Ranked #613

Highschool of the Dead (Manga)

After I got bored with watching anime, I started reading manga that wasn't to widely known. One night around 9 p.m., I was scrolling down the list of the website I was using to find something interesting. After checking out a few lame things, I clicked on the Highschool of the Dead. The very first page, bam, zombies attacking big breasted chicks. I was already hooked because I'm total blood and gore fan but I wasn't expecting too much other than a constant bloodfest. By chapter three, I couldn't stop reading at all. While there was still some pretty bloody stuff in it, the pure look into the dark terms survival was met on by a bunch of teenagers was just frightening and awe inspiring. Watching these...kids go so far as to murder someone around them for the survival of the group was amazing considering no one had done such a graphic but truthful thing. I was thinking by chapter 5, my mind would explode from the huge amount of blood and guts being thrown around, but leave it up to a bunch of drunk girls jiggling eachother's boobs to lighten the mood. The evil storyline of the other half of the kids led by the corrupted teacher, using sex and a fanatical religion like system using fear of being cast out into the pit of hell filled with the undead and violent humans who've lost their minds is plain scary. Along with everything, including the beautiful arsenal of guns they introdue (very accurate as well) makes Highschool of the Dead one of the best manga to date. read more

[I'm not really into reviews, so if I did something wrong, don't mind me. Also I'm focusing a bit more on anime vs. manga]

Highschool of the Dead. When I first heard the name, I though it was a parody. I don't really have a good reason for it. Of course, I heard about it when anime came out, so anime being slow every week and all that I decided to read manga, and I literally couldn't stop.

What you should first know about manga, if you've seen the anime, is that it has much less fanservice than anime. And that's why it's better. There is still ecchi stuff around, of course, but there are no silly scenes of completelly random panties whenever the wind blows.

So, what is HotD about? It's about kinds running away from school, love, hate, weird teachers who make their students have orgies in the bus... and above all that, there are "them". Zombies. Typical, one bite and you're a zombie. You're done with your life - you became a living dead.

If I read something like this, I'd never read manga or watch anime. But there is something else in HotD. There's amazing mood, great dialogues, which keep you reading. When you read a chapter and look back to what you read, you will find out that you can put the whole thing you've read in two sentences. Yet, while you read, it seems like there is always something going on, something which keeps you wanting to read more. This is one more thing in which manga kills anime. It's only my opinion, but in anime there is way too much fanservice and you can't really concetrate on the story, and even though anime should have more tense with music and all, it seems much more relaxed. Some scenes which are really awesome in manga, which I'm imagining slow, with some sad music in background, in anime they're just skipped through like they are not anything important.

What you should have in mind is that this is NOT masterpiece. It's FAAAAR from masterpiece. Why? Firslty, masterpiece anime needs to have touching story - HotD doesn't have it, but it doesn't really need it. It's not supposed to be anime like that. It's like saying a comedy sucks because there are no tragic moments in it. Second, when reading/watching masterpiece you're supposed to feel happy, sad or whatever the story is like at that moment. You're not reading HotD because you're feeling sorry or happy for characters, you're reading it because, as I said, it kind of has atmosphere around it which just makes you read more and more. There are some heart braking scenes, but that's just not it, the scene soons changegs into ecchi or zombie attack, so it's over even if it had potention to be good.

So, I will repeat myself, don't jump into the manga expecting a masterpiece and hellova good story. It's not. The story is, in lack of a batter term, amazing.

If you look a bit deeper, you will see that it's not a story about random kinds escaping from zombies and just fighting them and going from house to house trying to save their heads. It's about people dealing with themself, trying to overcome their own fears, thinking about their precious family and friends, are they alive or not. There are no longer ranks between people, wether you're homeless or a president, it's all the same now. Nowthere are people who can survive and those who can't.

I'm having really hard time rating series because of this. It's like exactly between nine and ten in my personal, biased, opinion. Trying to be not biased at all, I would give HotD an 8 maybe, so I decided to give it overall 8 - all other ratings are biased:

Story - 9
Art - 10
Character - 9
Enjoyment - 10

Overall - 9.5 (biased) and 8 objectionally.

