Lynn Sheridan

What did you watch? This was episode nine of the Highschool of the Dead anime series. As I close in on the final series, I can’t help but feel the sense of dread hanging over me. Why does it have to end? I was thinking of making this a regular December thing for me, but I don’t think I can wait that long.

What happened? Most of the group is with Takagi’s mother thanks to the timely rescue at the end of the last episode. Takashi and Saeko, however, are trapped on the far side of the zombie horde. With no chance of getting through, Takashi leads Saeko through the back streets.

Unable to get close to Takagi’s house, they search for a motorbike but instead find an amphibious military vehicle. Takashi uses it to lure the zombies away from the house. They take to the river and park on a sandbank, waiting for the horde to disperse.

To kill time, Takashi asks Saeko about whether she had a boyfriend or even a crush. This seems to open up a part of her that she had repressed, but luckily the horde disperses and they make their way back to the streets. The sun has set and rather than fight through the night they take refuge in a temple.

Saeko reveals her past and how she believes she has always been a killer, even before the zombie outbreak. Takashi consoles her and then in the morning convinces her to continue to fight at his side. This seems to be enough to bring her back and now armed with a real sword, she takes the fight to the zombies.

What hooked you? This was a very intimate episode, focusing entirely on Takashi and Saeko. As my two favourite characters in this series, and Saeko being one of my all time favourite characters, it was exactly what I’ve been waiting for.

Continue reading “H.o.t.D.D. – The Sword and the Dead (Episode 9)”

What did you watch? And that makes it eight episodes of Highschool of the Dead. I am now two thirds of the way through. Does it really have to end? I am seriously thinking about bingeing the whole series immediately after I finish before writing the series review.

What happened? Having rescued Arisu and Zero, the group take the Humvee across the river, driving through the shallows. When they get to the offer side there is no sign of the living or the dead. The girls take the chance to get dressed as Hirano and Takashi check the surroundings.

They’ve been driving around for a while now, but there’s still no sign of anyone. Then just as they start to relax they come across a horde and the further they go the bigger it gets. Desperate to break free Marikawa floors it, but then Saeko spots something in the road.

Someone has put up a wire barrier, presumably to the keep out the dead. The Humvee skids on the zombie remains and then won’t restart. Rei was thrown from the roof in the process and landed awkwardly, hurting her back. Takashi jumps down to protect her.

More and more zombies shuffled towards them. Saeko engages with her training sword, Hirano starts picking them off one by one, and Takashi uses Rei’s rifle, but none of it is enough. Even Takagi runs in to help. Things are looking dire.

What hooked you? A lot of the episodes have been consistent in their pacing. We’ve seen slow and considered and fast and action-packed, but in this episode, we got a little bit of both. I think they were trying to catch us out. It was also the first time where the group looked to be in serious trouble.

Continue reading “H.o.t.D.D. – The Dead Way Home (Episode 8)”

What did you watch? Oh, yeah! Episode seven of the Highschool of the Dead anime series is the best yet. So much action, so much heartbreak, and so many awesome moments. When I remember the series, so many of the things that stick in my head came from this episode.

What happened? With the people trying to escape across the bridge all going to hell, a wave of zombies floods back into the city. Takashi and Hirano watch from the balcony of their apartment in horror. Saeko offers Takashi some advice about the state of the world.

They witness a man and his daughter trying to find someplace safe to escape the shuffling zombie horde. After knocking on a door repeatedly, it finally opens only for a blade to shoot out and stab the man. His daughter can only watch as he stumbles back and dies.

Zombies move in, staggering after the little girl. Takashi stares on helplessly until Hirano shoots the approaching zombies. Unable to abandon the little girl they quickly come up with a plan, which involves Takashi riding through the horde on the motorbike while Hirano clears the way from above.

Takashi makes it to the walled garden and takes care of the remaining zombies, but now he’s trapped there. The only way out is to put the little girl on his back and take to the walls, along with the little dog that tried to protect her. As if this wasn’t all epic enough the girls and Hirano drive the Humvee through the horde to rescue Takashi.

What hooked you? So, this episode had a much higher tempo which made it almost impossible to look away. The scene where the father is unable to protect his little girl was really heartbreaking, but at the same time, it paved the way for the epic rescue. Continue reading “H.o.t.D.D. – Dead Night and the Dead Ruck (Episode 7)”

What did you watch? This was episode six of the Highschool of the Dead anime series. Some will also want to know that this was the bath episode. If you’re not familiar with anime, then it is absolutely mandatory for every series to have at least one bath, shower, or hot springs episode. Look, I don’t make up the rules…

What happened? The group had made it to Marikawa’s friend’s apartment and looked to rest and recover from the past twenty-four hours. They’ve been on the run the entire time, fighting for their lives, so it’s only fair that they get to let their hair down.

The girls clean themselves up while Takashi and Hirano see what they can find to use as weapons. Managing to bust open a locked cupboard they realise they stumbled onto a goldmine of weapons. Hirano reveals that he spent some time training with an ex-Delta Force commander.

The girls seem overtired and possibly a little drunk which is understandable given the hell they’ve been through. Saeko, the only one who appears to be on top of things, surprises Takashi in her cooking apron and asks that he call her by her first name.

Back on the bridge things are out of control. If I’ve learnt anything from zombies stories it’s that you should avoid places with lots of people. Lots of people always means lots of zombies. With the police taking desperate measures to maintain order, everything goes to shit!

What hooked you? Well, this is the bath episode, so what more do you need? Actually, even if my attempts to justify the bathing and playful demeanour of the girls afterwards has fallen on death ears, there was a lot of nice character development. Continue reading “H.o.t.D.D. – In the Dead of the Night (Episode 6)”