Review of Is This a Zombie? (2011)
Hey, everyone, it's time for a new review.
I know it's been a while since my last review. I was on a missions trip to Nicaragua (which I will write a full blog on soon), and then I was busy with work, illnesses, and other aspects of my life upon my return. I just finished the first season/series of Is This a Zombie?, so I wanted to write the review while it's still fresh in my head.
As of this day, it has a pretty high popularity rating-in the top 100- according to MyAnimeList (1). I went in with high expectations. In short, I found this anime to be nothing special. I didn't dislike it, but I don't see anything new or exciting with it either, earning it only an average rating.
While the story has some originality, I found the plot at times to be ridiculous. I only found three of the characters likable. I didn't find the humor funny. However, the anime had me at least wanting to finish it, so the plot was at least enticing enough not to drive me away. However, that alone couldn't earn this one a high score.
Story:
The basic story follows the protagonist Ayumu, who has recently died and been brought back to life by the necromancer: Eucliwood Hellscythe (or Eu, as Ayumu calls her). In addition, he runs into a magical girl named Haruna, and accidentally steals her magic. Due to this mishap, Ayumu is forced to fight the evil creatures in her place.
Along the way, we are introduced to other characters such as the vampire ninjas: Seraphim, Sarasvati, and Yuki. The latter becomes accidentally engaged to Ayumu. This group helps with the supernatural battles. During their down time, the team hangs out like an ordinary group of friends.
The plot sounds interesting enough, were the execution not so goofy. Certain elements such as Yuki fighting with ramen noodles, and the enemies being floating whales, as well as how Ayumu has to transform into a magical girl costume to reach full potential robs the show of what awesomeness it might had possessed.
Also, this anime feels like it shoved together so many genres into one. This may sound like a recipe for disaster, but it actually works well here. At its core, I think it's best to consider this a harem with the main male character being surrounded by females (more than one fighting for his affection). Then this anime would also count as an action, a comedy, and a magic series. Personally, I think it fails at comedy, but works fine as all the others listed.
There are several boring moments, such as the bowling scene, or the part where the girls are playing what seems to be extreme Jenga, that serves no purpose to the plot, other than to take up time. Fortunately, these moments don't last long, and it quickly returns to the plot. Even if that particular plot point is over the top or silly.
Characters:
The main character Ayumu is pretty likable. He cares deeply for his friends, and constantly puts himself in danger for them. It helps that he knows he is immortal, and has no real fear of death, however, pain works the same way on him as it does on normal humans. He is a bit of a pervert, which is shown in some of his fantasies surrounding the women, but that detail actually adds to his overall character. However, it's his loyalty to his loved ones that makes him likable.
Eu, the main female, and the necromancer, has to be my favorite of the cast. Her quirk is that she has to remain silent or else cause pain and destruction to those around her. All of her thoughts and communications are written on a notepad. I like how her every interaction is based solely on action and body language, making her a more complex character. The absence of speech makes the love for her friends more amplified. Not to mention, she is the only one who is not violent with Ayumu, making me support them as a pairing.
The only other character in this series that I like is the vampire ninja, Yuki. Due to an accident, Yuki finds herself betrothed to Ayumu. She then tries her best to love him, act as a perfect wife, and make him love her, so as not to betray her laws. I like the amount of devotion she has to her people by keeping her vow, and to Ayumu for trying to make the best of the situation. I also like her for being the only one who treats Ayumu respectfully. Honestly, I think she does eventually develop actual feelings for Ayumu.
The main villain in this season is pretty interesting. I won't say much on him to avoid spoilers, just that I can feel for him and his plight. Perhaps his methods for reaching his goal are messed up, but his motivation is sound. I would have liked to get to know him a little better, as there are many mysteries surrounding him that I feel weren't resolved.
Now onto the rest of the cast. I'll begin with Haruna. When she was introduced I wanted to include her on a list of most annoying anime characters. By the end of the season she had undergone some character development, but is still a candidate for that list. The fact that she beat up Ayumu over a dream involving him as well as his choice of not wanting to kiss her made me detest her. Her arrogance also detracts from her character. She just strikes me as a selfish spoiled brat with an inflated ego.
Despite what I said about Haruna, she is not my least favorite in the series, that spot goes to Seraphim. Sera (as she is referred to) is the first vampire ninja we're introduced to. From what I gathered, their purpose is to protect the world from evil sent to destroy it. She is rude and hateful to Ayumu for no good reason. She is so cold that I find it hard to sympathize with her. At least Haruna has a personality, but I find Sera to be lacking one. However, she does have some development on the issue of free thinking.
As for the minor characters. Orito is pretty much the typical harem anime best friend. Replace him with any other male best friend from any other harem series and there's not much difference. He serves no purpose and has nothing that stands out about him. Also there is Taeko. She is a friend of Yuki's. I get the vibe that she has feelings for Ayumu, but due to her friendship with Yuki, she chooses not to interfere. She strikes me as being kind and supportive, making her more likable than half of the main characters.
