Summary

• Japanese manga offers unique takes on zombies, from reanimated corpses to zombies controlled by a protagonist.
• Empire of Corpses and Zombie Hunter add twists to the zombie genre with unique storylines and character development.
• From romance to horror, zombie manga like I Am a Hero and School-Live! offer diverse and engaging storytelling.

One of the most rewarding things about manga is its ability to engage in so many genres and subject matter. Zombies have long been a staple of the horror movie genre, often nodding towards the famous version of the undead from George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Consequently, series like Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead pay continued homage to the maestro of the modern zombie.

Japanese horror tales, with their own rich and creepy folklore, haven't quite embraced zombies to the same extent. However, there are still a handful of titles from Japan that focus on the monsters, offering a unique spin on undead creatures. Although this list mostly includes manga, there are several fantastic zombie manhwa out there, as well.

Updated on March 1, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: The horror genre has been overusing the zombie trope for quite some time, but these undead villains remain just as relevant as ever. While most western audiences are aware of zombie-themed TV shows, there are just as many zombie manga available to read — many of which are genuinely fascinating. As such, we've updated this list with some more relevant information.

20 The Empire Of Corpses Is An Absolute Triumph As A Manga

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.85

There are some fascinating manga and anime that reinvent the Frankenstein's Monster mythos In The Empire of Corpses, an alternate version of 18th century Britain presents Victor Frankenstein as the losing figure in a science war. His plans for reanimation get replaced with upgradable "Necroware," which transforms the undead into the bottom tier of the labor force. Fans might be confused to see characters named John Watson and Friday in this zombie manga, but they're essentially homages to literary figures.

Unfortunately, not even the most highly refined scientific endeavors are capable of returning the "soul" to its formerly human vessel. As a result, the advancement of compliant corpses becomes a dangerous struggle for humanity. The Empire of Corpses is an absolute triumph as a manga and series of novels, but it's also found new life as a feature film series that's produced by Wit Studio.

19 Zombie Hunter Borrows A Lot From Popular Death Game Series

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.74

Zombie Hunter is a dense four-issue seinen manga that's adapted from Kazumasa Hirai's novel of the same name. Toshio Tamura used to speed through life as a prestigious race car driver, but he now finds himself fighting for his survival on a zombie-infested island. Tamura soon learns that this cryptic island is actually a high-stakes test to determine who's best suited to become a vicious zombie hunter.

Motivated by his mission, but cautious about his cutthroat boss, Tamura finds himself on a bloody path towards redemption. Interestingly, the zombies in Zombie Hunter are special because they're actually corpses reanimated by alien parasites. Zombie Hunter borrows a lot from popular death game series. The original novel series has been around for over fifty years, eventually getting a manga adaptation in 1998.

18 My Girlfriend Is A Zombie Is A Worthwhile Take On The Apocalypse

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.78

While technically a manhwa, My Girlfriend is a Zombie has been accepted by manga readers as a worthwhile take on an overwhelming zombie apocalypse. My Girlfriend is a Zombie begins with the world already in undead chaos. However, this isn't a death sentence for Ling Mo, a unique individual who can control zombies.

Ling Mo moves through the undead with impunity, but his girlfriend, Ye Lian, isn't so lucky. Now that Ye Lian is a zombie, Ling Mo must restore his lover by helping her regain her memories and what makes her human. It's not exactly easy for Ling Mo, though, because zombie bodies tend to rot and lose random organs along the way. Overall, My Girlfriend is a Zombie is a fun read, even if some of the events in the story verge on unbelievable territory.

17 Highschool Of The Dead Became A Cult Hit

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.57

Highschool of the Dead proved to be a cult hit on release, leading many western readers to check it out for its unrelenting action and animated characters. There's no real twist on the zombie concept — the storyline is essentially straightforward, but not without character development. While not as popular, the manga added a lot of depth to the narrative and some additional style many felt were lacking from the anime series.

Regardless, the story of a diverse group of students struggling to survive when the zombie apocalypse spills over into their school has proven to be one of the most beloved takes on the genre. In addition, Yen Press also released the series in both omnibus editions and full-color hardcover, giving it a notable presentation for collectors.

