Gothic horror, idol comedy and a sweet story about two friends.
In 1968, George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead premiered as the first zombie movie in history. Since then, the brain-hungry undead have become regulars on the big and small screens.
More recently, the walking dead have confidently entered the realm of animation, appearing in an increasing number of anime titles.
1. Zombieland Saga, 2018-2021
The comedy anime series from MAPPA became one of the most important anime discoveries of 2018. The plot revolves around high school student Sakura, who has always dreamed of becoming a pop idol.
One day, the girl decided to apply for a group audition, but as soon as she left home, she was hit by a van and killed. Ten years later, Sakura woke up in an abandoned mansion filled with zombies.
The girl's fear turned to indifference as she realized that she herself had become one of the living dead. She and several other schoolgirls were resurrected to form a new pop group.
2. Seoul Station, 2016
The only movie on the list that can be classified as an anime with a big caveat – it was filmed in South Korea. However, it turned out to be an exemplary zombie horror, which it would be a crime to ignore. Seoul Station became an animated prequel to the acclaimed movie Train to Busan.
After sunset, one of the homeless people at Seoul Station bites his neighbor. A few hours later, the entire area is filled with the bloodthirsty living dead, and only a few days remain before the full-blown zombie apocalypse.
The surviving civilians try to get out of the city, but there is nowhere to run. The area has been sealed off by the authorities, forcing frightened people to huddle in the most unsafe place – the town square.
3. Alice in Deadly School, 2021
As the living dead roam the classrooms, two friends hide from the bloodthirsty undead on the roof of the school. Despite the zombie apocalypse, the girls are remembering their carefree days and dreaming of saving the world.
Despite its stated theme of the zombie apocalypse, Alice in Deadly School is first and foremost a dialogue drama, and only then a horror story about brain-hungry evil spirits.
The movie is an unusual mix of slice-of-life and zombie horror. If you are tired of the cruelty inherent in the genre and want to watch a sweet story about two friends, then Alice in Deadly School is the best choice.
4. The Empire of Corpses, 2015
Alternate reality, 19th century Europe. Science has made a huge breakthrough – technology allows the resurrection of the dead. Creatures with dead bodies and artificial souls are used as soldiers and workers in all areas of life.
A student named John Watson goes to Afghanistan as a military medic to find out who is behind this and if it is possible to stop the production of zombies.
5. Highschool of the Dead, 2010
A small group of high school students find themselves trapped in a school during an outbreak that turns people into the living dead.
Armed with school supplies, the students and a nurse decide to escape their confinement. After breaking through hordes of zombies, they escape into the city. But things are even worse there.
Highschool of the Dead boasts spectacular action, strong drama, as well as plenty of references to cult zombie horror. Like the original manga, the anime includes respectful nods to Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead, and the House of the Dead game series.