Television series
Is This a Zombie?
- Urban fantasy
- Light-hearted
- Strange
A high school boy returns from the dead as a zombie and gets drafted into magical girl duty by a chain-smoking warrior. Part supernatural action comedy, part affectionate parody of shoujo tropes, it's gleefully weird and endearingly committed to its absurd premise. For fans of absurdist humour wrapped in genuine heart and animation that knows exactly when to get weird.
If you liked this
Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story2020
Deconstructs magical girl conventions with crushing emotional intelligence and philosophical depth. Visually gorgeous and narratively brilliant, it redefined what anime could do with genre expectations.
But The tone is darker and far more serious than Is This a Zombie?, with genuine tragedy rather than comedy. It demands emotional investment that some find exhausting.
Kill la Kill2013
Anarchic energy, wild animation, and gleeful rule-breaking that matches Zombie's commitment to genre chaos. Equally unashamed about pulp entertainment and technical audacity.
But The fan service is relentless and intentional, which either delights or repels depending on your tolerance. Some find the maximalism exhausting rather than exhilarating.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War?2019
Character-driven comedy that respects its audience's intelligence while maintaining genuine warmth beneath the jokes. Sharp writing and character development that rewards paying attention.
But More grounded and romantic than Is This a Zombie?'s supernatural absurdism. If you want outright weirdness, this settles into something more conventional.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Is This a Zombie?
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail1975
Both prioritize the comedy of taking their premise absolutely seriously. A zombie girl does magical girl duties and a king searches for the Grail with complete sincerity—the joke is in the commitment.
The ancestral DNA of genre parody done with intelligence and anarchic joy. British comedy that deconstructs legends through absurdist logic and genuine wit—it respects nothing and everything simultaneously.
But Made in 1975 and it shows—the pacing is weird, the budget constraints visible, some sketches overstay their welcome. Comedy from a very different era can feel slow.
More like this (8)
Celebrity Ghost Stories2009
An English dub that became legendary for improvisation and comedy gold. Genuinely funny even when adapting fairly standard horror-mystery material, with infectious energy throughout.
But The dub is in English and heavily Americanized; the original Japanese version is played straighter and less funny. Some jokes haven't aged perfectly.
Haibane Renmei2002
Mysterious, ethereal, and surprisingly moving. Atmospheric worldbuilding and character moments that stay with you long after. Proves anime can be genuinely artistic without sacrificing warmth.
But Deliberately paced and melancholic—almost the opposite of Is This a Zombie?'s comedic energy. Requires patience and reflection rather than immediate gratification.
Excel Saga1999
Anarchic, meta-obsessed comedy that prioritizes jokes and creativity over plot. Genre parody done with real love and genuine weirdness baked in throughout.
But Deliberately chaotic to the point of incomprehensibility; some episodes experiment so wildly they become hard to follow. The references feel increasingly dated now.
Gakkou Gurashi!2015
Subverts its genre premise in ways that feel earned and genuinely touching. Balances comedy and darkness with rare delicacy, offering both laughs and unexpected emotional depth.
But The tonal shifts might feel jarring if you're expecting consistent tone. Some find the shift from comedy to drama happens too abruptly.
Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo2015
Charm and a great ensemble cast carry supernatural comedy that's fundamentally about friendship. Light-hearted and fun without pretending to be something it's not.
But Fairly conventional in structure once you know its premise. Doesn't take real risks and settles for pleasant rather than surprising.
Dusk Maiden of Amnesia2012
Supernatural mystery with action and romance that doesn't try too hard. Decent character chemistry and enough oddness to keep things interesting across its run.
But Relies heavily on the lead character's ignorance for plot momentum, which becomes frustrating. Feels somewhat forgettable compared to stronger titles in its category.
Demon Slayer2019
Both navigate tonal whiplash between comedy and serious action. Demon Slayer treats its supernatural world seriously while Zombie plays it for laughs, but they share the DNA of mixing registers and respecting both equally.
Stunningly animated action sequences that redefine what anime can look like. Genuine emotional stakes, character development, and some of the most beautiful fight choreography ever animated.
But After the action peaks, pacing becomes inconsistent. Subsequent seasons prioritize spectacle over the character moments that made early episodes work. Increasingly exhausting rather than refreshing.
March comes in like a lion2016
Both feature lonely protagonists finding belonging through supernatural/unusual circumstances and supporting cast relationships. Where Zombie makes that funny, Lion makes it profound—same emotional architecture, opposite register.
Quietly devastating character study wrapped in a story about Shogi. Captures grief, found family, and healing with unusual maturity and visual poetry. Animation that serves emotional truth rather than spectacle.
But Deliberately slow and introspective. If you want action or consistent comedy momentum, this will feel like punishment. It asks you to sit with loneliness and sadness.
