Anime Overviewer: Highschool of the Dead Review

[hotwhire]

Personally I think the fanservice gets too excessive in this series. I mean the first episode had underwear shots that passed for me because it seemed realistically placed in certain points within the character's running around. The things like boobs flapping around ruins it all dodging bullets just ruined it, or the excessive boob bouncing from the simplist twitch of the pink haired girl's head just make it.... eww. Most non Dead or Alive Video games handle jiggle physics a lot better,

[DarthJoshReturns]

On a related note, I have two problems with this series:

1. The characters range from meh to unlikable (especially Saya).

2. Koichi Shido is so obviously a villain, he makes Seymour Guado look subtle. The guy flat out murders students in front of everybody, and the worst they see him is as some nuisance. Terra from Birth By Sleep had better judge of character than those idiots.

[DarthJoshReturns]

What's the song at the begining of the review?

[lyue1996]

I'll give it 3.8/5 ..

[JardeztheVarious]

Another good review Anime Overviewer.

While we all have different interpretations, I know of a "logical" explanation of why the zombies are referred to as "them". In AMC's "The Walking Dead" the zombies are called "Walkers". In one of the Behind the Scenes episodes, it's revealed that the story takes place in a world that has never heard of zombies. And by the way you described High School of the Dead, they are similar in that aspect.

[underdog22ish]

in my opintion i pull this anime 8/10 stars in book

[underdog22ish]

HOTD = HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD is that good but fanservice yeah i know they pull that stuff in there but there HOT SEXY CUTE WITH fanservice is funny become is nation to me i love HOTD IT ROCKS

[MrJingle435]

PERSONA 4 MUSIC 0:00-0:07

[deidara64]

Less than season anime viewers aka Virgins lol anyway love the anime except for the fan serves and the English dub is crap

[kajimaable]

i have heard the word the word tsundere but what does it mean, can anyone answer?

[ADragonicDuelist]

@kajimaable A anime type of anime character that is cold and violant but shows the his/hers warm side sometimes. Basically a mean person who shows there soft side over time in anime series which you see often now to

[kajimaable]

@ADragonicDuelist thnx i was wondering what it is

[xoiuvwnigv]

this was my first try to an anime and well i loved its still my favorite

[megadisneyfan2]

i've seen the dub, and it's really good! plus, the show is pretty good!

[Joseph132100]

Nice vid.

[darianw]

Hey, whats the name of the first song playing?

[AfterBurnerEX1]

@darianw its the opening theme to the game persona 4

[s235343]

Reviewing niche anime by standard metrics is hopeless. This anime was built from the ground up to showcase boobs, blood, and gun fetishism with amazing art and great direction. And the fan service was within a tolerable range - you make it sound like it was Queen's Blade or something. Aside from a little girl peeing on a guy's shoulders, it wasn't even close to being disturbing.

[debrr071]

'boobs the size of mt rushmore'

this guy cracks me up, HOTD RULES !!!!!!!!!!!

its hard for something to be original, the story isn't that bad c'mon but the animation and setting do make it up for in some episodes/ scenes although i didn't have aproblem with any episodes or scenes.

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@debrr071 Oh yeah the animation is well done. I'd like to see how season 2 fares.

[Mowgley3000]

Persona 4!!!

[DarkerThanAnimeZone]

8:31, do you mean that the fanservice is offensive to you, because its much more offensive for girls... I hated this anime.

[ellnats]

ive heard of it and these only one rule for it

EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF

[Styx007]

The characters call the Zombies "Them" because it's to further distance them from association with a/the living human they once were. one would normally say "why not just call them Zombie then?", of which the first response is that's what the authors (art and story are done by a couple of brothers just like they continue to do in the H-Industry) decided to do things.

[Styx007]

Personally I think its a nice way to look at things besides how many zombie flicks/books/etc can you really name where the characters have called the undead, zombies on a regular basis. I'll tell you now that it isn't many, HSoTD just makes that a little more blatent

[jamauln1]

I liked the fan service. Kept things from getting to heavy. I also really liked how they handled the zombies by making them relying on their hearing rather than sight.

[soulreaver91]

I love the anime to death, though I had to agree with everything you said. Fan service is nice and I love seeing it but some of it did get ridiculous. The OVA got completly out of control too but it hasnt killed my hunger for it. Character wise though I hope they kill Rei off, I dont like her as a character, dont like her personality, and she was the only one I can honestly say I hate. Since episode 1 Ive wished nothing but death on this girl. That aside awsome review man.

