After watching the final episode of Zombie Land Saga, Kotaro has won a special place in my heart. The things this man has gone through just to fulfill Sakura’s wish is the best material for real romance (or bromance) out there.

Plot

Even after the attempts of Kotaro to bring Sakura back to her senses, she stubbornly insists on not participating in the group’s activities. As the show draws closer Tae along with the powerful slaps of Yugiri make her realize that they would rather perform with her and fail rather than do the show without her. On the day of the concert, heavy snowfall causes the venue to collapse and wreck the stage, but the girls continue their performance regardless, encouraging Sakura to do the same. Sakura regains her full memories in the process and together with everyone she manages to give a successful performance. Before the episode comes to an end, the reporter Okoba notices the connection between Franchouchou’s members and their previous careers when they were still alive.

Episode Highlights

Tae-chan tried to make her memories come back: The scenes of her trying to make Sakura remember made my heart be in pain. She did the rooster from their commercial, showed her the article about the Saga Rock performance and even did the same things Sakura did for her back at the beginning when she was teaching her how to follow the rhythm. When the girls mentioned that she was crying but it ended up being her drools and she went on frenzy mode, I thought to myself: ‘I wouldn’t expect anything less from Zombie Land Saga’.

Junko’s craftsmanship skills: That reference to one of the previous episodes when Junko was feeling doubtful about her being an idol, Kotaro breaking down the door and making her fix it, totally killed me. ‘I reinforced the door when I fixed it, so she won’t be able to break it down this time’.

Yugiri’s slaps are guaranteed: God damn that woman’s slaps are just savage. I honestly wouldn’t mind have a Yugiri button with me all the time that when I pressed it, it would summon her and slap the people that I want to put back in their place. It seems that courtesans back in the Meiji Restoration era knew how to handle their shit. Respect.

Kotaro is the absolute best: So one of my speculations actually involved the theory of him being Sakura’s friend, but now that it’s out in the open, it makes so much sense. He doesn’t take off his sunglasses so she won’t recognize him (especially now that she got her memories back) and that’s why he seems to be teasing her more than any of the other girls. He basically made the whole Zombie Land Saga project, studied necromancy, revived legendary girls and idols of the past just to become an idol manager for Sakura and make her dream come true. That is the sweetest thing ever.

Themes & Trivia

Karatsujou: Once again the girls try to advertise Saga and during the intermission screen they are outside of the Karatsujou. Karatsu Castle (唐津城) is a Japanese castle located in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Japan. It is a hirayamajiro, a castle built on a plain rather than a hill or mountain. At the end of the Edo period, Karatsu castle was home to the Ogasawara clan, daimyō of Karatsu Domain. It was also known as ‘Dancing Crane Castle’.

A second season has been hinted? When the final episode aired, the Zombie Land Saga production posted on their Twitter account the following: ‘Episode 12 has finished broadcasting! Thank you very much for your support! Our zombie idols should still have a lot to do in the future! We hope you’ll enjoy what’s coming next for Zombieland Saga!’

Comments

When I started watching Zombie Land Saga, I had no idea what I was getting myself into and after finishing the whole season I have to admit that I am glad that I was ‘tricked’ into watching an idol show. It even teared me up a little bit at the end. A lot of questions have been left unanswered so let’s keep out hopes up and wait for any further updates for a second season!

Idolhood is realized in the face of death.

Zombie Land Saga might have come to an end but judging by the last scene, it is safe to assume that a second season will happen sometime in the near future. It will be interesting to learn more about the girls and Kotaro and maybe seeing a relationship developing between him and Sakura? (shipping intensifies) But now that I think about it, it might be considered pedophilia so better not…

Zombie Land Saga

Fall 2018 | Anime Info | Simulcast