Oh yeah. Those zombie idols are back! Not sure if they listened to my request (and perhaps from others) or it was already planning in the works back then. But whatever. Because after 3 years since the first season was aired, now we get to see more idol zombie antics in Zombie Land Saga Revenge! Oh, revenge? Did something die or get killed? Oh heck, aren’t these zombie girls dead in the first place? Or are they going to take the music and idol world by storm and hence this is their ‘revenge’? You know what they say, revenge is a dish best served cold. And a zombie’s skin is dead cold, right? Okay. Sorry with the bad pun… Oh right. Almost forgot these undead girls are supposed to save Saga or something.
Episode 1
We see the Franchouchou girls doing their respective part time jobs to get out of debt. WHAT DEBT?! Remember their last concert that was a big hit? Yup, they became celebrities and the likes. Everything was going well for them. Until Koutarou booked the ultimate stadium for them to perform at: Ekimae Fudosan Stadium (EFS). Too bad turnout was only 1% and their performance was shaky. So while the girls work hard trying to clear this debt, Koutarou fell into depression. Yup, drinking his woes out. He doesn’t care anymore. Sakura tries to go talk to him but gets mocked instead. Franchouchou felt Koutarou putting together EFS was rushed so they sneak into his room to find clues. Nothing. I guess they’ll just have to work hard for their next concert and hope he comes back. When Yugiri catches Koutarou deep in regret and blaming himself he was wrong all along, Sakura tries to talk to him a second time and make him remember those ‘motivational’ words he said. Too bad he still doesn’t care. That’s it for Sakura. Goodbye you jerk! Franchouchou performs at the mini rock house. Those hard rocker punks don’t appreciated sing a bunch of girl idols on stage. Meanwhile Koutarou continues to be really depressing. Until the bartender tells him to just tell the girls straight that everything is over and not leave them hanging halfway like that. It is then Koutarou suddenly picks himself up and rushes over. As Franchouchou finishes their song, the crowd is not please. GTFO! Koutarou barges in and tells them to do an encore. Despite being punched, he still tells them to sing. A couple of those death metal hardcore fans try to support Franchouchou. Other punkers don’t like it so it becomes a free for all! Amidst the brawl, Franchouchou sings their next song. I guess it is captivating enough that everyone stops midway and gets stunned by their performance. Pretty plain if you ask me. Haha! You know Koutarou is back when he summons Franchouchou for their usual morning meeting. Gooooooooood morning my idol zombies! Welcome back!
Episode 2
The usual Koutarou’s zombie abuse and harassment. This time his plan for Franchouchou’s return is via TV. They’re going to do some TV host thingy with White Ryu, a famous rocker in the 90s who also hosts a radio show of his own till today. Saki is of course a big fan of that guy. Can’t miss this flamboyant dude with a pompadour and he rides on the car’s bonnet! Everything he says is so freaking cool to Saki. But others, cringe? The show goes well and before Ryu leaves, Saki goes to say her thanks and everything. However it seems he hints that he is going to give up his radio show and this has Saki spacing out ever since. The girls ponder if she is in love with him but for now, they let her be. That night, Sakura talks to Saki about it and learns that Saki when she was alive, the delinquent she is, fought everybody and anybody that went against her. It was then Ryu’s radio show helped her find her way. It was also how she met Reiko. Since she can’t accept this, Saki drags Sakura as she peddles her way to the radio station. Ryu invites them to talk on his live show as surprise guests. Saki wastes no time in telling him not to quit because Saga needs him and that he is the guiding light to many in Saga. What will they do if they find they no longer have a place to return? However he points out that what those need is a place to return and not him. Hence he wants them to take over his radio show since they have the passion. Proof is that they are right here before him. They’ve got that spark that lights a fire in others. Heck, he notes Saki isn’t going to be the leader of just Franchouchou but all of Saga! Saki gladly accepts this role. Ryu rides off in his car. Whatever answers can be found, it can be found in Saga. He hints to come hit on him when she’s grown a bit mature. Can zombies grow up? With Ryu’s departure, Saki is overwhelmed with emotion and cries. Can zombies cry?! So infectious that Sakura also starts crying! Don’t cry too much or you’ll dry up and be a mummy! Franchouchou is back as there is a sizeable audience in the hall to usher them singing their next song. It’s going to be busy for them as they also continue to host the radio show. Don’t forget, the answer you’re looking for can always be found in Saga!
