Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Season 1 Review – Pure zombie fun at its finest

Episode Guide

Episode 1: Akira of the Dead -| Review Score – 5/5
Episode 2: Bucket List of the Dead -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 3: Best Friend of the Dead -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4: Flight Attendant of the Dead -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 5: Hero of the Dead -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 6: RV of the Dead -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7: Truck Stop of the Dead -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 8: Sushi & Hot Springs of the Dead -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 9: Treehouse of the Dead -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 10:  Hometown of the Dead I -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 11: Hometown of the Dead II -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 12: Hometown of the Dead III -| Review Score – 4/5

In a post-pandemic world full of countless delays and unexpected errors, many video games, films, TV shows, and anime have suffered immensely from it. Recently, the entertainment industry has faced countless problems. Some examples include lackluster audience retention, staff mistreatment, and delays. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead was one of the many anime that lost a chunk of its audience due to its release schedule. 

Fortunately, Bug Films released the remaining episodes on Christmas Day, giving viewers a zombie-filled program to enjoy on the holiday. While the live-action Netflix film was enjoyable at best, BugFilms’s anime adaptation provides audiences with an exhilarating, vibrant, and gratifying take on Haro Aso’s beloved zombie apocalypse manga. Our story follows a production department worker named Akira. Despite loving his job at first, he starts loathing it because of the excessive toll it’s having on his mental state.

One day, he visits his building manager and discovers he’s in a zombie apocalypse. Free from his tormenting job, Akira purchases a notebook and plans to complete 100 items on his list before he inevitably perishes. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead offers a great mix of action and comedy with drops of complexity thrown in to help it stand amongst other zombie-related media. Like some zombie media, this one opts for a more optimistic view of the apocalypse through Akira and others’ characters. 

While his views will shift occasionally because of the people he meets during his journey with Kencho, Shizuka, and Beatrix, he retains his strong, determined spirit throughout the work. Moreover, this anime offers incredible social commentary regarding Japan’s harsh work environments and exceptionally handles themes like depression, survival, and pursuing one’s dreams. This series’s exploration of these topics throughout its run helps it stand toe-to-toe with other great zombie anime of the past and present. 

Coupled with excellent twists, alluring dialogue, well-executed cliffhangers, nice foreshadowing, and epic confrontations, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead tale is nearly perfect. Unfortunately, the series’s tale has a few issues worth addressing. The comedy, while varied, can be bothersome for some folks and sometimes hampers the series’s emotive-heavy moments. Whether it’s Kencho’s nudity jokes or Beatrix’s recurring phrases, some may not adore Haro Aso’s style of humor in this work. 

Additionally, this story contains some scenes that feel a bit too unrealistic and will leave viewers in a questioned state. One example occurs in episode ten involving Higurashi and his goons leading a pack of zombies to Akira’s hometown. Some viewers may find the scenario strange, considering what happens between the zombies and Higurashi’s goons in the follow-up episode. Moreover, the story has instances of plot convenience worth mentioning, notably in its final act involving Mr. Kumano’s sudden arrival. 

While it’s great to see our heroes and the villagers survive, some will question the validity of Mr. Kumano showing up out of nowhere with a spare suspension bridge. Besides those problems, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead delivers a story that’s colorful, exciting, and full of life. As for its characters, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead offers a wonderful cast for viewers to develop strong connections with. From Akira to Shizuka, many will adore seeing these characters interact with each other and the world they envelop. 

Akira and Shizuka are the most interesting characters from the main squad. These two receive exceptional development throughout the work and their contrasting personalities offer viewers much to ponder as they watch this tale unfold. From Akira’s optimistic view of the apocalypse to Shizuka’s more sensible and risk-free approach, you’ll adore seeing these two characters’ ideals clash and come together when the story calls for it. 

Kencho and Beatrix are fun characters and have their share of fascinating moments, but leave much to be desired on the development front. As for the antagonists, besides Higurashi and Akira’s manager, none of them stand out too much. While Akira’s manager and Higurashi have their share of faults, Haro Aso gives these characters decent enough characterization and activities to prevent them from feeling forgettable and dull. Altogether, this story’s compelling cast should keep fans invested throughout its 12-episode run. 

Despite the frequent delays, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead’s visuals and animation remain consistent throughout its entire run. Bug Films fabulously brought Haro Aso’s beloved manga to life. From the studio’s excellent camera techniques to the anime’s intense fights and confrontational segments, fans will be immersed in Zom 100’s colorful zombie universe. In addition to portraying our character’s emotions through color and imagery, BugFilms put in notable effort for this anime, which fans will appreciate.

Also, the anime’s soundtrack is equally enjoyable. Through great voice work and compelling background music, it often makes the series’s extreme and pleasant moments pop more. Although the animation is great, the sound team in Zom 100 deserves equal recognition for their time and effort. Whether you love the music used for the action scenes or enjoy listening to the opening and ending theme songs on repeat, this series’s soundtrack is unforgettable.

Despite losing momentum due to unfortunate real-world causes, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead delivers an exceptional and uplifting zombie tale for fans to enjoy. Although it has its flaws, this horror comedy delivers enough phenomenal material to make fans laugh, smile, and cry throughout its entire run.

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