Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is one of those anime that looks like a ridiculous zombie comedy at first, but then suddenly hits you with something much more personal. Akira Tendo is completely burned out by his horrible corporate job. He worked in company at least 3 years and looked like zombie because of work load. He’s basically alive, but feels dead inside. Then the zombie apocalypse happens and somehow, that’s when Akira finally starts feeling alive again. 😂
Instead of spending every second worrying about survival, he creates a list of 100 things he wants to do before becoming a zombie. And honestly? That’s what makes Zom 100 so damn fun.
🎨 The animation is beautiful
The biggest thing that grabbed me was the visual style. i totally loved it and how they handled there blood stain with different colour is really amazing. The anime uses bright colors, crazy action, exaggerated expressions and manga-style visuals to make the zombie apocalypse look strangely exciting. The contrast between Akira’s depressing office life and the colorful freedom he experiences after the outbreak is especially good.
It’s basically saying: the world is ending, but at least I finally have time to live. That idea works incredibly well.
Even people who aren’t normally into zombie anime can probably find something to enjoy here. Critics have praised the show’s refreshing approach to the zombie genre, while viewers frequently mention its colorful animation and unique visual identity.
😂 Funny, weird and sometimes completely insane
The comedy is one of the show’s biggest strength although it’s also one of its weaknesses. When Zom 100 gets the comedy right, it’s hilarious. Akira’s excitement about doing completely normal things during the apocalypse is genuinely funny.
But some jokes go too far into childish territory. There are plenty of moments involving nudity, gross-out humor and predictable jokes that won’t work for everyone. One reviewer specifically criticized the show’s weaker comedy while praising its more subtle visual humor.
So yeah, don’t expect every joke to land. 😅
❤️ And then this anime gets emotional
This is the part I wasn’t expecting. Underneath all the zombies, comedy and crazy action, Zom 100 is really about living your life before it’s too late. Akira’s story hits because his biggest problem wasn’t actually the zombie apocalypse. It was the life he was living before it. That message can feel surprisingly relatable. Work, stress, expectations, routin sometimes people spend so much time surviving that they forget to actually live.
That’s why some of the quieter moments hit harder than the zombie fights. The show’s first episode especially received praise for connecting Akira’s miserable work life with the freedom he feels after the apocalypse. And honestly, this anime made me think about my own bucket list too. ❤️
👥 The Characters Make it Even Better
Akira is obviously the heart of the show, but the supporting characters make the journey much more enjoyable. Shizuka brings a completely different personality to the group. She’s practical, cautious and much more focused on survival, which creates a great contrast with Akira’s chaotic optimism.
Kencho also adds a lot of energy and comedy. As the group grows, Zom 100 starts feeling less like a simple zombie survival story and more like a group of people trying to figure out what they actually want from life.
But Everything not Perfect
I wouldn’t call Zom 100 flawless. The biggest issue is pacing. The show starts incredibly strong, and some viewers feel that it loses momentum later on. Critics have also pointed out that the series can lose some of its steam as it progresses. Some episodes feel much stronger than others, and certain comedy scenes can feel forced.
The story also sometimes chooses absurd fun over realism. Personally, I think that’s part of the charm, but if you’re looking for a serious, gritty zombie survival anime, this probably isn’t what you want. Zom 100 wants you to laugh, scream, cheer and occasionally feel emotional while watching someone complete a bucket list during the apocalypse. And I’m completely fine with that. 😂
🎬 Anime vs Live-Action Movie
I also watched the 2023 live-action Zom 100 movie, and this is where I have to be honest
I prefer the anime.
The live-action movie isn’t completely terrible. It has some fun moments, ridiculous zombie action and enough silliness to make it entertaining. Critics were pretty divided on it, with Rotten Tomatoes showing a much weaker audience score than the anime and reviews ranging from positive to very negative. But the anime’s colorful animation, exaggerated comedy and emotional moments fit this story much better.
Some of the things that feel naturally crazy in animation can feel awkward when they’re recreated with real actors. So if you’re deciding between the two, watch the anime first. Then watch the live-action movie if you’re curious.
⭐ What i Think?
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is really fucking good. It’s funny, colorful, ridiculous, emotional and surprisingly relatable. Sure, it has pacing problems. Some jokes are definitely not for everyone.
But anime and its animation literally hell crazy i totally loved it. it’s an absolute blast. 🧟♂️🔥 I highly recommend it. And yes, I watched the live-action movie too, but I love the anime much more. The movie is worth watching if you’re curious, but the anime is the one I’d tell everyone to watch first.
If you like zombie stories, comedy, crazy animation or anime that actually makes you think about your own life, give Zom 100 a chance. Must watch. Seriously. ❤️🔥
My Rating: 9/10