16 Resident Evil: Marhawa Desire Is A Real Treat For Fans Of The Game

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.16

The Resident Evil series is arguably the most popular horror franchise in video game history. The Capcom-owned title has crossed over into many mediums. As a result, the franchise has received the manga treatment on a few occasions. What makes this release from Viz Media stand out from the other tie-ins, is offering an engaging narrative in canon, taking place just before Resident Evil 6.

Resident Evil: Marhawa Desire explains the origins of the nightmarish C-virus that caused the worldwide plague. The BSAA's Chris Redfield also plays a major role in this manga, although there's also an unknown character pulling the strings behind the scenes. This series may not stand out as the best manga has to offer, but certainly acts as a real treat for R.E. franchise fans.

15 Tokyo Zombie Is One Of The Most Stylized And Extreme Zombie Manga Out There

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.49

There is no shortage of manga that make names for themselves because of their intricate and detailed artwork. The inverse can also be true when manga narratives find strength through a scrappier approach, holding to the concept that less can be more. Yusaku Hanakuma's Tokyo Zombie has a generic title, but it's a manga that audiences won't soon forget.

Fujio and Mitsuo are two slacker employees who unintentionally start a zombie apocalypse after they kill their boss and dispose of his body in a toxic waste dump. Now, these two wannabe heroes must apply their limited skills to survive certain doom. Although they're initially separated from each other, they reunite after several years. Tokyo Zombie is one of the most stylized and extreme zombie manga on the market.

14 Hour Of The Zombie Shows That Zombies Can Retain Their Humanity

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.29

It's easy for many horror series to write zombies off as lost causes. However, there's so much rewarding emotion to explore when stories emphasize how these undead corpses were once living, breathing humans. The manga begins with a simple teenage crush: protagonist Akira's love for Kurumi goes nowhere because she's already fallen for his best friend. And yet, the three of them manage to maintain their connection until Umezawa and Kurumi become zombies.

Hour of the Zombie stands out from its undead peers through its zombies' ability to retain their humanity. This makes it especially difficult for the series' hero, Akira, to slash through these monsters. Hour of the Zombie doesn't overstay its welcome, and it finds new things to say about zombie and high school manga.

13 Magical Girl Apocalypse Lampoons The Eponymous Genre

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.78

Manga and anime commonly deal in well-defined tropes and Magical Girl Apocalypse is an excellent example of how to subvert those archetypes in ambitious ways. This manga lampoons the oversaturated magical girl genre, but treats it and its ultra-cute aesthetic like a virus of its own. These magical abilities don't just lead to mass deaths, but also the undead resurrection of these innocent people into magical girl zombies.

The tale starts with Kogami Kii, a high schooler who observes a small girl murdering one of his teachers. Despite his refusal to believe his own eyes, the creepy child soon murders most of his friends, forcing him to acknowledge the reality of his situation. A lot of the fun in Magical Girl Apocalypse is in how it successfully juxtaposes these contrasting extremes, becoming a bizarre delight.

12 Zombie Cherry Is Rushed But Makes For A Quick Fun Read

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.72

Facing nerves and fears that she'll be sick for her first date, a girl takes a large dose of medication meant to restore cells. Unfortunately, this drug was not meant to be used in that manner, and the young girl gets transformed into a zombie. Zombie Cherry is a wonderfully adorable romantic series, heightened with a healthy dose of comedy.

Zombie Cherry is a bit too short-lived and rushed to leave a lasting impression, but this makes it a quick fun read. Besides, not every zombie manga needs to be packed with brutality and gore — on the contrary, some of them are just heartwarmingly funny. Short and sweet, Zombie Cherry has enough bizarre quirks and light moments to stick with audiences long after they have finished reading.

11 Reiko The Zombie Shop Pays Homage To The Slasher Genre

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.04

The sleepy town of Shiraike has been shaken by a serial murderer on the loose. When a new stranger enters their town with the ability to raise the dead, the townsfolk hire the titular Reiko to raise the dead and learn the truth behind what is happening. As a necromancer, she somehow has the power to resurrect the dead in order to understand what caused their deaths. At the same time, Reiko insists that the dead might not behave as expected.

