Highschool of the Dead

In a sentence, this is one of the worst manga I've ever read but one of the best I've ever seen. In terms of narrative, you've seen it a million times. Zombies exist now, press play on civilization collapsing. Whatever. It's fun like every other ____ Of The Dead. But the actual prose quality on display here is ABOMINABLE. I hope I don't get haunted for saying this, but Daisuke Sato's (all jokes and criticism of his work aside, rest in peace) writing is so bad here as to be incomprehensible from panel to panel. Once they get to the nurse's friend's house, the events we are shown bounce between fanservice (Excellent, because Shouji Sato's art carries this series HARD) to infodumps about guns, random, poorly-handled political screeds (regardless of your politics, admit you cringed at "leftists tend to be sick in the head, just as sick as ultra-conservative racists." He just wants to grill for god's sake). Add in the expected amounts of gore and at least attempted character development, and you have a certifiable clusterfuck. On any given page, you can find blood, pantsu, gun porn, someone acting unbelievably stupid and yet surviving, and probably some weird rant about politics or something. I will give it this, the dialogue does sound like the kind of stupid shit I've heard high schoolers say, so points for realism I guess. At this point, I'm just reading it for the artwork. I wish there was some version that was JUST the art with no speech bubbles, actually. In conclusion, these high schoolers of the dead need to shut the fuck up and let the art shine, which it certainly can do.

This manga is highly renowned within the anime community. Most anime enthusiasts are likely familiar with the iconic matrix scene from the Highschool of the Dead anime. After finishing the entire series, you're left craving more, which leads you to discover the manga. Let me tell you, it's incredible—easily one of the best out there, with immense potential for growth.

It's unfortunate because the story had just entered a new arc, promising an entirely fresh and exciting scenario. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, this manga has been put on hold as the mangaka sadly passed away on March 22, 2017.

The impact this mangaka made on the industry cannot be understated. Even though the story remains unfinished, it will forever be remembered as one of the most respected manga in history.

I sincerely hope that someone will take up the mantle to complete this story. As of 2018, anything seems possible.

A thrilling ride from start to finish, though it ended rather abruptly.

If you're into action-packed scenes with a generous dose of fan service, this is your go-to. Oh, and let's not forget the guns—plenty of them, depicted in meticulous detail. Plot in a zombie ecchi bloodbath? Are you some kind of nerd?

All jokes aside, the manga improves on certain areas where the anime fell short. While it didn't completely fix my major issues, what I loved about it was amplified, and what I disliked was toned down.

Story: 7/10 - It's essentially The Walking Dead on steroids. Simplified for mass appeal, eliminating anything that might challenge the audience's comprehension.

Art: 10/10 - Absolutely stunning. Despite being drawn by artists known for hentai, the artwork here is exceptional. The attention to detail on firearms and other weapons is remarkable. Initially considered giving it a 9, but the bonus pinups and gun art at the end of each volume pushed it to a perfect score.

Characters: 7/10 - They start as stereotypes but develop over time, which is satisfying. Takashi, our protagonist, is likable and moves the plot forward without being annoying or stupid.

The character development isn't the main focus, but when it works, it really shines.

Enjoyment: 10/10 - Couldn't put it down. The constant action and consistent quality kept me hooked, always eager to see what happens next.

Overall: 8/10 - I thoroughly enjoyed this manga and have no shame admitting it. Objectively, an 8 is fair due to its hit-or-miss cast and the unfortunate indefinite hiatus. Watch if you love action; avoid if you despise fanservice. Either way, I know what I like, and I absolutely love HOTD.

I want to begin by expressing my love for zombie movies. I watch them all the time, from "Night of the Living Dead" to "Wild Zero." So, when I stumbled upon a manga featuring zombies in a high school setting, I was thrilled. I thought, "Wow, this is fantastic!" As I started reading, I immediately fell in love with it. The zombies are there, the drama's there—it may not be as good as Robert Kirkman's "The Walking Dead," but it's still awesome. Plus, you can't complain about the fan service either. The story flows very well, and the characters are likable. I'd recommend this to anyone craving a dose of zombies or ultra-violence mixed with well-developed characters.

The art is sleek; while it occasionally features goofy, low-detail faces, it doesn't overdo it. The best aspect of "High School of the Dead" is its characters—they're all very well-written. This manga is definitely a must-read for fans of zombies and horror. If you're looking for an engaging mix of thrilling action and compelling character development, look no further.