Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (Episode 6) – RV of the Dead
The power has finally gone out in Tokyo leaving Akira and Kencho with a serious decision to make. It’s going to be hard to survive there, so they decide to head to Gunma where Akira’s parents live. They just need a nice RV to get there!
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (Episode 6) – RV of the Dead
What did you watch?
When I started watching this season there were a couple of moments that I really wasn’t looking forward to. Not because they aren’t good, but because of how well they portray the horrors of the moment. The flight attendant episode was a perfect example of this, however, it was this episode that I was dreading the most. If you’ve seen it then you probably have a good idea of what I’m talking about, and if not, well, I’m about to get into it so maybe go watch it first and avoid any spoilers.
What happened?
The water had run dry and the internet was offline. Tokyo really had no power left and that meant that it was time to move on. As Akira and Kencho stared at the marvelous starry sky thanks to the disappearance of light pollution, Akira was reminded of home. He wondered how his parents might be doing. Kencho knew what he was thinking so they decided to hit the road and head to Gunma. However, it was a long drive on a motorbike so they needed a better way to travel. Luckily, there had been an RV show on when the apocalypse began.
Surprisingly, Shizuka had the same idea and bumped into them at the convention centre. Akira asked her to join them again. She refused. Then, Kencho pointed out that it wasn’t example safe for her to drive without a license, especially coming from her risk analysis background. She reluctantly agreed to join them, but she would have the final say in the RV they chose. Their shenanigans were cut short as a horde of zombies poured into the building. In a hurry, they jumped into the nearest one and crashed out the door.
With the horde behind them, they took to the road with Akira driving the RV and Kencho riding the motorbike alongside them. Then, all of their tires blew out and Kencho was thrown from the bike. They had gone over a set of road spikes and soon found themselves standing before a group of survivors. There was one notable member too – Akira’s former boss, Gonzou Kosugi. Kosugi offered to replace their tires and patch up Kencho if Akira would work for him for two days. Akira didn’t want to, but he couldn’t help but submit to his former tormentor!
What did you think?
We’ve seen Akira having the occasional flashback to his time working with Kosugi and it was never a fun experience. That guy is a massive jerk who exploits his staff and is constantly putting them down so that they feel like they need him to help them all the time. Akira was helpless to stand up to him even after what he’s been through. That made the end of this episode a really tough watch as we saw Kosugi pick up where he’d left off. He really is a horrid person.
What was your favourite moment?
I did get a laugh from Akira and Kencho looking at all the luxury RVs and of course, Kencho found a moment to get naked and enjoy the hot tub in the back of one. However, the moment that really stood out to me was when Shizuka was explaining to Kencho how Akira is feeling now that Kosugi has him once more. It’s the start of Shizuka realising that she too has been suffering like Akira. She may not have admitted it to herself, but she knew and maybe she’ll be able to move on from it if she sees Akira doing the same. It’s hard to imagine him doing that right now, but give him a chance and Akira will come through.
Who was the most impactful character?
The reappearance of Kosugi is impossible to ignore. It’s hard to believe that anyone would willingly follow him, and that’s probably because they don’t. He is a master manipulator who takes every chance he gets to either break someone down or fool someone into thinking he’s essential to their plans. There was a moment when he compared Akira to the zombies and then pointed out that the zombies were better workers. Akira could only hope to be so hard-working. He really isn’t afraid to stoop to any depths to ensure he gets his way.
Was there any conflict?
One of the really interesting moments was when Akira put some beers in a fridge. He realised that everyone was working hard and could benefit from a little luxury. Even when he’s working for that asshole, he still thinks about the others. So, Kosugi finding him and reprimanding him for doing something he shouldn’t have was a pretty good source of conflict. However, it got better as a group of workers came in and saw what was happening.
Never one to miss an opportunity, however, Kosugi took the credit and claimed it was all his plan. That would keep some of the workers off his back for a little while, plus it then gave him an opening to really lay into Akira. It’s hard to believe that people like that actually exist, but all know too well that they do. I hate that guy!
What have you learnt?
It’s great when you find something that makes the character relatable. You feel like you understand them and that helps you bond with them and that makes the story more believable and engrossing. So, if that experience can do that to you, why not use it to pull another character in? We say the beginnings of that with Shizuka. She can relate to Akira because she’s experienced it too. It changes her impressions of him and warms the audience to her, too. We may have liked her anyhow, but now she’s one of us. It’s all about making those connections. The more we feel connected to the characters and the story, the more we feel the emotional beats. It’s not easy, but that’s the goal.
Other posts in the series
- Manga
- Volume 1 – Akira of the Dead
- Volume 2 – Flight Attendant of the Dead
- Volume 3 – Truck Stop of the Dead
- Volume 4 – Hot Springs of the Dead
- Volume 5 – Hometown of the Dead
- Volume 6 – Hometown of the Dead Part 2
- Volume 7 – Suite of the Dead
- Volume 8 – Boredom of the Dead
- Volume 9 – Millionaire of the Dead
- Volume 10 – Geisha of the Dead
- Volume 11 – Cruise Ship of the Dead
- Volume 12 – Deserted Island of the Dead
- Volume 13 – Airsoft of the Dead
- Anime
- Season One
- Episode 1 – Akira of the Dead
- Episode 2 – Bucket List of the Dead
- Episode 3 – Best Friend of the Dead
- Episode 4 – Flight Attendant of the Dead
- Episode 5 – Hero of the Dead
- Episode 6 – RV of the Dead
- Episode 7 – Truck Stop of the Dead
- Episode 8 – Sushi & Hot Springs of the Dead
- Episode 9 – Treehouse of the Dead
- Episode 10 – Hometown of the Dead I
- Episode 11 – Hometown of the Dead II
- Episode 12 – Hometown of the Dead III
- Season One
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