Highschool of the Dead (Episode 11) – Dead Storm Rising
The survivors in the camp are starting to turn against their protectors, blaming them for the “killing pandemic” and refusing to face facts. Then, just as Takashi is about to make a run to find his and Rei’s parents, Shidou arrives!
Highschool of the Dead (Episode 11) – Dead Storm Rising
What did you watch?
My time with Highschool of the Dead is almost over again, and even though I know I’ll be back to watch it another couple of times, it doesn’t make it any easier to take. I believe there is enough existing material to make a second season, but I don’t see that ever happening. That makes me even more determined to get my own stories out there. You never know when your time will be over and the idea of leaving unfinished business doesn’t sit well with me. Anyhow, enough about me, let’s dive into the episode.
What happened?
Mr Shidou has brought his group to Saya’s house looking for refuge and likely some more innocents for him to corrupt. He appears to be praying on their youthful innocence and claiming that he is but a sinful adult in need of their help. It’s well and truly turned into a cult. Shidou even leaves the student who reported on Saya’s house outside for the zombies to take care of. Who knows what damage he’ll be able to do there with his slippery tongue and wicked mind?
Meanwhile, Saya caught wind of the survivors getting irate about her father’s display in the courtyard. Many seem to be clinging to the idea that it is a “killing pandemic” and that the people infected are not dead and may even be saveable. As a result, they refuse to be turned into murderers by her or her father. There will be no convincing them. Kouta praises Saya’s efforts, but also sympathisers with them. He understands what it’s like to ignore the things that you don’t want to deal with. After all, that’s how they got through high school. Takashi is impressed by their reasoning, which just seems to please Saya and Kouta who think he should be the group’s leader.
Saeko met with Soichiro who was keen to pass a gift on to the daughter of the man who trained him. He presented her with a famous sword that had been in many a battle and its blade never dulled or scratched. She says he should give it to her father instead, but he’s insistent. He wants her to watch over his daughter. She agrees, but then suggests that he give the sword to Takashi who she sees as their leader. Soichiro believes that Takashi has grown into a fine young man, however, he believes he is holding back and the world will not wait for him to move forward.
Takashi went to his room to consider what Saya and Kouta said to him. As he pondered the idea of being the leader, Rei walked in and told him that he already was the leader. He’d saved them so many times already and was always ready for the fight. Without him, they would never have made it this far. She revealed that she was sorry for not seeing that in him before and confessed that she made a mistake when she hurt him. He threw her onto the bed and revealed that he didn’t know whether to kiss her or hit her. How could he believe what she was saying? She left frustrated and in pain, although it likely wasn’t all physical!
Rei bumped into Saeko in the corridor outside the room who was waiting to talk to Takashi. She said that she sensed someone was in there but couldn’t hear anyone so she waited outside. Rei told her that she should go in. Maybe she could make Takashi happy. Saeko asked Rei to use her first name as they were friends, but Rei didn’t want to think about that. She knew that she had lost Takashi. After talking with Saeko, Takashi went to see Soichiro and explained that he was going to find his mother and Rei’s parents. He would be back by the morning. However, Soichiro said that he couldn’t guarantee that they would take on more survivors and that they certainly couldn’t wait any longer.
Takashi told him that if they weren’t back to leave without them. Then, he went to the front hall to meet with Rei. Saeko appeared too, dressed for battle and wielding her new sword. She wanted to come with them. Then, the others arrived too. It looked like they were all coming. Then, Rei charged out of the room and through the main entrance. She pointed her bayonet at Shidou who had just come in with his students. He staggered back, feigning surprise as to why she might suddenly attack him. Of course, he knew all too well.
Shidou’s father was a corrupt politician who used his son to force Rei to repeat the grade as punishment for her father’s investigations into him. She knew that and had been holding back so as not to interfere with the investigation. Now that didn’t matter. As things heated up, Soichiro walked out of the door and told Rei that she should kill him. He may have had ties to Shidou’s father before but that meant nothing now. Takashi tried to step in, but Saeko stopped him, telling him that Rei had to make the decision. Eventually, she chose to let him live, but he was banished from the Takaga residence along with his corrupted students.
