Highschool of the Dead – 05

If Kohta happened not to miss Shido on purpose with his nail gun, this episode would have been even better.

Good to see the gang reunited. I don’t think I could have withstood another episode with them on the bus with Shido again, with his crazily annoying speeches that have managed to hypnotize and infatuate the other students. In that regard, I’m happy Kohta, Takagi, Saeko, and Shizuka all had the common sense to split ways with this freak as soon as they did.

To much disappointment, Rika Minami, the sniper picking off zombies like a boss on the airport runway was only introduced for a brief period. I liked the transition where she says she wants to enter the city for a friend and it quickly switches off to a snap shot of Shizuka. That’s a combination of two people I would never have put together.

The short bit involving those punk kids acting all cool and tough only to be hosed off the bridge proved to be entertaining. Also the sweet action scene on the zombie infested bridge is another notable moment in the episode. From Kohta’s Matrix inspired bullet-time shot to Saeko and Takashi’s little combo move to put down more of the living dead, sometimes this show’s cinematic feels like straight out of an action movie.

I like Kohta’s nail gun as his primary weapon, but I suppose his upgrade to a real gun will have to suffice. Oppressed nerds with guns are dangerous because they play First Person Shooters all day long you know. The upgrade to a Humvee makes a better alternative to a school bus, now they can plow zombies in style.

Five episodes in and so far I am really enjoying this series. Whatever the hell it’s doing, here’s to the show keeping it up. I have no qualms with any of the characters, all likable in their own way, okay except Shido who I hope dies soon. While the entire zombie concept has been done a million times over, Highschool of the Dead keeps the idea of staying alive and out maneuvering the zombie infestation simple yet entertaining, and it is an anime, so some credit to the show.

Related posts:

1. Highschool of the Dead – 01
2. Highschool of the Dead – 02
3. Highschool of the Dead – 03
4. Highschool of the Dead – 04