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Series poster for Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

2023
Ended • 1 Season • 12 Episodes
Director: Kazuki Kawagoe
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Overview

An overworked 24-year-old finally decides to live a little and create a bucket list, when a zombie outbreak hits the country.

Seasons

2 listed
Status
Ended
Seasons
1 season
Episodes
12 episodes
First aired
Jul 9, 2023
Last aired
Dec 26, 2023
Episode length
24m
Networks
MBS, TBS, CBC, Hulu, Tulip Television, Crunchyroll, SBC, BSN

Latest episode: S1 E12 Hometown of the Dead III (Dec 26, 2023)

  1. Season 1 poster

    Season 1

    12 episodes Jul 9, 2023 7.4
  2. Specials poster

    Specials

    2 episodes Aug 6, 2023

Cast

Reviews

5 min read

Running Out of Excuses, Not Time

I keep thinking about the first joke Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead makes, because it lands with a kind of rude precision: a zombie apocalypse is not the worst thing that can happen to a young worker in modern Japan. latestnetflix.com's read is that that’s funny, sure, but it’s also a little embarrassing — the show knows exactly how to prick the bubble of the “normal” life many of us have been trained to accept.

When Akira wakes up to a city that’s finally gone mad, the series treats the dead as an interruption and, in a strange way, as a relief. For once, no one expects him to answer emails.

Akira confronted by a suddenly deadened Tokyo street in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

That premise is doing more work than a standard zombie setup usually allows. Zom 100 arrived as an adaptation of the manga by Haro Aso and Kotaro Takata, and the appeal is obvious even before a single limb gets torn off: it’s a workplace burnout comedy dressed in gore, neon, and motion. The series doesn’t just use apocalypse as backdrop; it uses it as permission. Permission to quit.

Permission to laugh too loudly. Permission, maybe most importantly, to want things again. In that sense, it belongs to a long line of genre stories that smuggle social critique through monsters, but this one has a particularly contemporary target.

The enemy isn’t only death. It’s the office. The grind.

The social contract that tells you gratitude should be enough.

Akira’s bucket-list energy bursts into color amid the chaos

What’s striking, and what I didn’t entirely expect, is how often the series turns from satire into earnestness without losing its footing. That can be a dangerous move in comedy; sincerity can deflate the joke if the material hasn’t earned it. Here, though, the shift feels almost like the point.

Akira’s lists and little bursts of joy — food, freedom, a ridiculous sense of self-reinvention — aren’t played as ironies. They’re treated as late arrivals of a life he should’ve been allowed to live all along. I wouldn’t say every episode carries that balance equally well.

Audience Opinions

Broad evidence
Audience 7.0/10
"Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead reframes the zombie apocalypse as the ultimate cure for workplace burnout, winning over audiences with vibrant energy and infectious optimism."

Viewers resonate strongly with Akira's cathartic realization that the collapse of society frees him from an exploitative corporate grind. As [latestnetflix.com]() observes, the story swaps grim survival dread for a buoyant celebration of personal dreams and everyday pleasures. While the premiere hooks viewers with its sharp social satire and dynamic visual flair, some find that later stretches lean more heavily into over-the-top farce than the grounded emotional resonance of the opening.

What viewers praise
  • Cathartic genre subversion Audiences praise the uplifting premise of treating an apocalyptic outbreak as liberation from soul-crushing corporate burnout.
  • High-energy comedic style Viewers respond enthusiastically to the show's colorful palette and infectious sense of fun.
Common complaints
  • Hyperbolic tonal shifts Some viewers bounce off the transition from biting workplace satire to exaggerated, absurd slapstick.
Recommended for
Viewers seeking an uplifting, carpe diem spin on zombie fiction Fans of colorful, fast-paced action comedies Anyone recovering from workplace burnout who appreciates sharp corporate satire

Buzz & Rumors

Public reports

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead – The Undead Uprising Behind the Scenes

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023) flips the zombie genre on its head, turning apocalyptic dread into a darkly comedic celebration of life. latestnetflix.com's view is that but how did this manga adaptation go from page to screen—and what’s the story behind its chaotic charm?

From Manga to Screen: A Long-Awaited Adaptation

The series is based on the manga Zom 100: Zonbi ni Naru Made ni Shitai 100 no Koto (literally "100 Things I Want to Do Before Becoming a Zombie"), written by Haro Aso and illustrated by Kotaro Takata . The manga, which began serialization in 2018, quickly gained a cult following for its fresh take on the zombie trope—focusing on a disillusioned office worker who, after a zombie outbreak, decides to live life to the fullest rather than despair.

The 2023 anime adaptation brought this premise to life, though details about its production remain scarce. The series was created by Haro Aso (credited as the original writer) , but the director and key creative team behind the anime remain unconfirmed in the available evidence. What is clear is that the show’s tone—equal parts absurd and heartfelt—stays true to the manga’s spirit.

The Cast: Voices Behind the Undead Chaos

The anime’s Japanese cast includes Shuichiro Umeda, Tomori Kusunoki, and Makoto Furukawa , though their specific roles aren’t detailed in the snippets. Umeda, known for his work in The Rising of the Shield Hero, likely voices the protagonist, Akira Tendo, the overworked salaryman who seizes the zombie apocalypse as an opportunity to reclaim his life. Kusunoki, a rising star in anime voice acting, and Furukawa, a veteran of My Hero Academia, round out the main trio, though their exact characters are unconfirmed.

The English dub, meanwhile, features Zeno Robinson (known for My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer) and Bill Millsap, though their roles aren’t specified in the evidence . The lack of detailed casting breakdowns leaves fans speculating about which actors brought which characters to life.

A Zombie Apocalypse with a Twist

The show’s premise is simple but effective: after a zombie outbreak, Akira, a 24-year-old office drone, realizes he’s been sleepwalking through life. Instead of panicking, he crafts a bucket list of experiences he never allowed himself—from petty revenge on his boss to wild, post-apocalyptic adventures . The series blends comedy, action, and existential musings, making it a standout in the crowded zombie genre.

What’s missing, however, is any behind-the-scenes drama or production anecdotes. The evidence doesn’t reveal whether the anime faced delays, creative clashes, or budget constraints—common in adaptations of this scale. For now, the focus remains on the final product: a series that turns the end of the world into a reason to live.

The Mystery of Season 2

One of the biggest unanswered questions is whether Zom 100 will return for a second season. The manga is still ongoing, leaving plenty of material for adaptation . However, the evidence doesn’t confirm any renewal plans, leaving fans in the dark. Rumors swirl about potential delays or studio decisions, but without official announcements, it’s all speculation.

For now, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead remains a unique entry in the zombie genre—one that prioritizes joy over despair, even in the face of the undead.

Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.

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