31 Days of Halloween - High School of the Dead Episode #5 "Streets of the Dead"

In this episode, we are introduced to purple-haired sniper babe Rika Minami, a friend of Shizuka (and it is implied that they are "more than friends"). Although Rika is not a major part of the story, her segments do provide more insight into what's going on with the rest of the world.

Rika gets more comfortable.
You know, for the marksmanship...or somehting.

The episode starts at Kansai International Airport, located on an artificial island off the shore of Osaka. So, that's where the series is taking place. Now I can go to Google maps and follow along. Evacuation flights are taking off for points unknown and Rei is part of the security team keeping the runways clear of zombies. Oh, and she likes to massages her boobs. Because that's what all snipers do.

Back on the bus, Shido is solidifying his hold on some of the students, while our heroes are making plans for escaping the city and discussing the implications of what people will be to survive.

While many people are trying to leave the city, Takashi and Rei drive through an area of Osaka where rioters are looting and killing both zombies and people. They make it through, but the first bridge they arrive at is blocked by police. We get a glimpse of what the police will do when a quartet of teen punks are swept off the bridge with a water cannon. Is it wrong that I cheered this action? Probably.

On the bus, Saya compares Shido and his followers to Scientologists. Ah, Saya, you are the heart and soul of the show. We get some more details on the families (or lack thereof) of our protagonists. Saya, Shizuka, Saeko and Kohta leave the bus, but not before Shido tries to force Shizuka to stay. Because of the healing power of her enormous boobs. Kohta takes a shot at him with the mega-awesome, super-dooper nail gun. Not only does this get Shido to back off, it also gives Kohta a chance to talk about how much of a doughy ball of teenage rage he is.

Sadly, what I'd be doing in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

In the next scene, Team Bus is trapped in the middle of Onbetsu Bridge by a horde of zombies. As things start to look bleak, Takashi and Rei show up. Together, out heroes wipe out the undead.

Stuck on the wrong side of the river, Shizuka suggests they head to "her friend's" apartment (it's Rika's place). The episode ends with Shizuka on the bike with Takashi, feeling him up. Yay, a happy ending for everyone!

The episode gives a bit more background on what's happening elsewhere with the idea that, while parts of the world are falling apart, other places are sealing themselves off. Those planes are going someplace, right?

We also see more of how some people see the end of civilization as an opportunity, whether it is for random violence (the mob), pursuing the dream of being a sex cult leader (Shido) or venting teen frustrations (Kohta).

Finally, after the last episode's overuse of flashbacks, it is nice to have the story moving forward.

Best line of the episode: Shizuka talking about Shido: "He wouldn't be the first douche bag I was stuck on a bus with."

Whatever they are...umm...she is saying, I agree with.

Best Kill: Easily hosing the four jerks off the bridge. While they may not have died, it was still an amusing comment on where a "fuck the police" attitude gets you if you're a teenage poser rebel. In the river, that's where.

Fan Service: Well, they are a couple of solid candidates, but I'm going to go with Rika's partial strip-down on the rooftop of the airport terminal. She should massage her boobs more often. You know, for health purposes.