A dead world is coming back to life—literally. Manga fans everywhere were stunned when Katsuwo’s post-apocalyptic comedy-horror title #Zombie Sagashitemasu (also known by its English title I’m Looking for Zombie) was officially greenlit for a TV anime adaptation slated for 2026. Originally serialized until late 2023, the series has already captured hearts with both its chilling premise and disarmingly warm character dynamics. With this announcement, anticipation reaches a fever pitch: how will the series balance its bleak setting with the humor and hope built into its pages?
World Overrun, Humanity Rebuilding
For those not familiar with the manga, here is a detailed overview of #Zombie Sagashitemasu courtesy of Anime News Network:
“The “zombie x youth comedy” manga is set in a world where 90 percent of humans on Earth have contracted and died from a deadly, virulent disease; only to then rise again as zombies who attack people. 13 years after that “Red Day” of societal and civilizational collapse, the surviving humans live away from the big cities, while still hoping to retake them someday. An entirely new generation of people who know nothing of the pre-Red Day world are now coming into their own. The story begins when Aki and her close friends Haru and Natsuki begin a journey to find Aki’s missing father.”
Protagonists on a Mission
The main character is Aki, a girl who has grown up in one of the isolated human villages. She knows almost nothing of the old world, and her knowledge of “outside” is filtered through fear and myth. Her father (who once left the village) has gone missing, which becomes the emotional catalyst of the story. She isn’t alone: two close friends, Haru and Natsuki, stick by her as she decides to leave the safety of the village in search of answers. Haru and Natsuki each bring their own perspectives—some naïveté, some pragmatism—creating tension but also providing support.
As the journey progresses, Aki and friends are forced to confront more than just zombies. They face moral dilemmas (how to treat survivors, when to fight or flee), the harsh realities of survival (scarce food, dangerous terrain, trauma), and deeper mysteries: What exactly happened on Red Day? Are there pockets of civilization still intact? What is the nature of the infection? These questions drive much of the suspense.
Publication History Timeline & Manga Details
- Author & Art: Both story and illustrations are by Katsuwo, whose earlier works, such as Mitsuboshi Colors and Hitori Bocchi no ○○ Seikatsu showed more slice-of-life and comedic tendencies.
- Serialization: It ran in ASCII Media Works’s Comic Dengeki Daioh “g” magazine, beginning on June 27, 2022, and concluding on November 27, 2023.
- Volumes: The chapters were compiled into three tankōbon volumes, with release dates spanning from December 2022 through early 2024.
- Length & Chapters: Roughly 17-18 main chapters plus an extra (Vol. 3 has “Chapter 18.1: Extra”) make up the body of the work.
#Zombie Sagashitemasu Anime Adaptation: What’s Known So Far
On September 19, it was officially revealed that #Zombie Sagashitemasu will receive a TV anime adaptation slated for 2026. The announcement arrived alongside a new commemorative illustration by Katsuwo, which not only celebrated the news but also signaled the author’s enthusiasm and possible promotional involvement. At the moment, however, most production details remain under wraps. No studio, director, character designer, or cast list has been confirmed, and the episode count is still unknown.
Early statements from Katsuwo hint at an adaptation that aims to retain the manga’s distinctive blend of danger and youthful adventure, balancing the dread of a zombie-ridden world with moments of fun, exploration, and discovery. This mixture of mystery and anticipation has fueled speculation among fans, who are eager to see which studio will take on the challenge and how faithfully the anime will translate the tone of the original manga.
Expectations & Potential Challenges
Because #Zombie Sagashitemasu ended after just three volumes, there’s relatively limited source material. Adapting it for TV means either a tightly focused story arc—or possibly expanding the world with new material to flesh out things that in the manga may have been rushed.
Fans will be particularly watching how the anime handles tone. Balancing zombie horror with youthful adventure and comedic relief is tricky, but Katsuwo has done similar blends in previous work. That history gives hope that the adaptation can preserve what made the manga special: the human moments among the undead threat.
With the announcement now official, 2026 promises to be a big year for #Zombie Sagashitemasu. Whether the anime becomes a breakout hit or remains a cult favorite will depend on its execution—but there’s enough intrigue, mystery, and surviving hope in its premise to make it one to watch.