Courtesy of Dark Horse Manga, Reiko the Zombie Shop pays homage to the slasher genre, with a focus on a killer and his bloody vengeance. Additionally, the series is visually stunning thanks to mangaka Rei Mikamoto's detailed approach. Overall, Reiko the Zombie Shop offers a passionate take on both manga and horror of the '80s and '90s, making it unique.

10 Fort Of Apocalypse Takes An Innovative Approach To The Undead

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.48

Wrongfully convicted of murder, Yoshiaki Maeda finds himself in a youth detention center in a constant power flux. Unfortunately for the inmates, matters only become worse when the zombie apocalypse spills into their prison, creating a constant struggle for survival against both humankind and the undead. It's even more unfair for Maeda because he was never meant to be sentenced to a crime he never committed in the first place.

Fort of Apocalypse, which was tragically cut short, thrived on balancing the regular zombie tropes with some innovative approach to the evolution of the undead. Additionally, the art for the actual monsters was really pronounced, giving it a bold presence. Sadly canned before the series could properly finish, Fort of Apocalypse is still a fun ride for fans of zombie manga.

9 Cradle Of Monsters Is An Engaging And Claustrophobic Tale Of Survival

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.09

Makato Ayukawa is stuck on a nightmarish adventure after her own boat capsized and got lodged in a cruise ship's ruins. To make matters worse, many of the crew and passengers have transformed into zombies and are hunting down any survivors. Protagonist Ayukawa Makoto finds herself trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, so to speak.

As such, she has no choice but to find the best possible allies before they're all consumed by the ravaging monsters. All things considered, Cradle of Monsters is exceptional. A strong entry in the horror genre, the mix of "zombie" and "trapped on a ship" makes for an engaging and claustrophobic tale of survival. This series will thrill manga fans hungry for a macabre experience.

8 Corpse Princess Doesn't Focus Too Much On Zombies Themselves

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.19

Corpse Princess is a wild mix, and its clear objective-based narrative bears much in common with High-Rise Invasion. A group of high school students innocently venture into a haunted building and are quickly greeted by hordes of zombies. Out of the monsters comes Shikabane Hime, a plucky warrior girl who claims to be immortal and tasked with the mission to take out 108 corpses.

Completion of this goal will allow the so-called Shikabane to pass over into heaven. However, protagonist Ouri Kagami never really understands Shikabane Hime's real motivations, at least until the pair develop a strong bond. Eventually, it appears that both of them are necessary to comprehend the nature of these strange zombies. Corpse Princess is a fascinating manga that makes zombies one of the more basic story elements.

7 Zombie-Loan Functions Like A Mystery And Hard-Boiled Thriller

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 6.83

Zombie-Loan is a different type of zombie story and its manga ran for nearly a decade. The series functions more like a mystery and hard-boiled thriller that applies an investigative slant to a growing epidemic before it fully gets out of hand. Michiru Kita discovers that she has supernatural abilities that allow her to see ring-like markings on certain individuals, which seem to be indicators of death.

Michiru digs deeper and learns that there's much more to this connection than she initially thought, discovering a growing zombie threat. She ultimately realizes the truth after observing two of her classmates with black rings around their necks, both of whom have remained alive as part of a Zombie-Loan contract. These two boys later enlist Michiru to help them kill zombies and satisfy the terms of their contract.

6 Zom 100: Bucket List Of The Dead Is As Fun As Its Title Is Long

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.87

Akira Tendou has accomplished everything in life, or so he thinks upon finally acquiring his dream job. As it turns out, the endless work isn't nearly as satisfying as he assumed it would be. Traumatized by years of working in an unfulfilling position, Akira has reached his breaking point both physically and mentally. However, this changes when zombies take over and the disgruntled company man gets the chance to forge his own path.

