History YMMV / HighSchoolOfTheDead

** Such as the bath scene between Rei and Shizuka in episode 6, which is so risque, that it's a wonder [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar how they got away with it.]]

* HilariousInHindsight: One of the mall survivors wears a jacket with the words "Bad End" printed on the back, and he gets one.

** Some people who watched the anime but haven't read the manga complained that Creator/{{Madhouse}} inserted sexual fanservice, but some of it was taken directly from the manga. Though some of the more infamous instances of fanservice (such as Saeko's "boob matrix" scene) are exclusive to the anime.

* PeripheryDemographic: ''[=HOTD=]'' has a surprisingly large amount of female followers.
** In fact, if [[http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/highschool-of-the-dead/picks/results/650293/_______-likes-highschool-dead this poll]] is anything to go by, ''[=HOTD=]'' might actually be ''more'' popular with females than males.
*** This is likely due to the majority of the female characters being {{Action Girl}}s, or at least having good moments and averting TheSmurfettePrinciple. And Takashi is pretty [[MrFanservice easy on the eyes]].

* SignatureScene: The Matrix boobs scene

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical: Saya's family and their supporters are a group of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai uyoku dantai]] -- [[UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan militant, traditionalist Japanese ultra-nationalists]] with an eye on reclaiming lost territory and historical revisionism. It's considered politically incorrect in Japan to forward ideas like that, much less on a {{Fanservice}} show. Simultaneously, anyone displaying leftist views such as the protestors and survivors in the camp are depicted as [[TheWarOnStraw straw]] cowards, idiots, and/or hypocrites. It's not clear if this is the author's personal opinion or dramatic embellishment, but his older works like ''USA vs. Japan 2025'' and an alternate history where Japan is divided Korea-style after World War II clearly state that he is more sympathetic to the Japanese right, even though not necessarily belonging to them. The ultra-nationalists are censored in the anime as their views are considered politically incorrect.

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: In the scene where Shizuka tries to stop Saeko from [[MercyKill putting Ishii out of his misery]], Saeko hastily cuts Shizuka off and says she's determined to give him [[DyingAsYourself "an honorable death".]] But immediately after she administers the blow, [[SlasherSmile she grins]] and chuckles to herself. Was she really concerned with ending his suffering, or simply [[CuteAndPsycho eager for a chance to kill?]]

** Such as the bath scene between her and Shizuka in episode 6, which is so risque, that it's a wonder [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar how they got away with it.]]
** And near the end of ''"Drifters of the Dead"'' OVA, she ends up [[spoiler: [[KissingUnderTheInfluence frenching Saeko]]]] on the beach, while both are in the nude[[note]]both of them [[MushroomSamba were hallucinating]] that the other was Takashi[[/note]].
** From the same OVA, Shizuka and Saya [[MushroomSamba hallucinate to having implied intimate sex with the women they admire]] Shizuka with her BFF, Rika and Saya [[ParentalIncest with her mother]]; [[spoiler: and it's later revealed the next morning that "Rika" was Saya and "Saya's Mother" was Shizuka. Saya waking up straddling Shizuka with a very shocked expression.]]

* SnarkBait: Even when the show gets complimented, it's still called mindless and stupid.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical: Saya's family and their supporters are a group of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai uyoku dantai-]] [[UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan militant, traditionalist Japanese ultra-nationalists]] with an eye on reclaiming lost territory and historical revisionism. It's considered politically incorrect in Japan to forward ideas like that, much less on a {{Fanservice}} show. Simultaneously, anyone displaying leftist views such as the protestors and survivors in the camp are depicted as [[TheWarOnStraw straw]] cowards, idiots, and/or hypocrites. It's not clear if this is the author's personal opinion or dramatic embellishment, but his older works like ''USA vs. Japan 2025'' and an alternate history where Japan is divided Korea-style after World War II clearly state that he is more sympathetic to the Japanese right, even though not necessarily belonging to them. The ultra-nationalists are censored in the anime as their views are considered politically incorrect.