I highly recommand giving these series a try, wether you've watched anime or not - it's worth it. read more

Story: 9 : It sounds simple because it is. It's about the world getting taken over by zombies and how a small group of 3 girls, 2 boys, and 1 woman survive. But, whats really great about it is that, even though the plot is straight-forward, the characters are what really drive this thing forward. Random plot tickets aren't handed out by distant power/authority figures. Fate has no hand in anything. It's all the characters deciding what to do, when to do it, and how to get it done. Everything. This focuses on their development from "civilized" humans into beings that merely survive. It gives life to moral dilemmas in the form of "what is an acceptable loss?", "us or them?", "my goals or the group's well-being?" and slaps around both sides before the characters reach a decision. The fan-service is also well done in that it feels natural and all given their situation. -1 comes from the simplicity of the fundamental issue that starts the whole thing. There is nothing else wrong with it.

I love how gray the world is portrayed in this.

Art: 9 : I don't really concentrate on the art much but even I could tell that this is some real quality. Characters are well drawn and emotions are plain to see on their faces. I only hesitate to give it a 10 because I didn't really pay much attention to how well done it was.

Character: 8 : Well, even though I love how this is a well done character-driven story, the characters themselves are stereotypical. Yes, they're sympathetic and lovable and enjoyable, but they're not anything real special, yet. I'm sure that they're going to be de-constructed as time and death takes its toll on the crew but, as it stands at chapter 22, they seem stock. -4 for shallow characters. +2 for obvious potential to do great things with all of them. I'm sure that they're all gonna have huge personality changes in the near future. On that note, I can also say that "changes" probably won't include that dreaded depressed emo mode.

Enjoyment : 10 : Not too sure what this means, but I loved the series so I'm giving this a perfect score.

Overall : 10 : This is, perhaps, the best piece of Zombie Apocalypse media that I have ever laid my eyes or ears upon. It has been much too long since the last time I came upon something that actually had all the characters learn to cope with a new situation without just getting a power-up of some sort which allows them to sort of poof away the issue at hand. Characters don't whine and whine, they learn to shut up and do stuff. For me, someone who thinks that characters and how they interact to form the story is the only real important thing, this is like finding out that Spring Break has been extended.

But, if you're not like me, then the mere fact that there isn't much that'll start your criticizing mind from ranting on and on is enough. You can wholly devote yourself to being immersed a world gone to hell and fully enjoy where the story takes you.

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The first thing about this manga that i have to say it : They should TOTALLY make it into an anime. I loved everything about this manga and i want the mangaka to hurry up and give me more to read.

There were several reasons why i liked this manga. First is because it deals a lot with technicalities. for example: what attracts "them"? If they're dead bodies then wouldn't "they" rot away? besides the obvious fact that a zombie apocalype could never happen, the manga fills in a lot of plot holes that other zombie stories have left hanging.

The second thing i liked was the comedy in it. It would be sorely lacking if all the manga consisted of was people being eaten and everyone getting DPed by the zombies. THe levity of the character interaction creates a contrast so when "they" show up, it goes from "happy happy joy joy" to "OMFG we are SOOOO screwed". The comedy also allows the reader to relate to the characters more so you actually care if they die or when they do die you'll be thinking "Damnit why did he have to die, I liked him. Why didn't this guy die instead?"

The final and most distinguishing aspect of this manga is the way that the author focuses on the way people would ACTUALLY react to a zombie apocalypse. People looting everything? check. People betraying each other to survive? check. All the scum bags in to world trying to get some action before they die? CHECK.

Everyone's true nature is revealed in light of the fact that they are probably going to die. There's the high and mighty people falling apart, the delinquents rising to be leaders, the geeks becoming heroes and everyone's mental health on the brink if snapping.

If you just read the first chapter of this manga you'll see what i mean. The first page is a splash of death and gore. you're instantly tossed into the mayhem that is high school of the dead, but quickly guided out as the main protagonists band together and fight for their lives.

Enjoy my friends read more

As a big fan of zombie stories, I started to read Highschool of the Dead the very moment I heard about it. As a normal zombie story, HotD throws you at the middle of action right in the first pages of the manga, and never stop that atmosphere of adrenaline, horror, survival, etc, like the old Resident Evil series.

The disease is showed right where it begin spreading, on a highschool, starting the story of Takashi Komuro, a student who's trying to survive with a few friends from the same school. While they try to escape, it starts to get harder to survive, all the conflicts, situations, finding survivors, exactly like a good zombie story.

