Homunculus

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Homunculus

A manga about a man who undergoes trepanation, a surgical procedure of drilling a hole in the skull, and becomes fascinated with the strange visions he begins to see.

Homunculus is a really interesting manga. It really explores this real life hypothesis researchers have about trepanation expanding your sixth sense. After the skeptical main character undergoes trepanation for money, he begins seeing people as strange forms or homunculus that reflect their inner selves. As the story enfolds the man investigates other homunculi while his mysterious background is slowly unraveled.

Homunculus is also a series that’s filled with some problematic content. There’s a story arc that covers some intense sexual assault and there’s a pretty outdated portrayal of a transgender person. Creator Hideo Yamamoto is known for his violent works like Ichi the Killer so I expected this book to be similar but since this series started in 2003 it more or less reflects the time period. I will praise Yamato for his fantastical designs for the various unique homunculi that are tied to character’s backstories.

It was recently announced that they’re adapting this into a live-action movie in 2021. I’m hoping buzz around the film will help Homunculus get an official English release!

~dakazu

The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service

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The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service

A manga about five college graduates who form a company that deals in solving the problems of the dead.

We’ve discussed this on a recent episode.

I know Morgana loves this series but I finally got a chance to read it and I can see why. I love the cast of characters who each have a unique ability that writer Eiji Otsuka created. Each member of the group in versed in a different skill that helps them track down and solve problems of their dead clientele. I also enjoyed Housui Yamazaki fun horror art when the corpses rise to seek revenge. While the series starts as episodic mysteries that jumps from case to case, the 2nd volume is one long story arc that heavily involves the backstory of one of the core members. I really enjoyed that longer story in the 2nd volume so I hope the other volumes will also be longer deeper stories. I look forward to reading more!

Available from Dark Horse Comics.

~dakazu

316 – Manga in Motion 44 – Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

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316 – Manga in Motion 44 – Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

Our October Extravaganza continues this week as we review the 2000 animated feature, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust! The hosts talk about watching the movie together, Morgana geeks out about vampires, dakazu is shocked at how many parts John DiMaggio played, and we start a Darfox fire alarm beep counter! Also, dakazu talks about the end of BEASTARS!!!

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PTSD Radio

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PTSD Radio

A collection of short creepy stories.

Masaaki Nakayama is very similar to Junji Ito with his ability to draw creepy horror. But Nakayama focuses on even shorter stories than a normal manga chapter. Each story usually presents a setting and victim, and then they see something horrible and it ends. It’s a different kind of scare that honestly didn’t effect me as much. While I appreciated Nakayama’s ability to draw really creepy images it never personally unnerved me. I may be numb to his brand of scares but in that sense this book might be good for someone looking for a milder horror series.

Available from Kodansha Comics.

~dakazu

Ultra Gash Inferno

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Ultra Gash Inferno

A collection of Suehiro Maruo‘s erotic grotesque comics.

We’ve discussed this on an older episode.

While I am very vocal about a lot of the awful manga I read, I rarely have to give a content warning for just the sheer amount of graphic violence that’s drawn in this book. Ultra Gash Inferno is not even a Japanese release either. Creation Books collected Suehiro Maruo‘s most extreme comics for a Western release. This is not for the faint of heart and only for fans of Maruo looking for his most ero-guro works.

~dakazu

Dissolving Classroom

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Dissolving Classroom

A collection of horror stories revolving around a young man named Yuuma Azawa and his sister Chizumi.

This is an enjoyable newer Junji Ito work. The majority of the stories involve Yuuma and Chizumi causing people around them to dissolve. There’s a great dynamic between the creepy Chizumi who wants to suck brains and her quiet apologetic brother Yuuma. Both siblings blame each other for the horrors that befall people around them but it can also be interpreted that neither of them is innocent.

Ito delivers a lot of visuals of humans dissolving as viscous fluids flow out of eyes, noses and mouths. If you’re sensitive to those kinds of visuals I would suggest skipping this book. Otherwise this is another entertaining horror manga from Junji Ito that I would recommend.

Available from Vertical Comics.

~dakazu

Vampire Hunter D

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Vampire Hunter D

A novel about a mysterious hunter, known only as “D”, who travels the post-apocalyptic world defeating monsters and vampires.

Here’s a rare instance where I’m actually talking about a novel and not a manga! I fell in love with Vampire Hunter D after seeing the first anime film. I’m a huge fan of Yoshitaka Amano from his video game work like Final Fantasy and Front Mission. When they started releasing the novels in English I bought them as soon as possible.

The actual books by Hideyuki Kikuchi are good but nothing great. They fall under the category of pulp fiction so it’s filled with action and racy content. I’ve read through more then a few Vampire Hunter D books and they’re entertaining but also highly forgettable. I would only recommend this book series if you’re a big fan of the anime. They’re available from Dark Horse Books.

We’ll be reviewing Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust this month so I look forward to discussing that with the other hosts.

~dakazu

Creature!

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Creature!

A horror manga about grotesque monsters emerging from the ground after an earthquake across Japan.

We’ve discussed this manga on an older episode.

Wow, I didn’t know that they put out an English release of Hakaijuu! Though I question the generic title of Creature!, this series is great if you want to experience what Darfox calls “creepy monster pasta”! Shingo Honda has excellent monster designs are plenty of gory action to keep you satisfied!

Available in English from Akita Publishing Co.,Ltd.

~dakazu

Gyo

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Gyo

A horror manga about aquatic animals rising from the sea using metal legs powered by a death stench who terrorize the lands.

This is another classic series from Junji Ito. I personally rank it fairly low compared to Ito’s other works. While the horror of the device powered shark is terrifying, Gyo pretty much can be summed up as an extended fart joke. It’s definitely unique and horrific but I would recommend Uzumaki over this one.

Available in English from VIZ.

~dakazu

315 – One Shot 30 – Utsubora: The Story of a Novelist

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315 – One Shot 30 – Utsubora: The Story of a Novelist 

Welcome to the start of our October Extravaganza at Manga Machinations! We’re going to be covering creepy, spooky, and horrific content all month long! To start, we’re doing a One Shot on Utsubora: The Story of a Novelist! Dawn from The Anime Nostalgia Podcast joins us to discuss Asumiko Nakamura’s psychological thriller about a novelist haunted by a mysterious woman who threatens to expose his secret of plagiarism!!!

Follow Dawn on Twitter! Listen to The Anime Nostalgia Podcast!

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