Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead 2023

Akira Tendo, portrayed by Eiji Akaso, is a 24-year-old office employee working at ZLM, who finds himself ensnared in the monotony of an uninspiring and routine existence. Under the relentless supervision of his boss, Kazuki Kitamura as Gonzou Kosugi, Akira is forced to endure grueling late-night shifts that drain his motivation and crush his spirit in a toxic work environment.

Amidst his struggle, Akira harbors feelings for his co-worker Ohtori, but his drive fades as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with his job. Life takes a dramatic turn when a zombie apocalypse, triggered by experimental bio-weaponry, strikes Tokyo, turning his world upside down and presenting him with a chance to break free from his humdrum life.

Instead of succumbing to despair, Akira seizes the moment, viewing it as an opportunity to embrace life’s adventures. He reaches out to Ohtori, and after maneuvering through hordes of undead, discovers her apartment harboring the horrifying truth — their boss has become a zombie. As they defeat this menace together, tragedy strikes when Ohtori gets bitten and ultimately transforms into one of the living dead herself.

Feeling completely isolated, Akira vows to create a bucket list filled with experiences he yearns to conquer before his time runs out, marking the beginning of his journey to truly live. With newfound resolve, he starts with simple yet impactful actions: cleaning his apartment, splurging at the supermarket, dying his hair, and attempting to capture his essence in a self-portrait. Riding motorcycles and setting off fireworks also become part of his adventurous escapade.

In this chaotic landscape, he reconnects with his friend Kencho, played by Shuntarô Yanagi, who reveals that he too is alive, which brings Akira a glimmer of hope. While on a trip to the supermarket, Akira meets Mai Shiraishi as Shizuka Mikazuki, learning that zombies are drawn to sound. Determined to save Kencho from a love hotel, Akira gears up in American football attire to mitigate the risk of getting bitten. Their successful rescue leads to a heartwarming meal, during which Kencho catches a glimpse of Akira’s audacious list.

One of Akira’s daring dreams is to become a superhero who saves the day. He decides to steal a shark suit from an aquarium, predicting that its protective capabilities may shield him and his friends from the zombies. Together with Kencho, Akira embarks on a series of wildly entertaining yet absurd misadventures throughout the chaotic city, indulging in both thrilling and ludicrous experiences like dining in upscale restaurants without paying and testing their bravery on roller coasters and haunted houses.

As they navigate a perilous world overrun with hungry zombies, they encounter other survivors each pursuing their personal motivations for survival. To Akira’s surprise, he learns that the aquarium doubles as the nearest safe house, where other survivors, including Shizuka, are headed. However, Shizuka initially disapproves of Akira’s reckless methods. When she finds herself cornered by zombies, Akira and Kencho step in to save her, leading to a reluctant camaraderie.

Taking a camper, the trio embarks on a journey toward the aquarium, enjoying moments of leisure like yoga on a lake, paddle boarding, parasailing, and soaking in a hot spring. Kencho, aware of Akira’s feelings for Shizuka, observes her gradual thawing in response to Akira’s bravery. Their expedition culminates on the tenth day of the apocalypse when they finally reach the aquarium, only to discover that it is under the charge of Kosugi, who had been filming when the chaos exploded.

Kosugi demonstrates his authoritarian leadership style as he turns the aquarium into a sanctuary, feeding the fortunate while others face mere scraps. However, their sanctuary breaches when a zombie secretly infiltrates. The safe haven soon turns into a hellscape, besieged by the undead. Kencho had been scheming to escape with Shizuka and implores Akira to join. Dilemma ensues as Akira considers staying behind, leading to an intense confrontation with Shizuka after she discovers his bucket list.

As emotions flare, Kosugi ruthlessly trampling on Akira’s list ignites a spark within him, prompting Akira to resign and embrace his inner hero amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, a bitten great white shark goes rogue, now a zombie with an alarming ability to chase the living. Akira takes charge, orchestrating an escape plan and heroically attempting to save Kosugi, inspired by his superhero aspiration.

With chaotic twists, Kencho and Akira rally together to distract the shark and save Kosugi while Shizuka arrives to create a diversion that turns the tide in their favor. The survivor group finally recognizes Akira’s leadership when their escape unfolds successfully, leading to Kosugi’s eventual abandonment. In a moment of unity, Akira invites his friends to contribute to his list, promising to fulfill their dreams together before the world closes in around them.