Zombies arean almost ubiquitous presence in popular media, especially in horror stories. The idea of undying, unfeeling monsters that can endlessly create more of themselves is both a terrifying and exciting concept. In addition, zombies can be created through a variety of methods, making them very versatile monsters.
RELATED:The Best Modern Zombie Anime
Zombies also appear in anime as well in a variety of different forms. While they can frequently appear as nameless enemies that the heroes must run through, they can sometimes show up as characters with personalities and emotions. Here are some of the best zombie characters that have appeared in anime.
10Rea Sanka – Sankarea
After being subjected to abuse by her overprotective father, Rea Sanka attempts to commit suicide by drinking a potion made by her classmate Chihiro Furuya. However, the potion does not kill her and instead turns her into an undying zombie.
Unlike the stereotypical zombie, Rea has full control over herself, though she occasionally has an urge to eat humans. In addition, her strength is increased due to her brain no longer limiting her body to keep it intact, allowing her to perform superhuman feats when it becomes necessary.
9Ayumu Aikawa – Is This A Zombie?
Ayumu Aikawa used to be a normal high school boy until he was murdered by a serial killer. He is reanimated by the Necromancer Eucliwood Hellscythe, giving him superhuman strength and invincibility, although he will dry out in the sun.
Ayumu’s zombie status also allows him to absorb magic, which is what causes him to steal the powers of Maso-Shojo Haruna, which gives him the power totransform into a chainsaw-wielding magical girl. Ayumu Aikawa is a very powerful zombie thanks to the unique combination of powers he has.
8Chika Akatsuki & Shito Tachibana – Zombie-Loan
Chika Akatsuki and Shito Tachibana were supposed to have died in a horrific accident – but they survived. This is thanks to the deal they made with Zombie-Loan: in order to stay alive, they must hunt zombies to pay back their debt. To do their work, they ally with Michiru Kita, who has the power to see how close a person is to death.
Chika and Shito both have unique powers that help in their work. By switching their right hands with each other, Chika and Shito can summon weapons that they can use to fight zombies. Though the two of them have bad attitudes, they will do whatever they can to regain their lives.
7Zombieman – One-Punch Man
As the 8th-ranked member of the Hero Association, Zombieman is one of the strongest heroes around.A man with an immortal body, Zombieman may not be as powerful as the other S-class heroes, but his endurance allows him to keep up the fight long after others have fallen.
RELATED:One-Punch Man: Every S Class Hero, Ranked By Strength
Zombieman’s specialties aren’t just in his undying body; he is also a competent investigator and undercover agent, as well as a proficient martial artist and weapon user. Zombieman is a very capable hero with many versatile strengths.
6Sid Barett – Soul Eater
Sid Barett is a meister and an instructor at the Death Weapon Meister Academy. Having died sometime before the events of the series, he is revived as a zombie by Franken Stein. Despite his new appearance,Sid remains devoted to his work as an instructor.
As a meister, Sid is able to skillfully wield his partner Mira Naigus as a survival knife. Despite becoming a zombie, his intelligence and instinct are untouched, allowing him to fight as if he was alive. His zombie status doesn’t change things much for him at all.
5Lee Pyron – Shaman King
Lee Pyron was a renowned kung fu movie actor who appeared in many movies until he was killed at the age of thirty. Turned into a Jiang Shi by the Tao family, he eventually became the guardian of Tao Jun.
During his life,Lee Pyron was a martial arts masterin addition to creating and mastering his own martial arts techniques. These techniques allowed him to continue fighting superbly even after turning into a Jiang Shi. His body was also modified, adding even more force to his hits.
4Kikyo – Inuyasha
Long ago, Kikyo and Inuyasha fell in love, but their story ended in tragedy. Kikyo herself died so that the Shikon Jewel would not fall into the hands of evil. However, the Jewel would persist, and fifty years later, it would return to the world with Kagome Higurashi, Kikyo’s reincarnation.
RELATED:Best Romances From Battle Shonen Anime
However, a witch would also steal Kikyo’s remains and reanimate her fifty years after her death, reviving her exactly as she was when she died. Though Kikyo would immediately kill her summoner, she would work to fight against Naraku with her second lease on life.
3Bruno Bucciarati – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Bruno Bucciarati is a rather interesting example of a zombie: In his first fight with Diavolo, he is actually killed,but Giorno’s stand is able to heal him in time. However, not all is well with Bucciarati; his body is cold, and does not feel pain or bleed.
Despite this, Bucciarati does not actually gain any benefits from his new state. However, he is able to see his friends and allies through to the final fight with Diavolo, ultimately giving his life in the process.
2Brook – One Piece
Once a member of the Rumbar Pirates, a tragic accident killed the entire crew. However, thanks to eating the Revive-Revive Fruit, Brook was able to return to his body, which had decayed until it was only a skeleton.
Despite only being a skeleton, Brook’s capabilities haven’t worsened one bit. He is still both a capable musician and a swordsman, and his Devil Fruit powers allow him to affect the souls of others through his music. Brook is a jovial character and one of the liveliest members of the Straw Hats, despite being dead.
1Madara Uchiha – Naruto
Once one of the strongest ninjas of the Hidden Leaf Village, Madara Uchiha tried to rebel against his comrades and died in a fight against the First Hokage. In truth, Madara survived, though in a desiccated state. After surviving on the brink of life and death, he died after passing on his will to Obito.
However, he was revived again by Kabuto in his prime form. Like this, he was able to decimate the Allied Shinobi Forces all on his own and even free himself from the control of the Edo Tensei jutsu, making him an immortal, uncontrollable being. Madara Uchiha in this form was one of the strongest characters inNaruto.
