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Gakkou Gurashi! #1
School-Live!, Vol. 1
Meet the members of the School Living Club! There's the shovel-loving (?) Kurumi Ebisuzawa, the big-sister figure Yuuri Wakasa, club advisor Megumi Sakura, and last but not least, the ever-optimistic Yuki Takeya. The School Living Club is just your average after-school organization where the girls hang out, have fun...and live at school as the sole survivors of a zombie apocalypse. NBD.
178 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
36 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Norimitsu Kaihou (Nitroplus)
23 books19 followersKAIHOU Norimitsu
Name (in native language): 紀光海法
Associated Name:
KAIHOW Norimitsu
Name (in native language): 紀光海法
Associated Name:
KAIHOW Norimitsu
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
June 11, 2016
I went into this series as a huge fan of the anime, but I'm going to try not to let that color my impressions of the manga too much--because the two presentations of this story have proven to be very different, so far. That said, I'll get the comparisons out of the way now, then focus on the merits of the manga as a standalone story.
Whereas the anime followed a very non-linear timeline, and didn't reveal that this slice of life story was taking place in the middle of a zombie apocalypse until an incredible twist at the end of the first episode, the manga seems to be taking a much more chronological approach (it also has no qualms about displaying the zombies pretty early 0n). Heck, the dog and the fifth girl, Mii-kun aren't even around yet in this volume, whereas the anime introduced them right off the bat. There are a few more differences, such as when the letter-writing happens, and how early we get at least a hint about what's going on with Megu-nee, but I think these are most of the salient points.
So, how does School-Live! the manga hold up on its own? I'd say, pretty well. The characters all have pretty distinctive personalities so far, their situation is set up as believably perilous, and there's enough action and suspense to make the reader care about them and their safety. There are a few abrupt transitions here and there, but overall the story flows well, and does a good job of juxtaposing two genres (slice of life & zombie horror) that normally have little to do with one another. I think so far, the anime is better, but don't let that dissuade you from checking out the manga version. School-Live! is a great story, no matter how you cut it.
Whereas the anime followed a very non-linear timeline, and didn't reveal that this slice of life story was taking place in the middle of a zombie apocalypse until an incredible twist at the end of the first episode, the manga seems to be taking a much more chronological approach (it also has no qualms about displaying the zombies pretty early 0n). Heck, the dog and the fifth girl, Mii-kun aren't even around yet in this volume, whereas the anime introduced them right off the bat. There are a few more differences, such as when the letter-writing happens, and how early we get at least a hint about what's going on with Megu-nee, but I think these are most of the salient points.
So, how does School-Live! the manga hold up on its own? I'd say, pretty well. The characters all have pretty distinctive personalities so far, their situation is set up as believably perilous, and there's enough action and suspense to make the reader care about them and their safety. There are a few abrupt transitions here and there, but overall the story flows well, and does a good job of juxtaposing two genres (slice of life & zombie horror) that normally have little to do with one another. I think so far, the anime is better, but don't let that dissuade you from checking out the manga version. School-Live! is a great story, no matter how you cut it.
November 29, 2022
The girl on the cover (honestly forgot her name, tbh the only one I remember is Megu-nee because it was repeated so many times), is really dumb, and in a very annoying and not cute way. I would only not find her annoying if she was like, 7, but she's not. And I'm not ragging on her for living in a delusional state - if everything was normal I would still be annoyed by everything she says and does. She's just really dopey and naïve, and on top of that her friends treat her like a child. Maybe she regressed, but I somehow doubt that because it's not like her character is a rare archetype, unfortunately.
I am a bit curious about the world and what happened though, so I'll probably continue. I just hope that girl grows up.
I am a bit curious about the world and what happened though, so I'll probably continue. I just hope that girl grows up.
December 14, 2015
One of my favorites this year, hands down. yen press did a great job with it!
May 10, 2020
Me la he terminado en... ¿cinco días?
Me la empecé por el meme y por estar un poco aburrido en la cuarentena, pero me ha atrapado como hacía tela q no me pasaba.
Dentro de todos los tópicos simplemente no puede dejarte indiferente la serie escolar más extraña que me haya visto. A pesar de tol fanservice y de q tenía 0 expectativas tengo que reconocer que me ha sorprendido muy gratamente.
Cuando llegué al final me sorprendí leyéndolo conmovidísimo, merecidas 4 estrellas
Me la empecé por el meme y por estar un poco aburrido en la cuarentena, pero me ha atrapado como hacía tela q no me pasaba.
Dentro de todos los tópicos simplemente no puede dejarte indiferente la serie escolar más extraña que me haya visto. A pesar de tol fanservice y de q tenía 0 expectativas tengo que reconocer que me ha sorprendido muy gratamente.
Cuando llegué al final me sorprendí leyéndolo conmovidísimo, merecidas 4 estrellas
April 2, 2017
3.5 Stars
-
I checked this one out on a whim. I’ve been out of the loop in regards to anime and manga for several years now so I missed out on the hype that apparently surrounded this one due to its anime. However, I can see why people were drawn to it!
