8. Zom 100: Bucketlist of the Dead

Zom 100: Bucketlist of the Dead anime puts a unique spin on the typical zombie apocalypse story. While most people would be horrified by the undead taking over, Akira Tendo finds a perfect opportunity to quit his dead-end job and start living life.

Instead of barricading himself in a fortress, Akira makes a list of 100 things he wants to do. It’s not your usual post-apocalyptic fare, either. He wants to try new foods, make friends, and even find romance.

The series offers a humorous and refreshing take on a world overrun by zombies. It’s like a coming-of-age tale for middle-aged people, set in the most inconvenient circumstances imaginable. Forget the doom and gloom of the apocalypse; Akira is too busy having fun.

Studio: BUG FILMS
Episodes: 5 (In Progress)

7. School-Live!

At first glance, School-Live! appears to portray an idyllic high school life, focusing on the members of the School Living Club: Yuki Takeya, Kurumi Ebisuzawa, Yuri Wakasa, and Miki Naoki, along with their dog, Taromaru. Yuki loves her school life, spending happy days with her friends, oblivious to the reality outside the school grounds.

However, the reality is much darker. The school is in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, and the girls are staying at school to survive. Yuki's cheerful school life is actually an illusion, a coping mechanism to deal with the traumatic reality. Her friends play along to protect her fragile state of mind.

The anime skillfully balances light-hearted moments of life with the looming fear of its zombie-infested world. It explores themes of psychological trauma, survival, friendship, and the lengths one would go to preserve normalcy in an abnormal world. It has been praised for its unique concept and the unexpected depth of its storytelling.

Studio: Lerche
Episodes: 12

6. Zombie Land Saga

Zombieland Saga is a unique blend of the zombie horror and idol genres. A picture perfect zom-com…

The story begins when high school girl Sakura Minamoto suddenly dies in a tragic accident. However, her life doesn't end there. She wakes up in a strange old mansion in Saga Prefecture, only to discover that she has been resurrected as a zombie by a man named Kotaro Tatsumi.

Kotaro has an ambitious plan to revive Saga Prefecture through the power of… you guessed it… zombie pop idols. Sakura and her zombie friends form an idol group called Franchouchou. The twist is that these girls aren’t just any zombies—they’re legendary figures from different eras of Japanese history.

The show becomes a hilarious romp through their journey to become idols while keeping their zombie identities a secret from the public. Each episode usually involves the group preparing for or performing at an event, interspersed with comedy of their various misadventures as zombies trying to live (or not live) in the human world.

Zombieland Saga It tackles the themes of life, death, and the struggle to make a difference in the world. It also explores the intense world of Japanese idol culture, showing the challenges and pressures of being in the industry. It’s a unique take on the zombie genre, providing plenty of laughs and excitement.

Studio: MAP
Episode count: 24

5. Sankarea: Undying Love

Our protagonist, Chihiro Furuya, is a high school student with a strong interest in zombies, to the point of dreaming of having a zombie girlfriend. After the death of his pet cat, he attempts to resurrect it using an ancient manuscript that describes resurrection methods.

During his attempts, he meets a girl named Rea Sanka, who comes from a very sheltered and abusive family. Desperate and wanting to break free from her current life, she drinks the resurrection potion that Chihiro prepared for her cat. After an accidental fatal fall, she becomes a zombie, but retains her human consciousness and emotions.

The anime then revolves around Chihiro trying to keep Rea's condition a secret while dealing with everyday life and the struggles that come with having a zombie girlfriend.

Sankarea explores many themes beyond the typical zombie genre, including love, life, death, family issues, and the human desire for freedom. It provides a mix of comedy, romance, and horror elements, while also delving into darker themes due to the circumstances surrounding Rea's transformation.

Studio: DEEN Studio
Episodes: 12

4. Is This a Zombie?

Is this a zombie? It’s a delightful mix of genres: it’s part comedy, part horror, part magical girl, and even part harem. Imagine if a zombie apocalypse met a school rom-com anime, then stumbled upon a magical girl transformation scene… Yeah, it’s as crazy as it sounds.

The story follows our hero, Ayumu Aikawa, who is living (or should I say not living?) proof that high school is tough even when you're a zombie. After being killed by a serial killer, he is resurrected by a necromancer named Eucliwood Hellscythe. Ayumu is now an immortal zombie who has to deal with things like avoiding sunlight, trying not to dry out, and keeping his body parts intact.

