REVIEW: ‘ZOM 100: Bucket List of a Dead,’ Volume 6

ZOM 100: Bucket List of the Dead is in a dark place right now. Sure, the series started with Akira, a former wage slave realizing just how terrible his life and how a zombie apocalypse can pull him out of it. But while the leads in the series have been in danger before, there was always a nice layer of plot armor that kept everything feeling, well, safe. But last volume, Akira and his friends met one of his old classmates who has a bucket list of his own, only it’s not about living life for the wholesome things. It’s about creating as much chaos and violence as possible. Ending with Higurashi holding Akira’s dad hostage and demanding him sacrifice himself to the zombies to save his dad, Volume 5 left me on the edge of my seat. Now in ZOM 100 Volume 6 the decision has to be made.

ZOM 100 Volume 6 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 a translation by Nova Skipper and features touch-up art and lettering by Vanessa Satone. This volume ties up the arc set in Akira’s hometown. After a long battle with the horde of undead that Higurashi and his cronies released, the situation finds a resolution that actually offers an emotional payoff. While the start of ZOM 100 had packed in some relatable and emotional punches, this arc has been more focused on jokes and shock, which has been one of my only complaints of the series thus far.

Now, the start of ZOM 100 Volume 6 is fast-paced and features some bombastic moments like Beatrix using a water wheel to steamroll over a part of the horde. There are a lot of moments of humor and absurdity, but the way this arc closes hits hard. Specifically, Akira and Higurashi talk, revealing that they’re not that different. While we’ve been shown the surface elements of their connection like their little black books with a bucket list, we haven’t really looked much under the surface.

ZOM 100 Volume 6 shows its audience that when life crushes you and you feel like you’re on the outs, it’s a small tipping point to resigning yourself to helplessness and hoping for something more. Beyond this mirror though, Akira also showcases his strength as a protagonist by exemplifying empathy and courage. In one note, he never backs down from Higurashi, putting his family first. And in another, he refuses to see him as evil and instead sees how he could have become him.

There is one issue with ZOM 100 Volume 6, and that’s the way that Beatrix’s German accent is represented. Whether that is on Aso or the translator, Skipper, the choice to only emphasize one part of the accent makes the character feel hollow. Add in her overly buxom character design and she seems to get the short end of the stick even if she’s just a part of the extended crew.

Overall though, ZOM 100 Volume 6 is a great read and continues to build a fantastic series that uses zombies to tell a story about living for yourself. In the ends, that’s what really matters.

ZOM 100: Bucket List of the Dead Volume 6 is available wherever books are sold May 17, 2022.