School-Live is an odd, almost slice-of-life like story but with the added twist of it being in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, so there is an odd mix of lighthearted cuteness with danger and creepiness. I can’t type too much about the story line itself as it does through some unexpected turns at the reader and really surprised me, but I can say that it really does have some really solid psychological elements to it that really add in something unexpected. The zombies themselves are portrayed as the shadowy creepers and not too much focus is placed on them except in a few short instances. I really like the characters as well. Kurumi is the shovel-wielding girl who takes care of business, Yuki is an overly optimistic girl who brings a smile to everything, and Yuuri who makes sure they both stay alive and fed.
We don’t get a ton of ‘why’ in this novel, however. We don’t know why the zombie apocalypse has occurred, or why a certain character behaves the way she does…but we do get to see few flashbacks that reveal some needed info and drop a little bombshell of their own. While does have this cute quality to it, it still has that harder hitting story element that all isn’t quite okay with the girls and it at some points the cuteness only serves to highlight it even more.
The artwork is really nice as well. I love that there is so much detail in the images and that the zombies themselves are more of these shadowy hunched figures. It keeps the art ‘cute’ but it does add that element of creepiness without stepping over into gross.
I’m definitely going to check out the second volume, maybe even binge read a few all once. I’m really intrigued to see where it’s going to go and if some of my questions will be answered.
-
I checked this one out on a whim. I’ve been out of the loop in regards to anime and manga for several years now so I missed out on the hype that apparently surrounded this one due to its anime. However, I can see why people were drawn to it!
School-Live is an odd, almost slice-of-life like story but with the added twist of it being in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, so there is an odd mix of lighthearted cuteness with danger and creepiness. I can’t type too much about the story line itself as it does through some unexpected turns at the reader and really surprised me, but I can say that it really does have some really solid psychological elements to it that really add in something unexpected. The zombies themselves are portrayed as the shadowy creepers and not too much focus is placed on them except in a few short instances. I really like the characters as well. Kurumi is the shovel-wielding girl who takes care of business, Yuki is an overly optimistic girl who brings a smile to everything, and Yuuri who makes sure they both stay alive and fed.
We don’t get a ton of ‘why’ in this novel, however. We don’t know why the zombie apocalypse has occurred, or why a certain character behaves the way she does…but we do get to see few flashbacks that reveal some needed info and drop a little bombshell of their own. While does have this cute quality to it, it still has that harder hitting story element that all isn’t quite okay with the girls and it at some points the cuteness only serves to highlight it even more.
The artwork is really nice as well. I love that there is so much detail in the images and that the zombies themselves are more of these shadowy hunched figures. It keeps the art ‘cute’ but it does add that element of creepiness without stepping over into gross.
I’m definitely going to check out the second volume, maybe even binge read a few all once. I’m really intrigued to see where it’s going to go and if some of my questions will be answered.
July 22, 2016
A trio of teenage girls aided by one of their teachers, take shelter in their school in an attempt to survive the zombie apocalypse.
I really like this one - I seem to be having a run of good manga (or maybe just low standards.
I really like this one - I seem to be having a run of good manga (or maybe just low standards.
December 20, 2017
I wasn't wowed by this one, maybe because it's a zombie dystopia and I'm so over both of those things. It's also non-linear following the lives of young ladies trying to survive the zombie apocalypse by holing up in their former school.
May 29, 2021
I loved the anime. A friend of mine recommended the Manga. So I'm giving it a try!
October 25, 2017
Did a re-read for this one on 24th October 2017, yep, right before Halloween! Not going to edit/re-do my review from 2014.
A very short review, since after chapter 1 something happens that was a lovely surprise, and I want to keep that surprise for everyone else who starts reading this series.
I recently saw that this manga will get an anime series! So of course I had to check it out, especially after people who were raving about it.
So you see that cover? With that little girl on it. Now your first impression will be: Urgh Lolis, or Urgh moe crap. Now believe me if I say looks are deceiving. This isn't some cute moe blob manga, no it is filled with great topics, psychological things and more.
The characters are fantastic, and they keep growing, we learn more and more about them with every chapter, with every volume.
I love the setting and the themes.
And that is all I will say, you will have to read it to find out more. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
A very short review, since after chapter 1 something happens that was a lovely surprise, and I want to keep that surprise for everyone else who starts reading this series.
I recently saw that this manga will get an anime series! So of course I had to check it out, especially after people who were raving about it.
So you see that cover? With that little girl on it. Now your first impression will be: Urgh Lolis, or Urgh moe crap. Now believe me if I say looks are deceiving. This isn't some cute moe blob manga, no it is filled with great topics, psychological things and more.
The characters are fantastic, and they keep growing, we learn more and more about them with every chapter, with every volume.
I love the setting and the themes.
