply the results to stalking a teenage girl. But everything until that icky shift was pretty interesting.
December 30, 2022
I've read this whole series already, and I do not recommend it. If you're curious at all about this story just watch the movie.
October 25, 2023
HOLY SHIT!!!!
August 25, 2024
3.5 stars. Pretty intriguing until the last act that got kinda weird and not in a fun way.
September 8, 2024
I don't know why the paperback version of this title isn't on this site, but whatever.
The story definitely pickscup towards the end of volume 2 so the fact that this is being as omnibus' is great.
The story definitely pickscup towards the end of volume 2 so the fact that this is being as omnibus' is great.
July 23, 2024
I love the concept of the homunculus. All our inward psyche showing through in outward appearance. The unreliable narrator puts it in an interesting lens and I really enjoy the fast pace of the book.
December 13, 2023
Broke guy gets a hole drilled in his head so he can see people's subconscious selves, known as homunculi.
The pacing is super bizarre. I figured by 2 volumes in, I would understand some of the narrative stakes/what they want to accomplish through finding the homunculi, but so far things just happen without much reason to care.
Also, this is by the same guy who did Ichi the Killer, so I was expecting something a little more gonzo. And I mean, the premise is bizarre enough, but the execution is a little so-so.
I like that there's a warning in the back of the book to NOT do trepanation on yourself. Gotta cover all your bases, I guess.
The pacing is super bizarre. I figured by 2 volumes in, I would understand some of the narrative stakes/what they want to accomplish through finding the homunculi, but so far things just happen without much reason to care.
Also, this is by the same guy who did Ichi the Killer, so I was expecting something a little more gonzo. And I mean, the premise is bizarre enough, but the execution is a little so-so.
I like that there's a warning in the back of the book to NOT do trepanation on yourself. Gotta cover all your bases, I guess.
May 25, 2025
One of the most fucked up reads that I just couldn’t put down.
Finished the whole thing but im leaving the review on the first volume.
Finished the whole thing but im leaving the review on the first volume.
July 13, 2023
A vagrant named Nakoshi lives out of his car, but considers him above the other homeless people whilst simultaneously resenting the wealthier class he was once a part of. Nakoshi is approached by an odd individual one night who offers to pay for an experimental treatment. The procedure is trepanation (drilling a hole in the skull), and Nakoshi is told that he will be able to draw out a "sixth sense". The story starts off rather intriguing, with Nakoshi's newfound abilities allowing him to view some horrifying images. Yamamoto's artwork really captures some grotesque moments well, though I do wish he leaned in more on that stuff. After the first volume, the story does begin to drag a fair bit though. It didn't really seem like much beyond the initial premise was fleshed out, since the second half of this omnibus was a bit tedious to get through. I'll still give the series a fair shake since I did like Yamamoto's cartoonining, and the horror elements were enticing enough to hope for more down the line.
April 19, 2025
You know the vibes are going to be immaculate when the story revolves around a certified freak and some regular dude.
I mean, no one needs me to say that “Homunculus” is good—but it’s GOOD.
This story is so trippy and so gross—but in a meticulous way that belies how much thought when into crafting it. From the dialogue to the panel formatting to the characters, so much consideration clearly went into the choices being made.
It’s really provocative storytelling.
As a reader, I’m deeply fascinated by the concept of the homunculii—these creations of our self conscious that reveal our deepest fears, our most honest selves. How endlessly—again—provocative.
And all of the pseudoscience and pseudo-psychology our dynamic duo engages in provides all of these avenues for compelling commentary—on class, gender, modern society, etc.
This story is dabbling in the profound, my friends.
I’m very here for it.
Anyway.
Again, you don’t need my recommendation to pick up this story. But, if you want it, you’ve got it~
I mean, no one needs me to say that “Homunculus” is good—but it’s GOOD.
This story is so trippy and so gross—but in a meticulous way that belies how much thought when into crafting it. From the dialogue to the panel formatting to the characters, so much consideration clearly went into the choices being made.
It’s really provocative storytelling.
As a reader, I’m deeply fascinated by the concept of the homunculii—these creations of our self conscious that reveal our deepest fears, our most honest selves. How endlessly—again—provocative.
And all of the pseudoscience and pseudo-psychology our dynamic duo engages in provides all of these avenues for compelling commentary—on class, gender, modern society, etc.
This story is dabbling in the profound, my friends.
I’m very here for it.
Anyway.
Again, you don’t need my recommendation to pick up this story. But, if you want it, you’ve got it~
February 28, 2024
Take a shot for every finger snap the medical student does throughout the omnibus and you will be wasted lol
I agree that volume two picks up significantly… I honestly was expecting more but maybe it will continue to pick up. 3.5 🌟
I agree that volume two picks up significantly… I honestly was expecting more but maybe it will continue to pick up. 3.5 🌟
July 26, 2024
Perfect! Glad I read 3-4 first because it made this more exciting and actually easier to get the in-between world the MC comes from, being once well-to-do w/ the suit and recently homeless as indicated by the disheveled beanie. It also makes me view him and the punky pharaoh-y kid way more benevolently. The latter propositions the MC as an unconventional med student to experiment on him. He puts a tiny hole in his head at just the right angle to tap into the soft spot that makes kids more to ESP senses. So, the MC isn't extra-terrestrial or Matrix-y like he came off in later issues. It's like he's naturally tripping, seeing people w/ fish heads and however people metaphorically see themselves. Hopefully, things will keep scientific or adjacent to it, at least in a schizophrenia type study.
