After six months of surviving the zombie apocalypse, college student Sawanabe finally gets bit. However, the transformation comes with the unexpected surprise that the young man is still able to think like a human. Having to fight for survival, Sawanabe must balance his morality with his craving for human flesh.
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The one-shot from Kakio Tsurukawa,exists as the only English translated work from the mangaka. While the edition feels rather short for a first time experience, Tsurukawa leaves a strong impression with a visually pleasing, playful story. As a result, “Sawanabe Zombie” does enough to stand out in the oversaturated genre and proves potential interest of Japanese indie creators in the western market.
The simple twist on the zombie genre allows for an interesting exploration, as flashbacks, undead revelations and comedy meld in a joyous fashion. Additionally, Sawanabe's personality reflects the archetype of the ‘lovable loser', helping imbue the plot with a favorable comedic pessimism. Overall, the comedic overtone to the dire situation elevates the drama and horror in a deliriously fun way.
Complimenting the narrative is a defined visual approach that captures both the horror and comedy of the situation with skillful style. Notably in the expressions in both the dead and living, conveying the chaos and terror of the zombie attacks. Furthermore, the actual zombie design looks great focusing on sunk-in features and awkward movement reflective of a classic creature design.
“Sawanabe Zombie” balances comedy, drama, and horror to make a well rounded narrative experience. While the edition is tragically short, it leaves a lasting impression that should build interest in the work of Tsurukawa. Currently available digitally through Star Fruit Books, this release is both perfect for the upcoming Halloween season and supporting independent voices in manga.