The art can be a bit strange at the beginning but you'll get used to it. One thing that I didn't like it is the ecchi scenes. And there's a lot of it. Get used to see plenty of ecchi + fanservice (I bet it's an up point for many, but I'm not a big fan).

And touching the ecchi subject comes the characters. "They're nothing outstanding, just normal", you'll might think in the first chapters, but sooner or later you'll identify yourself with one of them, as they develop themselves pretty good in the various situations that happens on the story.

As said before, if you like action, horror, survival, liked to play the old Resident Evil series in the dark (or was too scared to be in the dark) just to increase the experience and it's in doubt of HotD, give it a chance, it's very loyal to all zombies famous stories you have heard about and it's great for a quick read. read more

This is a very good manga, and I recommend it to everyone who likes action and horror manga.
I was on a manga reading website and stumbled across this one, at first it didn't seem so interesting, but one afternoon I was bored with no homework, so I just started to read it. And I'm very glad that I did because after the first chapter I was captivated by the artwork and the characters.

Characters - The characters are outstanding. My favourite character would have to be Saeko Busujima who kicks ass with her combat skills and wooden sword. She is portrayed with a calm and composed side, but there’s a soft side to her as well (you'll find out when you read, if you read) Anyway, the characters personalities vary from a geeky gun otaku, to a kickass swordswoman from a kendo club, to a school nurse. Then again there's also the main character who's name is Takashi, and Alice, and Rei and Saya. (I don't particularly find Takashi or Rei very interesting)

Story - The storyline is very simple. In High School Of The Dead, you have a scenario similar to your usual zombie story. A sudden unknown disease breaks out and the whole worlds starts to get infected rapidly. The story then goes on with the adventures of the main character and his buddies as they go around busting zombie brains and trying to survive. The storyline is nothing new, but i found it to be extremely entertaining and enjoyable.

Art - The art was good, better then some of the manga art I have seen. I agree with HappyPear, I don't exactly like the fact that most women in manga have to have breast larger than their heads. I guess I don't mind it, but they could really show less cleavage and skin. It makes women look like objects or whatever. Anyway, the zombies were drawn well, and I liked most of the characters' looks. I especially loved Saeko's hair, it looked fantastic.

Enjoyment - What can I say? I think I have stated that I enjoyed this manga very much atleast 3 or 4 times in this whole review. So I guess I'll type it again(= I ENJOYED THIS MANGA VERY MUCH!! And I really am waiting for more chapters to come, and I hate myself for getting so attached to it when it's on hiatus in japan. *Sigh. Sucks right??

Anyway,, I REALLY RECCOMMEND THIS MANGA TO YOU!! :D
Go read it.. now.. read more

I want to start out by saying I love Zombie movies I watch them constantly i've seen everything from night of the living dead to wild zero. So when I found a manga that was zombies in a high school i was like SHIT this is awesome. I started reading it and I loved it the zombies are there the drama's there its not as good as Robert Kirkman's walking dead but its still awesome and you can't complain about the fan service in there either. The story flows very well and the charcters are likeable. Id recommend this to any one who wants a fix of zombies or ultra violence with a mix of good charcters as well.

The art is sleek and while it does go the goofy low detail faces here and there it doesnt do it alot. the best thing about high school of the dead is the charcters they are all very well written and this is defiantly a must read for zombie and horror fans read more

The unforgettable zombie experience (actually they are referred to as "them" in this manga) that was fanserved in the anime but retains its dignity in its paper form.

A bunch of high school teenagers are randomly thrown into a zombie apocalypse, and thus have to fight for their lives. Classic and simple, but that leaves for a practically endless story. For good possibilities, as the manga is still publishing I give it 10P.

I thought the art was quite fancy, being a little to unnaturally heavy on the female shapes, nevertheless nice sceneries. 8P

There are many types of personalities present. Here are a few words about the main team:

Komuro Takashi- found his macho purpose of protecting the girls.
Hirano Kouta - gun nerd. Need I tell about his purpose in life?
Busujima Saeko - katana and murderous intent = win.
Miyamoto Rei - has a crush on Takashi and likes spears.
Takagi Saya - besserwisser and irritating.
Marikawa Shizuka - nurse, blonde and front-heavy. Pervy.

