Zom 100 is  written by Haro Aso and illustrated by Kotaro Takata it tells the story of Akira Tendo, a 24 year old who is stuck working at an exploitative cooperation. Three years ago he joined the company, thinking he could realise his dreams. His hopes were quickly dashed as he realised the company doesn’t care about its employees and expect countless hours of unpaid overtime, including all nighters on a regular basis. One day he goes into the office, only to find that there’s been a zombie apocalypse, which gives him a new lease on life. He quits his job, cleans his apartment and sets out to make a bucket list of everything he wants to do before he’s turned into a zombie.

The first volume collects the first three chapters of the series, along with a bonus chapter focusing on a character who is briefly shown in the second chapter. It’s a satirical look at and office work and lifestyles in Japan, where unpaid overtime isn’t that uncommon. It’s all told through the lens of a comedy manga with Akira feeling almost like Naruto of Luffy from One Piece, in his pure enthusiasm for life once the zombies attack.

The first chapter quickly goes over the previous three years as Akira has been stuck in the soul-destroying job. It gets dark quick, with even a moment where he starts to think suicidal thoughts. His entire life is changed once the apocalypse starts. Instead of seeing the horrors of everything that’s going on around him, he sees it as a new start. The clash in tone from the working life to the apocalypse is really funny.

So far only three characters have really been introduced, alongside some of Akira’s colleague who die quickly. There’s the woman he briefly meets in the shop, Shizuka Mikazuki (who also has the bonus chapter dedicated to her). Kencho is also introduced in the third chapter, an old friend of Akira’s. They grew distant due to working. Kencho was showing off about how much he liked his life, while Akira was struggling with his job, which caused division. At one point Kencho says to Akira that he looks worse than the zombies and then also confesses that the showing off was a front and he actually hated his job as well.

It’s stilly, funny, entertaining and a reminder to find joy in the little things while we still can. I can’t wait to read the second volume of this one.

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