(L) Highschool of the Dead

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by orion

I'm more interested in Saya getting development. She's the only one not wielding a weapon and could get left by the wayside since this is an action title. I want to see what made her so insecure.

Well she is the brains of the group technically so they would need her to justify what is going on and what is possibly going to happen. Either from that I do hope she does get some development and the fact she is insecure is what I need to know also.

[Tempest35]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

Spoiler for for space:

Indeed, the discussion has gone into the gutter over the last few pages. But, then again, what can you expect from a series that features boobs, guns and lots of blood?

By that, I'm not implying that it's inherently wrong to speculate the way we have but that, given the nature of the source material, such discussions would inevitably take certain directions. Some might call it otaku rage; I see it, simply, as human nature.

To be sure, I would be surprised if either Daisuke Satou (writer) or Shouji Satou (artist) had actually put much thought into developing their characters, beyond making the girls obvious pin-up material. This is not to say the characters can't be analysed, but rather an admission that we aren't really given much material to examine them at depth (I don't mean ogling the girls' assets, obviously).

So, in the absence of such information, imaginations take over. The speculations are interesting, to me, not because of what they purport to reveal about the characters, but because of what they reveal about people — us — in general. That characters like Saeko would be instantly popular with many viewers comes as no surprise to me, because she represents an ideal that rarely exists in real life, if at all.

She's smart, calm and collected, and highly skilled. She cooks and has a fabulous body, and knows when to stroke the male ego and when to submit to male authority. In short, she's the ultimate in male wish-fulfilment. She's perfect in almost every way.

And that's why she's instantly boring to me. "Perfect" characters, from Teresa of Claymore to Horo of Spice & Wolf and Haruka of KGNE all too arbitrarily good to be true. Beyond acknowledging that they are good, there's nothing much about them worth discussing, because they are "perfect" in every way. They have no flaws to ponder over, no humanising aspect that allows a viewer to relate to them on a personal level. They are, in short, boring in the same way that Superman is boring as a comic-book superhero.

Perhaps Saeko will acquire a human dimension in the future. But, for now, she's just someone you'd put on a pedestal. An idol, no more. On the other hand, the fact that viewers manage to find the spleen to drag Rei and Takashi through the mud reflects their effectiveness as dramatic devices.

Rei gets people fuming. Now, that's interesting. Because, in her, we see reflections of people we don't like in real life, aspects of ourselves we don't want to see. I mean, for every guy who wonders why Takashi couldn't have simply been more of a "guy", there is probably someone out there who wishes to forget how he found it hard to admit his feelings for a girl.

And there may be others who unconsciously wish to forget how feelings of inadequacy make them doubt their ability to love others whole-heartedly. There may yet be others who worry that, if they were to confess such feelings, a cherished friendship may be irrevocably ruined.

We watch shows like HOTD because we enjoy our fantasies. We don't want to be reminded of our human frailty, but seek to revel in the glory of heroism. All this is fair, because that is what HOTD sets itself up to be, an escapist adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously, even if its fans might.

I too enjoy the thrills, obviously, or I wouldn't be watching this show. But, at the same time, it's also as enjoyable for me to mull over the presentation of a society in rapid decay as it is to observe the kinds of baser emotions the story provokes.

I can see that you've definitely earned that 'author' tag.

I mulled over what you've said and, being a male myself, you're absolutely right, especially on the characterization of Saeko. She is essentially the perfect woman for any boy's fantasy - the impossibly ideal woman that all men want - and at such a young age too (she's not even 18 yet). By all accounts, she should have taken command of the group - she's the single strongest member as well as having a good mental capacity. So why does she begin to defer to Komuro when she's only known him for a day, despite being an obviously better choice? And no, I don't believe in the 'she senses Komuro's true potential' or any rubbish like that either.

It's amusing to see how it takes some sort of cataclysm or some sort of disaster to bring out the true nature of people - whether they be saints or sinners. It's okay to be one or the other when the rules of 'being normal' don't apply, but in everyday society, you're expected to 'be like the person next to you so you don't stand out'. Oh sure, creativity is fostered and encouraged but rarely is it actually applied. We are groomed from the time we enter school to grow up so that we can replace the retiring smuck that has 'outlived' their 'usefullness' or has had 'enough' and wants to quit the rat race. So when there's the lack of a 'stable society', people find that they are woefully under-prepared to fend for themselves - which is what's happening in H.O.T.D.