Episode 3
With Franchouchou getting their popularity back on track, Ai warns of complacency because remember EFS? Yeah… Don’t let that happen again! They continue their usual training until the usual zombie meeting. WTF Koutarou acting like an army officer with lots of censored profanity?! Sir, yes sir! Anyway, he has set up for them to be the opening act for Iron Frill who will be doing a concert here in Saga. Oh sh*t. Another trauma? However Ai won’t be cowed and would gladly take on this challenge. Too bad for her, Koutarou will have a different solo assignment for her. The rest disagree because they’re a group and they’ve been performing without anybody recognizing them. Koutarou: STFU and do as you’re told! That is all. This means Junko will have to take over Ai’s duties in training the rest. As Ai’s solo job is doing well, Koutarou turns down invitations for her from other prefectures! Why? He believes Franchouchou is created only for Saga to save Saga. Any other prefectures using them is just a trap to capitalize Saga’s glory! Yeah, how are they going to pay back their debt then, dummy?! We also see Junko having her own securities as she isn’t confident she can pull it off. Even when other Franchouchou members show off their improvised tribal music using everyday tools (?!) just so as to stand out other than dancing and singing, she still has her doubts. Thus Junko needs more time to herself as she ponders and reminiscences about her previous idol life. Yeah, she got famous by her trademark singing on a rooftop. Of course Sakura talks to her to dispel her anxiety. Since she’s still feeling so-so, she suggests talking to Ai about it. But then they see Ai talking with Shiori (current lead singer of Iron Frill). She has been keeping her eye on Franchouchou for a while now. Noting that Ai’s talents is just like the Ai of Iron Frill, she wants her to join Iron Frill as she believes Franchouchou isn’t the right place for her. She can tell from experience how much she wanted to shine better than Iron Frill’s previous leader. If she stays in Franchouchou, she’ll never achieve the glory she’s after. Shiori doesn’t need an answer now. Wait till she watches Iron Frill’s performance and she’ll show her why Franchouchou can never reach those kind of heights. Ai maintains her cool composure but Junko starting to get more traumatized?
Episode 4
Obviously Junko is still depressed and it really shows during their practice. Maybe a little walk will help. So as we see Junko torn between where Ai should belong, the real Ai returns. What’s wrong? Junko can’t face her and runs away. How low can a zombie go into depression? Meanwhile, an Iron Frill member is worried about Shiori since she is obsessed about Ai. Though she claims recruiting a new member might make the group stronger, she is reminded that Ai is in the past. We have to move forward. A depressed Junko waltzes into Koutarou’s room. Instead of answering about the stuffs she has prepared, she reveals about her insecurities of Iron Frill trying to recruit Ai because Franchouchou isn’t good enough for her. Koutarou tells her to STFU. Stop making this sound like this is all about Ai. What about her? It sounds like she is using this as an excuse to give up because if she really didn’t want Ai to leave, why did she not go all out to stop her? So go out there and smash it! All the limitations you’ve set yourself! Wow. Words from a guy was just recently depressed. Is this what you call experience? NAH! And we all know Junko is back because she has a clear idea of what to do. Before the concert begins, Shiori is shocked to learn Ai won’t be performing with Franchouchou. She claims the group is nothing without her. Ai tells her not to judge. Franchouchou has worked very hard so let’s just watch. Franchouchou begins with an awesome drum solo from Tae followed by an awesome electric guitar jamming by Junko. The rest then follow up on this death metal hip hop. At the end of the song, Junko smashes the guitar! OMFG! She really took Koutarou’s words literally! Oh Koutarou! You looking shocked! Yeah, it’s a pretty expensive guitar… Junko signals Ai to jump on stage. After that, Franchouchou touch some live wire to have electric effects all over them. Is this what they call an electrifying performance, huh? Yeah, not sure how the f*ck they control the electric effects around them. But they wow the crowd with their techno hit song, Mezame Returner. Once done, Shiori will show it to them how Iron Frill is much better. But with Franchouchou standing by Ai’s side, looks like this is their way of rejecting Shiori’s offer. We don’t get to see Iron Frill perform but it sounds like it was way better. But during the post interview, Shiori notes how Franchouchou is their greatest rival. Did the b*tch rivalry just get started?