[227ujo]

@soulreaver91 lol, ever see Ep. 6, HOLY SHIT FANSERVICE TO THE MAX XD

[hotwhire]

For some reason I really hate the blond nurse. Her personality is very boring and unrealistic. + the absurdly large torso content. I find regular boob sizes A LOT sexier then most in anime. It just seems so unnatural its disgusting. Im not watching the show for it but considering how much you are subjected to this character trope, I find it hard to watch. Also her being naturally stoned just seems TOO hentai-ish for it's own good.

[hotwhire]

The onluthing that killed me for this show was the OVER use if exaggerated fanservice. Like boobs individually flapping in motion... or moving aggressively after every minor torso pivot.. At least they didnt make that "boing" sound like in A LOT of other anime.

[LordKamina2]

there is a very good reason why there is so much fanservice it's because it was because either the mangaka, or the writer or both for the series usually work on hentai so it poured into this series

[AnimeFreakLucky7]

I love HOTD! I'm gonna buy both the manga & the anime(its coming out in the summer, I think.) Yeah, I'm like you, I wanna see this series to the end, no matter what>=) Great review, by the way, I love that you didn't completely rip it apart or completely praise it, you gave it your true honest opinion and put both pros & cons, good job=3

[NintendoCentralFan12]

But i have to disagree, ive only the first 2 episodes, but they were so freaking boring, i just gave up.

[NintendoCentralFan12]

Nice Persona 4 intro.

[BionicSlime]

Excellent review, seriously, I really think you gave this an anime an honest chance and a fair glance both for its flaws and pros. I'm quite impressed with your natural calm tone and approach to reviewing anime and yet, still allowing room to be funny and offer colorful commentary. I would totally love to request an anime for you to review, if you accept/allow those. Please let me know because you have an insightful mind I'd love to turn onto some of my personal fav anime.

[multilad816]

I thought high school of the dead was the first zombie themed anime

[Reaper00140]

I've heard rumors of a second season being in the works but unless I see something like an interview with the director i can't be sure.

[eugimon]

The fan service is meant to be ironic. It's almost always juxtaposed with violence, which is a commentary on the values of modern culture, both in Asia and in the West. Good zombie stories always have some social commentary mixed in, and HotD doesn't shy away from it's share.

[ZuttoAragi]

@eugimon Yeah, the fanservice kind of emulates the insanely stupid sexuality we see in many horror films made in America, at least I think.

[ultrajd]

I've heard that in September of this year a second season will come out.

[deadranger93]

they call them them cause it makes it easier to kill them so they dont feel bad even though they r zombies but remember saeko could not kill zombie kids so they call them them for that reason and yes it is retarded but it is the only thing they even mention as to why they can kill them

[jddeitz2000]

I thought the OP song was fantastic. Top 5 of the year and my taste > your taste.

[weefunker]

I thought the opening theme was pretty badass tbh, it goes really well with the opening animation

[XshinymewX]

Takashi looks like Kazuki from Buso Renkin o_o;

(am I the only one who noticed this?)

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@XshinymewX I did too.

[SayaRukia]

@XshinymewX I noticed it too.

[hotwhire]

@XshinymewX Its not uncommon for school anime based protagonists too look generic or the same as all the others in the genre, especially the male lead.

[AlphaKirby000]

Hey quick little question did you ever seen berserk yet? Since are a fan of classic anime right, so I would like to know. (P.S I know this has nothing to do with the video)

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@AlphaKirby000 I must regretfully say I have not. I'll check out the manga first.

[williamfan210]

@TheAnimeOverviewer whats the second season release date or close too

[Stinaisachibi]

Kouta's voice actor was Link's voice actor : D how awesome is that? gotta love MADHOUSE

[Evnyofdeath]

In case it hasn't been mentioned already, the reason they call the zombies "Them" is so they can ignore the fact they used to be human so they can kill them without guilt

[AnbuNinjaXIII]

I seem to recall Tokyo Majin...

[gigguk]

Great review! The thing is, without the fanservce this could actually be a really cool dark show. but some of the fanservice scenes were just so hilariously over the top that its impossible to take anything seriously. As for why they call zombies 'them', I'm sure Shaun can explain all!

