The zombie apocalypse has been a popular theme in literature and media for years. From classic novels like “I Am Legend” to modern hits like “The Walking Dead,” the genre has captivated audiences with its blend of horror, survival, and human drama. In recent years, this trend has expanded to include light novels and anime, offering a unique twist on the familiar narrative. In this list, we will explore the top 20 novels with zombie apocalypse themes, including both Western and Japanese works.
Highschool of the Dead by Daisuke Sato
A deadly virus outbreak causes a zombie apocalypse in Japan, and a group of high school students, along with a nurse and a gun enthusiast, must fight their way through hordes of the undead to survive and find their families.
Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? by Shinichi Kimura
A boy named Ayumu Aikawa is murdered by a serial killer and brought back to life by a necromancer as a zombie. He must continue living his life as a high school student, while also working as a servant for the necromancer, and occasionally battling other supernatural beings.
Sankarea: Undying Love by Mitsuru Hattori
A boy named Chihiro Furuya is obsessed with zombies and dreams of creating a potion to revive the dead. When his pet cat dies, he tries out his potion on it, but it ends up turning the cat into a zombie. He then meets a girl named Rea Sanka, who is dealing with her family issues, and they team up to find a way to cure her.
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress by Wit Studio
In a post-apocalyptic world, a mysterious virus has turned humans into zombie-like creatures called Kabane. A group of survivors, including a young engineer named Ikoma and a skilled fighter named Mumei, board a fortified train known as the Iron Fortress to travel across the country and find a way to stop the Kabane.
Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida
In an alternate version of Tokyo, flesh-eating ghouls live among humans and can blend in by disguising themselves as humans. A college student named Ken Kaneki becomes a half-ghoul after a date with a beautiful ghoul goes awry, and he must learn to navigate the dangerous world of ghouls while also protecting his human friends.
Zombieland Saga by Cygames
A group of seven girls are resurrected as zombies by a mysterious man named Kotaro Tatsumi, who wants to turn them into a popular idol group and save the Saga prefecture from economic decline. The girls must learn to work together and overcome their differences while also dealing with their new undead status.
Gakkou Gurashi! by Norimitsu Kaiho
A group of high school girls live at their school after a zombie apocalypse, believing that the outside world is still safe. They must deal with the daily struggles of school life while also fighting off zombie attacks and trying to maintain their sanity.
Heavenly Forest by Takuji Ichikawa
A girl named Sayaka falls in love with a boy named Makoto, who dies in a car accident. She then discovers that he has been brought back to life as a zombie, and they continue their relationship despite the challenges and stigma they face.
School-Live! by Norimitsu Kaiho
A group of high school girls live at their school after a zombie apocalypse, but one of them, Yuki, is in denial about the reality of their situation and believes they are still living a normal school life. The others must protect her while also dealing with their struggles and trying to survive.
Is This a Zombie? by Shinichi Kimura
A boy named Ayumu Aikawa is murdered by a serial killer and brought back to life by a necromancer as a zombie. He then meets a magical girl named Haruna, who accidentally turns him into a magical girl as well. He must then fight other magical beings while also dealing with his undead status.
The Empire of Corpses by Project Itoh
In an alternate 19th century, scientists have found a way to bring corpses back to life as mechanical zombies. A medical student named John Watson is recruited by the British government to help them find the missing notes of Victor Frankenstein, which could hold the key to creating a new type of corpse that retains its memories and intelligence.
Kemono Friends by Tatsuki
In a post-apocalyptic world, animal-like beings known as Friends inhabit the ruins of human civilization. A girl named Japari Park Ranger encounters a human girl who has lost her memories, and they set out on a journey to find out who she is and how she ended up in this world.
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga
This novel tells the origin story of one of the most notorious villains from The Walking Dead TV series, the Governor. It follows his journey from survivor to leader of a fortified community and the ruthless tactics he employs to maintain his power.
The Walking Dead
The Road to Woodbury by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga: Another novel set in The Walking Dead universe, this one follows a group of survivors as they travel to the fortified town of Woodbury, where they encounter the charismatic but dangerous leader, the Governor.
Apocalypse no Toride by Yuu Kuraishi
In a juvenile detention centre, four inmates must band together to fight off hordes of zombies that have overrun the facility. They must also deal with their demons and past traumas while trying to survive.
Kyoukai no Kanata by Nagomu Torii
This novel combines elements of urban fantasy and the zombie apocalypse. A boy named Akihito Kanbara discovers that he is half-human and half-you, a supernatural creature that feeds on human flesh. He teams up with a girl named Mirai Kuriyama, who can control her blood and use it as a weapon, to fight off a threat that could bring about the end of the world.
Triage X by Shouji Sato
In a world where a virus turns people into mindless monsters, a group of nurses known as the Black Label Society secretly work to eliminate these threats. They must balance their duties as medical professionals with their role as assassins, all while trying to uncover the source of the virus.
Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama
While not strictly a zombie apocalypse, this popular anime/manga series features a similar threat: giant humanoid creatures known as Titans that devour humans. The story follows a group of soldiers as they fight to protect the last remaining human city from the Titans.
Sora no Otoshimono by Suu Minazuki
This novel series combines elements of romantic comedy and the zombie apocalypse. A boy named Tomoki Sakurai meets an angeloid, an advanced humanoid weapon, who has lost her memories and must fight off zombie-like creatures known as the Synapse.
Magical Girl Site by Kentaro Sato
This novel follows a high school girl named Aya Asagiri, who is bullied and abused by her classmates and family. She discovers a website that gives her the power to become a magical girl but soon realizes that the cost of this power may be too high, as she must fight against other magical girls and dark forces that threaten to destroy the world.
Whether you’re a fan of traditional horror novels or prefer the unique spin of anime and light novels, the zombie apocalypse genre has something to offer everyone. With a rich history and a wealth of fresh takes on the theme, it’s no wonder that this genre continues to capture the imagination of readers and viewers alike. We hope this list has introduced you to some new titles to explore and expanded your appreciation for this fascinating and terrifying world.
