In a popular commentary forum in Japan, users shared one of the graphs of the Netflix platform showing that the anime adaptation of the manga Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead entered the " Top 10 Views " in thirteen countries in the most recent week of broadcast. This came as a surprise to fans, considering that the manga is not particularly popular.
In fact, because the popularity of the original manga is not really high, viewers expected it to be an adaptation that would be ignored during the Summer- 2023 (July-September) season . Perhaps taking this into consideration, BUG FILMS decided to add fuel to the grill by producing a first episode that impressed viewers, who shared their fascination for the quality of animation, trending the franchise on social media and, consequently, increasing the number of viewers.
It also helps a lot that the two largest platforms in the West are taking care of the simultaneous distribution of this series, Netflix and Crunchyroll. With Netflix targeting a much more diverse audience, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead was able to reach even people who have never watched an anime series in their life.
However, there is something that has viewers worried. As it turns out, BUG FILMS is a studio founded in September 2021, and Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is their first big project. For the same reason, the question of having produced a fantastic first episode has been taken both for good and bad, especially since fans are not sure that this standard can be maintained during the next episodes. Also, leakers have confirmed that SHAFT was heavily involved in the production of the second episode, so BUG FILMS might be having production issues from now on.
Anyway, the fact that this series has reached the viewing rankings on Netflix was definitely a surprise for everyone, and it seems that it could continue to be a trend week after week, especially now that a live-action will also be available on August 3 on the platform .
Finally, let's review the comments:
- « It's great animation, but for such a small studio, where is it getting the money and talent? ».
- « On the other hand, if the sales of the manga do not increase with this, it will prove that streaming does not serve much as advertising. Naturally, sales in the West would also be expected to increase ».
- « The animation is spectacular, let's hope it continues in this way ».
- « Hiroshi Seko is an amazing screenwriter, it seems to me that any project he has been involved in has been successful lately ».
- " I really wish there was a zombie apocalypse these days ."
- « I feel quite nostalgic, like when Zombieland Saga became a trend because it was about idols and zombies. The zombie theme is really a formula that ensures success in the West, isn't it? ».
- « It is quite worrying how well represented labor exploitation is in the first episode, is it a reflection of what the animators of BUG FILMS are experiencing? ».
- " Westerners don't seem to believe it, but labor exploitation is considered 'normal' here ."
- « The trailer for the live-action version is also quite popular on YouTube. Perhaps the production companies will begin to give continuity to the projects that involve the zombies ».
- « In the past, anime about zombies were carried out by teenagers, but now it's the adults. Maybe everything is going according to the growth of viewers? ».
Source: Otakomu