Well, we have ourselves a 2 to 1 ratio in girl/boy, so yes, we might guess where this will end some day. Ecchi is present from time to time but does not ruin the story in my opinion. This is after all a survival story, and in these we are bound to find stuff like this. No hate.
As for now, Hirano is my fauvorite character. 9P

Definitely enjoyable for people who don't get turned off by boobs, extreme gore and/or radical endless stories. Probably meant for male readers. 9P

I recommend reading this over the anime (which only spans a part of the manga), and be patient, as the authors are having a hard time going on with this, but that leaves more for thinking. 10P








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WOW!!! Amazing intresting you get hooked straight away. Im not a huge fan of ecchi manga but this story just hooked me on. Like at the beginning you find out theres man eating zombies at a School and big breasted girls kicking ass and with a fat nerdy guy making a gun out of nail gun and knows more about guns than anyone you would know in a high school. Then theres a ditzy nurse, a little girl her puppy Zeke, Rei the police daughter, A samuri girl, and the guy thats there leader that gets really crazy sometimes with a gun. Love the Story and Art work and the characters and hope you will read it as well. read more

I had heard about this series before hand and thought it was a stupid idea. So one day while I was browsing through my local book store i saw the first two volumes sitting on the shelf. I had looked over the first one which was nice and saran wrapped. the basic story i got from the back was your average unknown disease that infects a town of city and the main characters are trying to survive. Since I had nothing else to read I decided to pick up the two volumes. As soon as I began reading the book instant zombie action is thrown at you. With this I was instantly intrigued. With this shown first and then an explanation given to how the outbreak is started is short and simple. Nothing that goes on for pages and pages of scientific or accidental bullshit. Man shows up infected, bites one and starts a chain reaction. the characters seemed bland at first but it they soon come out of that shadow. Takashi who is one of the main students fighting to survive is your typical laid back student who drowns in is own self pity. It is fun to watch him change over the course of the first book from that to an excited individual to protect and kill anyone who comes his way. Rei, the affection of Takashi who is in love with other boy after she dumps him. I thought this was going to be a girl who would crack and always rely on others to save her, like a princess. I was happy to see that this was snot true. Instead she is kicking ass on her own due to her being part of the karate club (in the English version). Eventually they run into two other survivors, Hirano and Takagi. Hirano is your typical fat nerd who is quiet and doesn't seem to do much. until you put a firearm in his hand, then e becomes one of the most enjoyable characters. having extensive knowledge of weapons makes him a huge asset. On another note, it is fun to watch him go into this killing frenzy with this twisted look on his face that just changes his character completely. Takagi however I can not same the same. Have you ever known a person who just thought they were just better than you? Knew more than you? Acted better than you? Well that is what Takagi is like. she just always has a negative vibe around her that just makes any scene shes in very gloomy and negative. then the last two survivors I've met up to the point that I've read is Saeko Busujima and Ms. Shizuka. Saeko is a character that every anime/manga should have. A girl who can kick ass with a sword yet is very sexy at the same time. she is not letting a man or anyone else take on the burden of protecting her and will not do so. With her being the oldest of the students, a senior, and the captain of the ken-do club she is force to be reckoned with. Then there is Ms. Shizuka. she is a very bubbly short of woman. Huge breasts to boot. however she is the one that doesn't do very much along with Takagi. They both sit in the back and take up pages of nothing but dialogue. Howsoever I do like her character of being so innocent and caring for the students since she is the school nurse. She makes a scene much more enjoyable to read and brings light into a dark situation. that's your main cast right there but there are others I'm sure they will meet along the way. They discover different things about the zombies and make use of different weapons as they more further through Japan. the fan service is not as high in the manga as the anime. however i will not complain about fan service in this one compared to Rosario + Vampire. With R+V, the panty shots and sexy scenes were only put in to turn the audience on. In High School of the Dead the fan service can be viewed as something that could happen without it being forced. Of course the boob jiggling is not necessary but come on, you know you like it. Plus the first 12 episodes follow the manga quite well with very few changes. To sum up everything, this feels like a Romero movie with a little Japanese twist. it keeps the reader on there toes and keeps me turning page to page wondering what's going to happen next and how the survivors are going to escape the zombies. The art style is very unique and is great to look at. With all the other manga out there I've never seen a manga drawn in such a style. it kid of works itself with the violence like they belong together. The3 story seems to get more complex the further they move through the city which is how a manga should go, basic to complex, but easy to follow. Overall I give it an 8 and will happily recommend it anyone who is looking for something to read. Any of you who find these books in your local book store,pick up the first one and give it a try, it will keep you wanted more. read more