High School of the Dead: Drifters of the Dead

When a sudden zombie outbreak pushes a group of high schoolers and their school nurse away from the mainland, they end up on a deserted island and try to catch a break. The movie follows Rei, Saya, Saeko, Kouta and Shizuka as they swap constant survival drills for sun, surf and awkward moments in bathing suits, taking time to relax between scouting runs. Even amid laughter and brief respite, the threat remains, and small decisions about safety and trust come up again and again. They banter, but danger never leaves them. The tone mixes broad humor with visible horror stakes.

Released in 2011, the film was directed by Tetsuro Araki and adapts characters by Daisuke Satou, with writing by Yosuke Kuroda. It draws directly from the High School of the Dead manga, translating the anime's style to an animated outing.

Box office figures for this title aren't widely reported, and it had limited theatrical play while mostly circulating among anime fans through specialty screenings and home video, where it found an audience among existing series followers rather than mainstream cinemagoers.

The movie reinforced the franchise's reputation for fanservice and high-energy action, contributing to online discussions, fan art, and memes. Scenes set on the beach and the contrast between carefree moments and sudden danger are often referenced by fans of the series. Fans often cite the beach episode and voice work.

Critical response was mixed-to-positive, reflected in a 7.4/10 average from user votes, with praise aimed at dynamic animation and voice performances, especially the main cast as standouts. Viewers note recurring themes of survival, loyalty, and adolescent identity under extreme stress, wrapped in a tone that mixes horror, comedy and adventure.