When it comes to zombie-themed films, one cannot help but mention The Walking Dead, the long-running horror series that has garnered a significant emotional response from audiences over the years. However, for manga enthusiasts in Japan, there exists another captivating adaptation of a zombie story that rivals The Walking Dead, titled I Am a Hero.
I Am a Hero is adapted from the horror manga of the same name written by Hanazawa Kengo, who has received prestigious awards from Shogakukan and is among the most beloved zombie-themed manga.
The main character of the story is Hideo Suzuki, a manga artist who lives in seclusion from society until one day he is forced to flee as a zombie outbreak occurs. During his perilous journey, Hideo encounters various survivors and learns to adapt to the brutal new reality after the zombie apocalypse.
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The manga was first published in 2009, and in 2016, a live-action film adaptation was released, directed by Shinsuke Sato.
Notably, the live-action film adaptation of I Am a Hero has been well-received by fans of the zombie horror genre, and it even participated in the 48th Sitges Film Festival in Catalonia, Spain, last October, where it won the award for Best Feature Film as voted by the audience.
Some enthusiastic fans even compare and label I Am a Hero as the Japanese version of The Walking Dead. This comparison implies that the film is just as compelling as The Walking Dead while also noting that the zombies in I Am a Hero are notably quicker and more aggressive.
If you are a fan of The Walking Dead, you will undoubtedly find I Am a Hero to be an exceptional film that you shouldn’t miss.
