“Is This a Zombie?” blends supernatural comedy, harem dynamics, and underdog storytelling through Ayumu Aikawa—a zombie-turned-magical-girl navigating absurd power systems. Its charm lies in subverting expectations: mixing horror tropes with slapstick humor and exploring themes of identity amidst chaotic supernatural conflicts.
These 15 underrated series mirror its spirit, offering unique spins on similar themes while deserving wider recognition for their inventive narratives and character depth.
1. Sarazanmai (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Three boys transformed into kappas must collect zombies’ desire-filled shirikodama to regain humanity, battling an otter empire in absurd, metaphor-rich escapades.
- Similarities: Blends supernatural action with dark comedy and body-horror absurdity, echoing Is This a Zombie?‘s tonal whiplash and focus on unconventional power dynamics.
- Details: 11 episodes; MAL 7.47; Studio MAPPA; Thematically critiques materialism through surreal animation.
2. Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A penniless teen defends his tiny apartment from invaders—including a ghost, magical girl, and alien—sparking a chaotic supernatural turf war.
- Similarities: Harem-driven comedy with supernatural clashes and an underdog protagonist, mirroring Ayumu’s harem and absurd power struggles.
- Details: 12 episodes; MAL 7.11; SILVER LINK studio; Balances romance and action without mainstream traction.
3. Yi Ren Zhi Xia (Hitori no Shita) (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Martial artist Cho Soran investigates his grandfather’s death amid a zombie outbreak, aided by a mysterious girl with supernatural ties.
- Similarities: Zombies as catalysts for deeper lore and character growth, akin to Ayumu’s undead status driving his quest for purpose.
- Details: 12 episodes; MAL 6.82; Steampunk-meets-folklore animation style.
4. Le Chevalier D’Eon (2006)
- Streaming: Not available
- Plot: In 18th-century France, knight D’Eon hunts his sister’s murderer, uncovering royal conspiracies and mercury-based zombies.
- Similarities: Supernatural mystery fused with historical drama, paralleling Is This a Zombie?’s genre-blending and focus on resurrection themes.
- Details: 24 episodes; MAL 7.17; Production I.G; Critically praised for Gothic art direction.
5. Ajin: Demi-Human (2016)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: Immortal “Ajin” Kei Nagai flees government experiments while battling others like him, using ghostly manifestations in tactical fights.
- Similarities: Explores identity crises via supernatural abilities, echoing Ayumu’s zombie-magical girl duality and underdog survival narrative.
- Details: 13 episodes; MAL 7.38; Polygon Pictures; Won awards for CGI innovation.
6. Sankarea: Undying Love (2012)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: A zombie-obsessed teen accidentally resurrects a wealthy girl as a zombie, navigating a romance where she sustains herself with hydrangeas.
- Similarities: Romantic comedy with undead lead dynamics and body-horror gags, akin to Ayumu’s absurd undead life.
- Details: 12 episodes; MAL 7.20; Studio DEEN; Unique take on zombie romance tropes.
7. Tokyo Majin (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: High schoolers with supernatural powers combat “Reborn Dead” zombies terrorizing Tokyo, blending martial arts and occult lore.
- Similarities: Ensemble cast fighting zombies with mixed horror/comedy, recalling Is This a Zombie?’s team-driven chaos.
- Details: 14 episodes; Lesser-known despite intense action sequences.
8. Tokko (2006)
- Streaming: Not available
- Plot: A special forces agent battles demonic entities and zombies linked to a government conspiracy.
- Similarities: Gore-comedy balance and bureaucratic satire, akin to Ayumu’s clash with magical bureaucracy.
- Details: 13 episodes; Studio Madhouse; Canceled prematurely but cult-favorite for grit.
9. Corpse Princess (2008)
- Streaming: Hulu
- Plot: Undead Makina hunts evil corpses to earn heaven, aided by a monk brother duo.
- Similarities: Zombie protagonist seeking redemption amid action-comedy, reflecting Ayumu’s quest for normalcy.
- Details: 13 episodes; MAL 6.90; Gainax studio; Dark yet irreverent tone.
10. Zombieland Saga (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A girl resurrected as a zombie joins an undead idol group to revitalize Saga Prefecture, hiding their decay during performances.
- Similarities: Absurd resurrection premise and comedic undead struggles, mirroring Ayumu’s ironic magical-girl fate.
- Details: 12 episodes; MAL 7.50; MAPPA; Won 2019 Animation of the Year.
11. School-Live! (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Schoolgirls maintain a facade of normalcy while surviving a zombie apocalypse, revealed through an unreliable narrator.
- Similarities: Subverts cute aesthetics with horror, much like Is This a Zombie?’s genre-twisting comedy.
- Details: 12 episodes; MAL 7.40; Lerche studio; Acclaimed for psychological depth.
12. Heaven’s Lost Property (2009)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: A lecherous teen gains control of angeloids—androids with emotional cores—sparking chaotic harem antics.
- Similarities: Ecchi-comedy with supernatural girls and power-system satire, akin to Ayumu’s magical-girl farce.
- Details: 13 episodes; MAL 7.30; AIC studio; Underrated for its emotional beats.
13. Rosario + Vampire (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A human boy enrolls in a monster school, attracting a vampire girlfriend and a harem of supernatural admirers.
- Similarities: Horror-romance harem with slapstick, echoing Ayumu’s supernatural entanglements and comedic tone.
- Details: 13 episodes; MAL 6.73; Gonzo studio; Cult classic despite low scores.
14. The Empire of Corpses (2015)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: In an alternate 19th century, scientists reanimate corpses for labor, until one student seeks to create a conscious undead.
- Similarities: Philosophical take on zombie existence and societal critique, paralleling Ayumu’s identity exploration.
- Details: Film; Wit Studio; Nominated for Japan Academy Prize.
15. Dorohedoro (2020)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: An amnesiac in a dystopia battles sorcerers with his reptile-head friend, using chaos magic and dark humor.
- Similarities: Gritty comedy, body horror, and unconventional power systems, akin to Is This a Zombie?’s rule-bending absurdity.
- Details: 12 episodes; MAL 8.00; MAPPA; Unique papier-mâché-inspired animation.
Why These Anime Work for “Is This a Zombie?” Fans
These series resonate by embracing genre hybridity: mixing horror, comedy, and supernatural elements to subvert expectations, much like Ayumu’s zombie-magical girl paradox. They spotlight underdog protagonists navigating chaotic power systems—whether through necromancy, idol undead, or kappa transformations—while balancing irreverent humor with deeper themes of identity and belonging. Lesser-known titles like Sarazanmai and Sankarea shine by prioritizing unique animation styles and narrative risks over mainstream appeal, offering fresh twists on familiar tropes. For fans seeking the same blend of absurdity and heart, these hidden gems deliver inventive storytelling without sacrificing depth.