And that is all I will say, you will have to read it to find out more. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 23, 2015
I enjoyed the characters and what not. Was a bit confused sometimes lol. But I liked it enough to continue on.
March 23, 2017
An interesting setup - you start out not really knowing what's happening and getting more information along the way.
August 26, 2024
At first I was really confused, then I started to understand what was going on, but I still don't get some parts.
So it's about a group of girls living at school during a zombie apocalypse, but one of the girls doesn't understand/know that there's a zombie apocalypse, and thinks it's just a regular day at school and she's hallucinating her classmates and teachers. She thinks she's just living there cause she's a part of the "school living club". The others are scavenging for food and resources and she thinks it's just an adventure or something I guess? I think she called it a test of courage. I did like it, but I was really confused for most of it. I am kinda curious to see what happens next tho.
3.5 stars, rounded up for the super cute art style, but overall it's not really my kind of thing, still decent tho.
So it's about a group of girls living at school during a zombie apocalypse, but one of the girls doesn't understand/know that there's a zombie apocalypse, and thinks it's just a regular day at school and she's hallucinating her classmates and teachers. She thinks she's just living there cause she's a part of the "school living club". The others are scavenging for food and resources and she thinks it's just an adventure or something I guess? I think she called it a test of courage. I did like it, but I was really confused for most of it. I am kinda curious to see what happens next tho.
3.5 stars, rounded up for the super cute art style, but overall it's not really my kind of thing, still decent tho.
February 25, 2025
Lecture qui a carburé à la nostalgie du visionnage de l’animé. La patte graphique est hyper moe mais reste élégante malgré tout,si je l’avais lu plus jeune j’aurais certainement recopié toutes les pages,les persos font au moins plus de 13 ans contrairement aux chara design de l’adaptation.
Ça fais aussi du bien de ne pas avoir un survival majoritairement axé sur le gore, la facilité aurait été beaucoup trop grande avec des lycéennes mignonnes qui vivent des trucs pas top. Une lecture beaucoup mieux rythmée et mature que l’adaptation. Seul bémol, des plans culottes dans le tome 1 qui sentent mauvais le manga des années 2010.
Cependant hâte de relire tout le manga en français cette fois
Ça fais aussi du bien de ne pas avoir un survival majoritairement axé sur le gore, la facilité aurait été beaucoup trop grande avec des lycéennes mignonnes qui vivent des trucs pas top. Une lecture beaucoup mieux rythmée et mature que l’adaptation. Seul bémol, des plans culottes dans le tome 1 qui sentent mauvais le manga des années 2010.
Cependant hâte de relire tout le manga en français cette fois
May 10, 2020
La conocía hace tiempo pero ni me había planteao vérmela, la verdad, qué gran error. La premisa no la digo porque hay quien diría que es spoiler. Sólo vedse el primer episodio del anime y si no os convence ya la dejáis.
Es una serie muy cortita, atípica, agradable a la par que tortuosamente inquietante.
Recomiendo empezar por el anime, que mejora la forma de contar la historia, pero la continuación en manga merece la pena.
Ciertamente 5 estrellas es una exageración, pero es que cualquier error de ejecución lo paso gratamente por alto por todo lo que me ha hecho sentir TT
Es una serie muy cortita, atípica, agradable a la par que tortuosamente inquietante.
Recomiendo empezar por el anime, que mejora la forma de contar la historia, pero la continuación en manga merece la pena.
Ciertamente 5 estrellas es una exageración, pero es que cualquier error de ejecución lo paso gratamente por alto por todo lo que me ha hecho sentir TT
January 30, 2021
School-Live! Vol. 1 is a powerful first volume that introduces readers to Yuki Tameya's world, and the dangers within. Not only does it handle the topic of trauma with a kind, careful hand, it also explores the silver linings of surviving and thriving, even in the hardest of times. There's a lot of sadness, sure, but there's also beautifully optomistic moments that really make this volume one of a kind.
January 24, 2022
Very fun. Should have read the back before starting it because boy was I in for a shock.
dnf
July 4, 2023dnf @ ch31 (dnf temporal pq no estoy en el modo)
July 9, 2023
I already can tell the anime did not do this series justice. I really like the dynamic that the trio has so far. Kurumi is that chick. I don't know if I want to be her OR if I want to be her best friend. Yuuri is just trying her best just like my girl Yuki... Oh Yuki... I just want to hug Yuki.
I am excited about reading volume 2.
I am excited about reading volume 2.
October 5, 2017
I've been meaning to watch the anime for a little while now but when I found out there was a manga, I began reading it immediately. I'm not disappointed in the least! Since I was a fan of Highschool of the Dead, I've really been hoping to find another zombie series like it and this hasn't disappointed. It's actually better than HSOTD (and does seem like it'll get a proper ending? Hopefully).
