Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead – Episode 10 Explained in Detail
Episode Title: Hometown of the Dead I
This episode marks the beginning of the anime’s final story arc. Instead of focusing only on zombie action, it explores Akira’s family, dreams, regrets, and introduces one of the series’ most dangerous human villains. The episode adapts Chapters 16 and 17 of the manga.
Returning Home
After surviving countless zombie attacks, Akira, Kencho, Shizuka, and Beatrix finally reach Akira’s hometown.
Unlike Tokyo, which has been completely overrun by zombies, Akira’s village is relatively safe. The villagers have created strong defenses and work together to protect everyone.
For the first time in many episodes, the group feels peace and safety.
Emotional Reunion with His Parents
The happiest moment in the episode is when Akira discovers that both of his parents are still alive.
His mother welcomes him with warmth, while his father, Teruo Tendou, remains quiet and reserved.
Akira is overwhelmed with relief because he had feared they were dead.
This reunion reminds viewers that despite the zombie apocalypse, family remains one of the strongest reasons to keep living.
Akira Crosses Another Bucket List Item
One of Akira’s goals is to spend quality time with his parents.
He realizes he spent years working in Tokyo without visiting them often because of his exhausting corporate job.
The zombie apocalypse unexpectedly gives him a second chance to repair that relationship.
Life Inside the Village
The village feels almost like life before the apocalypse.
Everyone contributes:
- repairing buildings,
- growing food,
- protecting the walls,
- and helping one another.
Each member of Akira’s group enjoys village life:
- Kencho entertains everyone with his jokes.
- Beatrix is fascinated by Japanese traditions.
- Shizuka begins opening up emotionally and connects with the villagers.
This slower pace gives viewers a break before the coming conflict.
Akira Talks with His Father
The most emotional scene happens at night.
Akira shares a drink with his father.
He apologizes for leaving home and admits he regrets chasing a miserable office job in Tokyo.
Instead of criticizing him, Teruo tells Akira something he has never shared before:
His own childhood dream was to become an astronaut and see Earth from space.
However, he believed he wasn’t smart enough to achieve it, so he gave up on that dream.
This surprises Akira because he always thought his father never had any ambitions.
Teruo then tells Akira not to waste his life chasing someone else’s expectations, but to pursue his own dreams.
This conversation becomes one of the emotional highlights of the series.
A New Enemy Appears
The biggest surprise of Episode 10 is the introduction of Kanta Higurashi.
He once attended college with Akira and Kencho.
Although they barely noticed him back then, Higurashi secretly hated them.
He envied:
- Akira’s optimism,
- Kencho’s popularity,
- and the friendships they had.
Years of jealousy transformed him into someone who enjoys causing suffering.
Unlike Akira, who uses his bucket list to enjoy life, Higurashi creates a bucket list focused on destruction.
He even declares one shocking goal:
To turn Akira into a zombie.
This immediately makes him one of the most dangerous enemies in the story—not because of zombies, but because of his twisted mindset.
Two Completely Different Bucket Lists
Episode 10 cleverly compares two philosophies.
Akira’s Bucket List
- Experience happiness.
- Help people.
- Spend time with loved ones.
- Live without regrets.
Higurashi’s Bucket List
- Spread fear.
- Hurt others.
- Create chaos.
- Enjoy watching people suffer.
Both characters are trying to enjoy the apocalypse, but their definitions of “fun” are completely opposite.
The Village Is in Danger
Higurashi secretly plans to destroy the peaceful village.
His goal is to release zombies into the settlement and force everyone to panic.
The episode slowly builds tension as viewers realize that the peaceful atmosphere will soon disappear.