* [[HoYay Les Yay]]: Done twice, with both scenes involving Rei:

* CompleteMonster: [[SadistTeacher Kōichi Shidō]] first shows he's a man to fear when, during a zombie attack, a student he's guiding twists his ankle and begs Shidō for help. Shidō's response was to kick him in the face, before gloating over the poor kid's impending death and his own survival by stating that the [[SocialDarwinist new world had no place for people that weak]]. Then he uses his position as a teacher to get himself elected leader of the surviving group. Shidō sets out to make himself a cult leader, [[CorruptionOfAMinor promoting sexual activity]] amongst the kids to make them loyal to Shidō. A student doesn't like the action going on in the "orgybus" and asks if he can just be dropped off at his house to see if his family is ok. Shidō and his group, who are at this point a cult, decide that the best way to grant his wish is to throw him out of the bus and let him be eaten. In a ZombieApocalypse, Shidō stands out as [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters eviler and viler]] than any walking corpse.

* CompleteMonster: [[SadistTeacher Kōichi Shidō]] first shows he's a man to fear when, during a zombie attack, a student he's guiding twists his ankle and begs Shidō for help. Shidō's response was to kick him in the face, before gloating over the poor kid's impending death and his own survival by stating that the [[SocialDarwinist new world had no place for people that weak]]. Then he uses his position as a teacher to get himself elected leader of the surviving group. Shidō sets out to make himself a cult leader, [[CorruptionOfAMinor promoting sexual activity]] amongst the kids to make them loyal to Shidō. A student doesn't like the action going on in the "orgybus" and asks if he can just be dropped off at his house to see if his family is ok. Shidō and his group, who are at this point a cult, decide that the best way to grant his wish is to throw him out of the bus and let him be eaten. In a ZombieApocalypse, Shidō stands out as [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters more evil and vile]] than any walking corpse.

* CompleteMonster: [[SadistTeacher Koichi Shido{u}]] [[EstablishingCharacterMoment first shows he's a man to fear]] when, during a zombie attack, a student he's guiding twists his ankle and begs Koichi’s for help. Koichi’s response was to kick him in the face, before gloating over the poor kid's impending death and his own survival by stating that the [[SocialDarwinist new world had no place for people that weak]]. Then he uses his position as a teacher to get himself elected leader of the surviving group. Koichi sets out to make himself a {{cult}} leader, [[CorruptionOfAMinor promoting sexual activity]] amongst the kids to make them loyal to Koichi. A student doesn't like the action going on in the "orgybus" and asks if he can just be dropped off at his house to see if his family is ok. Koichi and his group, who are at this point a cult, decide that the best way to grant his wish is to throw him out of the bus and let him be eaten. In a ZombieApocalypse, Koichi stands out as [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters more evil and vile]] than any walking corpse.

** Saya's family are [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai uyoku dantai, hardcore nationalists]]. Not really the type of thing the networks would like to present in a {{Fanservice}} {{s|exSells}}how.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaurWYl1nmQ The main theme]], "Highschool of the Dead" by Kisida Kyodan & the Akebosi Rockets.

* MemeticMolester: Likely intentional on the writer's part, given how inappropriately Shidou was caressing his female students along with the creeptastic manner in which he kept licking his lips, in episode 5. Which Saya [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] while whispering to Hirano:
-->'''Hirano: (arms nail-gun)''' "Shall I... ''"interrupt"'' them?"
-->'''Saya: (sighing)''' "Forget the pervy teacher and 'Slutty [=McSally=]' over there, we've got bigger things to worry about."

** Takashi grabbing Saeko's boob during his [[GetAHoldOfYourselfMan rousing speech]] at the end of Episode 9 becomes this, which seems strange since there was no apparent reason for it. Not mention, he was damn near crushing it. It's a wonder Saeko wasn't in pain. Instead, [[TooKinkyToTorture she seemed to get off on it]].

*** This is likely due to the majority of the female characters being ActionGirl, or at least having good moments and averting TheSmurfettePrinciple. And Takashi is pretty [[MrFanservice easy on the eyes]].

* ShippingGoggles: The last thing the shippers want, is to see Takashi end up [[TheScrappy with Rei.]] So you can imagine [[DieForOurShip how they feel]] about him reciprocating her feelings.

** [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai Uyoku dantai, hardcore nationalists.]] Not really the type of thing the networks would like to present in a {{Fanservice}} {{s|exSells}}how.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotPolitical: Saya's family and their supporters are a group of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyoku_dantai uyoku dantai-]] [[UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan militant, traditionalist Japanese ultra-nationalists]] with an eye on reclaiming lost territory and historical revisionism. It's considered politically incorrect in Japan to forward ideas like that, much less on a {{Fanservice}} show. Simultaneously, anyone displaying leftist views such as the protestors and survivors in the camp are depicted as [[TheWarOnStraw straw]] cowards, idiots, and/or hypocrites. It's not clear if this is the authors personal opinion or dramatic embellishment, but his older works like ''USA vs. Japan 2025'' and an alternate history where Japan is divided Korea-style after World War II clearly state that he is more sympathetic to the Japanese right, even though not necessarily belong to them. The ultra-nationalists were censored in the anime as their views are considered politically incorrect.