I feel silly for saying it, but halfway through the first volume I started crying. Between Kurumi and Yuri's dedication to keeping Yuki (and themselves) safe and slowly realizing the truth about Megumi, I just couldn't help it. It did make me hesitant to continue on past the first volume - I didn't want to be utterly heartbroken - but I have since plunged ahead, and phew! No regrets! Just more adorable Yuki and interesting zombie twist on the slice of life genre.
I feel silly for saying it, but halfway through the first volume I started crying. Between Kurumi and Yuri's dedication to keeping Yuki (and themselves) safe and slowly realizing the truth about Megumi, I just couldn't help it. It did make me hesitant to continue on past the first volume - I didn't want to be utterly heartbroken - but I have since plunged ahead, and phew! No regrets! Just more adorable Yuki and interesting zombie twist on the slice of life genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2018
Delusional girl lives a dreamy existence in a post apocalyptic zombie infested future in which apparently only a small group of teen girls has survived in a special high school decked out with enough stuff to persevere even amongst the monsters. The girls are cute and spunky and likable enough, the art is cute, the zombies are shadowy and dangerous... but I don’t really care for the story so far. The main character is a super ditzy girl, super immature. It’s cute for a while I guess, but also kind of annoying. The action scenes are confusingly staged. Seriously, one scene I couldn’t figure out what happened even after reading several times. And the artist likes to draw the girls’ panties (because the girls continue wearing skirts and cute underwear after the apocalypse).
Ugh.
I’ve had enough already.
Ugh.
I’ve had enough already.
December 9, 2021
While not completely like the anime. Like many of the anime I've already seen before reading the manga. I already knew what I was going to expect. And trust me there are a LOT of differences between the anime and manga. For starters the cover and summary even spoils the twists that it is in fact a zombie anime. The reveal with Yuki's current state of mind isn't as shocking as the anime makes it out to be. Miku-Kun doesn't even appear until the end of the manga which I thought was disappointing as I always liked her character.
Despite the changes. The manga is still good and I'll be reading more when I can.
Despite the changes. The manga is still good and I'll be reading more when I can.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2016
I read the first three volumes in a row and this series is borderline two stars for me. It's not bad, but it is very mild; the action is pretty low key, and the characters have minimal to no personalities. The juxtaposition of cute girls and zombie apocalypse and hints of a larger picture intrigues me just enough to look for volume 4.
July 24, 2023
My sister recommended this series to me on a whim back in 2015 and it has remained one of my favorite series of all time. Before anyone asks, both the manga and anime series are worth partaking of, as they differ in pretty big ways and are both excellent.
Doing a reread of the series this year (no I'm not trying to boost my 2023 reading goal with some graphic novels how dare you) and seeing how it holds up compared to when highschool me was reading it online on the bus en route to a XC meet.
CW warnings for
I was surprised how fast-paced this first book is. Within the first 20 pages or so, we are introduced to the main plot: the girls live day in and day out at the school, using the many resources it has to see how long they can sustain themselves without ever having to leave. Under this context,, the girls and their teacher created the "School Live Club" and get through each day under this context. We get introduced to each of the girls and some small trials are thrown at them as they navigate this familiar yet unfamiliar world. We learn about Yuki as well as Kurumi's past on the track club and with her senpai, get a little bit of backstory on their senpai Megumi , and get some glimpses of Rii's character though it's pretty vague compared to the other two girls. The book ends with a tense scene where and then a hopeful one where the girls send letters on balloons out into the world, stating that "we are alright". We then get hints at the next installation of the novel as the balloons fly out.
This was a solid first entry into the world of this series and I can see why it would eventually get picked up for an animated release. The main idea/conflict of this book was very captivating, and the different characters all add their own flavor to this conflict and the mini struggles they go on as a result of this situation they have to live in. It's really hard to sing its praises without spoiling the whole thing, so I'm just going to say that it's well worth the read and if you enjoy the first book, it's likely you'll love the rest of the series. I also very much enjoyed the additional exclusive content that the manga offers. There are some character designs and some lore for the high school where everything takes place.
It isn't perfect though. Like I mentioned in the CW, the
It was easy for me to remember why I loved this series so much in high school and I think I will continue to enjoy the rest of the books as well.
Doing a reread of the series this year (no I'm not trying to boost my 2023 reading goal with some graphic novels how dare you) and seeing how it holds up compared to when highschool me was reading it online on the bus en route to a XC meet.
CW warnings for
I was surprised how fast-paced this first book is. Within the first 20 pages or so, we are introduced to the main plot: the girls live day in and day out at the school, using the many resources it has to see how long they can sustain themselves without ever having to leave. Under this context,, the girls and their teacher created the "School Live Club" and get through each day under this context. We get introduced to each of the girls and some small trials are thrown at them as they navigate this familiar yet unfamiliar world. We learn about Yuki as well as Kurumi's past on the track club and with her senpai, get a little bit of backstory on their senpai Megumi , and get some glimpses of Rii's character though it's pretty vague compared to the other two girls. The book ends with a tense scene where and then a hopeful one where the girls send letters on balloons out into the world, stating that "we are alright". We then get hints at the next installation of the novel as the balloons fly out.
