Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
A man witnesses a fatal traffic accident on his way home from work, and the victim is clearly killed on impact. A moment later, when the corpse stands up and walks away, it could be a hallucination or something far more extraordinary.
I Am a Hero is a solid Japanese zombie film adapted from Kengo Hanazawa's acclaimed manga. The cinematography stands out with visceral, kinetic action sequences and striking practical gore effects that elevate it above typical genre entries. The plot follows a meek, socially awkward manga artist thrust into a zombie apocalypse, offering a psychologically interesting protagonist but the narrative momentum stalls in its middle stretch. Acting is competent with Yo Oizumi delivering a believable everyman performance. Novelty is moderate — the film blends domestic Japanese social commentary (pressure on creatives, social alienation) into zombie horror in a distinctive way, though the premise follows recognizable genre beats. The ending is its weakest point, feeling abrupt and unresolved in ways that frustrate rather than intrigue, likely a consequence of adapting an ongoing manga without a satisfying standalone conclusion.