If being a high school zombie isn't enough, Ayumu's life gets even more complicated when he accidentally steals the powers of a girl in a magical outfit, meaning he's the one who has to don a frilly outfit and fight evil megalo creatures. Now there's a wardrobe change no one saw coming.

Ayumu's unlife is filled with hilarious moments, from learning to live with her new powers to dealing with a house full of supernatural roommates. And let's not forget those awkward moments when you're a high school kid who suddenly finds yourself in a frilly pink minidress.

Is this a zombie? offers a different and comedic take on the zombie genre, combining it with elements of magical girl anime and harem comedy. It’s a fun-filled rollercoaster ride where you can expect the unexpected and it’s sure to keep you entertained. Just remember, it’s all fun and games until someone loses a limb… but hey, that’s just a typical day for Ayumu!

Studio: DEEN Studio
Episodes: 22

3. Sunday Without God

The story takes place in a world where God has abandoned humanity. As a result, people have stopped being born and can no longer die in the traditional sense. The only way to truly die and find peace is to be buried by a special type of person known as a “Gravedigger.”

The protagonist is a young girl named Ai Astin, who happens to be a Gravekeeper. She lives a peaceful life in her village until a sniper named Hampnie Hambart appears. After a series of tragic events, Ai discovers that her world is not exactly what she thought.

Ai sets out on a journey, meeting new friends and enemies. The series follows Ai's adventures and revelations as she navigates this strange world, grappling with profound questions about life, death, and the nature of humanity.

Sunday Without God weaves a philosophical narrative, exploring themes such as the meaning of life and death, the concept of God and human resilience. Despite its melancholic premise, it presents a story full of mystery, intrigue and moments of warmth and beauty.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Episodes: 12

2. Highschool Of The Dead

© DAISUKE SATO SHOUJI SATO/FUJIMISHOBO/HOTD Project

The story of Highschool Of The Dead is set in modern-day Japan, beginning when the world is struck by a deadly pandemic that turns humans into zombies, euphemistically referred to as “Them” by the main characters. The narrative follows a group of high school students (and the school nurse) as they fight against the zombie apocalypse.

The main characters are Takashi Komuro, Rei Miyamoto, Saeko Busujima, Saya Takagi, Kohta Hirano, and Shizuka Marikawa, each bringing their own unique skills and perspectives to the group. From the captain of the kendo club to genius-level intellects, these students are no ordinary survivors.

While Highschool Of The Dead certainly has its share of action and horror elements, it is also known for its fan service, with plenty of sexual content and suggestive themes. It is as much an exploration of societal collapse and human nature as it is a tale of survival against zombies.

The series is marked by intense action sequences, strategic planning and shows not only the horror of the undead, but also the darker side of human nature in the face of social collapse.

Unfortunately, the series was left incomplete due to the sudden death of the author, Daisuke Sato, in March 2017.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Episodes: 12

1. The Empire Of Corpses

The Empire Of Corpses is a 2015 science fiction adventure anime film. It is part of a series of films known as Project Itoh, each based on a novel by the late science fiction writer Satoshi Itō, who wrote under the pseudonym Project Itoh.

The film presents a 19th century version of the story in which Victor Frankenstein has discovered a method of reanimating the dead. These reanimated corpses, devoid of souls and free will, serve as a labor force, which has led to significant advances in industrial development.

The story follows John Watson (a reference to the character from the Sherlock Holmes stories), who is sought by the government to become a secret agent. Watson is tasked with finding Victor Frankenstein's lost notes, which detail the process of creating a soul. Watson, who has his own personal reasons for taking on this mission, embarks on a global adventure, encountering various dangers and philosophical dilemmas along the way.

The Empire Of Corpses offers a unique take on the idea of zombies, exploring the implications of a society built on the labor of the undead. It delves into deep philosophical questions about the nature of the soul and the ethical implications of using reanimated corpses. With its blend of historical and fictional elements, the film presents a rich, alternative take on history with an intriguing narrative.

Studio: WIT Studio
Length: 126 minutes

That’s our ultimate zombie anime watchlist! Let us know if you agree or if we missed any of your favorite zombie shows!