Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)

“It’s hard to keep the zombie genre fresh, given all the different types of stories it encompasses. This makes any new, halfway decent zombie show or movie all the more special. Thankfully, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead – which concluded its first season last month – is more than halfway decent: It’s a zombie anime with a delightful premise, and one of the best first episodes of an anime in a long time.

This masterclass in visual storytelling is one of the single best episodes of anime in a long time. Framing, composition, and color are used to sell Akira’s daily torment as well as his elation the sight of a horde of flesh-eating ghouls. As Akira’s work life gnaws away at him, the colors become more muted – before the zombie apocalypse ushers in a burst of vibrant hues. Akira then rips the black bars off the screen, and expanding the aspect ratio as he embraces life for the first time in years. And that’s all just the first episode.” – IGN

“Zom 100 embraces the concept of taking things one day at a time. Although achieving goals is something one should do as soon as they can, it’s through Akira and Kenichiro’s laid-back ways that demonstrate how to accomplish them at a steady pace. Shizuka, who spent most of her life being pushed & berated by an abusive father, slowly comes to terms with such a lifestyle, even if the undead are close behind running towards them. It takes a different amount of time to achieve a goal, be it days, weeks, months, or even years.” – Boston Bastard Brigade