When a prolific scientist on the verge of revealing a cutting-edge ecological technology is levitated into the air by a mysterious, sentient vapor, then inflated and burst like a pulpy water balloon on live television, journalists, police officers, politicians, yakuza, and wannabe YouTubers descend into chaos. They scramble to explain what happened and why, and put a stop to the suit-wearing force of nature at the center of it all, the Human Vapor, who wastes no time forecasting his next public execution.
Even with its crowded mix of characters chasing or exploiting the creature’s political assassinations, Human Vapor‘s overarching narrative doesn’t hit as hard as it aims. But across eight episodes, the sci‑fi series still finds its footing as an evocative drama (with comedic sparks) in a streaming world where big marquee spectacle frequently overshadows meaningful thematic weight. Inspired by TOHO’s 1960s tokusatsu film of the same name, Human Vapor goes from a noncommittal, fascinating show on Netflix to appointment viewing once it hits its stride in its third episode. Reimagining the titular character from a pedantic man with mysterious powers committing a string of robberies to a grisly serial killer, director Shinzô Katayama’s Netflix thriller approaches sci-fi horror like Leigh Whannell’s 2020 The Invisible Man. It also has flashes of the levity and charm synonymous with the tokusatsu genre to keep things from being too dour. At the center of Human Vapor‘s tale is officer Kenji Okamoto (Shun Oguri), whose recent suspension is lifted to help end the Human Vapor’s (Uta Uchida) supernatural serial killings. It’s a matter made all the more complicated by Kenji’s ex, reporter Kono Kyoko (Yû Aoi), being the broadcaster who got a front-row splatter seat at the scientist’s visceral explosion and hunting for answers in the aftermath. Add in a pair of sibling horror-core YouTubers, eccentric yakuza members, and egotistical politicians, and you’ve got yourself a smorgasbord of converging storylines and colorful characters for Human Vapor to weave itself through.
