Zom 100: Finding The Bright Side When There Is None
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead aired in July 2023 and was produced by Studio Bug Films. Adapted from its original work created by Haro Aso and Kotaro Takata. The story follows Akira Tendo and his journey through the zombie-infested Japan. Coming from an exploitive corporation Tendo felt as if he was trapped in a never-ending cycle of despair. However, waking to find the world was ending he found a new color after realizing a simple fact. He didn’t need to go to work anymore.
This is a story that I absolutely adore for many different reasons. One of the biggest is its message and gorgeous way of conveying it. I have been excited about this anime ever since I got glimpses of the manga. I fell in love with this story because, believe it or not, I’ve been in a similar position as Tendo. Not with an abusive mega-corporation, thankfully, but the feeling of existential dread. That feeling of “this is the best it gets” and the best sucks.
Growing up I’ve always been outgoing and loud and yet after the pandemic hit with Covid I haven’t been able to go back to who I was. I found myself more reserved, less myself. Finding that I could do my best to put on a smile, but I was never truly happy. Life felt mundane because I realized how easy it was to live without interacting with people. I became afraid of interaction. I used to be able to talk to a person without ever knowing them. Now I can barely look a stranger in the eye.
I lost my ability to communicate. It felt like I lost a very important part of myself. And sadly, I haven’t gotten it back yet. I still struggle to talk to people. That was something that three years took from me. Tendo had three years at that company, and it stole his whole life. I can relate, so that’s why seeing him break away from what he was and move into who he is as a person is so gratifying.
We watch as a young man who looked dead inside suddenly witnesses the world in a new beautiful light is inspiring. In Zom 100 the world has gone to hell, and he smiles and laughs with the utmost passion. He is free. And freedom is what we as humans crave. Freedom to love, freedom to run, freedom to do what you want. The freedom to live. And Studio Bug Films nailed this feeling with the biggest hammer I’ve ever seen.
The zombies in Zom 100 are covered in painted colors. Each splatter of blood on a body is a different color from the one next to it. It conveys that even in death and decay there is a beauty to it. A color breaking away from the monochrome monotony that we may witness in our day-to-day. With freedom we see color. And a colorful world is a beautiful world.
Seeing Tendo laugh and live the life he wants while everyone is focusing on survival is the true beauty. It shows we as humans weren’t made to survive, we were made to thrive and explore. Exploration of self is the greatest accomplishment you can make as a human. Because you find yourself and you can assist in society the best way your abilities allow. That is value. No one can take that from you.
Zom 100 has some beautifully made characters. From Tendo representing breaking into freedom, we have Shizuka Mikazuki. She acts as a polar opposite to Tendo. Her entire thought process is preparation and efficiency. She wastes no effort on things that aren’t essential. In her first meeting with Tendo, she comments on his lack of foresight. And while that in and of itself is true she regrets not grabbing the sweet snack she noticed in the store.
She represents preparedness. As well as the underlying desire to fulfill her needs. But it’s all bogged down by her idea that what she needs is to be effective and efficient. As the story unfolds, we see her slowly breaking down her walls. Understanding that just because they need to survive doesn’t mean they can’t have fun. And Tendo is the spark that ignites that flame. His reckless abandon to do what he wants and fulfill his rather childish goals. It’s endearing to watch as he changes the hearts of others.
Life is hard. It’s brutal and harsh. But it can still be fun. It can still have meaning beyond the computer you work on. Do your best to move forward with the mindset that “tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.” Because it isn’t. And yet you can make your day count. Do it. Take that extra mile on your run. Tell that girl you adore her smile. Tell your family you love them. Live.