This was a solid first entry into the world of this series and I can see why it would eventually get picked up for an animated release. The main idea/conflict of this book was very captivating, and the different characters all add their own flavor to this conflict and the mini struggles they go on as a result of this situation they have to live in. It's really hard to sing its praises without spoiling the whole thing, so I'm just going to say that it's well worth the read and if you enjoy the first book, it's likely you'll love the rest of the series. I also very much enjoyed the additional exclusive content that the manga offers. There are some character designs and some lore for the high school where everything takes place.
It isn't perfect though. Like I mentioned in the CW, the
It was easy for me to remember why I loved this series so much in high school and I think I will continue to enjoy the rest of the books as well.
March 31, 2024
Cringe, hard pass
May 2, 2019
Considering the back cover synopsis reveals the major “twist” I’m not going to mark this review for spoilers. That being said, if you want to go into School-Live! completely blind, I’ll just say if a unique take on slice of life interests you, I would say check this series out. Now. If you do not want spoilers of the twist mentioned in the synopsis STOP READING NOW.
Okay. Now that we have that out of the way...let’s review.:) I picked up this volume because I watched the anime and really enjoyed it. I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy it much since I think zombie apocalypses are really stupid as a plot setup, but since School-Live! is more simply a slice-of-life that happens to take place in this horrible storyverse rather than YAY LET’S KILL ZOMBIES!, I actually really liked it. While the manga seems to be going somewhat more in chronological time order rather than with a ton of flashbacks and the like (Mii-kun has not been rescued by the other girls yet in this volume for example, but she’s already at the school in episode one of the anime), it seems to be just as good so far in my opinion.
I do hope Taroumaru, the girls’ puppy, shows up ASAP in the manga because he’s so cute in the anime!
So enough comparing the two. I really like Yuki’s character. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a character like her in another series. She appears to be this immature, upbeat, silly, happy, energetic person, but she’s only that way because the whole zombie thing has traumatized her and she’s delusional/in denial. She has touches with reality though and it just makes you want to hug her and put her in a happy storyverse instead. Megu-nee (aka their teacher) is also a very interesting character. I do like the other MCs; it’s just I find Yuki’s personality very interesting. I really appreciate that these characters are clearly not okay. I hate when characters act totally fine when they should be traumatized/depressed/have PTSD/etc. In School-Live! we see our MCs clearly having negative mental effects from experiencing what they have (Kurumi has horrible nightmares when she sleeps, for example), but they also are still able to have fun and laugh. It’s just we also see them struggle and cry and wonder what to do next.
The art for the characters is also very cute, which creates a jarring disconnect when we see the shadowy creepy zombies. I think it makes a good contrast personally, but I could see it making a What the heck? reaction for someone else, too.
The ONLY negative thing about School-Live in my opinion is the fanservice. There isn’t a ton, but it’s still there. We don’t need angles that show Kurumi’s underpants because the wind is blowing her skirt around. Sure it’s not “showing” anything but it’s just stupid. The only page that really bugs me is the one that has Yuki sitting on the floor in just her shirt and underpants for absolutely no reason. She doesn’t look sexualized or anything to me, but we all know showing girl characters in their underpants for no reason whatsoever is still fanservice. It’s not even part of the story! Just...why. I mean we don’t even get an explanation like, I don’t know, Yuki got her clothes dirty and she’s washing her skirt.🙄 Anyways. That being said there’s no sexy scenes or anything like that.
I would not recommend School-Live! to younger readers for obvious reasons (the zombies can be really creepy, and some downright disturbing things happen later in the anime that I assume will occur in the manga too), but if you’re interested in a unique slice of life story that includes some very likable characters, definitely check it out!:)
...Even if you think zombie apocalypse stories are stupid like I do.😂
4.5 stars. The half star is docked for the unnecessary fanservice.
Okay. Now that we have that out of the way...let’s review.:) I picked up this volume because I watched the anime and really enjoyed it. I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy it much since I think zombie apocalypses are really stupid as a plot setup, but since School-Live! is more simply a slice-of-life that happens to take place in this horrible storyverse rather than YAY LET’S KILL ZOMBIES!, I actually really liked it. While the manga seems to be going somewhat more in chronological time order rather than with a ton of flashbacks and the like (Mii-kun has not been rescued by the other girls yet in this volume for example, but she’s already at the school in episode one of the anime), it seems to be just as good so far in my opinion.
I do hope Taroumaru, the girls’ puppy, shows up ASAP in the manga because he’s so cute in the anime!