Episode 5
Lily just usurps Koutarou as the chief for Franchouchou’s next awesome performance. You looking pretty shocked there, Koutarou. STFU and take a seat! Lily’s plan is to get Franchouchou on national TV and to do that, they’re going to enter a local preliminary contest called Japanese Got Parformance (not typo!). Got talent but just bad spellers. Haha! However Lily will be the only one performing on stage while the rest will be supporting her in the audience. Also in this competition is a prodigy child star, Light Oozora. Seems a nice and proper kid until in the shadows, Sakura and Tae see this spoilt brat abusing his manager. Even revealing his intentions that he chose to enter this preliminary because Saga has got no real talents so it’ll be easy for him to bulldoze the competition. Franchouchou? Not even in his radar! The preliminaries start. Koutarou is also a contestant?! Mudskipper mating ritual? What… The… F*ck? Dafaq?! WTF???!!! Definitely didn’t pass. Next is Lily and she does some awesome rakugo show with comedy and drama. Finally it is Light as he awes the crowd with his amazing juggling skills. In the finals, Lily will face off with Light. Lily hears him practising his singing and goes to wish him the best. However Light shows his true colours by claiming he will not stay a child actor and his aim is the Broadway. So be prepared to be blown away. This doesn’t flinch Lily a bit. She’ll just do what she has to do. As Light go first, it seems he sings the same exact song that Lily planned to sing. Oh dear. How? Lily makes some improvising. So when it’s her turn, she sings the same song but with different arrangement and beat! Damn, she’s scatting and lively jiving all the way! Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo… Oops, I mean, Shubidoobi-doobi-doo-wah! In the end, Light is chosen as the winner since he showed he surpassed his talents as a kid. Light looking very shocked over his win. Yeah, he thought he actually lost. Later as he is hiding in the toilet feeling dejected, Lily talks to him that his win was only because he was better. Since he is aiming for Broadway, he cannot let this get him down. Light feels better and hopes in the future, they can do some collaboration together. In the aftermath, Lily’s version becomes viral all over the internet as kids try to imitate her cute and energetic dance. Go Lily, go!
Episode 6
Remember that journalist who is investigating Franchouchou? Yeah, Arata Ookoba still can’t wrap his head around them. His assistant even makes jokes how the internet is making memes of them being a collection of lookalikes and that they might be zombies! Meanwhile Koutarou is back to his usual zombie abusing ways. He reminds them they can’t do greater stuffs since they are still in debt. That radio show and opening act don’t pay much and they’re still deep in the red. Later, Tae is sent out to do errands with Romero. Ookoba spots her and decides to tail and spy on her. He sees her meeting various people who know her. She’s eating everything they give her? Put the whole thing in her mouth? Tae then stumbles into Maria who brings her to a local dance competition that she and her friends are in. The defending champion is some dude in a chicken outfit? Did he copy Michael Jackson’s moves?! Tae joins in last minute and wins because I mean, who can outlast a zombie who can forever spin on her head?! Seems Tae wants the onions prize and not the money. Maria won’t take it because it is not right. Seeing this argument, that policeman decides to tell them how to spend it. By taking them to a boat race! Place your bets!!! Yeah, Tae just observes and can mimic in how to make her bet. Also at this boat race is the Korosuke biker group. It seems Misa is now into boat racing since her loss to Saki but the thing is, she has never won a race! Everyone is mocking her now. Misa sees Maria in the stands and you bet that is her motivation to turn things around as she uses some legendary move to win the race! What a great race. Oh… Tae hit the jackpot!!! Tae returns to Franchouchou as Maria tells what happened. Damn, the girls are in shock with the 20 million Tae won!!! Enough for Sakura to knock off Tae’s head! Oops! So I guess this clears their debt, huh? Hooray! Tae the saviour! Better than some useless manager… They got a point there… Meanwhile Ookoba who has been tailing Tae all day but found nothing (thanks to convenient distractions), before he left Franchouchou’s place and head home, he saw Tae’s head roll. Now he has some material to write on… Oh boy, does this prove they’re zombies?
