The well-known anime series “Highschool of the Dead” is based on the manga by Daisuke and Shoji Sato. The animation, which was produced by the well-known studio Madhouse, debuted in the summer of 2010. It centers on what might occur if a sizable portion of the populace abruptly become undead.
The plague, which is referred to as “The Outbreak” in the series, decimates most of society, and the zombies are nearly invariably called “Them.” But as is typically the case with zombie apocalypse, other survivors frequently prove to be considerably more dangerous than these raging corpses.
Although it might not be the most accessible anime, particularly for those who are not into gruesome violence and fan service, the series was a huge hit with horror enthusiasts and continues to have a sizable fan base today.
“Highschool of the Dead” is one of the top 100 most popular anime series and still has over 1.4 million members on My Anime List, even though it is more than a decade old. The series’ legacy, according to Anime News Network’s review, comes from its ability to stand out in the crowded zombie subgenre.
“Other recent zombie works in Western entertainment have tried to play it ironic, or postmodernist, or just plain silly, but this one goes for straight-up horror — and pulls it off admirably.” Fans have been pining after a second season ever since, although there have been conflicting speculations regarding when it will air. Here is what we do know.
Why Hasn’t Season 2 of Highschool of the Dead Been Released Yet?
“Highschool of the Dead” Season 2 has no confirmed release date as of this writing. Even though not all of the manga was adapted for the first season, a second season has not been approved.
The “Highschool of the Dead” manga is available in seven volumes (as well as two omnibus editions in English that package volumes one through four and volumes five through seven, respectively). Three volumes remain to be worked with, after the first four volumes were adapted for Season 1.
Unfortunately, there is very little likelihood that any further volumes will be published because the author and creator of “Highschool of the Dead,” Daisuke Sato, died in 2017 from complications related to ischemic heart disease.
Fans in the West, who might not be aware of Daisuke Sato’s passing, have called for the series to continue without its original creator. But according to illustrator Shoji Sato, this is not likely to occur. When asked about “Highschool of the Dead,” Shoji Sato told Comic Natalie (via Anime News Network): “Although it pains my heart, too, that the series went on hiatus, just thinking about Daisuke Sato makes me think that I cannot carelessly get involved.”
Similar opinions were voiced by the editor of Triage X, which was also illustrated by Shoji Sato. “In many countries, it’s normal for comics and novels to be created by a team of collaborators,” they said.
“However, for Highschool of the Dead, Daisuke Sato was the sole creator, so it’s important for international fans to understand that it’s not something easily taken over by someone else.” When Sato unveiled new artwork for Highschool of the Dead in 2021, some fans were hopeful that he would bring the series back, but nothing came of it.
What Might Be Covered in the Highschool of the Dead Season 2?
The story of “Highschool of the Dead,” like other zombie-themed films, centers on a group of brave survivors navigating a dangerous world. The majority of “Highschool of the Dead”‘s pupils are kind individuals, although as was already noted, not all of them are eager to assist humanity in overcoming its more primal tendencies.
In the 12th and last episode of Season 1, a massive zombie horde broke into the mansion where our group was locked up, and things became quite heated. After a few of the survivors were able to get a car, they went to a shopping center to seek safety.
Readers who have read the manga will be aware of what comes next. The remaining volumes will likely be adapted if Season 2 is produced. However, what takes place in volumes five, six, and seven? Inside the mall, Takashi and the gang band together with those who have survived the end of the world, but the safe haven is soon threatened by a power struggle.
As our survivors decide to flee the mall before it’s too late, zombies breach the defenses before they can do so. Once more, they escape and seek safety in a police station. They choose not to leave town until Rei and Takashi’s parents have been found, but it’s a wonderful spot to resupply before continuing on.
Although this would be the primary focus of a second season, the creators might decide to add part of their own tale because the original story doesn’t have a conclusion and they only have three volumes to work with. Questions about what transpired before to “The Outbreak” and whether a restoration to normalcy is possible could be answered.
Where can I watch Season 1 of Highschool of the Dead?
If you haven’t seen the first season of “Highschool of the Dead,” or if you just want to watch it again while you wait for a second season to be announced, you can watch it online in the US. You might be surprised to hear that Crunchyroll, the go-to site for anime enthusiasts in the West, does not offer this particular classic animation.
Fans of this program have expressed their annoyance at its lack in the comments area of Crunchyroll’s “Highschool of the Dead” page. SaiyanPrdigy called it “truly despicable” that this popular anime was not available on the streaming service, while user LifeFlame expressed “I hate that there are no episodes of this anime on here because I really like it.”
They continued: “Not sure what your subscribers are funding if you can’t acquire the content we crave.”
Nowadays, where can one see “Highschool of the Dead”? Fortunately, both the original and dubbed versions of the show are available on Hulu. Plans for those who aren’t currently subscribers start at $7.99 per month.
For $12.99 a month, you can have Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ all at once, if you don’t mind some advertisements. Hulu with no advertisements costs $14.99 a month, but you can try it for free for 30 days, which should be plenty of time to watch “Highschool of the Dead.”
We appreciate you joining us in exploring the world of Highschool of the Dead! You can ease the excitement by watching Season 1 on Hulu as we wait for any updates on Season 2. Check out Crossover99 for additional information on your favorite anime shows and everything related to entertainment!