So enough comparing the two. I really like Yuki’s character. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a character like her in another series. She appears to be this immature, upbeat, silly, happy, energetic person, but she’s only that way because the whole zombie thing has traumatized her and she’s delusional/in denial. She has touches with reality though and it just makes you want to hug her and put her in a happy storyverse instead. Megu-nee (aka their teacher) is also a very interesting character. I do like the other MCs; it’s just I find Yuki’s personality very interesting. I really appreciate that these characters are clearly not okay. I hate when characters act totally fine when they should be traumatized/depressed/have PTSD/etc. In School-Live! we see our MCs clearly having negative mental effects from experiencing what they have (Kurumi has horrible nightmares when she sleeps, for example), but they also are still able to have fun and laugh. It’s just we also see them struggle and cry and wonder what to do next.
The art for the characters is also very cute, which creates a jarring disconnect when we see the shadowy creepy zombies. I think it makes a good contrast personally, but I could see it making a What the heck? reaction for someone else, too.
The ONLY negative thing about School-Live in my opinion is the fanservice. There isn’t a ton, but it’s still there. We don’t need angles that show Kurumi’s underpants because the wind is blowing her skirt around. Sure it’s not “showing” anything but it’s just stupid. The only page that really bugs me is the one that has Yuki sitting on the floor in just her shirt and underpants for absolutely no reason. She doesn’t look sexualized or anything to me, but we all know showing girl characters in their underpants for no reason whatsoever is still fanservice. It’s not even part of the story! Just...why. I mean we don’t even get an explanation like, I don’t know, Yuki got her clothes dirty and she’s washing her skirt.🙄 Anyways. That being said there’s no sexy scenes or anything like that.
I would not recommend School-Live! to younger readers for obvious reasons (the zombies can be really creepy, and some downright disturbing things happen later in the anime that I assume will occur in the manga too), but if you’re interested in a unique slice of life story that includes some very likable characters, definitely check it out!:)
...Even if you think zombie apocalypse stories are stupid like I do.😂
4.5 stars. The half star is docked for the unnecessary fanservice.
June 24, 2017
I got this one from Loot Crate Anime and to be honest I probably wouldn’t have bought it for myself as I am not a zombie fan (literally my least favorite urban fantasy sub group). It’s more like a 2.5 read. It has some interesting ideas but the world building is seriously lacking (keeping in mind I’ve also not seen the anime which was apparently huge last year).
It took me a little while to figure out what was going on (in spite of the back cover blurb). We have the School Living Club which until the first chapter we don’t realize isn’t just a school club because we’re seeing things through the eyes of Yuki (which the back cover calls ‘ever optimistic which isn’t really the case). She and two other girls (the shovel loving Kurumi and the big sister type Yuuri, according toe the blurb), along with the club leader, Megumi Sakura are in the club. Yuki isn’t just optimistic and a poor student (and not tremendously bright) she seems to be in complete denial, seeing the ruined classrooms (which we don’t see as ruined until the last panels of the first chapter) and zombies as if they were whole and the zombies as students still going to school. We don’t know why she’s delusional (though it’s hinted something’s happened to her causing a psychotic break apparently).
It took me longer (in spite of Sakura being in a dress and not a school uniform) to figure out Sakura was a teacher because she’s drawn looking the same age as the girls. I’m not sure if it’s a thing in Japan that schools have ‘stores’ in them or is that part of the barely there world building but it seemed weird to me that they could go ‘shopping’ and that there are zombies in the school itself because we’re not shown how the girls have fortified their roof top gardens or the classroom they’re living in. I can see the zombies outside the school but inside? Why aren’t they just outside the bedroom door then?
The girls don’t go anywhere by themselves at least. Yuuri and Kurumi don’t have much personality other than they’re very protective of Yuki. That and Kurumi loves killing zombies with a shovel as the shovel killed the most men in the trenches of WWI (according to her). I don’t know what their goal is (other than survival). I don’t know they ended up in this position or if there are other survivors. I’m sure as we go we’ll learn more but it seems like it’s in a vacuum. I’m not sure I’d get more of this unless a library has it.
It took me a little while to figure out what was going on (in spite of the back cover blurb). We have the School Living Club which until the first chapter we don’t realize isn’t just a school club because we’re seeing things through the eyes of Yuki (which the back cover calls ‘ever optimistic which isn’t really the case). She and two other girls (the shovel loving Kurumi and the big sister type Yuuri, according toe the blurb), along with the club leader, Megumi Sakura are in the club. Yuki isn’t just optimistic and a poor student (and not tremendously bright) she seems to be in complete denial, seeing the ruined classrooms (which we don’t see as ruined until the last panels of the first chapter) and zombies as if they were whole and the zombies as students still going to school. We don’t know why she’s delusional (though it’s hinted something’s happened to her causing a psychotic break apparently).
It took me longer (in spite of Sakura being in a dress and not a school uniform) to figure out Sakura was a teacher because she’s drawn looking the same age as the girls. I’m not sure if it’s a thing in Japan that schools have ‘stores’ in them or is that part of the barely there world building but it seemed weird to me that they could go ‘shopping’ and that there are zombies in the school itself because we’re not shown how the girls have fortified their roof top gardens or the classroom they’re living in. I can see the zombies outside the school but inside? Why aren’t they just outside the bedroom door then?
