REVIEW: ‘ZOM 100: Bucketlist of the Dead’ Volume 4

ZOM 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a comedy-action series that has captured my heart since Volume 1 with relatable content, killer humor, and even better art.  ZOM 100 Volume 4 is written by Haro Aso and features art from Kotaro Takata. The series is published and localized in English by VIZ Media through its Signature imprint. The volume features translation by Nova Skipper and features touch-up art and lettering by Vanessa Satone. Last volume, Akira hit a snag when it came to checking things off of his bucket list. On the way to Gunma, the crew finds their way to a gang run by none other than Akira’s old boss. After shaking out of his old wage slave spell, the volume ended with character growth, history, and more.

Now, in ZOM 100 Volume 4 Akira is a new man with his abusive boss in his rearview. Opening with some SUP yoga, Akira, Shizuka, and Kenichiro are back on the road to Gunma to hopefully find Akira’s parents safe and sound. But of course, the road to Gunma is paved with zombies and side trips like sushi, hot springs, and treehouses to boot. That said, the most interesting part of this volume is the arrival of a brand new traveling companion in a samurai uniform, Beatrix —a German who came to Japan because she just loves the culture

There is a lot of fun in ZOM 100 Volume 4 but Akira remains a thoughtful protagonist who can’t stop thinking about his parents. The item he’s checking off? Paying them back. But how exactly do you pay your parents back during a zombie apocalypse? Between this and the vulnerability is shown in a quiet hot spring moment between Akira and Shizuka play well against the heavy action and naked shots of Kenichiro. In fact, these moments of quiet in a rather bombastic series help give it a heart. This volume keeps nailing the balancing act between ecchi-lite, humor, action, and some emotional too. It’s hard to achieve but volume after volume ZOM 100 does it.

While everything I’ve talked about until now is thanks to Aso’s writing and Skipper’s translation, Takata’s art is also stunning. With large pages of non-stop action and blood and dynamic movement, ZOM 100 Volume 4 is jaw-dropping. Everything about this volume just works and keeps upping the series. Additionally, the fan service given by detailing both women’s and men’s bodies in the series and in particular this volume is perfect.

Overall, ZOM 100: Bucket List of the Dead Volume 4 is another stellar volume of a stellar series that you absolutely need to be reading.

ZOM 100: Bucketlist of the Dead Volume 4 is available now wherever books are sold.