Why will Highschool of the Dead never return?

Since its debut in 2010, "Highschool of the Dead" has been a benchmark in the zombie-themed horror anime genre. Produced by the prestigious Madhouse studio, the series quickly gained a devoted fan base thanks to its stunning animation, well-choreographed action scenes, and a story that combined the fight for survival with harem and fanservice elements. However, despite its initial popularity, this work seems destined not to receive a second season. Complications related to its source material and the events following its publication sealed the fate of this franchise.

A story marked by pauses and tragedy

The manga, created by Daisuke Sato (script) and Shoji Sato (illustration), began publication in 2006 on a monthly basis. The plot follows Takashi Komuro and a group of survivors facing a zombie apocalypse, balancing scenes full of tension with a focus on character development. However, serialization faced significant disruptions. Between 2008 and 2010, the manga went on a two-year hiatus, then briefly resumed with a single chapter in 2013.

This prolonged hiatus was mainly due to the delicate state of health of Daisuke Sato, who sadly passed away in 2017. With his death, the work remained unfinished, accumulating only 30 chapters, 29 of which were collected in seven volumes. This left multiple narrative arcs unresolved and marked the definitive abandonment of the story.

Anime: a success with an abrupt ending

The anime adaptation spanned 17 chapters of the manga in a first season of 12 episodes, plus an OVA. Although there was enough material for a short second season (13 episodes remaining), the lack of a conclusion in the main narrative represents an insurmountable obstacle. In addition, Shoji Sato, the illustrator, never showed interest in continuing the work without the participation of Daisuke Sato, respecting the author's original vision.

There are several reasons why Highschool of the Dead's return seems impossible:

• The death of the author: The departure of Daisuke Sato left the story unfinished, and no interest has been expressed by Shoji Sato or the editors in resuming it.
• Limited material: Although there are chapters left for a short season, these do not offer narrative closure, which makes it difficult to justify a continuation.
• Change in trends: Since its premiere, the anime industry has changed significantly. Although the fanservice genre is still popular, the demand for more solid and complete stories has grown, leaving Highschool of the Dead as a nostalgic memory rather than a priority for new projects.

Despite its fate, Highschool of the Dead remains an iconic title for many anime fans. Its combination of action, horror and fanservice marked an era, standing out as one of the few series that successfully addressed the zombie theme within the medium. However, its tragic interruption reminds us of the fragility of artistic creations and how the fate of a work can be deeply linked to the lives of its creators.

(C)佐藤大輔・佐藤ショウジ/富士見書房/H.O.T.D.製作委員会