I don't anticipate the MC actually helping people like a trauma exposure therapist, but it is cool to know that he could in his own way. After all, he sees through a Yakuza boss to his past that actually gets ME teary-eyed too. Many cool depictions, like a guy cut in half, those halves flipped and holding hands. Makes me think of edgier Parasyte. It's also cool he could technically control with one eye what he sees. Hopefully, like w/ bad mushrooms, he'll be able to accept the visuals and work through them. Why he seems so much more violent later on, I'm not sure but will be on the lookout in vol 5-6.
I don't anticipate the MC actually helping people like a trauma exposure therapist, but it is cool to know that he could in his own way. After all, he sees through a Yakuza boss to his past that actually gets ME teary-eyed too. Many cool depictions, like a guy cut in half, those halves flipped and holding hands. Makes me think of edgier Parasyte. It's also cool he could technically control with one eye what he sees. Hopefully, like w/ bad mushrooms, he'll be able to accept the visuals and work through them. Why he seems so much more violent later on, I'm not sure but will be on the lookout in vol 5-6.
September 12, 2023
I didn't think much of the first half, but in the second I really got into it. It's not the horror book I was expecting, but more of a psychological thriller. The main characters kinda suck, but they're interesting people, and growth is happening. I love the explanation of what homunculi are and how they fit in with the main character's experience. I'd like to read more if I stumble into a good price for the other omnibuses. For sure unique, and whole I don't love the art style in general, a lot of the fantastical elements are really exceptionally rendered.
June 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ the story is very interesting, the main character is EXTREMELY unlikable and very unreliable. I can’t quite decide if I like him or think he’s a complete shitshow who deserves every horrible thing that can happen to him. The art is both beautiful and horrific at the same time? It’s very odd. Everything is beautiful in detail and very pretty to look at. But the people look very very ugly… and not just the ones “supposed” to be ugly 😂 it’s a love hate relationship what can I say 🤷🏻♀️ I will continue but I’m just so unsure.
December 16, 2025
Best psychological manga. Emotions, feelings, thoughts, experiences fall deep within our subconscious without us directing them. We forget about these experiences but they are always there manifesting in small anxieties that we may not even understand the route cause of. Other humans can notice subtle expressions that may be caused by these unconscious emotions and experiences.
“With every shift in a persons emotional state, they broadcast a slew of subtle tells…which the rest of us pick up on without even noticing ourselves doing so.”
“With every shift in a persons emotional state, they broadcast a slew of subtle tells…which the rest of us pick up on without even noticing ourselves doing so.”
July 30, 2024
With a very interesting and conspiratorial premise, I was hooked instantly. The dynamic between the 2 main characters and their drive for their goals is just insane to me. Of course we are seeing some fun horror elements but overall there seems to be a stronger focus on the mystical and the plot progression is amazing, I’ve got the next 2 (2-in-1’s)books on my shelf and I can’t wait to get to them.
March 9, 2025
a very interesting concept that brings in real life, so it feels like it could almost happen with the correct research. characters are unique and have their own motives that drive them. the story is coming along slowly but it’s not missing a beat and each page is interesting. the art style is gorgeous and so meaningful in terms of storytelling. very junji ito esque. love ‼️
February 15, 2024
Equal parts confused and intrigued 👁️
April 1, 2024
Captivating and intriguing!
February 10, 2025
i will not let this deter me from wanting to get trepanned…
i’m liking where this is going excited to keep reading!! already got vol 3-4 from the library, let’s begin… 😵💫
i’m liking where this is going excited to keep reading!! already got vol 3-4 from the library, let’s begin… 😵💫
August 1, 2025
this counts as two books btw, who says taos cant read
October 7, 2025
3.5 (biblio)
June 7, 2025
4/5 stars — good thing i didn’t read this as a kid cause i woulda been pointing at random people left and right and going “you’re a homunculus!! you’re a homunculus!!” causing chaos on the playground!! also they literally did awooga hummina hummina eyes pop out of head!!!
November 9, 2023
So far, Homunculus is a pretty interesting concept without a sense of direction. Nakoshi is a man who's running from something, to the point where he's slumming it as a homeless person, living out of his car. His liminal lifestyle catches the attention of Ito, a doctor's son, who offers him a sizable sum of money to undergo a surgical procedure that might give him some kind of sixth sense. From there, the story eventually becomes a sort of more mature (or at least grittier) version of Persona 5, except it spends an inordinate amount of time jumping through pseudoscientific hoops, trying to explain how what's happening to Nakoshi is definitely, totally, not paranormal. And it's really to the detriment of developing any real character motivation--especially regarding Ito, who seems to go from lofty goals of proving whether or not the paranormal exists, to wanting to use Nakoshi's abilities to get himself laid. That last part actually dropped my rating by a star, because it's so puerile, and leaves the whole endeavor feeling very hollow.