Akira decides to create a bucket list containing everything he wants to achieve before fate catches up with him. A solid comedy that switches to a more serious drama in the later volumes, Zom 100 is as fun as its title is long. Given the series is still in its infancy, it is difficult to say how the story will evolve. For now, it is proving to be a favorite among genre fans.

5 Is This A Zombie? Is An Awkward Romance Steeped In Perverse Comedy

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.34

Based on the popular light novel series, and later adapted into an anime, Is This a Zombie? is an awkward romance tale steeped in perverse comedy. Additionally, the series carries a cute visual style that compliments the humor. Ayumu is killed under mysterious circumstances, only to be brought back to life by a necromancer called Eucliwood Hellscythe. Ayumu then decides to find out who killed him in the first place.

He eventually teams up with Eucliwood, Seraphim, and Haruna in order to fight the Megalos. The tale of boy meets girl, boy dies, boy gets resurrected by a girl to help him fight hordes of monsters may not be the most original story. However, the light novel allows for some depth, making this Yen Press title a comedic standout.

4 Biomega Is One Of The Prequels To The Blame! Dystopia Series

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.48

There are some formative cyberpunk manga series that have helped define the subgenre. Biomega feels like someone blended Knight Rider with Mission: Impossible, then also added zombies to the equation. The futuristic series focuses on an agent and his motorcycle-bound AI companion, named Zouichi Kanoe and Fuyu Kanoe, respectively.

Together, they hunt for humans who are resistant to the viral infection that's spread across the world and turned the population into zombie "drones." For those who are hungry for an even deeper look into this universe, Biomega is actually one of several prequels to the larger Blame! dystopia series. Critics enjoyed this series greatly, with the Anime News Network stating that Biomega is "the graphic-novel embodiment of the weirdest zombie video game never made."

3 Sankarea: Undying Love Is A Refreshing Change Of Pace For Zombie Manga

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.28

Sankarea: Undying Love begins with what seems like it might be questionable territory since the protagonist, Chihiro Furuya, is a boy who is obsessed with female zombies and the dead. Chihiro gets pushed to create a reanimation elixir that unsurprisingly doesn't go according to plan. Chirio's elixir ends up turning his disaffected friend, Rea Sanka, into a resurrected zombie.

Rea is thrilled she doesn't have to adhere to life's responsibilities and moves in with Chihiro — who is more than happy to apply his zombie knowledge to something practical. That said, Chihiro finds it more and more difficult to handle Rea's newfound desires as well as the outcomes of her resurrection. Sankarea: Undying Love is a refreshing change of pace for the zombie manga genre.

2 I Am A Hero Is One Of The Best Horror Manga Of All Time

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.67

Not just among the best in the zombie genre, but I Am a Hero is easily one of the best horror manga of all time. The story of a lovable loser turned hero plays great within the zombie genre. As a failed mangaka, Hideo Suzuki doesn't really have much to live for. When he believes that his partner is being unfaithful to him, he decides to confront her directly. Of course, this is when everything begins to go wrong for him.

I Am a Hero has a strong visual approach and touches of surrealism that make for an engrossing and unique experience. Currently available in Omnibus form from Dark Horse Manga, the standout horror series has been given the respect it deserves. I Am a Hero was popular enough to get multiple spin-offs as well as a live-action movie adaptation.

1 School-Live! Is Full Of Deep Storytelling And Rewarding Surprises

Rating

• MyAnimeList Score: 7.62

Cute girls doing cute things while trying to survive the zombie apocalypse has proven to be a winning formula in School-Live! To say the success is just in the novelty of the approach would be a misstep since the series boasts a memorable cast of characters. Featuring fascinating characters like Yuki Takeya, Kurumi Ebisuzawa, and Yuuri Wakasa, this manga revolves around a group of survivors trapped in their school following a zombie invasion.

Readers shouldn't let the cute veneer ruin this otherwise well-rounded and engaging series. Balancing comedy sprinkled and strong horror elements, School-Live! is full of deep storytelling and rewarding surprises. There's also a 2015 anime series for interested viewers, although reading this adorably unnerving zombie manga should come first.