Much like the creatures themselves, the zombie genre just won't die. It's permeated every form of entertainment from movies to TV shows to video games. Just what is it that makes zombies so popular? Could it be the concept of a group of survivors struggling to live and retain their humanity against a horde of beasts that lost their humanity long ago? Could it be that people find catharsis in seeing bad-asses tear through the undead in violent, innovative ways without painting them as antagonists?
Whatever the reason, zombies seem to fit surprisingly well in anime. Unlike with western animation, anime is free to explore the possibilities of the zombie genre without holding back on the blood, gore, and moral ambiguity of surviving in a zombie apocalypse. This allows creators to explore complex themes in a story that feels chillingly accurate or go hog-wild, leaving us with five of the most realistic zombie anime and five that are way too crazy.
10 TOO CRAZY: Zo Zo Zombie (2020- )
Given the gut-wrenching content that will be featured, it's best to start this list on a lighter note with Zo Zo Zombie Boy. It's a cute show about a boy named Isamu and his best undead friend Zo Zo getting into wacky hijinx with other humans and monsters. As kid-friendly as it looks, it's worth noting that Zo Zo frequently finds disturbing ways to solve problems.
Just to list a few oddities, Zo Zo uses his intestines as a lasso, inflates his butt to block attacks, and his stomach comes to life to fight his opponent. All of that happens in the first episode and the rest of the season matches the madness.
9 MOST REALISTIC: The Empire of Corpses (2015)
The concept of using zombies for physical labor is outlandish but then again this story takes place in the late 19th Century in the British empire. In The Empire of Corpses, John Watson is forced to work for the British Empire and search for Victor Frankenstein's original notes on how to reanimate the dead. The story takes historical figures and characters from classic literature and places them in an efficient yet macabre setting.
As a macabre take on a period piece, The Empire of Corpses could serve as an allegory for imperialism at the time as the undead are treated like cattle. In anime, this is one of the few times where humanity is more of a monster than the zombies.
8 TOO CRAZY: Zombieland Saga (2018)
There are numerous reasons why someone would dare trifle in god's domain and attempt to raise the dead. Maybe it's to reanimate a loved one who passed away, maybe it's to get revenge, maybe it's to prove that it could be done. In Zombie Land Saga, a producer resurrects the dead to form an idol group that would (theoretically) boost the Saga Prefecture's ailing tourism industry. Yes, really.
While there are certainly better uses for zombies, the show earns points for thinking out of the box and repurposing deceased musicians. It's a zany anime that has the girls trying to pass as humans while coming to terms with being undead. It's unorthodox but succeeded in being one of the best idol animes.
7 MOST REALISTIC: Highschool of the Dead (2010)
When people think of anime and zombies, most people immediately think of Highschool of the Dead. The story centers around a group of students who are forced to work together to survive as a zombie outbreak ravages the city. On paper, this sounds like a generic yet fairly authentic story with high school students struggling to adapt during this crisis but this series isn't known for its realism.
The only reason this show isn't listed higher is because of its infamous, physics-breaking fan service. One Google search and it's clear why this deserves to be at this spot.
6 TOO CRAZY: Hellsing Ultimate (2006-2012)
Although this OVA series focuses on ghouls and vampires, there's no denying that zombies play a big role in Hellsing Ultimate; especially when you compare it to the original lackluster Hellsing adaptation. The story centers around Alucard, a vampire serving the Hellsing Corporation and protecting humanity from supernatural entities.
Alucard has made his mark in anime history as an anti-hero who fights against vampire-hunting priests, ghoulish assassins, and -- the main reason he is on this list -- Nazi zombies, arguably the worst kind of zombie. Overall, it's an epic series worth checking out for anyone who wants to see vampires fight ghouls, nazis, and zombies in Britain.
5 MOST REALISTIC: Sankarea: Undying Love (2012)
It's no surprise that zombie series tend to delve into some dark, uncomfortable material but Sankarea does so in a different way. In this show, zombie enthusiast Chihiro Furuya strikes up a friendship with Rea Sanka, a privileged girl with an abusively possessive father, while attempting to reanimate his cat.
She tries to end her life but returns as a zombie and must rely on Furuya to protect her, all the while coming to terms with being undead and their blossoming feelings. The show excels in its accurate depictions of abusive families and healthy relationships; a rare instance where the zombies aren't the most disturbing aspect of an anime.
4 TOO CRAZY: Is This a Zombie? (2011-2012)
You can tell a show is crazy when the strangest part isn't the main character getting killed and resurrected as a zombie. In Is This a Zombie?, the craziness starts after that when undead Ayumu Aikawa accidentally takes the powers of a magical girl. Not only is he forced to fight monsters, but he has to do so while reluctantly cross-dressing in a pink dress. At least he gets a chainsaw.
On top of all that, he somehow winds up garnering a harem of love interests throughout the series. It's baffling that this isn't the craziest zombie anime out there, but there's good reason for that!
3 MOST REALISTIC: School-Live! (2015)
At first glance, people will assume that School-Live is just another moe anime about high school girls running a club. That's all an illusion, though, one that is being used by the character Yuki Takeya to cope with the zombie apocalypse happening outside.
The show follows a group of girls barricaded in a school while coping with the reality of a zombie outbreak, enabling Yuki's delusions and surviving no matter what. Not only is it a magnificent blend of genres, but School-Live!'s portrayal of denial and trauma is chillingly authentic. It's no wonder the manga received such a high rating.
2 TOO CRAZY: GYO: Tokyo Fish Attack (2012)
While this film isn't a traditional zombie movie by any means, it features horrific, primal monsters spreading a horrific infection through bites and scratches. Granted, these monsters are walking, undead fish and sea life skittering around on and turning people into green, bloated gasbags. Still, if Sword Art Online technically fits the qualifications of an isekai, Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack fits the bill for a zombie film.
Anyone planning to watch this should approach with caution because this is based on a Junji Ito story. Simply put, Gyo will get more disturbing as it progresses and the gore won't be the most disgusting feature of this film. If it helps, the movie's source material is where the famous GASHUNK came from.
1 MOST REALISTIC: Seoul Station (2016)
It doesn't get any more realistic than an anime prequel to the hit film Train To Busan. The story is divided between runaway Hye-Sun as she tries to find shelter from the zombies while Suk-Gyu searches for her with the help of her boyfriend Ki-woong. In contrast to School-Live!'s escapism, this film examines the world through a pessimistic lens.
There are no fantastical elements like ridiculous fan service, stylized artwork, or amazing powers; just an unforgiving world that judges people as expendable nuisances. It's one thing for the world to be devastated by zombies but its another for it to be devastated by arrogance and bias.