ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘ZOM 100: Bucketlist of the Dead,’ Volume 3

ZOM 100: Bucketlist of the Dead (ZOM 100) has easily become one of the most relatable and hilarious manga out right now. Filled with well-done fanservice, zombies, and a level of banal absurdity that hits too close to home, readers have been following Akira as he tries to complete his bucket list while a zombie apocalypse rages around him. A former wage slave, he finally has hope in life again, and it only took the end of the world. While the first two volumes have been focused on the light side of things and shown us an Akira who has all the power to be a superhero in a shark suit, ZOM 100 Volume 3 is a very different affair.

ZOM 100 Volume 3 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. In this volume, Akira faces his first real hurdle since he began checking his dreams off of his bucket list – his old boss.

With the situation getting worse in Tokyo and power going out, Akira and Kenichirou make the decision to travel to Gunma, Akira’s hometown. The two meet back up with Shizuka, and the three decide it’s beneficial for them to all leave to Gunma together. But while they’re on the road, Akira’s old boss emerges as the leader of a group of survivors blocking their path. Akira has to find the will to not go back to his submissive self and prove that he’s grown beyond taking his boss’s orders.

ZOM 100 Volume 3 is packed with the chaos of zombies and dark humor that has pushed the series forward over the last few volumes. But, this volume does a lot of work to add depth to characters within the story, allowing the narrative to take a serious and somewhat somber tone that stands in stark difference to the last two volumes. This tone is pushed by Kenichirou being injured, Akira becoming a wage-zombie again for his old boss, and more importantly, readers get a look into who Shizuka is beyond a character put in there for romantic tension with the lead.

I’ve loved how ZOM 100 Volume 3 has used fanservice in a way that doesn’t sacrifice the story. While this happened in setting and background characters, it also has been front and center with Shikuza, a character who does all of her survival in a sports bra. Sure, Shizuka is Akira’s crush, but we’ve also gotten the chance to showcase she is a survivor through and through and definitely more capable than Akira. In  Volume 3, though, we get her backstory. Pushed into being perfect by her father, Shizuka’s cold responses and determined attitude make sense. Fun wasn’t ever on the agenda for her. In fact, it was ripped from her.

That said, the beauty of ZOM 100 Volume 3 is the balance that happens between Shizuka and Akira, specifically how she pushes him to break free of his boss of his own accord and not because of zombies.

Overall, ZOM 100 Volume 3 is great, just great. The series is proving to be a must-read for zombie fans while also bringing characters that offer heart to the story. Humor, action, and a sense of depth, I can’t recommend this series enough.

ZOM 100: Bucketlist of the Dead Volume 3 is available August 17, 2021, wherever books are sold.