Episode 7
Maimai Yuzuriha is a clumsy girl. However she always maintains her cheery disposition and doesn’t lose heart. One day, she enters the wrong bath section and slips on Koutarou’s soap (butter fingers!). Next thing you know, Koutarou brings her corpse back! OMFG!!! So he is guiltily trying to introduce their newest member and at the same time trying to say he didn’t kill her! Suddenly Maimai gets up! Holy sh*t! Zombies scared of moving corpses?! Corpses don’t move?! THEN WHAT ARE ZOMBIES?! Turns out Maimai isn’t dead. Didn’t you make sure, Koutarou? She actually knows Franchouchou as she has been to their concerts. Although she realizes they are zombies, it doesn’t get to her. They hope she can keep this a secret but she has a better idea: Let me join your group! Koutarou agrees! I guess he stopped thinking… We see Maimai train with the rest but she is all over the place with her clumsiness. Maimai and Sakura talk about things especially how the former was inspired to become like them. She finds them amazing despite being zombies. Because they’re the same like as though they are living. When the school has trouble coming up for ideas for their cultural festival, Maimai has an idea: Let Franchouchou perform! While Franchouchou loves this idea as it will help increase their popularity, Koutarou adds that Maimai will be the star of this performance. But Maimai is still clumsy. Can she do it? She’d better. Because Franchouchou will be reborn as a new idol group. Maimai remains positive as she trains more. The day before their performance, another talk with Sakura as she reveals how she died and the irony of becoming an idol in zombie form. Maimai is also surprised Franchouchou plans to perform again at EFS despite failing once because that’s how Franchouchou is. That is when Maimai suddenly understands. Franchouchou takes the stage and all is shocked to see Maimai as the centre. Once done and Franchouchou introducing her as their new eighth member, suddenly Maimai makes an announcement that shocks all: She’ll be graduating from Franchouchou. She sings her final song as goodbye. Later at the back stage, she reveals why she decided so. Realizing their lives were cut short and how they went on to achieve greater heights as zombies, Maimai realizes she needs to fully live her life first. And with that, Maimai departs but promises to keep their zombie identity a secret. Meanwhile Ookoba discovers the one thing in common about Franchouchou except Yugiri: They’re all dead.
Episode 8
Finally. It’s about time we delve into Yugiri’s past. A famous courtesan at Edo during the Meiji era, she is sent to saga to live with an official after his wife passed away. She gets used to her new idyllic life in the prefecture while teaching her trade to young new girls. While we see reincarnation cameos of other Franchouchou members, Kiichi Momozaki is definitely Koutarou, right? Seems he is handing out flyers trying to restore Saga to what it was. Of course, nobody pays attention to him. He gets into trouble with the local police but luckily his friend, Shoujirou Itou is there to save him. A brief history shows that Saga was a thorn in the government’s side and ever since they lost to some civil war, Saga has been broken up and its parts absorbed into other prefectures. Kiichi and Yugiri meet. Love at first sight for the boy? He tries to save her from a speeding carriage but she could avoid it herself and he ends up in the pond. Hope he doesn’t catch the cold. Kiichi talks to Itou about Yugiri and of course he knows how legendary she is. So much so her beauty caused the Meiji court to almost fall apart as they fought over her! He cautions Kiichi that she isn’t the kind of woman he can handle because they’re from different worlds. Soon, Yugiri pays a visit at Kiichi’s house to bring him some medicine for the cold. Kiichi soon opens up and reveals his father died in a battle in Saga 8 years ago. Kiichi was only saved by his grandpa who is now senile, talking about the powers he would have like raising the dead. Father’s last wish was for him to save Saga. He didn’t understand what it meant but soon realizes that bits of the original Saga is slowly vanishing from everyday life. Hence he tried to do something about it and thinks it must be fate ever since grandpa saved him. What Kiichi wants is to create a new Saga where everyone is free and happy to do what they want. Itou then joins Kiichi and Yugiri for dinner just to see her for himself. He doesn’t think Kiichi is cut out to help others and thinks he should start a family. After all, isn’t meeting Yugiri some kind of sign to do so? Kiichi overthinks and passes out from drinking too much to hide his embarrassment. Itou then privately talks to Yugiri how he met Kiichi 2 years ago because he was amused by his goal. Of course he sees him get more desperate by the day. He thinks the country will further change and clinging onto the old Saga will not do any good. Yugiri corrects him that Kiichi wants to create a new Saga. Itou remains sceptical because a naïve guy like Kiichi will soon get his heart broken in this barbaric country. With Yugiri polishing up the grammar on the flyers, a few potentials step up to seek more details from Kiichi. Meanwhile Itou seems to be making a shady move…
