This is definitely my first review of any manga I've read. Made by a bored college sophomore with nothing else to do on a midnight.
This review is free of any major spoilers.
Although not definitely a hardcore zombie media fan, I've seen a fair share of zombie movies, shows, games and novels (a few months ago, I've read World War Z, read it, its worth it by the way). In my experience, a lot of those media tend to show the zombie apocalypse in a bleak, dramatic tone (which is understandable). Although there are odd ones that might show the zombie apocalypse in a comedic, light-hearted tone (e.g Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, which I've seen), none has caught my attention and made me anticipate a manga's next chapter more than Zom 100.
__1. Characters
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- Akira Tendou: Former salaryman/wage slave. The guy that is always optimistic despite shit hitting the fan. For, him, the thrill of running away from zombies is better than spending another hour in his shitty, corporate job that treats him as an 18th-century slave. Writer of a bucket list of stuff he wants to do before becoming a zombie.
- Shizuka Mikazuki: Cute short-haired girl (short-haired girls are best girls by the way) working as a former banker. A know-it all just because she read every zombie survival guide (including Max Brook's Zombie Survival Guide, which is actually canon to the story). Basically, the cold, calculating intelligent girl that contrasts with Akira's optimistic dumbassery.
- Kenichirou Ryuuzaki: Akira's best friend. Former real estate agent. The kind of guy that will fuck any pretty girl he sees. The tanned, muscular gigachad.
- Beatrix Amerhauser: Big-titty, blonde, German girl (what's not to love) that went to Japan due to her being essentially a Japanophile. Has samurai armor and a cool katana. Somehow the English translation adds a German accent to her dialogue (e.g the stereotypical stuff that "w" is replaced with "v"). Basically your average Japanese culture enthusiasts but not a nerdy, fat American neckbeard living in his mom's basement.
Some other main characters not included to prevent spoilers.
For now, these four main characters are the ones you need to know. Overall, they are well-written, have contrasting traits that complement each other, and have natural chemistry. Lastly I can say about the characters is that they are written to make every shit that happens in the story interesting. Overall 9/10.
2. Story
The goal is to complete every entry that Akira and the crew added to the bucket list, consisting of 100 entries (hence the name Zom 100). Despite sounding simple in concept, the various events and stuff they have to do in order just to complete some of those entries are interesting enough to keep you asking what will they do next? It's also interesting to note that the story critiques and satirizes a lot of negative aspects about not only Japanese society but modern society as a whole (e.g. Japan's toxic overwork culture, corporate culture, NEETs, the rat race, greed and other usual stuff). I would like to add that a it does this in a way without being condescending and preachy to the audience. It even has a few philosophical moments to ponder. Basically the stuff you need in an interesting, somehow intellectually appealing story while also having a wide audience appeal. Overall. 8/10 story.
3. Art Style
Character designs are interesting and memorable enough that it doesn't look like you typical el-generico art you will see a lot from most anime these days (especially those adapted from light novels, which for some reason, they make it so painfully generic). A lot of the background art are well-detailed and you can tell a lot of effort went through drawing the manga. Overall, 7/10 art style.
Conclusion
To end, Zom 100 is one of those manga that will make me wait for the chapter to come. It has an engaging plot combined and combined with interesting characters, it just makes you more curious what shenanigans they will think of. Read Zom 100, you're missing out on some interesting shit.
Hey you made it in the end! Thank you for reading my first (and shitty) review..~~~~~~