Sankarea: Undying Love [Season 1]

Sankarea: Undying Love Season 1 – A Zombie Romance That Feels More Alive Than Most

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re scrolling through Crunchyroll at 2 AM, debating whether to start another generic high school anime, Sankarea: Undying Love Season 1 is the weird, heartfelt gem you didn’t know you needed. This 2012 TV-MA series from Studio Deen (yes, the same folks behind Fate/stay night) takes the overdone zombie trope and twists it into something surprisingly tender—think Romeo and Juliet but with more brain-eating jokes and less balcony drama.

First, let’s set the scene: Chihiro Furuya is your average teen with an extreme zombie obsession. He’s not just into the movies; he’s got a notebook full of undead observations, a shrine to zombie flicks in his room, and a grandpa who low-key encourages his weirdness. Then Rea Sanka crashes into his life—literally. She’s a rich, sheltered girl with a controlling dad and a death wish, and when she accidentally drinks Chihiro’s experimental “resurrection potion” (don’t ask), she becomes the zombie he’s always dreamed of. But here’s the catch: Rea’s not a mindless monster. She’s still Rea—funny, awkward, and terrified of losing her humanity.

What makes Sankarea stand out, according to fans on MyAnimeList, is how it balances horror and humor with real emotion. One minute you’re cringing at Rea’s rotting hand (gross, but weirdly cute?), the next you’re laughing at Chihiro’s panic when she asks for “fresh meat” (turns out she just wants steak). And let’s talk about the romance—this isn’t your typical “will they/won’t they.” Chihiro’s crush on Rea starts as a zombie fanboy’s fantasy, but it grows into something deeper when he realizes she’s more human than most people he knows. As one Reddit user put it: “It’s like if Twilight was good—no sparkles, just two messed-up kids trying not to eat each other.”

But don’t get it twisted—Sankarea isn’t all rainbows and brains. The show dives into dark stuff: Rea’s abusive family, the fear of losing yourself, and what it means to be “alive.” When Rea starts forgetting small things (like how to tie her shoes), you feel her panic. When Chihiro stays up all night researching zombie cures, you feel his desperation. It’s these moments that make the series stick with you long after the credits roll.

The animation? Studio Deen keeps it simple but effective. The character designs are classic 2010s anime—big eyes, spiky hair, and Rea’s pink zombie dress that’s equal parts creepy and cute. The music slaps too—opening theme “Esoragoto” by Nano.RIPE is the kind of upbeat bop you’ll hum while doing homework, and the ending “Above Your Hand” by Annabel tugs at your heartstrings like a zombie grabbing a brain.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the ending. Season 1 wraps up with Rea’s dad getting his comeuppance (good riddance) and Chihiro promising to take care of her, but it leaves a lot of questions hanging. Fans are split—some love the open-ended vibe (it lets you imagine their future), others hate that it doesn’t tie up loose ends (like, will Rea ever be human again?). But honestly, that’s part of the charm. Sankarea isn’t here to give you all the answers—it’s here to make you feel something.

If you’re into shows that mix romance with the supernatural (think Rosario + Vampire but less fan service, or Dusk Maiden of Amnesia but more zombies), this is for you. It’s not perfect—some jokes fall flat, and the pacing drags a bit in the middle—but it’s got heart. As one MyAnimeList user raved: “I went in expecting a silly zombie anime and left crying over a girl who just wanted to be loved.”

So grab your popcorn (and maybe a steak, for Rea), and give Sankarea: Undying Love Season 1 a watch. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it’s the kind of show that’ll make you call your crush afterward just to say, “Hey, at least we’re not zombies.” Trust me—you won’t regret it.

Rating: 8/10 – More alive than most rom-coms, and way less boring than your math homework.

P.S. If you love this, check out Darling in the FranXX or Brynhildr in the Darkness—fans say they’ve got the same “weird but wonderful” vibe.