Ahhh…. we’re nearly two weeks into December. The air is cold and sharp. It’s time for sweaters, scarves, and ginger to burst from coffee to candles, to tea.
This Fall anime season is quickly coming to a close. A final stretch that has expectations thoroughly established and viewers looking on to see if the works they’re following can stick the landing or even offer a bit more upside. Essentially it’s time to find out what is left in the tank. What works have the aptitude to end strong and which ones fall short of the bar.
For some, that question may have already been answered.
When I think of Zombieland Saga, I think of an anime that had a sizable amount of potential early on. One which boomed onto the scene after its first episode – going from the 33rd most popular anime on My Anime List before the Fall anime season started, to the 10th most popular nearly overnight. At the time of writing, the show currently is the 6th most popular, with a solid following locked in to see its finish.
However, for as much excitement and satisfaction the show has drummed up to get to that point, I would like to offer you this to think about:
“Zombieland Saga has peaked at episode 2.”
Clearly an opinion, yes, and there’s bound to be a healthy chunk of our readers that disagree. Some newcomers who are rolling their eyes. Maybe even a few souls who silently smile as they’re on the same page with us.
No matter which group you fall in, all I ask is that you just think about it.
I’m a firm believer that Zombieland Saga is at its best when it’s actively acting as an anomaly to its genre space: leveraging Sakura’s ability as a lead to be a versatile brace for other characters and a source of comedy. Allowing Koutarou to shine with his set of gags, but not letting him pour it on too thick. Keeping Tae’s outbursts timely yet limited so they don’t burn out. All facets that episode 2 landed with power.
Zombieland Saga just doesn’t have the storytelling or craft tools beyond that angle to consistently lean on typical idol beats and hallmarks to excel. Nor can it reliably keep its personal drama compelling. Thus, when the series began to veer from that territory starting in episode 3, it became more of a reasonable idol anime with a zombie coat of paint than the against the grain package that was initially presented. Sure there were still good episodes to follow, but it just never seemed like the show captured the level of quality that episode 2 had – in outright structure, payoff or production.
So just think about it as we trudge closer to the holidays.
As you’re wrapped up by the fireplace.
Has Zombieland Saga already peaked? And if so, do you think its remaining content will actually be higher than that pinnacle?
8 thoughts on “Zombieland Saga Peaked At Episode 2”
Well, I’m glad I didn’t stick around with the show that long then!
Episode 2 was definitely the funniest, but I’m still loving the show as a whole. I’ve enjoyed the increased focus on character drama, and I’m glad it hasn’t completely abandoned the absurd comedy from before. I’m just hoping it eventually has something as insane as that rap battle.
Although I have my doubts with only two weeks left, i hope it offers something on the rap battle’s level too!
Definitely not as caught up as I should be for this series, but yeah, this is definitely a “hot take” level of point you’ve proposed here. I don’t really have any input to offer whether or not that it’s completely valid factually. Even thinking of this as a hypothetical though, I could see this point being an interesting perspective (one that I may not end up agreeing with once I finish the show, but still a possible one nonetheless).
Putting that aside and offering what I can as a personal opinion from the three episodes I’ve seen, I was impressed by the show by the first two episodes, but still have some doubt moving forward of it being able to maintain that level offered by the show the first two episodes. Some may find that a bit insincere of an opinion especially if you were following the full conversation regarding Lily when that episode was released, but I feel that a show can still be not successful in its overall approach and goals and still have excellent moments within it. Just because you may not find a show successful doesn’t mean that it doesn’t offer anything valuable in the process.
Despite what I have to say though, I appreciate the alternative perspective even if it’s not the most popular or well-liked perspective out there.
I actually don’t think this is a hot take at all given its total discourse. If anything, it’s pretty mild.
Episode 2 was a really highly received episode upon airing, and I’m willing to bet that it’s a lot of people’s favorites if not in their top 3 ( with its immediate competition at this point on paper being 1, 5 and 8).
As for your thoughts on what you’ve seen: I don’t think it’s insincere.
Thank you for your input and giving this a read Matt. It’s always good to hear from you.
Thank you! Always appreciate your posts so I try and reply when I can 🙂
I guess I had just over-considered the Lily discussion as way more overwhelming than it was, but when you view it the way you are then what you’re saying makes sense, considering ep 2 is still probably what lots of people remember about the show and the most discussed episode even now.
Then again, you might be seeing a wider picture than me given my in-and-out presence, so perhaps you just see more takes than I do as well.
“Zombieland Saga just doesn’t have the storytelling or craft tools beyond that angle to consistently lean on typical idol beats and hallmarks to excel. ”
I’m seeing something considerably different. I don’t think you’re giving its subversive traits enough credit!
That’s fair.
I just wish ZLS’ telling and craft could be less spotty to give it more routine leverage in its genre space. Perhaps during a rewatch I can afford it more credit in that regard.
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