Highschool of the Dead

Picture this: you're in school, daydreaming about this and that during class, when suddenly a zombie outbreak occurs! Chaos ensues, and you're thrust into a game of survival where danger lurks around every corner. But there's also a twist: you're not alone! A group of stunning girls joins you, and now you must fight together to survive and defend one another.

It's a scenario straight out of a video game or anime, but it felt all too real for a moment. In this article, we'll explore the fantasy of surviving a zombie outbreak with a group of lovely ladies, examining the appeal of this trope and what it says about our cultural imagination. So grab your weapons and get ready to fight, because the zombies are coming and you're not going down without a fight!

"Highschool of the Dead" is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired on the Japanese network AT-X from July to September 2010, with subsequent broadcasts on several other networks. Produced by Geneon Universal Entertainment, Showgate, AT-X, and Madhouse, the series was directed by Tetsurō Araki, with Yōsuke Kuroda handling the series composition, Masayoshi Tanaka designing the characters, and Takafumi Wada composing the music.

The anime is based on a manga of the same name, and each episode lasts 24 minutes. It belongs to the genres of action, horror, supernatural, and ecchi, with themes of gore and survival sprinkled in. This series caters to the demographic of Shounen and is rated R+ for its mild nudity. Geneon Universal Entertainment released six DVD and Blu-ray volumes between September 22nd, 2010 and February 23rd, 2011.

The manga "Highschool of the Dead" was created by Daisuke Sat and illustrated by Shōji Satō. It first appeared in the September 2006 edition of Fujimi Shobo's manga magazine, Monthly Dragon Age. However, the manga was put on hold from 2008 to 2010, with only one more chapter released in April 2013. Unfortunately, the series was left unfinished following Daisuke Satō's death on March 22nd, 2017.

From March 1st, 2007 to April 25th, 2011, Fujimi Shobo and Kadokawa Shoten produced seven tankbon volumes in Japan. In March 2011, a light novel, "Highschool of the Dead: The Last Day" (Gakuen Mokushi Highschool of the Dead, Owari no Hi), was released. "Highschool of the Dead" is an anime that features an opening theme called "Highschool of the Dead" by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets and a different closing theme for each episode sung by Maon Kurosaki.

Geneon Universal Entertainment's CD single for the opening theme includes the TV and instrumental versions of the song, as well as a new song called "Ripple" and an instrumental version. On September 22nd, 2010, Geneon released the CD, which includes an original soundtrack and all 12 of Kurosaki's ending themes.

The plot revolves around a group of high school kids and the school nurse dealing with the global pandemic known as the "Outbreak." While attempting to survive the zombie apocalypse, the cast must also contend with the different perils of social collapse in the form of lethal fellow survivors and the potential degradation of their own moral values. Starting from the high school, the students flee into town, where they must contend with a crooked teacher and his students. They even search their homes for survivors and rescue a young girl and a dog.

Afterward, they hide out at a mall, pass through a police station, and ultimately land at an elementary school that is supposed to be a safe haven. "Highschool of the Dead" is an anime that combines zombies with fan service, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy both. Watching this ragtag group of hot high school students and their curvy school nurse fight their way through a zombie apocalypse is entertaining.

It is similar to "The Walking Dead," but with more emphasis on panty shots. If you haven't watched any episodes yet, the opening sequence provides a good idea of what to expect from the first episode, including violence, zombies, and more panty shots. This shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the poster images for this anime as well.

Highschool of the Dead stands out from similar works due to its simplicity. It is an animated depiction of a zombie apocalypse, nothing more, nothing less. Instead of expanding upon its narrative in the vein of AoT, it embraces the imaginative horror of a post-zombie world. Although it isn't original, it does an outstanding job of presenting entertaining zombie media cliches.

Violence is a staple of the anime. With anime-style violence, heads are bashed in. After all, it is the only surefire way to dispose of the living dead. When the world goes mad, people get eaten or shot, and everything else that can go wrong does. A zombie bite infects Hisashi, a supporting character, and causes Takashi to kill him brutally.

