Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 9 – Quick Summary
In Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead episode 9, “Treehouse of the Dead,” Akira felt a growing sense of anxiety and dread as he approached his hometown. The idea of finding his parents turned into zombies terrified him. The idea of finding them alive terrified him, too! Apparently, he had unfinished business with them, especially his dad. But he forgot all that when they came up to the tunnel that would take them to the village. The tunnel was full of zombies! What does this mean for Akira and his parents?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 9
Doesn’t Beatrix almost always look like she’s trying to drink in every experience? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I’m still trying to figure out why this quote stuck with me. I think it’s because of Shizuka. I’m also trying to figure out how they engineered her with the Infinitely Attracted on All Levels (IAOAL) gene. But that’s probably a topic for a separate post.
I guess I’m not particularly attracted to cuddly characters.
Anyway, Akira had finally arrived. He saw his mom and dad. And in typical, youthful/naive Akira fashion, he let forth a torrent of tearful, emotional words. For which his dad knocked him on the head.
He dad basically said to man-up and stop blathering, then left because he had to work in the fields.
With a smile that intrigued as much as it perplexed me, Shizuka said (14:05), “Your dad’s not the man I’d pictured.”
Maybe she’s smiling because she’s happy that at least her dad didn’t try to compress her spine by smacking her on top of the head?
Favorite Moment from Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 9
Akira’s a good man. He only seemed too good because he lacked a counter-weight. Until now! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Akira, Shizuka, Kencho, and Beatrix are Good People
Since I read Irina’s post reviewing of episode 8, I appreciate Beatrix’s attitude of whole-heartedly embracing each moment. She’s not only so full of life, she’s stunningly capable. In the previous episode, we got to see her slice a bunch of zombies apart while she wore samurai armor. In this episode, we got to see her skill with a bow – and I gotta say, I was impressed!
It’s interesting, though, how this show anticipated my sensibilities. I enjoyed my favorite moment – which goes without saying, doesn’t it, or it wouldn’t be my favorite! At the same time, well, it felt almost too good.
But before I explain why, let’s talk about the moment itself. Akira and Kencho were super excited to help build the treehouse. The old man, who turned out to be a wood craftsman, was happy to have the help. He even turned out to be a great teacher. So good, in fact, that as he imparted the philosophical basis for the work – an often overlooked aspect of any subject – Akira experienced a moment of zen-like expanding understanding of the world.
Akira’s trying to use his situation to become better. That’s certainly one way to approach the zombie apocalypse! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Akira and the old man got to talking. The old guy was super friendly – one might saw over-the-top friendly. Akira found out why when he said how much he had wanted to build a treehouse when he was younger. The old man mentioned his son had been the same way. Then Akira asked how the man’s son was now.
Silence answered him.When Akira looked up, he saw the man crying. “My son was bitten by my wife right before my eyes,” he said, fighting to keep his voice level (08:50). “So, I had to deal with ‘em… with my own hands.”
Delivery: Now We See How Good
He became so emotional that Akira jumped up to steady him and the timber he had been holding.
“You have my support,” Akira said (09:23). “Let’s finish this together.”
No big, long, emotional speech. No melodramatic music. Just one man-of-action building a community with another man-of-action. Which is quite a contrast to how Akira talked to his father later, come to think of it.
I like that moment. I felt good about that moment. Seeing Akira being Akira with another human being capable of accepting that kindness helped me feel uplifted. It was my favorite moment. Yet, at the back of my mind, something bothered me. It felt too good.
Meet the counter-weight. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Remember High School of the Dead? Remember back in episode 4, when that guy tried to assault Rei? That felt real. That’s at least part of how I see a zombie apocalypse play out. Sure, there are some people who would understand the tactical necessity of building communities. But there are others who – well, just look at America. Look at a certain candidate for President, and their agenda for a possible second term. “Some men just want to watch the world burn” is optimistic compared to that kind of nihilism.
This show hasn’t given that to me. Except, in this episode, it has. With Kanta Hagurashi in the village, we now have an anti-Akira, complete with a bucket list. It felt like it fit, and not only because it off-set the level of goodness that Akira and his friends achieved. It fit because I felt utter loathing for Kanta when it became clear what he planned to do. That’s the mark of an effective villain!
What did you think the treehouse? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 9: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Zom 100: Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto • Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead – Episode 9 discussion
- I Drink and Watch Anime: ZOM 100 – Episode 9
- RABUJOI: Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead – 09 – Voice of the Forest
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 01: Akira of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 02: Bucket List of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 03: Best Friend of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 04: Flight Attendant of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 05: Hero of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 06: RV of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 07: Truck Stop of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 08: Sushi & Hot Springs of the Dead
- Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 09: Treehouse of the Dead
I remember the scene in One Piece where the Straw Hats meet Garp, learn he’s Luffy’s grandfather, and hear about everything Garp put Luffy through. And suddenly something about Luffy – namely his will to survive – makes a bit more sense to his crew. I had a similar feeling her as we saw Akira approach his hometown, casually passing deadly obstacles with a spring in his step. Suddenly, his casual, nonchalant attitude as he’s survived the zombie apocalypse thus far makes much more sense!
I have to laugh a bit at Akira’s clumsy attempts to show gratitude to his parents. Dude, you don’t have to do anything special. It’s the ordinary, everyday things: be respectful, do good, look after each other, live happily, and possibly work on giving them some grandkids. 😉
We finally have our villains! A matched set to pit against Akira’s quartet. Where Akira was being destroyed by his lousy job, this Kanta fellow just didn’t want to have to function as an adult. Where Akira and his friends have been finding ways to enjoy living, these four enemies want nothing more than to do harm to others. They’re just a group of assholes who don’t even care about themselves, just the chance to do damage.
Akira meeting his family really put his character into context, didn’t it? That was seriously cool.
He did go overboard, didn’t he? I loved his mom’s reaction — dude, glad you’re back, but get out of my way!
I wonder what it would be like to try to raise kids in a post-zombie apocalypse world? I was worried taking my young ‘uns to the mall for the first time!
Those villains are like a mirror image of our heroes. I’d like to say they’re unrealistic, but, well, I live in this world, and I can’t escape certain conclusions, based on the facts!
I’m bummed they’re holding the season at 9 episodes. On the other hand, I’m glad they put in the effort so far — I’ve had a ton of fun with this one!