Zombieland Saga: A Revolutionary Take on Idol Anime

Zombieland Saga

The idol genre has been part of the world of anime for many years now. However, it is hard to make something unique and exciting while sticking to this genre, as you always have to follow a similar premise that focuses on the journey of an idol group. Zombieland Saga is an anime that takes an entirely new approach to the genre and gets all of us hooked. The humor in this anime is decent, and despite generally portraying a light-hearted mood, the anime can get serious and emotional at times. The first season of Zombieland Saga aired in 2018, and a sequel titled Zombieland Saga Revenge aired in 2021.

Zombieland Saga emerged from a unique creative vision when MAPPA's CEO requested a story centered around Saga Prefecture. The production team, led by director Munehisa Sakai (Love Live! School Idol Project, Sailor Moon Crystal), decided to revolutionize the idol genre by introducing supernatural elements. Series composer Shigeru Murakoshi and character designer Kasumi Fukagawa joined forces to create this distinctive blend of comedy and commentary.

Zombieland Saga’s plot follows a girl named Sakura Minamoto, whose ultimate dream is to one day become an idol. However, her plan comes to a close when she dies because of a sudden car accident. Ten years later, Sakura wakes up again but has no memories of her past life. The girl soon finds out that she is a zombie! She was revived by a guy named Koutaro Tatsumi, who explained that he had revived her to save Saga Prefecture. Koutaro has resurrected seven girls from different eras to form an idol group and become its manager. The girls decide to name their idol group, Franchouchou! Zombieland Saga shows us the struggle of these seven girls named Yuugiri, Lily Hoshikawa, Saki Nikaidou, Tae Yamada, Sakura Minamoto, Ai Mizuno, and Junko Konno as they try to win the hearts of all their fans while hiding the fact that they are zombies. Despite how the plot makes it sound, Zombieland Saga is not just a parody of the idol genre. This anime can be hilarious, emotional, and shocking at the same time. While the anime initially seems quite light-hearted, we learn more about the girls’ individual lives after a few episodes and begin to understand them. Zombieland Saga is quite entertaining, as the story gets more and more interesting with every episode, and the anime does not get repetitive.

My second favorite aspect of Zombieland Saga is the brilliant animation. Handled by the legendary anime studio MAPPA, which is responsible for many gems like Jujutsu Kaisen and Dororo, the animation of Zombieland Saga is perfect. The art style is similar to other modern anime, but the animation has excellent fluidity that immerses you in the show. Being an anime about an idol group, of course, Zombieland Saga has a lot of original songs, and the performances look breathtaking. The anime does use CGI from time to time, but it still looks pretty good.

The characters make Zombieland Saga come alive. My favorite aspect of the Zombieland Saga is its brilliant cast of relatable characters. While they might not seem like much at first, you learn more about these zombie girls’ past lives and struggles as you progress in the story. These girls have pretty realistic personalities, and these personalities further develop along the way. Unlike most idol anime characters, the girls in this anime are not just represented using certain traits, making them seriously likable.

In the dimly lit mansion that serves as both home and practice space for Franchouchou, seven unique souls find themselves bound together by fate and Koutaro's mysterious agenda. At the heart of this unlikely ensemble stands Sakura Minamoto, known simply as Zombie 1, whose ordinary dreams of idol stardom were cut tragically short. Now resurrected, she faces the extraordinary chance to achieve her dreams, though without memories of her past life to guide her. Her journey from an ordinary high school student to a zombie idol mirrors the viewers' discovery of this supernatural world. Standing beside her is Ai Mizuno, former center of the legendary idol group Iron Frill, whose promising career ended in a tragic lightning strike. The dynamic between Ai and Sakura adds fascinating complexity to the group, as Sakura's former admiration transforms into a partnership of equals in their undead state. Ai's honest nature and professional experience are invaluable to the fledgling group, though her tragic end sometimes haunts her decisions.

The group finds its edge in Saki Nikaidou, the resident rebel whose past as a legendary biker gang leader brings an unexpected dimension to their performances. While her rough exterior and occasional abrasiveness might suggest otherwise, Saki's fierce loyalty and natural leadership abilities make her an essential part of Franchouchou's success. Her transformation from delinquent to idol creates some of the show's most compelling moments. Junko Konno, another former idol from an earlier era, brings her challenges to the group. At 19, her traditional performance style and solo experience initially clashed with modern idol culture and group dynamics. Yet her struggle to adapt represents the evolution of the idol industry itself, making her journey particularly poignant.

From the Meiji era comes Yuugiri, whose elegant demeanor belies her remarkable adaptability. Despite being from the oldest period, she approaches modern life with graceful curiosity. Her mature presence serves as both a stabilizing force and a bridge between eras, offering wisdom that transcends her apparent age of 19 years. Lily Hoshikawa, the youngest member and former child actress, brings innocence and unexpected depth to the group. Her sweet and approachable nature masks complex layers of character development, and her storyline touches on profound themes of identity and acceptance with remarkable sensitivity. Her occasional personality shifts add an intriguing dimension to her character. The mysterious Tae Yamada, still entirely in her zombie state, might seem like simple comic relief at first glance. However, her unpredictable energy and gradual development become one of the show's most intriguing subplots. Her authentic zombie behavior often leads to hilarious situations and surprisingly touching moments.

Orchestrating this supernatural spectacle is the flamboyant Koutaro Tatsumi, whose eccentric management style and unwavering determination drive the group forward. Behind his theatrical personality lies a deeper purpose, though his methods often defy common sense. His absolute commitment to achieving greatness with Franchouchou makes him endearing and essential to their success. Together, this diverse group of undead performers creates a dynamic that transcends their supernatural circumstances, forming bonds that feel remarkably human despite their zombie nature.

The series masterfully uses its supernatural premise to address the idol industry's darker aspects. Through clever humor and absurdist elements, the show comments on controlling management practices, unrealistic expectations placed on performers, and the sacrifice of personal identity required in the idol industry. This careful balance between comedy and criticism allows the show to tackle serious themes while maintaining its entertainment value. The unique approach quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase, with viewers particularly appreciating how it balanced humor with thoughtful commentary. Franchouchou's performances became famous beyond the anime context, with the voice cast receiving praise for their acting and singing abilities. Zombieland Saga is one of the most entertaining idol anime you can watch. The humor in this anime is just perfect, and the show beautifully blends it with the serious aspects of the story to give us something delightful. Every episode is a new and wholesome adventure for these girls! Zombieland Saga is certainly not the type of anime that every anime fan can enjoy, so I recommend this show to people looking for something light-hearted, funny, and wholesome.