Review of High School of the Dead

Highschool of the Dead One of the most renowned Ecchi anime, this anime has become comically infamous in memes for exaggerated boob dodges (or rather one ridiculous animation where that happened, and lets be real, hotd goes over the top with action sequences). But let's break the series down further and more seriously. I've seen this series 3 times now, twice long ago - and it's pretty much how I remember it. What sets it apart and context: First, Highschool of the Dead came out around a time of high global vampire and zombie popuarity, but came out prior to any moving picture production had really attemptedto seriously convey the social/societal issues which would come about in a zombie apocaypse. It's also one of the few zombie survival anime to exist. At the time of it's release, this aspect set HotD far ahead of the run of the mill zombie horror, as it wasn't the zombies but the breakdown in society, which would come into play.

This aspect would be heavily followed up a mere months later with the release of the live-action The Wallking Dead, which exploded in popularity due to the same aspects which made HoD popular, filling this gruesome aspect of post-civilisation.

Unfortunately, HotD ends with one season, and thus the depravity of humanity isn't continued further in animation, despite very positive staging.

Camera angles:
HotD uses some very notable camera angles and body contortions creating a massive amount of dynamism in action sequences. (including the infamous boob scene, abeit that one was above and beyond).

Music:
the music is well-fitted. The music really compliments the atmosphere throughout the series.

point of note
in some places there is the use of some very low-lying background tracks with lyrics, this sinks under the radar in an interesting manner -and were there an S2 could have been well utilised to illicit previous feelings.

Cast:
The cast have distinct personalities and traits, though we're thrown in without knowing too much about their backstories and these are only slowly built upon given the surival aspect, and can thus seem to a degree, flat, especially early on. In HoD surviving the zombie horde is (un)naturally first priority, and while there is some good exploration of humanity in the cast here, the lack of a season 2 brings potential developments here to an abrupt and unfortunate, premature halt.

The demonstrations of psychological faults are a positive for the series, though these are not as in-depth as Evangelion in S1. A season 2 could have done a lot to embark on strong character developments. So for those interested, turning to the source material is the only option. It's difficult to judge character developments beyond the S1 introductions.

Group dynamics:
there is a solid group dynamic between the characters, with multiple romance directions. these work very well.

on the cons, a few characters in the series display notably gendered ideas for society - which don't really serve any meaningful purpose, are repeated a little redundantly, and detract.

Animation:
Animation quality overall is very nicelly done. Very late '00's. Colours are muted unlike mid-2010's, production value is high.

Ecchi:
The ecchi in this series isn't actually a terrible lot, what sets HoD apart is that it achieved general popularity and was thus judged on the grounds of a non-ecchi series by many who were turned off by ecchi and upplayed the aspect. You're either bothered by it or you're not, but it's not a major aspect of focus to be concerned about.

there is some nudity the level of which you can see at any beach in europe , undie shots range between ehh, you went out of your way [to show that]; and okay, you did not go out of you way [to hide that] (which feels much more fair and somewhat more human and neutral towards one's body).

Conclusion:
Obviously, if zombie horror or ecchi are not something you're okay with - you won't like this. (like going to a romcom expecting action or vice versa). (if you're bothered by ecchi, why are you watching and rating it? seems sus.)

Otherwise, Hotd was pretty well ahead in the zombie horror scene for it's time. character developments would greatly benefit from a second season. animation and theatrics are entertaining. group dynamics are enjoyable. it makes a solid and entertaining watch.