[AcroDave]

Originally Posted by Tempest35

... but in everyday society, you're expected to 'be like the person next to you so you don't stand out'. Oh sure, creativity is fostered and encouraged but rarely is it actually applied. We are groomed from the time we enter school to grow up so that we can replace the retiring smuck that has 'outlived' their 'usefullness'

As I'm sitting in my cubicle tomorrow morning... logging in to check my email, nibbling on my bagel & sipping my coffee.... your words will continue to haunt my soul.

[kenjiharima]

Originally Posted by Klashikari

That's simply called fanfiction, which can be expanded with either an attempt at the fan creation area, or the numerous fan fiction sites you can find on the web.

In a way, it would have been much more practical for speculations etc, if the backstory and the context were more fleshed out than plain presentation of "no so innocent" assets.
Thus far, you can even speculate any kind of origin for the disease, to the point it doesn't even matter in the end.

Then a speculation thread then.

The origin is pretty much hinted in the anime saying about the virus that the US and Japanese gov are hidding which caused the outbreak. Pretty much takes out the supernatural plot here as I said before. The only thing we can speculate is which gov had this leak that caused this world wide spread.

Originally Posted by NamuSkull

Me three! Saeko>Rei.

Oh and Hirano>Takahashi.

I agree though here since IAM BIAS when it comes to Hirano. He may not be a fighter, but he's the best with guns in the group. Developments from the get go makes you go whoa this guy is awesome doing this and having more great facial expressions. If Takashi wants to setup he needs to become more than the guy that the girls go for, emo gone manly overnight and keeps his pants on so HOTD won't turn H. lol He needs more development than the generic male lead, one or 2 moment isn't enough, one reason why I still can't compare him to Hirano. Hirano's only weakness for now is the allure of the girls and not being able to fight, but using tools, protecting the girls when getting out of the bus, best background development where almost every episode he talks about his past, has the best lines in the anime as seen all through out the anime series so far.

As for Saeko and Rei, I think these 2 need to have duel, not on the boob side, but on the martial arts side. Though I think Saeko isn't in the influence of alcohol when she did that naked apron. O_O

Originally Posted by orion

I'm more interested in Saya getting development. She's the only one not wielding a weapon and could get left by the wayside since this is an action title. I want to see what made her so insecure.

Not really she drilled the head of a zombie in ep.2 Got shocked and probably won't pick up a weapon just yet. She's the brains and the strategist. She's also my fav girl here next is sensei.

[ZeKeR]

so? now what? we wait for HSOTD subs.... and watch

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by ZeKeR

so? now what? we wait for HSOTD subs.... and watch

Mostly, we discussed everything their is from episode 1-6 I think and people have nothing else to say till we all watch episode 7.

Or thats what I think

*Watches episode 7 now*

[ZeKeR]

HOLY SHEEIT! saeko was HAWT!!!!! OMFGWTF?!?!?! that was cool! teh great escape!!!!!!

[kenjiharima]

Just watched PPV Summer Slam now going to anime.

Also as hinted in the new official images it's gonna be Saeko and Hirano team up.

[Hooves]

Read the spoiler when you watched episode 7

Spoiler for Episode 7:

I "Must" know the song that was playing when Takashi got on the bike and to rescue the little girl... That was perfect..

Also I "Must" know the new ending, if that is the new ending which I hope it is because made all sorts of epic feelings rise.

Hirano is an excellent sniper to be able to shoot a gun he never used and still get a Head-Shot

Those people are screwed up when Alice's father wanted nothing more but to insure her safety, but noo.. The people go and stab him..

So much breast-twirling in this episode indeed.. Hirano had so many *nose-bleed moments*

Saeko is epic enough beating up zombies... But Saeko in nothing but panties and a apron jumping out of the Humvee and smacking away at zombies will get all the fans spiraling out of control

Also Shizuka could make so many people *nose-bleed* especially during most of the episode where she was naked.

Also big LOL for when Hirano saw Shizuka and Saya (OH YEAH!!) Just deserved it...

The best *nose-bleed* scene Hirano got was when Saeko jumped back on the Humvee

Why does Saeko get so many sexy scenes in this one episode!! Before Takashi left, the pose she did can clearly give nose-bleed

Did anyone see when Hirano used the Riot-Shotgun to blow away a total of 10-20 zombies??

Does anyone see the reaction of Takashi when Alice pissed on him?

Also the fact that the zombie went flying when on Hirano's second time after the 10-20 zombie one was just hilarious.

[ID555]

Spoiler for episode 7:

Oh the fanservice is glorious in this one. Better than nipple-less boobs, I must say.

Hirano owned this episode. Lucky b*stard for getting up CLOSE and personal with Saeko.

Does a zombie apocalypse make girls lose all sense of modesty?