The girls don’t go anywhere by themselves at least. Yuuri and Kurumi don’t have much personality other than they’re very protective of Yuki. That and Kurumi loves killing zombies with a shovel as the shovel killed the most men in the trenches of WWI (according to her). I don’t know what their goal is (other than survival). I don’t know they ended up in this position or if there are other survivors. I’m sure as we go we’ll learn more but it seems like it’s in a vacuum. I’m not sure I’d get more of this unless a library has it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2022
I'll be honest -- I'm still trying to figure out how much I really like manga. I love graphic novels and I love anime, but for whatever reason the styling of most manga takes too much getting used to and can be quite off-putting. And while there are manga I've loved ("The Girl from the Other Side" is phenomenal), "School-Live" just wasn't quite strong enough for me to get over my ambivalence towards the art form.
Yuki is a cheerful high schooler who loves her friends and her place in the School Living Club -- a club that gardens, camps in the school hallways, and in general has fun at school! She's happily oblivious to the fact that she and her classmates are the last survivors of a zombie apocalypse! Her classmates try to shield her from the awful truth of their situation, even as they suffer flashbacks and battle zombies that have made it into the school...
The art style is one of the main drawbacks of this series. I'm not sure if this is just a manga problem or a problem with this specific series, but the comic does a whole lot of telling rather than showing, and seems intent on showing very little in its panels aside from exaggerated expressions and speech balloons. Some of this could be an interesting stylistic choice -- showing how Yuki is only paying attention to selective parts of her reality -- but I'm not sure if that was deliberate or not.
The story itself has potential, and the clash of slice-of-life with post-apocalyptic horror could have been interesting. But again, this comic relies a LOT on telling vs. showing, and a lot of it is left vague and unexplained. Instead of learning about how we got to this point, this volume seems more concerned with introducing us to the characters -- which isn't all bad, but I'm left with far more questions than I am answers.
Perhaps this style of comic just isn't for me, but "School-Live" feels like a case of "good premise, not-so-good execution." Maybe I'll check out the anime... perhaps I can enjoy the story better in a different format.
Yuki is a cheerful high schooler who loves her friends and her place in the School Living Club -- a club that gardens, camps in the school hallways, and in general has fun at school! She's happily oblivious to the fact that she and her classmates are the last survivors of a zombie apocalypse! Her classmates try to shield her from the awful truth of their situation, even as they suffer flashbacks and battle zombies that have made it into the school...
The art style is one of the main drawbacks of this series. I'm not sure if this is just a manga problem or a problem with this specific series, but the comic does a whole lot of telling rather than showing, and seems intent on showing very little in its panels aside from exaggerated expressions and speech balloons. Some of this could be an interesting stylistic choice -- showing how Yuki is only paying attention to selective parts of her reality -- but I'm not sure if that was deliberate or not.
The story itself has potential, and the clash of slice-of-life with post-apocalyptic horror could have been interesting. But again, this comic relies a LOT on telling vs. showing, and a lot of it is left vague and unexplained. Instead of learning about how we got to this point, this volume seems more concerned with introducing us to the characters -- which isn't all bad, but I'm left with far more questions than I am answers.
Perhaps this style of comic just isn't for me, but "School-Live" feels like a case of "good premise, not-so-good execution." Maybe I'll check out the anime... perhaps I can enjoy the story better in a different format.
March 19, 2019
This wasn’t a bad, it just wasn’t for me. We’re introduced to this airhead, she’s oblivious to her surroundings. Not really sure why as it’s never address, her friends however are very in touch with reality. They’re been living in the school for a while and making the most of it.
I liked a few things, namely the art was good. Each character is distinct so you can easily tell the difference when they’re in a group. The backdrops are very eye catching as well. The story is broken up into chapters which tell their own story but sticks to the same narrative.
Now for what I didn’t like, any of the characters. Firstly, we have shove girl, she has a shovel. She’s supposed to be this bad ass but every time you can see what she is capable of it switches focus. Then we have dumb ass, she’s dumb and something might be wrong with her mentally. Perhaps she’s had a mental breakdown due to the situation but as we’re never informed of anything she just seemed like an idiot. Then you have mother goose whose role is to tell people what to do, finally we have that girl she is there but doesn’t have anything about her. Not that the other girls have something good to grasp onto but she literally does nothing. Lastly the zombies are just unique, they all look the same shaded in the same way. In some instances, I couldn’t tell if it was a guy or girl, they don’t really seem like a threat either. In a zombie apocalypse you need characters to root for, you want them to survive otherwise what is the point? Sometimes you can mix it up a bit with comedy, social commentary or hybrid zombies that keeps you hooked. Sadly, this doesn’t have either, I know I’m definitely not reading the rest of the series.