* CounterpartComparison:
** The series itself is this to the comic book version of ''ComicBook/TheWalkingDead'' and Creator/GeorgeARomero's ''Film/LivingDeadSeries''.
** Many fans pointed out that both Takashi and [[ComicBook/TheWalkingDead Rick Grimes]] are almost similar, mainly due to [[TheHero their role as the main character]], [[TheLeader leadership skills]], [[CombatPragmatism pragmatism]], and being in a LoveTriangle with their respective girls (Rei and Lori) and best friends (Hisashi and Shane).
** To some, Saeko reminds some people of [[Anime/KillLaKill Satsuki Kiryuin]] ([[OlderThanTheyThink who wouldn't even exist for another few years]]), especially with both looking similar and swords being their preferred weapons.
*** Speaking of swords, she also has some shades of [[ComicBook/TheWalkingDead Michonne]] as well.

** Such as the bath scene between her and Shizuka in episode 6, which is so risque, that it's a wonder [[Radar/HighschoolOfTheDead how they got away with it.]]

** Fans commonly hold Rei to be [[TheScapegoat solely responsible]] for her breakup with Takashi, [[DoubleStandard while turning a blind eye to his part in it.]] Along with the fact that she only began dating Hisashi because she believed Takashi had abandoned her.

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Rei, depending on which camp you're in. To her fans, she's a badass who pulls her weight within the group. Others hate her forbeing a ClingyJealousGirl and believe she's exploiting Takashi's feelings for attention.

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Rei, depending on which camp you're in. To her fans, she's a badass who pulls her weight within the group. Others hate her whiny, ClingyJealousGirl tendencies, and believe she's exploiting Takashi's feelings for attention (considering the fact that she actually ''broke up with him'' before the outbreak).

** The Straw Nihilist mall survivor who meets a hilariously pathetic end after suicidally charging into a group of zombies, [[KnifeNut armed with only a knife]], and failing to even knick one of them.

* EnsembleDarkHorse: Saeko. She has more fans than the rest of the cast combined. It really says something when you have an amount of member favorites nearing 4000 in Website/MyAnimeList, when ''none of the others even reach 1000''.

** Takashi is shipped with Saeko, mainly because she's hot and she's [[EnsembleDarkhorse a fan favorite character.]]

** To some, Saeko reminds some people of [[Anime/KillLaKill Satsuki Kiryuin]], especially with both looking similar and swords being their preferred weapons.

** The series itself is this to comic book version of ''ComicBook/TheWalkingDead'' and Creator/GeorgeARomero's ''Film/LivingDeadSeries''.

** The series itself is this to comic book version of ''ComicBook/TheWalkingDead'' and {{George A. Romero}}'s Film/LivingDeadSeries.

* CounterpartComparison: To some, Saeko reminds some people of [[Anime/KillLaKill Satsuki Kiryuin]], especially with both looking similar and swords being their preferred weapons.

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Rei, depending on which camp you're in. To her fans, she's a badass who pulls her weight within the group. Others hate her whiny, ClingyJealousGirl tendencies, and believe she's exploiting Takashi's feelings for attention (considering the fact that she avctually ''broke up with him'' before the outbreak).

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Rei, depending on which camp you're in. To her fans, she's a badass, albeit ClingyJealousGirl, who pulls her weight within the group. Whereas her haters believe she's exploiting Takashi's feelings for attention, and use the fact that she broke up with him prior to the outbreak as proof.

* DieForOurShip: Rei. ClingyJealousGirl, occasional DistressedDamsel and in the [[OfficialCouple wrong]] [[FanPreferredCouple corner]] of a LoveTriangle that involves the [[EnsembleDarkhorse fan favorite]]: [[ActionGirl Saeko]]. May the writers have mercy on her, because the fanficcers will not.

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: It's about a group of teenagers, who're trying to find their missing families in the midst of a sudden (and unexplained) [[ZombieApocalypse zombie outbreak]]. But you'll be seeing so much cleavage, ass crack, and camel toe, that it makes really easy to forget all of that.