Episode 9
Kiichi has gathered a few samurai comrades to help. However it seems they become bolder as time passes. To the point where they have been gathering weapons and even arming up to start a war! This wasn’t Kiichi’s intention but they tell him to STFU because what do kids like him know about the humiliation they suffered during the war? Of course Kiichi is still adamant to try to bring back the Saga he envisions. Although Itou himself doesn’t think that is possible since this country is still barbaric. Itou then tells Yugiri to run because a war will soon come and everything will be destroyed like before. But she tells him of because Kiichi’s dreams aren’t that shallow. That night when the samurais get ready to rebel, they were all killed off by Itou. Kiichi is shocked to learn Itou’s job is to keep an eye on lurking rebels and snuff them out. It would’ve been okay had Kiichi remained his ideals as a child’s dream. But look where it has gotten to now. Before he could kill Kiichi, Yugiri intervenes. Oh damn, she’s a legendary samurai too?! However they have to run when police are coming. Kiichi is in despair, blaming himself for the deaths and all that has happened. He doesn’t care anymore but Yugiri slaps him and basically tells him to take responsibility and see this through the end. Finish what you started. She hopes to see the new Saga he envisioned. She gives him a letter to where her comrades are. So they’re not going together? Because Yugiri settles the score with Itou. In the end, she emerges victorious and kills him. Not sure if Itou held back and let him kill her. Next morning, Kiichi’s grandpa reads a letter left behind by Yugiri. By the time he reads this, she will be dead. She assures him of Kiichi’s whereabouts and is safe in the hands of her friends. It seems Yugiri will be bearing the brunt and responsibility of the rebellion and will be beheaded by the police. Then this incident will be brushed off like nothing happened. If Kiichi asks about her, just say she left Saga safely. She hopes he can help guide Kiichi to create a new Saga Kiichi wants. Short notes in the end indicate that via appeal from supporters, Saga became a new prefecture and independence from Nagasaki and soon, unilateral military style executions outlawed. Back in present time, looks like the bartender is Kiichi’s grandpa. Yugiri notes Kiichi’s actions have borne fruit and this time it is her turn to act. Luckily she has comrades who share the same goal.
Episode 10
We go back in time about a year ago to see the rise and fall of Franchouchou. After their success at Arpino, the zombie girls were really getting success to their head so Koutarou told them about the EFS concert that they’ll be doing. Of course this was where Ai died and although the girls have their doubts and felt it was impossible to do given the time, capacity and all, Koutarou argues that they are all better now. Or are they not? With Koutarou’s smooth talking optimism, I guess they have to do it. I mean, what choice do they have? So as they continue to practice, those doubts still linger on but they keep up the positivism that they’ll do their best. Of course as we have known, come the day of the show, it was an epic disaster. I don’t think Franchouchou perform badly but why isn’t the miniscule crowd cheering? They’re like gloom and doom all the way during their performance! We also know in the aftermath how Koutarou became drunk and told them the debt they raked up. He went missing and this sent Franchouchou into despair and on the verge of giving up. Not until they see Tae taking stuffs from Koutarou’s room on her own. This has them realize they were wrong. They gave up without even trying. They always relied on Koutarou and took his words for granted. They assumed he had a plan to turn things over for EFS as long as they did their best. Hence they decide to do something for themselves. They start by doing part time jobs to pay back the debt.
