that`s the question this series forces through our brain? we don`t know our selves at all... but still, "who are we?"

see, that`s what this series is doing, messing with our brain, making us wonder: "if that guy is like that, then how am i like"? how is my homunculus like? the question keeps bugging me... the author does a brilliant job at playing with people`s minds... one of my top 10 favorite manga, out of 127 series read so far...

there are some "WTF?" moments scattered throughout the series, like the last volume, but it`s a brilliant series... without further ado, i hope it won`t f*ck up at the end and i give it a 9.3!

P.S: i noticed that there are no chapters, the entire volume is released as a whole... a little bit weird, but i don`t actually care, as long as i have something to read...

I have no clue what makes this manga a good read...most of the time it leaves me with the good old- "WTF?!" And yet, I am still looking forward to the new chapters. Read it, you'll like it.

I didn't really expect to like it that much, but I read 75 chapters in one sitting.
The characters are interesting, along with much of the plot, and it's definitely worth reading.

It wasn't very hard to follow, which was what I expected, (I usually can't get into a manga if it is.) and from all of the comments telling shoujo fans to not read this, I expected things to be much more extreme.
I could probably eat with ease while reading, so nothing's too nasty, if that's what anyone's worried about.

All in all, it's a great series, with a demented main character, and it's focus on said main character.
I would say it was a fun read, but I'm probably the only one that thinks that.
Anyway, give it a try.

... Last updated on July 9th, 2008, 6:40am

All I can say is that it's addictive.

I've never really enjoyed the author's other well known manga, Ichi the Killer, because of it's sadistic nature.... But this one really hit the spot.

The protagonist is one of the best male leads ever, in my opinion, and if they ever made a movie/series out of this, they'd have a hard time finding an actor good enough (Sir Anthony Hopkins is too old, and can't speak Japanese).

Like many other psychological type series' , it does risk dragging itself too long, though, but I'll remain optimistic.

Awesome! I can't really describe it so well, but this makes things similar to ESP believable if they are extensions of your total 5 senses. I can only hope some group translates this amazing manga.

I really enjoyed this manga. Very quirky, unique, etc. ^__^ And the premise is quite brilliant. Although, volume one was a little slow but the pacing and plot picks up in the later of the series. Love the art too: it's a big improvement from Ichi where his art style was still developing.

Update: Having read the very latest volumes, I think it deserves 8.5 at best for now and nothing more as I agree with xObscurexOmen's points that Homonculus is brilliant, innovative but a little flawed for now. It remains to be seen how the plot/story will move along. But at least, it's quite an improvement from Ichi the killer where things were quite interesting but fizzled out a little towards the end, for me.

... Last updated on May 23rd, 2008, 12:57pm

For some reason, I feel drawn to manga that are very dark and deal with very psychological and philosophical themes. This is a prime example of the how this this genre should be written. All of the characters are very well developed and all the themes are well pronounced.

Although the series definitely moves with its own continuity, it actually plays out a series of psychological analysis all intertwined with philosophical themes. Partially fueled by the very flawed main character, the resulting analysis is always dark and unexpected. And as the main character solves the problems of other people, he then starts to realize more about his own problems.

Which gets to the main point of the series. Hes not really solving other people's problems or learning about other people. Its all done as an act of self realization. And the problems of these other people are really projections of his own inner demons. Which leaves the reader not only guessing what each characterization means about that person, but also what it means about the main character.

My only problem is actually that sometimes I thing the series drags itself on a bit too long and over too dark of subjects without real necessity. Which seems to both shock the reader as well as be thought provoking. But, atleast so far, I don't think it has really detracted from the series.

Overall, its a series I'd definitely recommend to people, over and over.

Its really good. Takes peoples problems and inner thoughts and disects them, just like in Ichi the Killer.

Actually, Its really good. Specially liked the Sand girl. =D

The premise of the manga is quite intriguing, delving into psychology and the like without pause. The homunculi described have no shortage of creativity, and the main character is suitably freaked out by them. Supporting characters are also wide-ranging, each with his/her own faults and habits, which keep the manga interesting. While some might not like the art style, it is definitely unique and realistic, two qualities that work well in this kind of manga. These factors set the scene for an amazing series, but there are a few issues that stunt its score.

1) The main character is seriously screwed up. Just when you think he's as weird as he'll get, another strange fetish/habit rears its head. This isn't a horrible issue, just one that keeps readers from deciding whether or not they like him or not. It also might drive away tentative readers.

2) This is the one that determined the score I gave this manga. Because of the main character's ability to see homunculi, he has a tendency of acting EXTREMELY strange. This is a given. However, what is very hard to believe is the way that NO ONE really gets freaked out by his actions. Now, this might be easy enough to believe if it's just in the streets, but his behavior gets even stranger when he's trying to "help" or "fix" the homunculi. But, no matter how strange and intrusive he may seem (pressing himself against people to "hear" them, touching in random places, muttering things that seem unrelated and crazy), no one seems to notice it's particularly insane. Sure, they think he's a bit weird, but no one really yells "YOU'RE CRAZY," which would be the normal response to his behavior. Similarly, no one tries to escape or run away from his actions.

Yes, the manga is very thought-provoking. Yes, it helps delve into the human psyche. Yes, the characters are interesting and varied. Yes, the art is very unique. And yes, it's extremely original.

But the major issue with it is the amount of disbelief that you have to push aside in order to get anywhere when Nakoshi (the main character) interacts with a homunculus. If this wasn't such an issue, I would definitely've given this a ten. But, since it is, I'll have to go with an eight.

I read this after "Ichi The Killer" from the same artist. I really dig his style, and this manga is no exception. The artwork is excellent, so is the story - a great mature read. If you are into your lovey-dovey shoujo, don't even bother.

Hell, only Japanese can come up with stuff like this, that's why gotta love manga.

... Last updated on October 4th, 2007, 12:23am