Zom 100 - Coisas para Fazer Antes de Virar Zumbi

I've really appreciated what this show has done for the zombie genre. It's first episode sets the tone for the entire series and establishes that this is really not a zombie show, it's a show about finding happiness. I love all the comparisons to a toxic work environment and I think it really adds to the colorful fun escapism that they make the literal zombie apocalypse out to be. I've looked forward to every episode they've released and I'm just as excited for the next one. I love the feeling of a friend group just doing goofy stuff on a road trip in the middle of what many people would describe as hell.

(Episodes 10-12 have been delayed indefinitely)

For now, let me ignore the frustrating production schedule for this anime. This is a review till episode 9.

The beauty of this anime lies in its simplicity. This is an apocalyptic slice-of-life. As ridiculous as it sounds, somehow it works because of how well the studio Bug Films has envisioned this story.

Zom 100 has one very simple theme - "You only live once". And the story always sticks to the single theme. The author has explored a very different perspective on a Zombie apocalypse. And that alone makes this anime very, very unique. The setup for the protagonist was just perfect for this particular story. Just see the 1st episode and you'll understand.

This is one of those stories that'll make you think about your own life. What's in your bucket list? What are the things you want to do? What's your childhood dream? Or what's your current dream?

The characters are nice and a very wholesome group of 4 forms towards the end of the season. Akira as the protagonist is very integral to the story. As far as his personality goes though, he's not as interesting. The character that actually stole the show was Shizuka. The way she was at the beginning of the anime and how she was slowly influenced by Akira was great to see.

I think they sort of set up a nice cliffhanger towards the end of episode 9 so that we keep waiting for the next 3 episodes to release later. But I do hope that they make a season 2 and take their sweet time instead of rushing into the production and delaying the episodes continuously.

But this is a very good anime and it's great to see the different way in which the author as well as the anime staff has envisioned this story.

Review for Episodes 10-12:

Well, I loved it. It was exactly the kind of finale I would've expected from Zom 100. I think this anime is one of a kind. It knows its message and cherishes it. It also presents itself with a lot of confidence and energy. Just go watch the opening on YouTube and you'll know what I mean. These are exactly the kind of shows that separate anime from other media. Normally, you wouldn't expect a zombie apocalypse story to have a weirdly wholesome, entertaining and somewhat light hearted vibe. But that's exactly what Zom 100 is. There obviously is some dark stuff here and there though. But this anime had a very specific feel to it and I was all for it. This is the way that the author wanted to convey his message. And I found it very creative. The message is very simple, but the way of conveying it is what made this anime what it is. And sometimes simple messages are all that is required for an anime.

The final episode was everything that I love about this series. It brought me to tears - bittersweet ones. It was directed beautifully and animated gorgeously.

I really hope we do get a season 2. I would love to see where this studio goes from here. It would be a shame if they don't continue this series, because so far I have been very impressed with this studio, and this story is worth continuing.

Out of all the Anime airing this season, Zom 100 is probably by far the most promising one in terms of production. It is a novel thing nowadays that Studios in their very first attempt seem to get things so incredibly right in almost every department, and then there is Visual Flight.

Plot: It's a very simple premise to begin with, a little convenient and bordering on pure fantasy, but engaging nonetheless. At first glance Zom 100 is essentially a survival horror amidst a zombie apocalypse, with the absence of horror due to the mindset of certain characters. In that way, it seems to be an animated version of Zombieland, with little sprinkles of Shawn of the Dead laid over it.

Though it is definitely a zombie apocalypse, Zom 100 almost makes it seem like a fun joyride with it's main characters perspective. The way others react is in stark contrast to the way he does, bordering on parody of said genre itself. There is also an easy going video game feel to it, almost reminiscent of the original Prince of Persia or a more modern Sunset Overdrive, which adda a certain charm to it.

This is the way it seems, till you realise that Zombies are merely there as the hook, the real focus of the Anime is actually on the Bucket List. Which is why the Zombies alone make very little sense, because there is no explanation of how it began, it just began, and how little the main character seems to care about them.

Characters: You have your typical group of survivors, or rather in this case, joyriders. The bizarre circumstances are made even more perplexing by the way the characters react to it. On one hand you have a terrified couple losing their mind with how to survive till the next day, and on the other there is someone who is perplexed because he has run out of beer. It only gets more and more bizarre with each episode.

Animation: Zom 100 is without a shadow of doubt one of the best animated shows of the season. Huge props to the studio Bug Films for this outstanding quality of work. The way motion is portrayed in this Anime is so fluid that characters and even the zombies are almost brought back to life. Every frame looks as if it has been enhanced for more details oozing with quality. The way colours are used to set the tone of story is also masterfully done, especially how gore is almost transformed into a splash of vibrant hues. Quite frankly, as someone pointed it out, this is what people had hoped Chainsaw Man would turn out to be.

And that, brings us to the most important question, is it sustainable for a whole season? If you'd go back a few seasons to Komi San, and specifically to the blackboard scene, for a moment it felt as if somebody resurrected something straight out of the depths of Kyoto Animation, and then it fell off considerably. Case in point, Bug Films were also a studio involved there, albeit only as a helping hand behind Komi San.

Music: In terms of music so far it has hardly done anything to be raved about. The only thing that comes to mind is probably the Opening sequence which again, animation wise is probably one of the best Openings of the season, and as far as the music is concerned it is also pretty good. But not much else to talk about apart from that.

Enjoyment: This is all about enjoyment and fun. It is made for a light, casual, not too fussy fun without the hassle of anything deep or profound to ponder about. At times, it tries to jumble a few serious themes, and it works well in contrast with the how fun everything else is. Nothing to complain here so far, and hoping for more of the same. Pretty enjoyable on the whole.

If by any chance, someone finds it too Japanese in flavour for their liking, there is no reason to believe you're wrong. I mean, how dare a Japanese Studio, almost entirely populated by Japanese employees, adapting a Japanese manga created by a Japanese person, should focus on Japan and Japanese things only, right?

This animation is pure CINEMA. I was really surprised by this anime, which I had been waiting for a long time. The cinematography is amazing, and the animation and art are also superbly done. Every episode has an incredible direction. The first episode is amazing, thrilling, and enjoyable. It features one of the greatest opening episodes ever, I think I can state with confidence. This zombie comedy masterfully shows you how the end of the world impacts you and how individuals may steal your passions and aspirations by using the apocalypse. An incredibly fascinating masterwork that encourages you to break free from these influences in order to fully live your life. Memoriam mori!

Okay like so many I've seen about zombies this one's was like a good head start the beginning was okay but then as I progressed along the episodes I got feed up with everything about the idea of the anime the plot the story and even the protagonist like what the hell, if I had the ability to delete every memory of it from my brain I would in a heartbeat don't get me started on the so called comedian who gets naked to perform an act to his audience as for the others I just say go to hell, but no hard feelings on the creator though I don't even like bad mouthing someone else's work but maybe it was aimed at a different set of audience like kids am just saying but this time this anime wasn't for me in the first place.