I liked a few things, namely the art was good. Each character is distinct so you can easily tell the difference when they’re in a group. The backdrops are very eye catching as well. The story is broken up into chapters which tell their own story but sticks to the same narrative.
Now for what I didn’t like, any of the characters. Firstly, we have shove girl, she has a shovel. She’s supposed to be this bad ass but every time you can see what she is capable of it switches focus. Then we have dumb ass, she’s dumb and something might be wrong with her mentally. Perhaps she’s had a mental breakdown due to the situation but as we’re never informed of anything she just seemed like an idiot. Then you have mother goose whose role is to tell people what to do, finally we have that girl she is there but doesn’t have anything about her. Not that the other girls have something good to grasp onto but she literally does nothing. Lastly the zombies are just unique, they all look the same shaded in the same way. In some instances, I couldn’t tell if it was a guy or girl, they don’t really seem like a threat either. In a zombie apocalypse you need characters to root for, you want them to survive otherwise what is the point? Sometimes you can mix it up a bit with comedy, social commentary or hybrid zombies that keeps you hooked. Sadly, this doesn’t have either, I know I’m definitely not reading the rest of the series.
January 27, 2025
Years ago, I had originally watched nearly the full anime for School-Live!. I went in blind, my impression being it was another cutesy girly anime like K-On! or Love Live!. School-Live! is special because it showed me how wrong I was in a meticulous manner. It started off with things being not quite right, but it seemed okay, because there were a lot of people around and most of them acted natural, Yuki acted natural too. We could trust her, right? But there were a couple characters who seemed a little off, and sometimes the background seemed to have inconsistencies with the atmosphere. Why would a large, fancy school in Japan, full of happy students, have debris in the hallway, or cracked windows? Then, we were shown that what Yuki sees isn’t reality, and most of the people she interacts with aren’t there at all, and the environment itself is a part of her imagination. Steadily, School-Live! shows us that Yuki is living entirely in her memories. We even find that Megu-nee herself used to be with the survivors, but even she is a memory by the time the series starts.
A survivor of what? Even that is a secret at the beginning. I love how School-Live! holds our hand through the unveiling of the bigger picture. I remember that I ate the anime up years ago, but I never finished it because it was fucking with my head and my heart. School-Live! is massively fucked up and the narration and story development of it is largely to blame for how well the audience is able to absorb just how fucked and serious it is. This isn’t a comedy. This isn’t cutesy. This is tragic and fucked up and anything precious is either already spoken for by the dead or it’s been sullied, broken, ruined, and you shouldn’t find it cute, you should find it heartbreaking.
A survivor of what? Even that is a secret at the beginning. I love how School-Live! holds our hand through the unveiling of the bigger picture. I remember that I ate the anime up years ago, but I never finished it because it was fucking with my head and my heart. School-Live! is massively fucked up and the narration and story development of it is largely to blame for how well the audience is able to absorb just how fucked and serious it is. This isn’t a comedy. This isn’t cutesy. This is tragic and fucked up and anything precious is either already spoken for by the dead or it’s been sullied, broken, ruined, and you shouldn’t find it cute, you should find it heartbreaking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle
A slice-of-life adventure following School Living Club members Yuki Takeya, Kurumi Ebisuzawa, Yuuri Wakasa, and their club advisor Megumi Sakura as they go about their daily lives living at Megurigaoka Academy Private High School. From tending the garden, preparing meals, and going to the library, the club makes the most of their new home... which also happens to be their refuge from the zombie apocalypse.
While much of this volume focus on the girls' daily lives, we also see flashbacks of the zombie outbreak and their lives before it. At times confusing, I did enjoy the non-linear story structure and trying to piece together the details of the apocalypse and how the girls ended up at the school.
Nice illustrations overall. A bit of fan service that I could have done without, but I did enjoy the contrast between the cute character designs and the creepier aspects of the zombies.
Love the characters so far. An intriguing story. Also includes campus information at the back, which goes through some of the facilities at the school and its founding principles.
Definitely interested in seeing what happens next. Will probably also check out the anime.
A slice-of-life adventure following School Living Club members Yuki Takeya, Kurumi Ebisuzawa, Yuuri Wakasa, and their club advisor Megumi Sakura as they go about their daily lives living at Megurigaoka Academy Private High School. From tending the garden, preparing meals, and going to the library, the club makes the most of their new home... which also happens to be their refuge from the zombie apocalypse.
While much of this volume focus on the girls' daily lives, we also see flashbacks of the zombie outbreak and their lives before it. At times confusing, I did enjoy the non-linear story structure and trying to piece together the details of the apocalypse and how the girls ended up at the school.
Nice illustrations overall. A bit of fan service that I could have done without, but I did enjoy the contrast between the cute character designs and the creepier aspects of the zombies.
Love the characters so far. An intriguing story. Also includes campus information at the back, which goes through some of the facilities at the school and its founding principles.
Definitely interested in seeing what happens next. Will probably also check out the anime.
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