Highschool of the Dead

Overview

Highschool of the Dead (HOTD) is an anime series based upon the original manga written by Daisuke Sato and illustrated by Shouji Sato. The first chapter was published in Fujimi Shobo's Monthly Dragon Age on September 2006. It's directed by Tetsuro Araki, of Death Note and Black Lagoon fame, music composed by Takafumi Wada, and the series was produced by MadHouse Studios. It consists of 12 episodes and the first made its debut on July 5, 2010 in Japan. The story of this season sums up many of the events from the first four volumes of the manga, and matches the original manga productions with few changes in continuity and dramatizations. It was produced with full frontal nudity from the manga, but censored light was added for the TV airing. The DVDs were produced in Japan in six volumes and were completely uncensored.

The anime follows very closely to manga series. Episodes of the series are simulcast on The Anime Network web site with English sub-titles to western audiences. The DVD rights were acquired by Sentai Filmworks, and provides an English dub for the anime series. It was one of the company's first productions for Blu-ray and DVD. The full series collection was released in June 28th 2011. The English dub was heavily rewritten by Steven Foster(ADR Director) and Kaoru Bertrand. The rewriting was so extreme to the point of whole dialog scenes and character personalities were altered from the original concept. There were numerous cases of cursing and American pop-culture references.

Plot

A mysterious illness is spreading rapidly through the halls of Fujimi High School. In a matter of hours, the campus is transformed from a place of learning into a hive of nightmares, as the infected students collapse and are reborn as flesh-hungry zombies! Only a handful of students escape the initial outbreak — among them Takashi Komuro and his childhood friend, Rei Miyamoto; the Kendo Club captain Saeko Busujima, school genius Saya Takagi, gun otaku Kohta Hirano, and school doctor Shizuka Marikawa. He manages to protect Rei from the initial onslaught, but how long can Takashi and the rest of his friends hope to survive when the whole school – maybe the whole world now — is out for their blood?! Society is on the brink of madness, they're idealistic lives are now dead with no hope to return, and they are all willing to do whatever it takes to survive the horrors of this new world. All in the search to find their families.

Characters

Team Takashi

Team Takashi

Team Takashi was originally formed from several students and a teacher from Fujimi High School that managed to escape the outbreak. They are led by the once lazy and unmotivated Takashi Komuro. Other members include two of Takashi's childhood friends, Rei Miyamoto and Saya Takagi. Rei had once promised Takashi when they were children that she would marry him, but his lack of motivation as they grew up caused her to leave him for one of his friends. She is an experienced fighter who uses the skills she aquired in the Sojutsu Club (spear martial-arts). Saya is the daughter of the Ultra-nationalist Takagi group and a self-proclaimed genius. She also has the intellect to back it up. Saeko Busujima is the captain of the Kendo Club and one of the team's most powerful fighters, though she struggles with a dark secret. Kohta Hirano was always thought to be just a chubby geek, but his expertise and knowledge of firearms is second to none in school. He was trained by a former member of the Delta Force while spending a few months in America. Shizuka Marikawa was the doctor of Fujimi High School who was studying to be a full doctor. She may be an extremely busty ditz, but her medical knowledge and biology is extraordinary. She tends to the physical health of her students and is the only member who can drive. Alice Maresato and Zeke were the first to be adopted into the group after their escape. Alice is a seven year-old girl who was rescued after her father was murdered by other humans. Zeke is a puppy that Takashi brought along while saving Alice.

Other Survivors

Through the travel through the madness that has become their home, Team Takashi has met with many survivors. They have often provided some level of aide. One person the group has yet to meet but have benefited from the most is one of Shizuka's friends, Rika Minami. She's a member of the Japanese SAT and one of the top five cops in the nation. While staying at her home, Takashi and his friends borrowed many of her illegal weapons and her customized Humvee. During the outbreak, she's stationed at the Tokonosu Floating Airport with her partner, Tajima. Saya's father, Souichiro Takagi, is the leader of an ultra-nationalist group and a member of the leadership in the government. His wife, Yuriko Takagi, is a former stock broker form New York and a self made woman.

The Order of Shido

The Order of Shido is born

The Order of Shidou is a newly formed cult that was created from survivors of Fujimi High School and led by their one time teacher, Koichi Shidou. His group was rescued by team Takashi and he attempted to take control of all the students to his command, but was only able to seduce those who were of weaker will or scared. He formed the students who stayed with him into a new religion with him as the leader. The members include Miku Yuuki, Kurokami, Kurokami, Yamada, and a few others.He has convinced them that they could take over this new world.

Music

Opening and ending themes are listed below. See the franchise page for full soundtracks and other music.