Rei's girls are alive! @_@

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by ID555

Spoiler for episode 7:

Oh the fanservice is glorious in this one. Better than nipple-less boobs, I must say.

Hirano owned this episode. Lucky b*stard for getting up CLOSE and personal with Saeko.

Does a zombie apocalypse make girls lose all sense of modesty?

Rei's girls are alive! @_@

Well their cloths were in the washers and they couldn't find anything else... Oh well more fan-service

But I must know why does Saeko get so many sexy scenes in just 1 episode.... So many nose-bleeds are possible..

[Cub-Sama]

Originally Posted by Hooves

Of course zombie apocalypse will make girls lose all sense of modesty, they care about surviving to surpass modesty

Thank god for that, zombie apocalypse hurry up and happen, I want to be the protagonist in my own real life video game

Truth be told I would've left that little girl, mostly because
a) Little girls scream a lot b) Can't carry a heavy load and can't handle a gun properly c) Doesn't have the necessary strength or height to kill zombies d) Would just be another mouth to feed and more of a liability than an asset

Sure I would've felt sorry for her and wanted to be the hero, but in a zombie apocalypse I wouldn't have time for heroic antics unless the person was useful and or hawt

Liked the episode though, find it funny that no one noticed Takashi smells of piss.

Fanservice and action was just

Hirano continues the pwnage, this guy just cannot be stopped. Saeko is the perfect woman, she reminds me of Chizuru from Seitokai no Ichizon and Shizuka-sensei is well, is she just retarded, I wouldn't trust someone who doesn't even notice her clothes are off to be our medic.

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by Cub-Sama

Hirano continues the pwnage, this guy just cannot be stopped.

I'm starting to fall in love with that shotgun Hirano had when he blew away so many zombies due to the wide-spread.

[Maverick05]

Well....I think this actually opens another line of debate. Rei and Takashi brings the drama to the show...but Saeko and Hirano brings the GAR/Ownage/Win to the series!!!

Grrr 45 minutes until I can watch the episode!!!

Spoiler for Question:

Did they save the dog or did the dog became zombie bait?

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by Maverick05

Well....I think this actually opens another line of debate. Rei and Takashi brings the drama to the show...but Saeko and Hirano brings the GAR/Ownage/Win to the series!!!

Grrr 45 minutes until I can watch the episode!!!

Spoiler for Question:

Did they saved the dog or did the dog became zombie bait?

Spoiler for Dog's Fate:

Dog is saved, but I really do not understand how the dog lived... With all the noise it was making earlier in the episode..

[ZeKeR]

Originally Posted by Hooves

I'm starting to fall in love with that shotgun Hirano had when he blew away so many zombies due to the wide-spread.

Ithaca anti riot shotgun... thing is a demon...

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by ZeKeR

Ithaca anti riot shotgun... thing is a demon...

To be able to pull a stunt like it did in the episode, that thing is now classified by me as a "Demon to Zombies"

[Cub-Sama]

I'm surprised you could tell what shotgun that was, most pump shotguns look the same to me but then again I don't know too much about guns.

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by Cub-Sama

I'm surprised you could tell what shotgun that was, most pump shotguns look the same to me but then again I don't know too much about guns.

I believe they said what type of shotgun it was in Episode 6.. Well they did say it was a Riot-Shotgun.. Or maybe Hirano said the exact type.. I just saw "Riot-Shotgun"

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Tempest35

By all accounts, she should have taken command of the group - she's the single strongest member as well as having a good mental capacity. So why does she begin to defer to Komuro when she's only known him for a day, despite being an obviously better choice? And no, I don't believe in the 'she senses Komuro's true potential' or any rubbish like that either.

Don't worry. The author has at least thought this far, but we'd have to get the anime to move along. Until then, keep watching and enjoy the fanservice.

As for Takashi, I think it can easily be inferred as to why he's the de facto leader of the group. Hirano knows how to handle firearms, whereas Saeko and Rei are both trained with a melee weapon. Shizuka and Saya are good sources of knowledge useful in their situation. What does Takashi have? In a word: nothing. But as a leader? Everything.

Being a leader doesn't necessarily mean that he or she has to be better at everything than anyone. Despite whatever flaws exist, he or she simply must be the most suitable for that role.

Takashi doesn't need to have some sort of hidden potential in order to be regarded as the leader. He just has to be dependable, with a good head on his shoulders—someone that others can look up to and trust. Someone who can make those decisions for everybody, and lead.

I don't think Takashi has always been this kind of person. Come to think of it, Hisashi seems to have more charisma than him, but such dire times can indeed bring out the best (and worst) out of others.