Back in present time, Koutarou admits his failure on his part for EFS. That is why he has prepared a revenge concert for them exactly a year later to perform. Because Franchouchou has been doing fantastic jobs over the year, they have improved a lot. They will turn this failure into a success story! Another round of smooth talking, but can we trust him again? What choice do they have? Hey, at least he sounds convincing this time. Ookoba confronts Koutarou and he shows him his investigation proof and photos that Franchouchou members (except Yugiri) that they are dead idols. He plans to release an article on this to stop Koutarou from profiteering from these dead girls. However Koutarou is not cowed. He tells him about Franchouchou’s revenge concert and doesn’t care what he writes because there is no stopping Franchouchou. Ookoba is of course not amused because he thinks Koutarou is trying to re-enact this tragedy for entertainment purposes. He will not let this revenge show happen. We see Koutarou talking to the bartender as he vows not to make the same mistake and make EFS a huge success. It is hinted the bartender is an immortal and is fighting a curse plaguing the land for thousands of years. What’s this he can resurrect the dead too? Koutarou plans to stop his prophecy, something about Saga will start to vanish from people’s memories. That is why he is creating something that people will never forget here in Saga. Disaster strikes now as not only there is a heavy storm but all the electricity in the vicinity is cut off. Yeah, and Ookoba was just about to release his hot article…
Episode 11
Sakura feels weird when she wakes up. Oh damn! The entire house is washed away! Apparently several parts are seeing severe flooding. They are washed up ashore but not very far from their original place. Luckily they get out in time before the whole house crumbles. Oh damn, everything inside gone. Even if they were inside, I bet the collapse wouldn’t kill them. Machiko, an old lady whom Ai worked with during the part time job recognizes her. She brings them to the shopping mall where all evacuees are sheltered. To avoid their zombie identity leaked, they have to keep a leash on Tae as well as help around. This includes putting up their makeshift idol performance. Ookoba goes to visit the site and is surprised to see Franchouchou there. He goes to spy on them. Meanwhile Koutarou and the bartender are stuck in that bar that is flooded. If not for that passing policeman, they would’ve drowned. As the injured bartender is wheeled into the ambulance, Koutarou rushes home but his house is no longer there. How convenient for the TV news to show clips of the disaster and this dude recognizes the debris of his house washed ashore?! Time to head there. Meanwhile disaster strikes Franchouchou as their makeup wears out. Ordinary ones won’t do so they make a mask. At this point Ookoba has seen their true faces but decides to keep quiet and spy more. When Franchouchou takes to the stage, their masks disintegrate! Oh sh*t! What now?! When Saki admits they are zombies, the kids don’t believe! They know they are Franchouchou! Ai then changes the story that they were just putting up zombie makeup before continuing their performance much to the kids’ delight. Ookoba realizes these girls are risking everything and are trying their best to convey their feelings. He is shocked when Koutarou is here too seek his help. Koutarou reunites with Franchouchou and applies his special makeup on them. One last rally to tell them the revenge concert is still on and he believes they can do it and bring smiles to the people. Although they won’t be having any time to practice and will have to perform right as they go on, Franchouchou is confident they can. Later, Sakura personally thanks Koutarou for making her an idol. Her smile brings back memories of something tormenting from his youthful days. Of course he covers it all up by being the brash pushy producer he is. He is going to be the man who has it all. He also tells her that her dream won’t end with EFS and that Franchouchou will become eternal idols loved around the world. Until that happens, he is going to have it, eternally.
Episode 12
Koutarou barges into the governor’s meeting to beg for power to be supplied for the EFS concert because Franchouchou is going to perform to save Saga. Because what Saga needs now is reassurance for the heart of every single resident. We see Franchouchou awaiting that date as they realize they have been so focused on it, they don’t know what day it is! Sakura thinks it is Friday and this has Saki realize they missed their radio show. But they rush down there and are told it is Sunday. Oops… Luckily the programme now is free so the radio can put up with them as surprise guests. Saki starts her talk which basically is about giving hope to all of Saga and what it means to be performing as Franchouchou. What a coincidence all our familiar characters are tuning into the radio right now. On the day of the revenge concert, Franchouchou make their way to the stadium. Empty as f*ck. Did they get the date wrong? Don’t lose hope. Because everybody starts streaming in! Oh yeah. All your familiar characters. Do you still remember them? Uhm, the staffs are still preparing and fixing the stadium, can they be allowed in to fill the stadium? I guess it is to show that this EFS, the capacity is fully booked! Heck, not even just the Saga people but all over Japan and international countries are helping out! Damn, the power of social media! I think Ookoba had some credit in making this happen. This is what you call an epic saga? We see Koutarou thank the governor but he is just doing what is most efficient. And so it begins. Over 10 minutes of Franchouchou performing for us! Then some weird shouting led by Tae before their next song. During the break, before Koutarou could yell at them for getting complacent, the girls believe this is just a small step as they believe they can reach greater heights. Suddenly Koutarou starts grovelling and crying?! OMFG. WTF?! He admits he is crying! So do we like this Koutarou better or the bully one? When Franchouchou returns to stage to perform, this is all just an act as Koutarou covers up the blood he coughed out. And so it was the greatest Franchouchou concert ever as Saga undergoes restoration. But what’s this curious final scene? A huge UFO hovers through and shoots down a devastating beam???!!! WTF???!! DID A WRONG FOOTAGE GOT EDITED HERE???!!!
