The novel was adapted into a two-volume manga by Yoshimoto Books, an elementary student's novel, two television specials by Fuji TV, another novel by Hiroshi's brother and a parody film by Hideo Jōjō.

[1]: 390  The novel's simple language, excessive use of exclamations, bold type and cartoon drawings are reminiscent of an adolescent's diary in the days before blogs.

"[1]: 392  The children's book was marketed through the use of the obi strip as being "full of affection for parents", framing the "importance of home and family" in homeless narratives.

[6][7] On July 24, 2008, Wani Books published an abridged version of the novel for elementary students, illustrated by Yūji Yamamoto, using large-print and hiragana instead of kanji.

[14][15] On October 25, 2008, Kenichi Tamura, Hiroshi's brother, released a book with his own version of the novel, titled Homeless University Student (ホームレス大学生, Hōmuresu daigakusei).

[9] The Homeless Student film premiered on the box office in fourth place, with $1.2 million over 90,246 admissions on 309 screens.

However, he criticizes the casting of Teppei Koike as he "is nearly a decade older than his character and looks it, no matter how wide he opens those baby-fawn eyes.

"[12] Midnight Eye's Miguel Douglas further criticizes the film for showing that "Hiroshi doesn't have the slightest chance of dying from hunger or lack of shelter".

He continues his criticism of the "highly unrealistic" with "complete strangers" that "show an incredible amount of decency and hospitality towards [Hiroshi]".