Action

Comedy

Suspense

Studio Bug Film, being a fairly new studio, knocked this one out of the park. I can tell just by looking at the art and animation that the studio put a lot of work and sweat into it. Of course, the employees are not new by any means and worked on other series like Komi-san and Summertime Rendering, but man, the art and animation are really good.

Vivid colours in a zombie outbreak with blood being multiple bright colours is a genius idea that looks excellent. The creative use of a colourless world for Akira while working like a corporate slave and a colourful world after he gains his freedom is also a nice touch.

The animation is very dynamic with fantastic multiple camera perspectives and camera work too. The action is fluid, especially for how much action and frantic movement this show has. The special effects are also fantastic but not overdone.

The only downside would be the multiple delays, I guess, which I am forgiving of since the studio is new and might not have the best time management system yet. The studio also makes fun of overtime work at their previous studio, so I don’t mind them taking their time to get things done if it means not overworking.

I find all the main characters quite endearing in this anime and their backstories are shown quite well and make the viewer understand why the characters are like what they are now and in equal screen time too.

Akira, our protagonist of the show, is of course a cheerful, optimistic, and caring guy and watching him makes me feel happy and optimistic too. Yes, his personality is not only infectious to the characters in the show but also to me, the viewer.

Kenichirou is also another bright and optimistic bugger whose first impression seems like a guy who doesn’t give a damn about what is going on around him but actually a decent and caring person who knows how to treat people right. It really shows in the last episode where Kenichirou understands the other villain’s wife more than the villain himself. Shout out to Kenichirou’s stripping tendency and his comedic moments too.

Shizuka’s first impression is that she is too calculating and strict while not knowing how to have fun. This makes her see Akira as a fool who is going to die in the zombie outbreak soon. She does change slowly over time as she travels with Akira’s infectious optimism and becomes a more lovable character.

Beatrix at first seems like a trope foreigner character who speaks Japanese in a foreign accent and is a samurai otaku. However, I find her lovely in the way she immerses and respects Japanese culture and despite not having a lot of development throughout the show, she gets her time to shine in the last episode and shine she does.

The antagonists in the ending episodes also get good backstories to help the viewer understand where they are coming from but feel a little bit rushed which makes it hard for me to sympathize with them. Not to mention, some of the outcomes are all due to their own actions. Even though I hope the protagonist’s team beats their ass to no tomorrow, I think how the antagonists meet their end is satisfying enough for me.

Zom 100 - Bucket List of the Dead

Zom 100 - Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto

The opening song, “Song of the Dead” by KANA-BOON, is a total head-banger. Not only does it fit the theme, but it is also really upbeat, fun, and playlist-worthy. I love the part in the opening song where zombies are tapping on smartphones on the train, which perfectly embodies our current society. The ending song isn’t so bad, but less catchy and a bit more generic compared to the opening song.

The background music is also unique and doesn’t sound like it was taken from some stock sound website, but I won’t say it is memorable. The background music in this anime is the kind that is used to support the scene to make it feel more epic, comedic, or sombre, and it does its job nicely.

The voice acting is excellent; I like all the cast voices. Akira’s voice actor, Umeda Shuuichirou, despite mostly working in supporting character roles, nailed Akira’s optimistic personality and also did a great job during Akira’s depressed moments. I also really like Beatrix’s voice actor’s impression of a foreigner’s Japanese pronunciation, which I find quite cute.

Zom 100 is a zombie dystopian anime series, but it is different from others as it paints things in a more bright and positive light. Not to mention, under the layer of a simple plot is the theme of freedom and more importantly, disciplined freedom which doesn’t get in the way of others.

Akira, the protagonist of the anime, starts out working in a toxic company where his soul is shackled by long work hours and a hellish work environment. Everything is dark and gray, until the zombie pandemic breaks out and Akira gets his freedom. Colours return to his life and he is free to do whatever he wants.

Akira decides to write a bucket list which will be made up of 100 items before he turns into a zombie and explores the city where he meets other people and future companions: Kenichirou, Shizuka, and Beatrix. Companions who will share his bucket list and go on an adventure together with him.

The comedy is really good due to the story taking an optimistic and non-serious approach for a zombie outbreak, which usually is a dark time. This leads to a lot of hilarious and optimistic plots, such as Akira fighting zombies in a shark suit with full helmet protection or his friend Kenichirou shaking his bare butt to the zombies.

Of course, it is not all sunshine and bright. People do die since this is a zombie outbreak after all, but the story pays enough respect to them and moves on with life, or should I say plot, in an optimistic manner.

Antagonists do exist, but not in the form of physical threats, but more in the form of mindsets, such as Akira finding his old boss and getting haunted by the past, almost turning back into a corporate slave. The final few episodes also embody the difference between disciplined freedom and selfish freedom, where the antagonists are the opposite of the protagonist’s team, with very selfish and destructive bucket lists.

There are also other moral lessons to learn, such as working with others and the community to achieve things, unlike one of the antagonists. Respecting other cultures and integrating in them, instead of seeking to colonize and control them like the modern-day woke people and anime tourists do.

Probably the most hard-hitting part is Akira realizing he hasn’t done anything for his parents. I am at that age where I am trying to give back what I can for my parents, so I fully sympathize with him. The last few episodes are probably the most serious moments of the series too.

Overall, a bright and comedic anime full of life lessons to emulate from, even in the darkest times and when you are down in the dump. I just hope it gets more seasons.

Zom 100 - Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto Review

Zom 100 - Bucket List of the Dead

Minor Spoiler Ahead (￣￣|||)

Reviewed After : Season Completion

Final Score

9

Zom 100 - Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto Review

Zom 100 - Bucket List of the Dead

Minor Spoiler Ahead (￣ ￣|||)

Reviewed After : Season Completion

Final Score

9

Minor Spoiler Ahead (￣￣|||)