Highschool of the Dead

Anime News Network reported that the “Highschool of the Dead” manga written by Daisuke Satou and drawn by Shoji Sato will not only continue after a long hiatus, but will also receive an anime adaptation.

Although horror is not my genre, liked how the plot focused not only on action and horror, but showcased the practical and social ramifications of such a world altering event, including how it affects the protagonists.

While most characters are based on tried and true generic types, the manga does delve into their psyche in interesting ways, fleshing them out and for some actually gives them more daring darker personal traits.

The fact these darker traits are shown to not especially be triggered by the onslaught of the zombies and downfall of society, but might be innate to the characters gives them additional depth and realism.

Especially Saeko is an interesting character in that particular aspect.

While she starts off as the archetype perfect and skilled beauty who’s lethal with the blade, much like Shizuku in “Kämpfer” or Tomoe in “Queen’s Blade”, it’s hinted she may have been a sadist all along which brings her to feel inferior to the others.

The typical zombie story elements are all present, but “Highschool of the Dead” spends enough time away from the action and obligatory ecchi harem subplot of the girls smitten on the male lead to illustrate how daily life becomes a struggle and what practical issues the characters face.

Like Shoji Sato’s art, he has a very signature style that leaves no doubt one of the main elements in “Highschool of the Dead” are its shapely, busty maidens. In fact the manga already spawned a few figure releases, notably a daring figure of Saeko based on the famous illustration of the long haired katana wielding beauty in nothing but a frilly apron.

Am glad the manga will carry on and also am looking forward to the anime adaptation. If well executed, the anime could provide a solid horror series.

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