Ed: Any zombies out there?

Shaun: Don't say that!

Ed: What?

Shaun: That!

Ed: What?

Shaun: That!! The "z" word. Don't say it!

Ed: Why not?

Shaun: Because it's ridiculous!

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@gigguk Oh yeah. Hm, maybe I should watch it again.

[kelsiegirl19]

@gigguk speaking of which, when is YOUR next anime review?

[gigguk]

@kelsiegirl19 Probably not for a while since I'm busy working on my top 20 list for now

[aulaw2001]

If you get a chance, check out The Walking Dead, it's not an anime, but a new TV series based on the graphic novel of the same name by Robert Kirkman.

[ultrajd]

Nice as always man. I heard an unconfirmed rumor that a season two will come out next summer. Hopefully thats true. You have to remember Hisashi was the one who startee the whole "Them" thing. But I understand your aggravation. You know many fans said that after they saw what happed with Saeko with the "Matrix" thing some said that if her breasts were to suddenly shoot off as rockets they wouldnt be surprised. As always great review its always nice to hear the opionions of others

[SpiritsRise]

AND YES

Season two is in the making

[SpiritsRise]

I've been waiting for this review for a while now, because I love this series

this review touched on all the needed points and as a review this gets a 5/5

one thing you should have mentioned is the "Matrix Breast" scene because that was just...wtf

and how Komuro missed almost every shot from about ten feet away on that same episode

I would give it a 4/5

why, nice animation, nice ending music(fits with each episode), Epic Kouta(epic amounts of epic)

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@SpiritsRise When I said episode 9, that's exactly what I meant.

[SpiritsRise]

@TheAnimeOverviewer Then you sir have earned my respect

[chesiregirl]

Zombie anime? Sweet!

[VillainousHanacha]

Nice review. Personally, I thought it was one of the best of the summer 2010, and I love both the Manga and it's Anime spin off.

Also, to answer the question about why they call the zombies "Them". This Anime is almost exactly the same as Western Zombie Apocolypse movies, just with one key difference: this is occuring within a Universe where there are Zombie Apocolypse movies, just like the real world. Hisashi comes up with the name "Them" in the beginning because calling them Zombies...

[VillainousHanacha]

(Cont) would seem fake, or would make it seem, well, like some cheesy horror movie instead of it being a reality of people dieing and the civilized order disintigrating around them. So they use the name "Them" instead of "Zombies" to remind themselves they are very real, and very dangerous.

This is opposed to other Zombie Apocolypse movies where Zombie movies don't exist in-universe, so the actual word Zombie can be tossed around much more freely.

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@VillainousHanacha Yeah, I realized that. It's an interesting paradox.

[CreditR01]

Good grief, you weren't kidding about the fanservice. I started watching the first episode after seeing this review and every other minute we get a shot of one of the girls' panties, breasts or ass. : / The zombie attacks look pretty cool, so it's really disappointing that it takes away from so much of that. I hate when anime go overboard on the fanservice: if it gets this bad, just throw in one or two actual sex scenes so we can just skip them and not have the sex appeal ruin the fight scenes.

[fighterwolfneon]

I plan on reviewing this next Halloween along with other horror/halloween themed anime, manga, comics, games, and movies.

Also did you notice that Kohta looks like the fat guy from Green Green?

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@fighterwolfneon Yeah. But Kohta could kick his ass any day.

[AlexStrife89]

@fighterwolfneon

You mean like BigAl? XD

[sourrooster]

I dropped this show after episode 9 because the fanservice was just insane.

I like your reviews but I think you should grade on the 10 scale for more flexibility. Also, if you want to make them more interesting then I suggest you check out sfdebris channel. He reviews Star Trek and makes it very entertaining.

[declanwatson]

u pretty much captured what i hate about this anime. the fanservice, and how everything gd about this series is negated thanks to it and i just couldnt take it seriously caz of it. i can only stand fanservice if it tastefully done or if the series as a whole is orignal or is just enjoyable. sadly this series does neither, even the psychological elements feel unorignal at times when i consider other zombie media. though i will still be keeping my eye on it, as i quite liked the finale.

