Baoh


Baoh is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki, most famous for his manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1985, it was later compiled into two tankōbon volumes. The series was adapted into a single-episode original video animation by Studio Pierrot and distributed by Toho in 1989.
Baoh is Araki's first series to display his signature amount of over-the-top gore and profanity .

Plot

17-year-old Ikuro Hashizawa is kidnapped and turned into a Baoh, a bioweapon with super human strength and other abilities, by the Doress Laboratory. He escapes with the help of Sumire, a 9-year-old psychic girl. Professor Kasuminome, head scientist at Doress, sends various assassins and monsters to try and kill Ikuro, in means of stopping the Baoh virus from spreading and infecting the world.

Characters

Main characters

;:
;Sumire:, Kem Helms

Doress

The Secret Organization Doress created Baoh and seeks to kill Ikuro before the virus can spread.
;Dr. Kasuminome:, Mike Way
;Sophine:, Sara Seidman
;Number 22:, Sean P. O'Connell
;Dordo:, Dave Underwood
;Walken:, Chuck Denson

Licensing

The manga was licensed in English and released in monthly chapters by Viz Media in 1990; sales were pitiful, and it was not until 1995 that they released it in tankōbon format. The OVA was licensed for an English DVD release by AnimEigo in 2000 and was released in 2001.

Other appearances

The series' main protagonist, Ikuro Hashizawa, was featured as a downloadable playable character in in his Baoh form, as part of the game's five waves of DLC characters and campaign modes.

Reception

, most famous for his manga Shaman King, said it was one of his favorite series along with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in his youth.