A calmness appeared to wash over Rei as she watched Shidou’s bus leave the compound. Little did any of them know that things were about to take a wicked turn. With the chain of command crumbling, the United States launched a preemptive strike on all of its enemies. They retaliated in turn. Nukes flew through the skies targeting cities and important sites. However, there was something even more devastating about to happen. Several more missiles soared higher and higher. What was their target?
What did you think?
When I first watched this series, I was aware of the pandemics of the past such as the Black Death or the Spanish Flu. I had even seen similar things happen with Swine Flu and Avian Flu. I was even working in the medical industry where we had plans in place for dealing with epidemics, so I had a reasonable understanding of how things might work. Now, that I have lived through an actual global pandemic I can look at this series with fresh eyes and an understanding that people will absolutely refuse to believe the most obvious things. They will look to blame governments and come up with wild conspiracy theories so that they don’t have to face the reality of the situation. This series absolutely nailed that idea with the way the survivors were behaving.
What was your favourite moment?
Seeing everyone ready to follow Takashi as he searched for his and Rei’s parents was a great moment, and not just because of Saeko’s battle outfit and new sword, which will require feeding! He even stood up to Soichiro who will no doubt see that as a step forward. He’s a fascinating man who is equally terrifying and pragmatic. Maybe, it’s his pragmatism that makes him so imposing! Anyhow, that led to the scene with Shidou and while I think he deserved to take a beating, I also loved how Rei walked away leaving him a snivelling mess who was then told to leave. Of course, letting these sorts of people walk away never ends well in any zombie story.
Who was the most impactful character?
This episode was all about Rei even when it wasn’t. I believe that she was speaking from her heart when she tried to make amends with Takashi, however, revealing that she made a mistake didn’t help. I still think any chance she had of reconciling with him was killed when she blamed him for Hisashi’s death. That scene back in episode one was not something that anyone would get over quickly, especially from the person they loved. Then, we saw her telling Saeko that he was basically hers and that’s why she didn’t want to acknowledge that they were friends. She knew she had lost and that would have been too painful. Then, we learned all about why Rei had to repeat the year which was what caused their relationship to fall apart in the first place. I think Takashi will always love Rei, but it’s going to take a long time for their wounds to heal and by that time, it could be too late.
What have you learned?
I’ve been looking at this group of characters for a while now and I’ve come to the conclusion that they are effectively a party from Dungeons and Dragons. In this episode, Takashi and Rei almost revealed that too, although their depiction was a little simple. Firstly, I think Takashi is a fighter. He’ll use whatever he can as a weapon as we’ve seen. Saeko is effectively a Paladin, fighting with a sword and her honour. Rei is a lancer using the spear to fight. Kouta is a ranger, although he uses a gun instead of a bow and arrow. Then, there’s Shizuka who is a cleric responsible for healing the party. And finally, Saya is a wizard, using her vast intellect to guide the party through any obstacle. I’ve looked at using Dungeons and Dragons classes before in writing, but that’s mostly been in a fantasy setting. I love the idea of using them anywhere. It helps to add more variety to the group, making them more distinct from one another.
Series Information
| English Title | Highschool of the Dead |
| Japanese Title | Gakuen Mokushiroku: Haisukūru obu za Deddo |
| Genres | Action, Apocalyptic, Ecchi, Harem, Horror, Supernatural, Zombies |
| Demographic | Seinen |
Anime
OVA
| Title | Drifters of the Dead |
| Released | Spring 2011 |
| Animation Studios | Madhouse |
Bonus Posts
| Analysis | Introduction – A Killer Opening! |
| Saturday Spinoff | Sniper of the Dead |
| Saturday Spinoff | Meet the Takagis |
| Fan Fiction | Isekai of the Dead |
Serves him right, that Shido guy.
Damn right!!!