Review of High School of the Dead

My wife suggested we rename this anime "Boobies The Anime" and she's very justified in making that suggestion. I've watched (and enjoyed) shows put out by Sentai Filmworks in the past, such as Dusk Maiden of Amnesia, Log Horizon and Knights of Sidonia, which I rated 10, 8 and 8 respectively, so I knew there would inevitably be fan service in this anime as that is simply what that company does. But mannnnnnnnnnn, this is on an entirely different level! The fan service in this anime is beyond excessive. It is constant, it is shoved down your throat and it is not the tiniest bitsubtle. It's to the point where it's arguable that the fan service is priority number one for the show and everything else, including the plot, is a secondary priority.

Despite this, and with my wife and I both certainly not being the target demographic for the unrelenting fan service, we both actually quite liked this anime even though we both felt like we should not have given how unbelievably juvenile it is. Some of the things it does well include loads of action, uptempo pacing with no boring or slow stretches, energetic and fast paced music (which fits nicely with the fast paced, action oriented nature of the show as a whole) and a comparatively believable plot. Even though I feel like I'm not supposed to like this anime I really, really did. It just has through the roof entertainment value and it is absolutely shameless at what it does!

This is just one of those shows where you should know what you're signing up for before watching, but even if you don't it'll become clear very quickly. You'll know by the end of the first episode whether or not this is for you.

+Jumps right into the thick of things- no slow buildup
+Loads of action
+Fast paced, engaging and energetic
+ENTERTAINMENT VALUE FOR DAYS!

-RELENTLESS AND CONSTANT fan service, more so than any other anime I've ever seen
-Unsatisfying ending that lacks resolution

OBJECTIVE RATING- Really hard to say as it probably varies wildly based on what demographic you fall into, but it does what it does really well and is honestly a high quality anime if you can get beyond the inherently juvenile base premise. It's a guilty pleasure kind of show.

PERSONAL ENJOYMENT RATING- 9