The tone of the entire anime is established here, and the audience learns that no one is truly safe. The death of Shizuka Marikawa, the school nurse, is another shocking event in the anime. Shizuka gives her life to save others, and her death is a powerful symbol of the personal costs that each character must bear if they are to continue the story.

The anime masterfully handles its intense scenes and emotional breakdowns, and the atmosphere doesn't feel tense or forced. Some of the characters also had good backstories and reasons for doing what they did, which made them solid and easy to like. But aside from being used as comic relief or waifus, the rest of the cast had unique styles and vibes.

Speaking of the characters, Takashi, Rei, and Saeko make up the core characters in the group. Takashi is your standard brooding hero, while Rei is his childhood friend who has had a crush on him for ages. Saeko is the fearless swordswoman who steals the show with her spectacular combat scenes. But you should read the manga for added effect after watching this series.

Exaggerated action sequences and moves that defy physics are a hallmark of the anime's over-the-top aesthetic. But it is all good fun, right? Some may argue that the female characters are overly sexualized, and I agree with them. Highschool of the Dead is a show that understands and caters to a particular demographic. The film aims to appeal to simple-minded, predominantly male teenagers by providing them with basic action and a surplus of large, jiggling breasts.

Despite this, the animation is smooth and the character designs are distinctive. Meanwhile, High School of the Dead's soundtrack is passable at best, featuring the opening and, as mentioned earlier, ending themes as well as some ominous OSTs that are relatively memorable. However, let's face it—you're not watching this anime for the music.

If you are a cultured individual curious about the ending themes, I have compiled a list of the most widely recognized ones for your perusal. Highschool of the Dead's opening and closing themes are excellent, perfectly encapsulating the feel of the anime. The best High School of the Dead closing themes include: By Maon Kurosaki, "Return to Destiny": This final song plays at the end of episodes 1-3 and 5-11. It has a haunting melody that captures the horror and despair of the anime.

Maon Kurosaki's "Under The Honey Shine": This theme appears at the end of Episode 4. It stands out because it is more upbeat and energetic than the other ending themes. Maon Kurosaki's "Color Me Dark": This theme is used at the end of Episode 12. It is sad and reflective, just like the anime's final moments.

Overall, the ending themes in Highschool of the Dead are well done and capture the mood of the anime. "Return to Destiny" is the most memorable ending theme due to its haunting melody, but "Under The Honey Shine" and "Color Me Dark" are also great in their own way.

The strengths of Highschool of the Dead lie in its intense action sequences. The anime showcases well-animated and adrenaline-pumping battles against hordes of zombies, creating a thrilling viewing experience. The animation quality is generally solid, with attention to detail in the character designs and the depiction of gruesome zombie encounters. The plot's intensity is riveting, and the fact that there are zombies around makes you feel that this cast is genuinely in danger.

However, one of the notable drawbacks of the series is its heavy reliance on fan service. Highschool of the Dead frequently incorporates sexualized depictions of its female characters, which can be off-putting for some viewers. While fan service is typical in anime, its excessive use in this series sometimes detracts from the overall narrative and character development. The balance between the mature themes and the fan service aspect may appeal to only some viewers, especially those seeking a more serious approach to the zombie genre.

Furthermore, the story of Highschool of the Dead is neither innovative nor groundbreaking. It follows many tropes and conventions established within the zombie apocalypse genre. While it executes these elements competently, it needs significant originality or deep exploration of its themes. The plot can be predictable at times, but the fast-paced nature of the series helps maintain engagement throughout its 12-episode run. The anime ends on a cliffhanger, which can be frustrating for viewers who want a more satisfying conclusion.

You’d savor this anime if you enjoy well-done visuals with tons of blood, ecchi, and weapons 24/7. Don't anticipate any real "action" between the characters, and you should be fine. Overall, I believe this is a highly unconventional, entertaining, and cultured guilty pleasure that all anime fans must watch! While this performance may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s something in it for everyone, so long as you’re not underage!