Sankarea: Undying Love [12 Episodes + 1 Special]

Alright, let’s dive into Sankarea: Undying Love—a 2012 anime that’s equal parts quirky, heartfelt, and totally messed up (in the best way possible). If you’re into zombies, forbidden love, and that bittersweet feeling when a story sticks with you long after the credits roll, this one’s for you. Let’s break it down, no spoilers (well, maybe a tiny one—sorry not sorry).

First Impressions: Zombie Obsession Meets Real Emotion

Chihiro Furuya is your average high schooler… if “average” means he’s obsessed with zombies. Like, “collects zombie movies, reads zombie manga, and even dreams of an undead girlfriend” obsessed. When his beloved cat Baabu gets hit by a car, he does what any rational zombie fan would do: digs up an ancient resurrection potion recipe. Enter Rea Sanka, a sheltered rich girl with a toxic family and a death wish. She’s tired of being controlled, so she drinks Chihiro’s potion—and dies. But wait, she doesn’t stay dead. Rea comes back as a zombie, and suddenly Chihiro’s weirdest fantasy becomes his most complicated reality.

The anime starts off light: Chihiro teaching Rea how to be a “good zombie” (no eating brains, just hydrangea leaves!), hiding her from her overprotective dad, and even going on a zombie date (think: picnic in a graveyard, because why not?). But don’t let the humor fool you—this show gets dark fast. Rea’s dad is a straight-up creep (he’s obsessed with preserving her “purity” to the point of madness), and her mom is… well, let’s just say she’s not winning any Parent of the Year awards.

The Good: Characters That Feel Real (Even the Zombie)

What makes Sankarea stand out is how human Rea feels, even as a zombie. She’s not just a “monster”—she’s a girl who wanted freedom, who found it in death, and now has to navigate a world where she’s both alive and not. Her relationship with Chihiro is sweet but messy: he’s infatuated with her zombie side at first, but as he gets to know her, he falls for Rea—the girl who loves stargazing, hates her dad, and just wants to be seen.

Chihiro isn’t perfect either. He’s awkward, a little selfish, and definitely in over his head. But his growth from “zombie fanboy” to “guy who’d do anything for the girl he loves” is chef’s kiss. And let’s not forget Ranko, Chihiro’s cousin who’s low-key in love with him. She’s the show’s unsung hero—funny, loyal, and the only one who seems to have a clue about how messed up everything is.

The Bad: That Ending (Ugh, Why?!)

Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the ending. If you’re here for a happy ever after, run. The anime wraps up at Chapter 9 of the manga (which is only 11 volumes long), and the last few episodes are… fillers. Like, “episode 14 makes zero sense” fillers. Fans were pissed—and for good reason. The manga’s ending is even sadder: Rea doesn’t get her happy ending. She’s undead for decades, watching Chihiro and Ranko live their lives, grow old, and die… while she’s stuck, alone, forever.

One fan on MyAnimeList summed it up perfectly: “Poor girl. She was undead alone for so long. They should’ve let her die in peace in the arms of the man she loved.” Ouch. It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to scream into a pillow, but hey—at least it’s memorable?

Why You Should Watch It (Even If It Breaks Your Heart)

Sankarea isn’t for everyone. If you hate sad endings or slow-burn character drama, this might not be your jam. But if you love stories that make you feel something—even if that something is “why did I let this happen to me?”—then give it a shot. The animation is pretty (especially the way they draw Rea’s zombie eyes—creepy but beautiful), the voice acting is solid (shoutout to Tia Lynn Ballard for making Rea sound both innocent and broken), and the soundtrack? Chef’s kiss—the opening theme will be stuck in your head for days.

Plus, it’s only 12 episodes (and one weird special). You can binge it in a day, cry for an hour, and then move on… or not. (Spoiler: You’ll probably not move on. That ending haunts you.)

Final Verdict: 8/10—Zombies, Love, and Regret

Sankarea: Undying Love is a hidden gem. It’s not perfect—those fillers are a crime, and the ending is a gut punch—but it’s real. It’s about wanting something so bad you’ll risk everything, even death. It’s about love that doesn’t fade, even when the person you love is gone. And hey, if nothing else, it’ll make you appreciate your non-zombie loved ones a little more.

So grab some popcorn, a box of tissues, and dive in. Just… don’t say I didn’t warn you about the ending. 😉

P.S. If you need someone to commiserate with after watching, hit me up. I’m still not over it. 🧟♀️💔