Comics / Manga

Highschool of the Dead Volume 2

By Chris Zimmerman
April 5, 2011 - 09:15

Highschool of the Dead is a guilty pleasure of mine. I know it’s not deep, nor is it provocative, but despite that, I still find it immensely entertaining in a mindless sort of way, and at the end of the day that’s all I can really ask for.  The first volume was easy to digest and loaded with enough sex and gore to fuel a Hollywood B-movie.

This volume picks up right where the first left off. Rei and Takashi are left to fend for themselves after becoming separated from the rest of the surviving school faculty. Strange that a series that includes highschool in the title instantly abandons the setting for a world thrust into chaos but I digress.
The pair arm themselves with whatever weaponry they can find and head out to meet the others at a pre-designated area. During this time, the city is undergoing an evacuation and anarchy is the choice result for many of the citizens opting to stay. They eventually regroup with their classmates and faculty before everyone heads to a well stocked apartment perfect for combating ravenous zombies.

Once again, sex and violence is on the menu and the art aims to deliver. The women are highly stylized to draw attention to their generous assets, though they can look awkward in instances thanks to the strange proportions and shapes used. Considering the subject matter, I wasn’t offended by the blatent fan service, though I will admit it felt out of place, especially when something as serious as the end of the world is transpiring.

If the first volume of Highschool of the Dead made me a fan of the series, the second volume solidified my opinion. From the homage’s to famous zombie classics that came before it, to the ultra violent tendencies, I found myself completely absorbed in the story and the character’s realistic responses to their situation made it that much more entertaining. Definitely give the series a whirl if you’re in the mood for some nonsensical action.

Rating: 8.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12