"Baoh the Caller" centers on a young man named Ikuro Hashizawa, who becomes the unwilling host for a powerful, parasitic bioweapon known as Baoh (short for "Biological Armament On Help").
The plot unfolds as follows:
* The Organization: A secret Japanese "black projects" organization called Doress (or Judas in some adaptations) is engaged in unethical biological and psychic experiments, aiming to create super-soldiers and gain global dominance.
* Ikuro's Transformation: Ikuro is kidnapped by Doress and implanted with the Baoh parasite. This parasite lies dormant until its host is threatened, at which point it transforms Ikuro into a monstrous, highly powerful killing machine with abilities like superhuman strength, rapid regeneration, acid manipulation, and projectile attacks.
* Escape and Alliance: A young psychic girl named Sumire, also a captive of Doress due to her precognitive abilities, helps Ikuro escape from the organization.
* The Chase: Doress, desperate to recover their escaped experiment and prevent the Baoh virus from spreading, sends a relentless array of assassins, cyborgs, and powerful psychics after Ikuro and Sumire. These encounters trigger Ikuro's transformations, leading to brutal and graphic battles.
* Sumire's Abduction and Confrontation: Eventually, Sumire is captured by Doress, forcing Ikuro to storm their underground headquarters. He battles his way through the organization's defenses, facing off against increasingly dangerous foes, including their most powerful psychic warrior, Walken.
* Climax and Resolution: The story culminates in a final, explosive showdown between Baoh and Walken, which ultimately leads to the destruction of Doress and Walken's defeat. Ikuro, though transformed, manages to protect Sumire. The ending often leaves Ikuro in a state of suspended animation, with Sumire predicting his eventual return.
The overarching theme of "Baoh the Caller" revolves around the ethical implications of genetic experimentation, the fight for freedom against a ruthless organization, and the bond that forms between two outcasts. It's known for its intense and graphic violence, as well as being a precursor to many of Hirohiko Araki's signature stylistic elements that would later be prominent in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure."