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Highschool of the Dead

Highschool of the Dead is a Japanese manga series written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Highschool of the Dead is a Japanese manga series written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō. The story follows a group of high school students and a school nurse as they try to survive a sudden zombie apocalypse in Japan. The manga was adapted into a 12-episode anime series by Madhouse in 2010, and the series was licensed for North American publication by Yen Press, making it accessible to Canadian readers.

Premise

The story begins when a deadly pandemic transforms people into zombies, forcing a group of students and a school nurse to flee Fujimi High School and survive in a collapsing society.

Manga

Highschool of the Dead is a manga series written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō. It was serialized in Japan and later remained unfinished after Daisuke Satō's death.

Anime adaptation

Madhouse adapted the manga into a 12-episode television anime in 2010. The adaptation covered the first four volumes of the manga.

Reception and legacy

The series became known for combining zombie-horror action with fan service and school-life survival drama, and it is often discussed as a notable early-2010s anime adaptation of a zombie manga.

Key facts

  • The series is set in contemporary Japan during a fast-moving zombie outbreak.
  • Its story centres on Fujimi High School students and their school nurse as they try to escape and survive.
  • The manga was written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō.
  • The anime adaptation was produced by Madhouse and aired in 2010.
  • The anime adapted the first four manga volumes.
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Canadian context

The series was licensed for North American publication by Yen Press, making it accessible to Canadian manga readers through English-language releases.

Frequently asked questions

What is Highschool of the Dead about?
It follows students and a school nurse trying to survive a zombie outbreak in Japan.
Who created Highschool of the Dead?
The manga was written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō.
Was Highschool of the Dead adapted into an anime?
Yes. Madhouse produced a 12-episode anime adaptation in 2010.
How many anime episodes are there?
The anime adaptation has 12 episodes.
Did the manga finish?
No. The manga remained unfinished after Daisuke Satō's death.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highschool_of_the_Dead
    Supports: Identifies the manga's creators, the anime adaptation, and the 12-episode Madhouse broadcast dates.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Highschool_of_the_Dead_episodes
    Supports: Describes the anime plot and confirms the 12-episode adaptation details.
  3. Wikipedia tiếng Việt — https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highschool_of_the_Dead
    Supports: States that Yen Press licensed the manga in North America and provides the anime broadcast dates.
  4. Wikipedia — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highschool_of_the_Dead
    Supports: Notes that the manga remained unfinished after Daisuke Satō's death.