Watch Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a 12-episode Japanese anime series that premiered on Netflix in October 2023. The show was produced by Studio MAPPA and directed by Munehisa Sakai, known for his work on One Punch Man season 2. The show takes place in a post-apocalyptic Japan where a zombie pandemic has overrun the country. The main character is Akira, an ordinary office worker who gets infected and turns into a zombie. However, Akira retains his human consciousness even after becoming undead. Realizing he doesn't have long before he loses himself completely, Akira decides to take advantage of his zombie powers and fulfill his bucket list of things he always wanted to do but never could.

Akira teams up with his coworker Gou and begins knocking items off his list, which includes things like hanging out at a Maid Cafe, going to a hot spring, visiting a samurai museum, and other quintessential Japanese experiences. Of course, this leads to plenty of hilarious and absurd situations as Akira tries to blend in with human society as a zombie. He has to get creative in hiding his undead nature, leading to lots of over-the-top slapstick comedy.

As Akira pursues his bucket list, he also slowly learns more about the origins of the zombie plague and the shadowy Megacon Corporation which may be behind it. This larger mystery unfolds in the background while Akira focuses on his more lighthearted goals. The show balances its absurdist comedy with moments of touching emotion, especially in Akira's strained relationship with his younger sister.

Zom 100 showcases excellent animation and visual gags to highlight the ridiculous juxtaposition of a zombie freely roaming Japan. The character designs manage to make even decomposing bodies cute through stylized cartoon art. There are plenty of anime and pop culture references sprinkled throughout for fans to spot.

While the show is mainly episodic as Akira crosses another item off his list each episode, an overarching story builds up in the background until the surprising revelations and emotional crescendo of the finale. Zom 100 mixes just the right blend of silly zombie shenanigans with incisive social satire and commentary.

With its wacky humor, lovable characters, stellar animation, and thoughtful themes, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead puts a fresh spin on the crowded zombie genre. Both hardcore anime fans and casual viewers can find plenty to enjoy in this genre-bending supernatural comedy. Watching a decomposing body participate in quintessential everyday activities never gets old. Zom 100 delivers nonstop outrageous fun while also packing some heartfelt emotion and meaning.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on July 9, 2023.