Highschool of the Dead is a popular anime and manga series that depicts the survival of a group of high school students during a zombie apocalypse. The series is known for its action-packed scenes, fanservice, and gore, but is it worth watching? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of Highschool of the Dead, and help you decide if it is a show for you.
What is Highschool of the Dead about?
Highschool of the Dead, or HOTD for short, is based on a manga series written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō. It was serialized in Monthly Dragon Age magazine from 2006 to 2013, but was left unfinished due to the author’s death in 2017. The manga has seven volumes, and was adapted into a 12-episode anime series by Madhouse in 2010, as well as an OVA episode in 2011.
The story follows a group of high school students who witness the outbreak of a mysterious virus that turns people into zombies, or “them” as they call them. They manage to escape their school, and team up with a school nurse, a young girl, and a dog. Along the way, they encounter other survivors, as well as hostile groups of humans who pose a threat to their safety. They also try to find their families, and uncover the cause and extent of the pandemic.
The main characters of the series are:
- Takashi Komuro: The leader of the group, and a childhood friend of Rei. He is brave, loyal, and resourceful, but also struggles with his feelings for Rei and Saeko.
- Rei Miyamoto: A classmate and girlfriend of Takashi’s best friend, Hisashi, who was bitten by a zombie and killed by Takashi. She is skilled with a spear, but also emotional and impulsive. She has a complicated relationship with Takashi, and harbors a grudge against the school’s corrupt teacher, Shidō.
- Saeko Busujima: The president of the kendo club, and a master of the sword. She is calm, composed, and intelligent, but also has a dark side that enjoys killing zombies. She develops a bond with Takashi, and often acts as his confidante.
- Kouta Hirano: An otaku and a gun enthusiast, who becomes the group’s marksman. He is timid and nerdy, but also brave and reliable when it comes to firearms. He has a crush on Saya, and often bickers with her.
- Saya Takagi: The daughter of a wealthy and influential politician, and a genius in academics. She is arrogant, bossy, and sarcastic, but also caring and loyal to her friends. She helps the group with her knowledge and analytical skills, and has a soft spot for Kouta.
- Shizuka Marikawa: The school nurse, and the oldest member of the group. She is kind, cheerful, and optimistic, but also clumsy and naive. She drives the group’s vehicle, a Humvee, and provides medical care when needed.
- Alice Maresato: A young girl who was rescued by the group after her father was killed by a zombie. She is innocent, sweet, and cheerful, and brings a sense of hope to the group. She is accompanied by a dog named Zeke, who can detect zombies.
What are the pros of Highschool of the Dead?
Highschool of the Dead has many positive aspects that make it an enjoyable and entertaining show for many viewers. Some of the pros are:
- The animation and art style are high-quality and impressive, especially the action scenes and the backgrounds. The character designs are also attractive and distinctive, and the zombies are well-detailed and scary.
- The action and horror elements are thrilling and exciting, as the group faces various challenges and dangers from zombies and humans alike. The fights are intense and creative, and the gore is realistic and graphic.
- The story and characters are engaging and intriguing, as the group tries to survive and find answers in a chaotic and hostile world. The plot has many twists and turns, and the characters have their own personalities, backgrounds, and development.
- The fanservice and comedy elements are abundant and amusing, as the show does not shy away from showing the characters’ sexuality and humor. The fanservice is mostly ecchi and suggestive, rather than explicit and vulgar, and the comedy is mostly light-hearted and funny, rather than offensive and crude.
What are the cons of Highschool of the Dead?
Highschool of the Dead is not a perfect show, and it has some flaws and drawbacks that may turn off some viewers. Some of the cons are:
- The fanservice and comedy elements are excessive and distracting, as the show often focuses on the characters’ breasts and panties, rather than the plot and the action. The fanservice is also unrealistic and exaggerated, as the characters’ bodies defy the laws of physics and logic. The comedy is also sometimes forced and out of place, as the show tries to lighten the mood in serious and tense situations.
- The story and characters are clichéd and inconsistent, as the show relies on tropes and stereotypes, rather than originality and depth. The plot has many holes and loose ends, and the characters’ actions and motivations are often illogical and contradictory. The show also lacks a proper ending, as it ends on a cliffhanger that is unlikely to be resolved.
- The tone and theme are dark and pessimistic, as the show depicts a bleak and hopeless world, where humanity is doomed and morality is lost. The show does not offer much hope or optimism, and the characters face constant despair and tragedy. The show also does not explore the social and psychological aspects of the zombie apocalypse, and instead focuses on the superficial and sensational aspects.
Is Highschool of the Dead Worth Watching?
Highschool of the Dead is a show that has its strengths and weaknesses, and its appeal depends on the preferences and expectations of the viewer. For those who enjoy action, horror, fanservice, and comedy, Highschool of the Dead may be a fun and entertaining show to watch. For those who prefer plot, character, originality, and realism, Highschool of the Dead may be a disappointing and frustrating show to watch. Ultimately, the best way to decide if Highschool of the Dead is worth watching or not is to watch it yourself, and form your own opinion.
FAQs
- Q: Is Highschool of the Dead finished?
- A: No, Highschool of the Dead is not finished. The manga was left unfinished due to the author’s death in 2017, and the anime only covers the first four volumes of the manga. There is no official confirmation or announcement of a sequel or a remake.
- Q: Is Highschool of the Dead on Netflix?
- A: No, Highschool of the Dead is not on Netflix. However, you can watch Highschool of the Dead on other streaming platforms, such as Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
- Q: Is Highschool of the Dead censored?
- A: Yes, Highschool of the Dead is censored in some regions and platforms, due to its explicit and graphic content. The censored version of Highschool of the Dead has black bars, white flashes, or zoomed-in shots to cover the nudity and gore. The uncensored version of Highschool of the Dead has no such edits, and shows the full extent of the fanservice and violence.
- Q: Is Highschool of the Dead a harem?
- A: Yes, Highschool of the Dead is a harem, as it features one male protagonist who is surrounded by multiple female characters who are attracted to him or have romantic feelings for him. The show also has many scenes that showcase the female characters’ bodies and interactions with the male protagonist. However, Highschool of the Dead is not a typical harem, as it also has a serious and dark plot, and does not have a clear or definitive ending.