Art:
The art is decent. I really like the costumes used here. All of the magical girl garments are adorable. I think my favorite has to be Kyoko's. Also, the part where Ayumu's costume becomes cuter when more power is applied is a nice touch. I also love Eu's costume, it's cute and practical, matching her personality.
On the subject of character designs, they are rather typical. Eu is the only one who truly stands out. Her whole appearance, especially the costume is original. I can't think of another anime character who resembles her. As for the others, there is nothing that really stands out about them. Haruna, Ayumu, Sera, and Yuki all come across as generic in terms of anime design within the last decade.
I like the animation during fight scenes. They're colorful and swift, exactly the way battle scenes should be. On the other hand, I like how the more lighthearted scenes have slower animation, perfectly fitting the moment. This is a minor detail, but I do like the fluid animation used when Ayumu's wounds heal.
In all, my opinion on art and animation is positive. There's nothing spectacular, but it's still good.
Music:
The theme song is a perfect selection for this anime. It fits the overall mood of the show. It also works well with the images used during the opening sequence.
I love the violin music provided by Sera. That entire symphony played by the vampire ninjas in episode eleven is gorgeous. I actually wish that music was not interrupted by the scenes edited between. I think the fight scene could have still worked with that song playing in the background.
Each of the songs played in episode twelve is catchy. Eu's song is beautiful. Even Haruna's song is enjoyable, even if that is solely because of the energy. I wonder if full-length versions of those songs will ever be released.
In all, the music used in this anime is great.
Flaws:
I know I touched on this earlier, but it's hard to take this anime seriously. I know this is a comedy, but I didn't find the silly plot decisions funny, just ridiculous. They are fighting flying whales wearing jackets. How threatening is that? Not to mention Yuki can fight off monsters with certain recipes of ramen noodles. There is a line where the series crosses into the absurd, and that happens within the first episode. I understand that Ayumu accidentally steals Haruna's power, but to the extent that it gives him her costume? That's a little on the extreme side. I don't get how a man wearing a dress that gives him magical powers is funny. Then towards the end (excluding episode twelve) the series tries to take a serious turn, but it doesn't work when ridiculous stunts such as instrument playing to ward off evil spirits, or killer plush toys are being used.
Secondly, and, I know I've mentioned this so many times in previous reviews that I must be sounding like a broken record. Maybe someone can explain this to me, because I don't get the humor in it. Is This a Zombie? is yet another anime in which the women beat up on the male protagonist for no good reason. Okay, when he crosses a line, or does something legitimately perverted, I understand. However, there is a moment in which Haruna has a dream involving him, and she gets angry and clobbers him for it. What more, Sera defends her. Another example is when Ayumu does something that nearly kills him to save Yuki, and immediately after she attacks him for merely calling her by her last name, instead of the more intimate first name. I may be wrong, but that's not the way to show someone gratitude. This type of humor has been overdone in anime, especially in this one, and I just don't find it amusing.
That brings me to the next thing I want to talk about, and that is on the subject of relationships. How am I supposed to believe that one character has developed feelings for another when she treats him so horribly? I see this a lot in anime as well, in which the female shows her "affection" by behaving so awful towards the lead male. There is a scene where Haruna is truly upset that Ayumu refuses to kiss her (not to mention he doesn't love her, at least not at this point), and because of his choice to not partake in an intimate gesture with someone he doesn't have romantic feelings for, Haruna pummels him. How am I supposed to root for her, and hope a relationship forms between the two of them, when I see how abusive she is? (It's not just Haruna, I'm just used her as an example.)
Lastly, I wasn't impressed with the ending. There could have been so much more, and I feel it was lacking. I'm talking about the actual climactic ending of episode eleven, not the filler episode twelve, which was pretty funny (one of the few times I actually laughed during this series). I just felt it was a lot of build up for a low payoff.
Conclusion:
Is This a Zombie? has an original premise, even if it is beyond ridiculous at times; the silly plot points do take away any seriousness from this show. The two leads are likable, but many of the other characters not so much. The art is good, and there are some great moments of animation. The music is enjoyable. The humor however is lacking. I don't find character abuse funny, and that's the majority of the "comedy." The ending was also less than satisfying.
In all, I would say this anime is decent, but it's nothing special. It doesn't deserve to be on the bad end of the spectrum, but I also wouldn't rank it among the best. It's somewhere in the middle. I was entertained, but it's not likely that I would watch it again. There are other seasons, but I'm not rushing to watch them anytime soon.
Is This a Zombie?: 5/10
Beverage: Pink Lemonade
Music: Sleeping Romance
1. "Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka?" MyAnimeList (2015). July 21, 2015.
http://myanimelist.net/anime/8841/Kore_wa_Zombie_Desu_ka