Was curious about this series after reading the plot synopsis in the summer season line up, although was uncertain about its zombie apocalypse survivor setting considering the moe look in the promotional video. Adapting the “がっこうぐらし!” manga written by Norimitsu Kaihou, the “Gakkou Gurashi!” anime has been intriguing, refreshing, and puzzling to watch.
While I did suspect the anime would be darker than its moe surface appearance suggests, had not expected it to have that much mystery and intrigue, thanks to how the story progresses, slowly unraveling the truth amidst a web of delusions and deceit, where the girls psychologically unravel as they face the harsh reality of a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies.
Being unfamiliar with the original manga, had not expected “Gakkou Gurashi!” to deal with the fight to survive after a zombie apocalypse in such a convincing and enthralling way. Even less expected its focus on the psychological and emotional aspects on the survivor’s psyche, creating an intriguing picture where not everything is what it seems, but trauma and illusion shape what we and the characters see, the horrible truth only slowly being revealed.
Simply put, “Gakkou Gurashi!” is almost like a mix of “Highschool of the Dead” with “Higurashi no Naku Koro ni” and “Shinsekai Yori”, showing us how its characters deal with the devastating effects of a zombie apocalypse, but also on their own mental health, with delusion and mental breakdown not far away as if the struggle to survive amidst the zombie threat wasn’t challenge enough.
Am really enjoying this series, especially the elements of psychology and mystery, slowly discovering what is the truth and what are the characters’ delusions.
You can watch “Gakkou Gurashi!” on Crunchyroll.