The Return Of The Living Dead Idols
Revenge has been served. At least unlike the last season, there were no untoward incidents to interrupt their performance. Yeah, remember lightning struck in the midst of their performance the last time? So thankfully, this time around, it is all plain and smooth sailing from start to finish. Though, still wondering how Franchouchou is going to save Saga by just performing. Maybe it’s just that. Did you not notice the happy and satisfied people watching their concert? Maybe that is all it takes. When the people’s hearts are happy, this becomes a natural barrier to ward off future disasters. Speaking of which, looks like it got even more complicated when they tease us with that UFO footage! OMFG. Hey UFO, I think you got the wrong location. Shouldn’t you target America like always in Hollywood movies? HAHAHA!!! Oh… Not funny now that I’m having sleepless nights thinking WTF this UFO might be a foreshadowing of something even more ominous. Imagine now Franchouchou have to perform to aliens! FREAKING ALIENS!!! So this gonna be sci-fi and turn into something like AKB0048???!!!
This season doesn’t feel like it broke any new grounds. Most probably it is trying to give Franchouchou some focus and see them make a comeback. After all from what we have seen, the only way for such idols to rise back up stronger is not to rest on their laurels but to drop back down into the dark abyss and then spring back up stronger and better than before. Hence you might see why the earlier episodes felt a bit like standalone fillers as they focus an episode on a Franchouchou member. But it’s all to show us the great power of Franchouchou’s bond, right? Physically dead but very much alive in their hearts and spirits, no?! Once again, the irony that these undead girls are bringing and giving life back to the living. Don’t we all just feel so much alive seeing these zombie chicks perform? Yeah, better than staring at your Smartphone and PC all day!!!
As we have covered the backgrounds of many of the Franchouchou members, this season sees Yugiri’s past. It was tragic but satisfying to see her origins and possibly her connections with Koutarou. This means that the only one left is Tae. I thought they would also cover her this season. Unfortunately, she remains a big mystery and hence my conspiracy theories about her being the secret weapon of the idol group remains. This season she feels a lot side-lined. Like as though they don’t want you to think too much about her before dropping the bombshell and surprise the hell out of us. Didn’t happen. Because aside Yugiri’s flashback, the other Franchouchou members also have their episode in focus like Saki’s radio station to Ai battling her former idol group and Lily not facing off with a child prodigy but also succeeded in turning him over a new leaf. So with almost everyone covered, Tae when? Unless you tell me that she is just that dumb zombie who survives by her guts and instincts. Nothing more. And every conspiracy theory and speculation I had about her was just trolling and overthinking. Yeah. Maybe that.
Having seen Yugiri’s flashback, this makes me wonder if Koutarou and Kiichi are the same person. At this point, I won’t be surprised if they are. Considering the bartender is somewhat immortal, could it be that Koutarou himself too is one? I mean, there are gaps in between after Yugiri’s arc ended, right? All Kiichi did was just change with the times and it might be easy to just brush off all of Koutarou’s crazy zeal and fervour to save Saga as coincidence. Reincarnation? Maybe. But my guts tell me they are the same person. All that flamboyant outbursts are just to hide his true character. Am I right? Because nobody else is this crazy and passionate to want to save Saga. Just Saga. Not the whole of Japan even. Strange. A disaster that only befalls on Saga and not the rest of Japan? And undead idols are the only hope to save it? You mean live human idols who are breathing aren’t going to cut it? Unless this is supernatural (zombies) vs the supernatural (disaster) kind of level… I know, stupid pun…
Another character to ponder is Romero. Sure this series’ pet mascot hasn’t been doing much this season but in Yugiri’s flashback, you see this doggie already in zombie mode. This shows that Romero has been dead for a much longer time. Damn, Yugiri’s flashback really revealed a lot of things, including a lot of speculation from my end. So Romero could be the deity watching over Saga or Kiichi’s family especially his grandpa has been dabbling in some secret experiment on immortality. It would be interesting to know all these burning questions and put all the pieces of the puzzle together so that I could stop thinking and put a rest to these conspiracy theories! SOMEBODY GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS ALREADY!!!
