Homunculus - Hideo Yamamoto
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Homunculus is a manga that explores the depths of the human psyche through the lens of science and the supernatural. Hideo Yamamoto depicts the transformation of an ordinary man confronted with visions that defy reality—offering a powerful reflection on identity, perception, and repressed trauma.
Susumu Nakoshi, a 34-year-old man living in his car, agrees to undergo an experimental trepanation procedure proposed by Manabu Ito, a med school student fascinated by the brain’s latent potential. After the surgery, Nakoshi begins to perceive physical distortions in the people around him—manifestations of their deepest fears, desires, and traumas. These visions, known as “homunculi,” serve as mirrors of society’s psychological wounds.
Yamamoto tackles themes such as marginalization, the search for self, and the boundaries of perception. His realistic, detailed artwork intensifies the impact of Nakoshi’s visions, capturing the anguish and confusion that consume him. The manga interrogates the fine line between objective reality and subjective human experience.
Serialized from 2003 to 2011 in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Spirits, Homunculus spans 15 volumes. In France, the series was published by Tonkam between 2005 and 2011. A live-action film adaptation directed by Takashi Shimizu premiered on Netflix in April 2021, offering a new interpretation of this complex work.