Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead episode 6 aired Monday after another delay, bringing us one of the season’s simpler episodes. But with every Zom 100 episode comes character development, a possible life lesson or two, and some unique storyboarding. Despite the obvious repetitive filming techniques, Zom 100 still manages to give us another enjoyable episode.
Keep Your Heads Up Up
During the second viewing of episode 6, I realized a common theme – keep looking for the good no matter how dire the situation. At the beginning of the episode, Kencho assures Akira that it’s time to leave Tokyo as the electricity in the city has basically gone out. While it’s normal for Akira to accept reality, taking a moment before departure to see the bright stars in Tokyo’s night sky and live in awe of it all has makes me empathize.
“The big blackout isn’t that bad!” – that attitude of Akira is where I begin to associate his character more than at any time before this season. It’s an admirable trait in a protagonist to always look for the good when situations seem bleak, especially in a genre (zombie apocalypse) that is almost completely devoid of anything. there. Not only does this reflect on both Kencho and Shizuka in this episode, but the same effect on me as a viewer. To add to the incredible sense of positivity at the beginning of the episode, Akira considers another positive reason he was forced to leave Tokyo — to see his parents.
Mid-episode presents another opportunity for him. Akira was really annoyed, even if only a little, because he couldn’t get into the RV that both he and Kensho wanted. But he sees this situation as a reward since Shizuka is now officially a member of the group in the future. It is this constant positive outlook on everything that has brought Akira to where she is now. In this episode alone, he managed to eliminate three things from his to-do list.
Even towards the end of the episode when faced with the intense emotional trauma of having to work under his former boss, he does his best to capture some positive perspective, in this case. is a reliably good beer, to lift everyone’s spirits, including his own. But unlike the previous two events, Akira will have to rely on Shizuka and Kencho’s help, which will lead to great development for all three of them.
Shizuka’s Personality Development
Although Shizuka’s personality development hasn’t reached Akira’s level yet, she still shows her fair share of moments, especially in this episode, when she shows that she wants to really enjoy herself. body-part may stem from her dark past. Though her heart and mind monologue is short, it’s powerful. The close-up framing, bold shadows, and aspect ratio used in the quick flashback in this episode definitely gave her words more weight.
I think what I loved most about this whole Shizuka-centric moment was that she first realized she was related to Akira on a personal, deeper, rather than physical, level. She realizes that she is beginning to understand Akira better as a human and empathize with him more than Kencho, or maybe, for the first time in the series. Although Kencho was the one to bring Akira back in the previous episodes, it was Shizuka who was really by Akira’s side in the next episode.
I think Shizuka’s sentiment is something personal that many viewers can think of that can relate to, and that’s something we haven’t really gotten from Zom 100 other than Akira’s toxic work environment. . It gives the series a new impetus for more than just a cute girl analyzing every situation. Shizuka is someone who can deliver the personal touch that Zom 100 is supposed to need at this point in the story and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Produce Zom 100 Episode 6
I’m not saying the production of this episode is the best from this season, it most likely can’t be the most average of the current six episodes. The combination of Shizuka’s scenes on the RV is not excellent at all. And reusing photos, such as her eyes when they are stopped on the road, is a little different. So while it’s not necessarily the footage that’s been reused, it’s very close.
I think the episode did a great job of really capturing the emotions of what Akira is going through. Shizuka is the voice of Akira in this episode and what he’s been through is a subtle touch that I love. Akira had trouble finding the right words to say throughout the second half of the episode, while Shizuka managed to find all the right words. So while Shizuka told us how it felt to be hurt in the past, Akira showed us physically. It’s an interesting dynamic to the episode even if Kencho is an outsider and doesn’t understand those feelings.
What I really liked about this episode was Toshihiro Maeya’s storyboarding and how he portrayed Akira’s trauma. Close-up shots of Akira covering his neck with his hands when he can’t speak, the fear in his eyes, and especially the final shot below with Akira standing in front of multiple screens as if looking back into his past was done excellently. The use of pull focus in this episode is obvious but it’s never repeated — also an aspect from a production standpoint that I enjoyed a lot.
Zom 100 Episode 6 Summary
Overall, the episode was nothing “bad”. It gives us great artwork for the most part, and some of the storytelling techniques and character dynamics are simply amazing after seeing it a second time. It’s a good set-up for what’s to come and has added many unique pieces to make it all interesting.
Episode 6: Rating: 8/10
If you enjoyed episode 6 of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead then be sure to vote for that episode in our weekly poll! Episode 7 will air on Sunday, September 3 and can be watched on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu with English subtitles.
Screenshot via Crunchyroll
© Haro Aso, Kotaro Takata, Shogakukan/Zom100 Project