I thought this season forgot about that journalist. Yeah, he only started to make his move about halfway! And so I thought he would be the antagonist for the next half this season, somebody who had something tragic in his life and he is just covering this scandal as some sort of revenge or redemption. Well, turns out it was me again who is overthinking. Sheesh. I gotta stop really jumping to conclusions for this series. While his article might at first look like a threat to Franchouchou’s real identity, eventually that became nothing burger because after seeing Franchouchou’s earnest feelings in their performances, the idols are doing something to help the people, right? I mean, it is at nobody’s expense, right? Even if he does release that article, I believe many will not believe him. Because these fervent fans of Franchouchou definitely stand behind their favourite idol groups. Heck, many don’t even recognize these dead idols in the first place and would perhaps brush them off as coincidence. Franchouchou having all dead idols in their team? Yup. Coincidence. Sounds legit. Yeah, those death metal hardcore fans still coming to Franchouchou in their death metal makeup. Totally out of place but whatever. Their love from Franchouchou is still real!
I didn’t think it would happen but I at one point I really believed that Maimai would become the newest member of Franchouchou. I thought this was the much needed twist and a new girl breathing fresh life into the group. Oh, the irony! But of course, they can’t commit Kana Hanazawa to such a group so I guess Maimai’s short stint with Franchouchou ends there. And that policeman dude, still remember him? Yeah, still having some unfortunate meetings with zombie girls. I’m surprised he hasn’t died from all the nightly creepy rendezvous with the undead. Damn, this guy must have a very strong heart! Such dedicated police officer too. Just to reiterate the last time I said in my blog, if I was in his shoes, I would have quit the first time I encountered a ghastly zombie!!! No siree, this midnight patrol job is not for me!
Don’t forget the shameless advertising and promotion of Saga as the mid-intermission eye-catches continues from last season’s tradition as we see Franchouchou engaging in what I believe to be Saga sightseeing locations as well as local activities and food. Unlike the first season where Franchouchou were literally unknowns, this time they have taken on jobs at higher levels. So you don’t see them do weird commercials anymore. Yeah, I wonder how that Drive-in Tori chicken shop is doing, huh?
As said, Kana Hanazawa helmed the voice of Maimai in this season. I also noticed Yui Horie and Yukari Tamura making cameos as her classmate friends. Wow. Imagine if those really famous seiyuus actually teamed up and formed another idol group here, it would have been so epic. I think Saga and the whole of Japan would be saved. Somehow. Some of the other casts making their cameo this season include Hakuryuu as Ryu (Tonegawa in Kaiji), Sora Tokui as Shiori (Nero in Tantei Opera Milky Holmes), Minami Takayama as Light (titular character in Detective Conan) and Kouki Uchiyama as Itou (Ichika in Infinite Stratos). This season’s opening, Taiga Yo Tomo Ni Naite Kure by Franchouchou (but of course) may not sound as epic as last season but it still maintains all that dramatic and frenzy pace. Still, it feels like a song for a heroic show. Yume Wo Te Ni Modoreru Basho Mo Nai Hibi Wo might not be a slow lovely ballad like last season and resembles more of a slow rock. But my favourite song this season goes to Lily’s scatting song, Little Bodda Bope. It was really creative, refreshing and cute. I’d hear that again anytime!
Overall, this season is still as good as the first one since it is a direct continuation. If you love the first season, you’ll love the second. Although personally, I wasn’t as excited and hyped when I watched the first one. Most probably because for the first season, I looked down on this series but then it blew my mind away and I was taken by surprise. Ever since I have come to love this zombie flick, perhaps the excitement isn’t as much as I had then since I already have favourable views on this series. The other negative point is the myriad of dumb conspiracy theories I cooked up and got no concrete answers. It somewhat hindered me enjoying the series as I started thinking too much about nothing! Yeah. Me trying to thinking! But that’s just the fault on my part and nothing to do with the show. As much as I love this series, it is still far from being a great anime (SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN!!! ROOOOOAR!!!). Hey, this series was not meant to save anime in the first place. Just Saga and only Saga. And Saga’s saga is not yet over by a long shot. Will we get another season? Stay tuned as the saga continues… And perhaps with aliens next time! Of f*ck! Aliens vs zombies?! The musical?! Bring it on!
Chua Tek Ming~*Anime Power*~ !LiVe FoR AnImE, aNiMe FoR LiFe! 