Episode Overview

Episode 1, “Akira of the Dead,” introduces the main character, Akira Tendou, a 24-year-old office worker whose life has become a nightmare because of an abusive corporate job. Rather than beginning as a typical zombie horror story, the episode first explores how exhausting modern work life can be before the zombie apocalypse even starts.

Akira’s Dream Job

At the beginning of the episode, Akira graduates from college and lands what he believes is his dream job at a commercial production company.

He is full of energy and excitement. He imagines:

• making creative advertisements,
• building a successful career,
• making new friends,
• and enjoying adult life.

On his first day, he meets a kind woman from the accounting department named Saori Ohtori. Akira immediately develops a crush on her and believes his future is full of possibilities.

The Reality of Corporate Life

Very quickly, Akira’s dream falls apart.

His company is what Japan calls a “black company”—a business known for exploiting employees through excessive overtime, constant pressure, and poor treatment.

For the next three years, Akira:

• works almost every day,
• barely sleeps,
• eats unhealthy food,
• loses contact with friends,
• stops enjoying life,
• and becomes emotionally empty.

His apartment becomes filthy because he has no time or energy to clean it. Even weekends disappear as work consumes his entire life.

His Boss

Akira’s manager constantly:

• insults employees,
• forces impossible deadlines,
• ignores their health,
• and treats them like machines instead of people.

The episode makes it clear that Akira isn’t afraid of zombies—he is already living in a different kind of nightmare: endless work.

A Broken Heart

Akira secretly likes Saori, but he eventually realizes she is in a relationship with his boss.

This crush had been one of the few bright spots in his difficult life, so the discovery leaves him even more emotionally exhausted.

The Zombie Apocalypse Begins

One morning, Akira wakes up for work as usual.

Outside, chaos has erupted.

People are attacking each other, cars are crashing, and zombies have taken over the city.

At first he panics, but then he suddenly realizes something unexpected:

He never has to go to work again.

Instead of crying or screaming, Akira laughs with genuine happiness.

This is one of the most memorable scenes in the series because the zombie apocalypse feels more liberating to him than his office job.

Freedom at Last

For the first time in years, Akira feels alive.

He:

• drinks beer on his balcony,
• enjoys the fresh air,
• smiles again,
• and experiences freedom without worrying about work.

The colorful animation reflects his emotional change. Before the outbreak, the world looked gray and lifeless. Afterward, the city becomes bright and vibrant, showing that Akira has regained his desire to live.

Visiting Saori

Despite the danger, Akira decides to visit Saori.

He hopes she survived so he can finally confess his feelings.

When he reaches her apartment, he discovers his zombified boss. After escaping him, Akira finds Saori, but she has already been infected.

Even though she can no longer understand him, Akira finally tells her how he truly feels before saying goodbye and escaping. It is a bittersweet moment that helps him let go of the past.

The Bucket List

After surviving the first day, Akira realizes that life is unpredictable.

Instead of waiting for another chance, he decides to make a list of everything he wants to experience before he dies.

He buys a notebook and begins writing:

“100 Things I Want to Do Before Becoming a Zombie.”

This bucket list becomes the heart of the entire series and transforms the story from simple zombie survival into an uplifting journey about making the most of life.

Themes of Episode 1

1. Escaping Toxic Work Culture

The episode criticizes workplaces that drain employees physically and mentally. It suggests that living without purpose can feel worse than facing danger.

2. Living Without Regret

Akira learns that life is short, so waiting for “the perfect time” can mean missing your chance forever.

3. Finding Freedom

The zombie apocalypse symbolizes freedom from a life that had become a prison.

4. Hope in Chaos

Although the world is collapsing, Akira chooses optimism. His positive attitude makes the series stand out from traditional zombie stories.

Best Moments

• Akira celebrating because he no longer has to go to work.
• The dramatic transition from gray office life to colorful post-apocalyptic scenes.
• His emotional confession to Saori.
• Writing the first entries in his bucket list.
• The energetic animation and soundtrack that mix comedy with horror.

Ending Explained

By the end of Episode 1, Akira has completely changed his outlook on life.

Instead of asking:

“How do I survive?”

He asks:

“How do I truly live?”

The episode ends with him starting his bucket list, setting up the central adventure of the series: completing as many dreams as possible while surviving a zombie apocalypse.