Homunculus

Fan Boy Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 23 Location: Sweden

pinecone wrote:

I really link this manga. At the end of the first volume it got good. The idea is genius. Can't wait for the third volume for that guy to talk about homuculus...

I just have one weird idea about trepenation- say, since he has a hole in his head now, wouldn't it get infected? Do they put a bandage over it or something? Plus, since history reveals that people have lived the procedure many times, would they think to wrap something across the skull or just let the air come in. I think it's true that the brain has no sense of pain, but what if it gets infected, poked at, etc etc. He can't just wear that hat over it all the time with an open to the air hole, can he??

As Petr pointed out, the skin will grow back very quickly, just leaving a small hole underneath. Yes, it's true that the brain has no sense of pain, efected, poked or whatever.

big idjit Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 280

mista wrote:

As Petr pointed out, the skin will grow back very quickly, just leaving a small hole underneath. Yes, it's true that the brain has no sense of pain, efected, poked or whatever.

But if you apply a slight electric pulse (i think there was a pulse. all i know is you saw them prodding the brain) to parts of the brain it will cause some functions to fuck up. I saw a psych video of this kid with epilepsy who was going to have a part of his brain removed to help.

To make sure they weren't cutting out an important part they "labeled" parts of the brain that were essential. There was a part where they were testing his speech by having him count while they poked around. They hit a spot and then everything he said came out as "bleeehhhhhh". They also showed another spot where when they poked it he couldn't figure out how to complete sentences. Weird video. The worst part was definitely when they were sawing his skull open. "You'll hear a sound but ignore it. You won't feel anything" followed by the sound of an electric saw starting and cutting through something. Then you know the part in Hannibal when you see that guy's brain exposed? Yeah it was kinda like that. Fun!

Street Musician Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 530

Spaceman's post reminded me of that old Michael Crichton novel, The Terminal Man.

Street Musician Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 302

Neuroretardant's bringing up Michael Crichton reminded me of that Michael Crichton novel, Timeline, which in turn reminded me of that Paul Walker movie, Timeline.

Fan Boy Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 23 Location: Sweden

Speck wrote:

Neuroretardant's bringing up Michael Crichton reminded me of that Michael Crichton novel, Timeline, which in turn reminded me of that Paul Walker movie, Timeline.

Which reminded me that I wish I'd never seen it.

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:15 pm

i wonder whats up with the nose ring touching. i wonder what it habit that shows. lying? evilness?
so far, this manga is pretty good. i like how its chapterless, and the arts very solid. can't wait to see whats gonna happen in the upcomming volumes. Is there any word on how long this series is gonna be?

Fan Boy Joined: 13 Dec 2003 Posts: 31 Location: Europe

This series just owns. Made it to the top of my favorites.
When the first panel with the homunucli turned up, I was immediately reminded of the artwork of Hieronymous Bosch, particularily this picture.

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:29 am

Haven't yet read homunculus, but I noticed that volume 4 is now in stores. How buy-worthy is this series compared to, say, Urasawa Naoki's Pluto, or Matsumoto Taiyou's tetsukon kinkuriito?

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:22 am

I'd compare it favorably to both series. Pluto I simply couldn't get into after purchasing and reading the first volume (the cheaper edition), and I like Tekkon Kincrete (Black And White) but as everyone knows, it's not my favorite Matsumoto (that honor would go to Hanao, followed closely behind by Ping Pong). On the other hand, I'd rate Homunculus as Yamamoto's best work so far. Be forewarned though - the sparse text contained in this series makes it a quick read, so it may not be exactly cost efficient in that sense...

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:16 pm

Summer Soldier wrote:

I'd compare it favorably to both series. Pluto I simply couldn't get into after purchasing and reading the first volume (the cheaper edition), and I like Tekkon Kincrete (Black And White) but as everyone knows, it's not my favorite Matsumoto (that honor would go to Hanao, followed closely behind by Ping Pong). On the other hand, I'd rate Homunculus as Yamamoto's best work so far. Be forewarned though - the sparse text contained in this series makes it a quick read, so it may not be exactly cost efficient in that sense...

Thanks for the opinion. After checking out the MS translation, Homunculus did feel relatively short. I felt that the first volume felt more like a first chapter (albeit the first chapter of something serialized monthly). I suppose that was partially due to the lack of chapter markings. This is sort of backed up by occasional browsing of homunculus chapters in Spirits - it always looks like very little is actually going on, and that the main character is constantly being shocked by the view from his left eye. I guess I won't be buying it.... probably a quick read at a manga cafe is all I will want to devote to it.

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:32 pm

Yeah, I've taken a look at some random issues of Spirits that contained Homunculus, and I think it's fairly obvious that the series is meant to be enjoyed in volumes rather than chapters. I have to question if a weekly magazine is the best medium for Yamamoto to work on, but then again the Spirits readers are exactly the audience that would appreicate this kind of comic.

Street Musician Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 402

Volume 4 was really good. It's great that the focus is shifting back to Nakoshi again.

Is it just me, or does this series remind you of Sexy Voice and Robo? Confused

Street Musician Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 302

This could overtake Nasu in my heart.

Street Musician Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 402

I've always thought it was weird how 'normal' Homonculus was compared to Koroshiya 1. Up till now, it suited my tastes perfectly, but volume 5 pushes it up to Koroshiya 1 levels Shocked

.

Ok, it's not as crazy as Ichi, but it's a big leap from previous volumes. I can't say i'm crazy about it, but I guess the mangaka is just staying true to form. He was going easy on us all along Confused

Street Musician Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 419

My sister's loving this series. Which means it must be really good. I like it as well, but not all too crazed by it. The story's very interesting though. I like the main character... he reminds me of an older me. Yup, can't wait to become a worthless scum of society.