Is This a Zombie?

Even after someone has passed away, not everyone is given another chance to avenge themselves and solve the murder. But what if the second life they receive is more akin to being undead than living? At least they are allowed to live and love. Hold on tight; this ride is going to be a wild one!

The Studio Deen-produced anime version of "Is This a Zombie?" aired 12 episodes from January 10 to April 4 on TV Saitama, Chiba TV, and Sun TV. Subsequent show airings were on Gifu Broadcasting System, Inc., KBS Kyoto, Mie TV, Tokyo MX, TV Kanagawa, TVQ, Nico Nico Channel, and AT-X. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami caused a week to be added to the release dates of episodes 10 and so on. On their streaming website, Crunchyroll also simultaneously broadcasted the series. On June 10th, 2011, the eighth light novel and the thirteenth episode of an OVA were made available on DVD.

Funimation obtained the North American rights to the anime and began airing the episodes on December 4th, 2012. On July 15th, 2015, the American television network Chiller aired the program during their Anime Wednesdays block. Less than a month later, Chiller unexpectedly canceled their "Anime Wednesday" program. The 12 episodes of this wonderful animation lasted 24 minutes each. This anime, which included the genres of action, comedy, supernatural, and ecchi while having the theme of harem, was based on the light novel of the same name. It received an R-17+ rating due to the profanity and violence.

Under the Fujimi Fantasia Bunko brand, Fujimi Shobo has been releasing 19 volumes of the Shinichi Kimura Light Book Series since January 2009. These volumes feature artwork by Kobuichi and Muririn. On January 9th, 2010, the shōnen manga magazine Monthly's "Dragon Age" began serializing a Sacchi manga adaptation. Kadokawa Shoten issued the first bound volume on August 5th, 2010; eight volumes were still available in Japan as of December 6th, 2013.

“Is This a Zombie?” is a 4-koma adaptation drawn by Mūpa. A third manga adaptation is titled "Kore wa Zonbi Desu ka? Hai, Anata no Yome desu,” which was also serialized in Monthly Dragon Age, with illustrations by Ryō Hasemi. On December 30th, 2009, Marine Entertainment released a drama CD for "Is This a Zombie?" The special and standard copies of the drama CD were made available, and the first printings of both versions included a B2-sized poster. There was also a pamphlet by Shinichi Kimura and a phone card with artwork by Kobuichi, and Muririn included in the limited edition.

A high school student, Ayumu Aikawa, 16, is tragically killed while looking into a suspicious residence. However, he soon finds himself beside Eucliwood Hellscythe, a strangely armored female. She says she is a necromancer who brought Ayumu back to life and turned him into a zombie. With the gift of immortality, Ayumu sets out to find his murderer. One day, while searching in a graveyard, he comes across a noisy little girl called Haruna, battling a bear with a chainsaw while dressed as a magical girl.

Haruna tries to erase Ayumu's memory of her when she kills the beast, but he instead takes her magic for himself. Haruna now tells Ayumu to take over her job as a hunter of the strange "Megalo" monsters that roam the land and threaten the people. This is because Haruna has lost her powers. The everyday shenanigans of the human-turned-zombie Ayumu are followed in "Is This a Zombie?" as he starts his new, absurd existence where the paranormal becomes the usual.

The anime began rather normally, but after only a minute or so, everything goes crazy as the identity of the man who transformed into a zombie is revealed in a cruel yet hilarious way. Since the exciting and hilarious first episode, I have had trouble controlling my laughter. As I've already noted, how this anime exploits genre clichés like a harem, shonen, fantasy, fanservice, and even a highly hinted Yaoi makes it unique.

Either way, the anime centers on Ayumu, a zombie revived by a quiet, cute necromancer named "Eu," who regards him as a servant and friend, as the title suggests. He uses his newfound life and shockingly superhuman abilities to track down his killer. If all of this seems extremely somber and profound, trust me when I say that the first episode derails it. Ayumu getting hit by a car in a ridiculous way is a funny moment that immediately takes away the sad mood of the first few minutes of the episode.

This program really excels at its characters. The list goes on and on: a refreshing zombie lead male; an even cooler necromancer female (my favorite anime girl); an ill-mouthed vamp ninja; an elaborate masou-shoujo; and that's only the beginning. Laughable adversaries known as "Megalos," psychopathic antagonists, and hilarious allies also join the bandwagon.

The characters are all wonderful in their own right, too. Speaking of the protagonist, Ayumu is your usual lazy-eyed, spiky-haired lead. He may be compared to characters like Ichika from Endless Stratos and Tomoya from Clannad, but I think he is most similar to Sato from the anime Ben-To. Both are vivacious men who don't actively seek out perversion but wouldn't pass up the opportunity to have a peek. They also don't act timidly when discovered.

In truth, there are many parallels between Ben-To and "Is This a Zombie?" including the ridiculous story ideas, the tempo and tone, and the sporadic humor. Like Ben-To, I occasionally found the absurd parts startling, and I thought it was wonderful how they blended in with the story's semi-serious tone. The previously mentioned moe necromancer, Eu, is one of the more distinguished characters in "Is This a Zombie?” Eucliwood Hellscythe is her full name, and she is a lot more outgoing than the typical "moe girl."

In relation to art, it is quite lovely. The character designs are stylish and well done. They range from normal clothes to armored clothes for a necromancer. Having a good sense of humor is important in the mix. The settings, which range from a high school to a cemetery, are all really expressive and cool.

In the audio department, this anime has excellent voice acting, good overall background effects, and a killer opener! Iori Nomizu's "Leave-It-To-Me Tonight" (Tonight, Ma-Ka-Se-Te Tonight) serves as the opening theme, while "Notice Me, Mr. Zombie, I am your Classmate" (Kizuite Zonbi-sama, Watashi wa Kurasumeito Desu) by Rie Yamaguchi with Manzo was the humorous closing tune. Iori Nomizu's "Passionato" (Pashonāto) is the second season's opening theme, while Rie Yamaguchi's "I'm a Beginner at Love” (Koi no Beginā Nan Desu) is the season's closing theme.

What else have I got to say about Zombie Desu Ka? Sometimes it's just plain strange; other times, it's ludicrous, violent, random, and so on. However, it's also epic, funny, moving, and unexpected at multiple points. There aren't many TV shows that blend harem, comedy, the supernatural, gore, and school life, as well as "Kore wa Zombie desu ka?" does so effortlessly. If you enjoy any of the aforementioned genres, you must try this. You may not like it, but it won’t hurt to try it for yourself. Mostly recommended!