[Thancruz]

@declanwatson

Good luck finding an original anime in this day in age,the last few original anime we have gotten is Gurren Lagann and Death Note,other then that saturation of generic romantic comedies. I don't think the fanservice was TOO over the top,most of it was used when they had down time like when they got to the nurses's house, and thats about as over the top as it got.the pantie shots here and there didn't really bother me that much.

[jamesterfire]

@Thancruz i think a really good anime you should watch is baccano =D it actually has a plot and there is NO FAVSERVICE!!!

[devilkicksanji1]

Very enjoyable review! Got to agree with you about the fanservice, it didn't bother me 'cause I like fanservice, but at times it did feel inappropriate/out-of-place. Also, I gotta agree with you about Kouta...he is awesome, and he better make it to the end.

[BlueSnech]

I wonder what would it be like if George Romero licensed this anime to make a movie

[YakomoFujikawa]

Am I the only one who thinks Komuro looks A LOT like Kazuki from Busou Renkin?

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@YakomoFujikawa TOO similar. It's almost disturbing.

[YakomoFujikawa]

@TheAnimeOverviewer Well, thank god I'm not the only one who thinks so.....lol

[kjjacky]

Good review. Yeah, some characters are poorly undeveloped and we didn't get to know them enough. And I do had to agree that this anime has more fanservice than the manga version. Somehow the manga of it is worth reading imo I think.

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@TeenChibi Saya annoyed me...alot...

[Antagoinist89]

Shizuka is awesome, don't know about the others who disliked her who don't have a sense of humor.

[jamesterfire]

i think you should ddo a review on baccano plz!! love the review ty and peace

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@jamesterfire I don't take requests. But thanks for the suggestion.

[BluntmanEXE]

Personally, I thought the fanservice was just part of the charm. (I've only seen up to ep.4, and I haven't read the manga. The kiddies like zombies and b00bs, so the anime just decided to give us what we want.

Plus, it's nice watching a tsundere have a mental breakdown.

[GinkoArtEtc]

Overall a mediocre show at breast (lol), although the fact this anime has become overwhemingly overrated/praised by many in such little time makes me want to deem it poor or below average.

Cut & Paste Slice of Life characters, Lack of character development/backstory, Very simple plot, cliffhanger ending & the fanservice. I have a few others gripes with the anime but they're a bit more minor

Also good review.

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@GinkoArtEtc Well alot of anime get more credit than they deserve. I would say the same for this, although I do praise it for at least feeling like a zombie flick.

[GinkoArtEtc]

@TheAnimeOverviewer

Yeah I can agree with you on that point.

Also speaking of halloween relevant anime, if you ever find the time could you do a review on Vampire Knight (atleast the first season)?

It'd be interesting to see you rip that Twilight clone a new one. lol

[ChimeraYuri]

Great review i agree with fanservice thing. Ep where nurse is jsut there naked is jsut crazy

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@ChimeraYuri My jaw actually dropped at that episode.

[tsukasa2k6]

@TheAnimeOverviewer i hate shizuka i always wandered at each episode please someone kill her already and that asshole teacher with glasses i think it could be done more cuz they presented him in that way as a villain well to bad for him besides of the wtf fanservice i enjoyed the anime for me 3.5/5 and i wonder if there will be a game based of it :)

[IloveOtherPplsMsry]

i've got a review in the works for this anime and boy is my opinion not gonna be gleaming. this is actually the anime i've seen that i genuinely hate

[Burori1]

Oh man, I totally agree with you on this.

Just like you, the fan service was a constant bother for me.

And Hirano = Badass.

[whoisyouranime]

Good review. I think the reason they call the zombies "them" is also a reference to George Romero films. In his old films, he also never calls them zombies. Even in the film "Shaun of The Dead", the character Shaun doesn't want to call them zombies because it's ridiculous.

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@whoisyouranime Hm. Good point. 

[Darkmessiah24]

Pretty good review. I haven't finished the series yet as I've stopped around episode 5 but despite all of the problems that HSOTD had like lacking depth and overblown use of fan-service but I enjoyed it for what it's worth in terms of it being a zombie-fest.

I can't wait to check out the manga when it gets published.

[HajimeNoJMo]

good review, but i have always been putting this off. fan service is part of horror whether it's anime or not. friday the 13th's fan service is pretty much part of the franchise as much as jason's killings.

[TheAnimeOverviewer]

@HajimeNoJMo True. But I honestly think the anime has more fanservice than the manga. Which surprised me.