Manga Review: Zombie Loan Volume Three

[Jason]

Title: Zombie Loan
Volume: Three
Mangaka: Peach-Pit
Originally Serialized In: Gfantasy
Genre: Shonen, Supernatural
Licensed by: Yen Press
Price: $10.99/US

Volume three of Zombie Loan picks up from volume two’ss cliff-hanger: Michiru and Koyomi, in their French Maid costumes, accidentally getting mixed up in a party of serial killer fans, a party in honor of the Butterfly Killer. Shito and Chika also remain on the killer’s trail. It doesn’t take long for Michiru to get herself into trouble or to rouse the dangerous being, Yomi, out of her slumber inside of Koyomi.

The two ladies, along with Shito, Chika and Chika’s friend, Shiba, are a force to be reckoned with. But just when they think they have things all wrapped up, it all goes very bad. Chika has to deal with a tragedy, on top of already dealing with being a zombie. So far, we haven’t had much background on either of the two guys until now. Chika is not always the brightest bulb but he is rather sweet, which comes across strongly in this volume. Still, his suffering even touches the cold Shito, who acts human for once. We also learn something important about the zombies: that they’re slowly becoming dead inside, that someone is making illegal zombies and also what sort of time limits the ferryman puts on their legal loan repayment.

The volume ends with a vacation at the hot springs, in an attempt to cheer up Chika. Naturally, there is some fan service with Michuri and Koyomi in the baths. However, it’s fan service with purpose and Michuri may have made a dangerous mistake. Worse, they may be on the trail of something far stronger than a mere zombie.

Zombie Loan was one of those titles I was dubious about at first, but it has definitely grown on me. I’d still like to see a little more growth in Michuri though, beyond the typical female getting in trouble and needing to be rescued. The storyline is interesting and the characters are engaging. The art is a little uneven, with a few too many overly pointed chins and long necks, and I don’t care for the huge owl-eyes Michuri has (especially with her glasses). As I’ve said several times, Yen likes to leave the sound effects in place and add in both phonetic and English translations.

Overall, Zombie Loan deserves to be on the reading list.

Reviewer: D. M. Evans
Proofer/Editor: Lissa Pattillo