Homunculus is an extraordinarily slow burn, and that's fine for awhile. But when all it leads up to (in this omnibus at least) is, "find me someone who looks weird to your newfound abilities, so I can bang them," I really have to question why I should care about what these two do beyond this point. Especially since this collection just sort of ends in the middle of a scene, devoid of any resolution to anything, or even a worthwhile cliffhanger. And I don't know if I care enough about Ito's horny adventures to see where the next volume picks up.
And that's kind of a shame, because a lot of this story was legitimately interesting. I haven't even mentioned the creature designs, which are quite simply incredible, the first time they splash across the page. But the narrative really spins its wheels after awhile, and when it finally picks up traction, it seems dead set on taking Ito down the road to Pound Town. It ends up as a body horror version of Weird Science: a guy makes an incredible scientific discovery, and uses it to try and get his rocks off. Just with a lot less humor. That isn't what I signed up for.
Homunculus is an extraordinarily slow burn, and that's fine for awhile. But when all it leads up to (in this omnibus at least) is, "find me someone who looks weird to your newfound abilities, so I can bang them," I really have to question why I should care about what these two do beyond this point. Especially since this collection just sort of ends in the middle of a scene, devoid of any resolution to anything, or even a worthwhile cliffhanger. And I don't know if I care enough about Ito's horny adventures to see where the next volume picks up.
And that's kind of a shame, because a lot of this story was legitimately interesting. I haven't even mentioned the creature designs, which are quite simply incredible, the first time they splash across the page. But the narrative really spins its wheels after awhile, and when it finally picks up traction, it seems dead set on taking Ito down the road to Pound Town. It ends up as a body horror version of Weird Science: a guy makes an incredible scientific discovery, and uses it to try and get his rocks off. Just with a lot less humor. That isn't what I signed up for.
January 27, 2024
I’ve had my eye on this one for a while. I had heard about it a few years ago, but it had never been officially translated to English until recently. I can only speak for this first volume, but this was pretty great. This omnibus, clocking in at 600+ pages, had excellent pacing and was always engaging. It’s kind of a superhero story, I guess. There are three story-arcs here - well, more like two and a half.
The first arc is a kind of origin story about our protagonist, 34 year old Nakoshi. Nakoshi is this homeless guy who seemingly had recently fallen from grace as he wears a suit and has a car. He is approached by a young med student named Ito and offered a modest sum (around $5000 - I googled the exchange rate) to perform a medical procedure that might enhance his senses. Once the procedure is performed, the protagonist finds that he has a sense that is like a mix of psychedelics and psychoanalysis - like Freud on LSD - he can see into the subconscious of some of the people around him which can help to understand and empathize with those around him.
The second arc is about a Yakuza boss who cuts the pinkies off of anyone that may betray or disrespect him. This story was absolutely amazing and the highlight of this book. It was kind of a continuation of the origin story as it was used to give a glimpse into Nakoshi’s new powers and ways he could use it.
The third arc was a little problematic. Ito is trying to use Nakoshi’s new skill to try to sleep with a 17 year old girl. I’m not sure of the age of consent in Japan, but the whole this was kind of sleazy and creepy, though still interesting in how it is done. The book cuts off mid story, so I don’t know where this story is exactly going.
This book really captured my imagination. Sometimes when people around me are acting up, I cover my eye like the protagonist on the cover of this book and pretend I can see their subconscious and understand why they are acting that way. I’m excited to read the next volume, I just hope it’s not 600 pages of trying to sleep with underage girls.
The first arc is a kind of origin story about our protagonist, 34 year old Nakoshi. Nakoshi is this homeless guy who seemingly had recently fallen from grace as he wears a suit and has a car. He is approached by a young med student named Ito and offered a modest sum (around $5000 - I googled the exchange rate) to perform a medical procedure that might enhance his senses. Once the procedure is performed, the protagonist finds that he has a sense that is like a mix of psychedelics and psychoanalysis - like Freud on LSD - he can see into the subconscious of some of the people around him which can help to understand and empathize with those around him.
The second arc is about a Yakuza boss who cuts the pinkies off of anyone that may betray or disrespect him. This story was absolutely amazing and the highlight of this book. It was kind of a continuation of the origin story as it was used to give a glimpse into Nakoshi’s new powers and ways he could use it.
The third arc was a little problematic. Ito is trying to use Nakoshi’s new skill to try to sleep with a 17 year old girl. I’m not sure of the age of consent in Japan, but the whole this was kind of sleazy and creepy, though still interesting in how it is done. The book cuts off mid story, so I don’t know where this story is exactly going.
This book really captured my imagination. Sometimes when people around me are acting up, I cover my eye like the protagonist on the cover of this book and pretend I can see their subconscious and understand why they are acting that way. I’m excited to read the next volume, I just hope it’s not 600 pages of trying to sleep with underage girls.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews