The arrival of the Summer Season has brought us an abundance of anime from our beloved studios. While many anime have faded from their popularity since their initial release, one anime has caught the eyes of people all over the world.
The anime is called “Zom 100: Bucket List of The Dead,” which has been a breakout hit since the first episode and is consistently outperforming hit anime like Mushoku Tensei Season 2 in viewership and dominating charts.
It is a new project brought to life by Studio BUG FILMS (a new studio) and directed by Kazuki Kawagoe. The series is based on the manga of the same name written by Haro Aso, the renowned author of the famous psychological series “Alice in Borderlands.”
Zom 100 follows the story of Akira Tendou, a 24-year-old trapped in a soul-crushing job, who finds his life transformed when a zombie apocalypse hits Japan. Freed from the constraints of his work, Akira seizes the opportunity to pursue his dreams and desires, even as the world around him descends into chaos.
Now without wasting our precious time, here are the anime similar to Zom 100!
8. Kabenari of the Iron Fortress
“Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress” is a renowned original anime series that aired in 2016, animated by the fan-favorite Studio WIT and beautifully directed by Tetsurou Araki.
Set during a modern industrial revolution, the series introduces a mysterious virus that transforms humans into virtually undefeatable monsters called ‘Kabane.’ These creatures’ hearts are encased within layers of iron, making them nearly invincible.
The infection spreads through bites, turning humans into Kabane. The story follows Ikoma, a young boy who crafted a unique weapon called ‘Tsuranukizutsu’ to defeat the Kabane. As he patiently awaited the opportunity to use his weapon, he fortuitously met Mumei, a girl exempted from the mandatory Kabane inspection.
One night, Ikoma encounters Mumei as chaos erupts at the station where he lives, due to a Kabane invasion. Seizing the perfect moment, he uses his Tsuranukizutsu to fight back.
“Zom 100” and “Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress” share a similar post-apocalyptic setting. Both worlds depict the struggle to survive in a landscape where death lurks around every corner, adding to the thematic resonance between the two series.
7. Is This a Zombie?
“Is This a Zombie?” is a comedy anime series adapted from the light novel of the same name, penned by Shinichi Kimura. Studio DEEN brought the anime adaptation to the small screen, infusing it with humor and unique twists.
While the series doesn’t have a post-apocalyptic setting, it shares intriguing similarities with “Zom 100” that fans of both shows will appreciate. The story follows Ayumu Aikawa, a high school boy who meets an untimely end, only to be resurrected by a necromancer named Eucliwood Hellscythe. However, his resurrection comes with a twist: Ayumu is now a zombie living among humans and serving Eucliwood as her guard.
Things take an unexpected turn when Ayumu accidentally deprives the Mahou Shoujo ‘Haruna’ of her magical powers. In her stead, Haruna orders Ayumu to combat the corrupted “Anti-Mahou Shoujo” system known as Megalo.
The connection between “Is This a Zombie?” and “Zom 100” lies in their shared theme of a character transformed into a zombie, coupled with a lighthearted and humorous approach. Both series explore the challenges and absurdities of living as a zombie, providing entertainment and laughs along the way.
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6. School-Live!
A coming-of-age and slice-of-life anime that is similar to Zom 100? Say no more!
“School-Live!” is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a group of students has formed the School-Living Club in their school to survive a recent zombie apocalypse.
Adapted from a manga of the same name by Norimitsu Kaihou, with illustrations by Sadoru Chiba, the anime adaptation was produced by Studio Lerche and directed by Masaomi Andou.
The series follows the daily lives of the School-Living Club members, including the shovel-loving Kurumi Ebisuzawa, the nurturing big sister figure Yuuri Wakasa, the club’s advisor Megumi Sakura, and the ever-optimistic Yuki Takeya.
Far from a typical school club, the School Living Club consists of these four girls navigating the challenges of the zombie apocalypse. They strive to maintain a sense of normalcy, hanging out with each other, having fun, and living within the confines of their school.
With a compelling blend of comedy and horror, “School-Live!” is a must-watch for fans of “Zom 100.” Its unique premise and engaging characters offer a fresh take on the zombie genre, making it a standout in the world of anime.
5. Zombie Land Saga
Idols? Check. Zombies? Check. Welcome to “Zombie Land Saga,” a chaotic and comedic original anime brought to life by Studio MAPPA. Directed by Munehisa Sakai, this commercially successful series blends music with the supernatural in a way that’s both unique and entertaining.
The concept of the anime is as intriguing as it is simple: idols are killed and then reincarnated as zombies. But death doesn’t stop them from pursuing their dreams. Even in their undead state, they remain focused on their idol careers, bringing a whole new meaning to the term “half-dead” in the entertainment world.
Heartwarming, hilarious, and musically rich, “Zombie Land Saga” offers a fresh take on the zombie genre. Like “Zom 100,” it combines comedy with a touch of music, creating a delightful and engaging experience.
If you’re in the mood for something refreshingly different and adequately hilarious, “Zombie Land Saga” is the anime you’ve been searching for.
4. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls
“Corpse Party” stands apart from the other anime mentioned above, offering a darker and more intense experience. Adapted from a video game of the same name, the anime was brought to life by Studio Asread and directed by Akira Iwanaga.
The series delves into the tragic events surrounding nine school students who gather at night to bid farewell to a dear friend. They use doll figurines for the farewell, unaware that these objects are connected to the Heavenly Host Academy (HHA), a school that was shut down long ago following a series of gruesome murders.
Unwittingly, their ritual opens a portal to another dimension, trapping the students with the vengeful ghosts of HHA. Now, they must either work together to escape this nightmarish realm or become one of the damned themselves.
While “Corpse Party” shares thematic similarities with “Zom 100” in its portrayal of chaotic worlds, it takes a much darker and more horrifying approach.
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3. Sankarea: Undying Love
“Sankarea: Undying Love” is an anime that masterfully combines the ecchi-horror genre with beautiful animation sequences and a romantic storyline. Though categorized as ecchi, the series doesn’t shy away from delivering a compelling narrative.
Originally a manga by Mitsuru Hattori, the anime adaptation was crafted by Studio DEEN. The story follows Chihiro Furuya, a high school student known as the “Everything-what-zombie-freak.” Unlike his peers, Furuya’s fascination lies with zombies rather than the living, and he even concocts potions to reanimate the dead.
The plot takes an intriguing turn when Furuya’s cat dies, and he attempts to bring it back to life. Instead of resurrecting his pet, he stumbles upon a girl who had died in an accident long ago and is now an actual zombie. The story then explores the complex emotions and challenges that arise when Furuya’s obsession with the undead becomes a living reality.
With its unique blend of rom-com, horror, and ecchi elements, “Sankarea: Undying Love” is highly recommended for fans of “Zom 100.”
2. Magical Girl Site
Magical Girl Site is a relatively overlooked anime due to the Mahou Shoujo genre (young girls who use magic). The series was originally a manga that Kentarou Satou pens. Studio Production Doa took the role for the anime adaptation and was directed by Tadahito Matsubayashi.
The series follows a girl named Aya Asagiri, who was a victim of bullying at her school. Looking for a way to escape, she surfs on the internet for distraction and stumbles upon a website called “Magical Girl Site.” But Aya did not know what she was getting herself into.
Simply viewing the page cost Aya to headlong into the world of “Magical Girl Apocalypse.” In a world where death machines are armed with magical powers, they all have an unquenchable thirst for blood. Will Aya be able to survive the world of Magical Girl Apocalypse?
Like Zom 100, Magical Girl Site has a protagonist trying to squeeze her way out of her sorrowful reality. But, as Akira from Zom 100 had it easy, things for Aya will get more challenging than ever.
1. Highschool of The Dead
If any anime deserves the number one spot on this list, it’s “Highschool of The Dead.” This cult classic series was adapted from a manga of the same name, penned by the late author Daisuke Saitou and illustrated by Shouji Satou.
Known for its over-the-top fanservice, relentless action, and intense violence, “Highschool of The Dead” moves at a breakneck pace. It follows a group of high school students as they navigate the horrors of a zombie apocalypse, providing stunning animation and complex characters along the way.
The characters battle emotions and personal issues while they are on the quest for survival. Since the anime aired in 2010, it has gained a lot of viewership and formed a strong fanbase that still wishes to see the anime’s second season.
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These are the anime that are much similar to Zom 100. If you like Zom 100, be sure to check these mentioned anime, as you will surely like them too. Moreover, you can also check out the highest-rated summer anime that are not sequels.
