Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Tokyo Zombie (2005) {Tôkyô zonbi} Directed by Satô Sakichi from the Manga by Hanakuma Yûsaku

"Shut up or I will hit you in your cancer!" Fujio

Fujio (Asano Tadanobu, Gohatto and Mongol) and Mitsuo (Aikawa Shô,) are a pair of slackers working at a toxic waste dump that has grown so large, it is called Black Fuji.  It is a popular place for people to bury bodies, so when they are berated for practicing Ju Jitsu by a superior, and accidentally kill him, they have a pretty good idea what to do with the body.  Fujio (recognizable by his afro, Mitsuo by his bald head) spots a perverted teacher from middle school burying the body of a school boy, without pants.  Fujio, recalling the spankings he received spanks the teacher back, using a shovel.  He gets his soon enough....

However, just after they complete the burial of Mr. Fujiomi, the dead, permeated by the toxic chemicals dumped on the site, and suffused with the spirits of the murdered, begin to rise.  The holocaust is unnoticed by the self absorbed idiots.  The same is not true for the rest of Tokyo. The dead are hungry!  And the spirit of urban indifference and minding one's own business does not help to curb their relentless onslaught.

However, when they are finally over run... (Zombie's killed count 2+) they get the heck out of Tokyo. They decide to head north...Mitsuo is the one, as usual, who chooses.

These two misfits are really barely able to survive in the real world, much less in a post apocalyptic world.  Mitsuo's idea for going north is to go to Russia, where there are a lot of tough guys for Fujio to practice his Ju Jitsu on, and get strong.  When they stop for food, Mitsuo distracts the zombies while Fujio goes in for food, toothbrushes and smokes.  But Fujio is distracted by a new flavor in his favorite chips, and ends up getting those, and a few Capiko drinks.  So they have to go back.  When they do, they pick up two things; an ungrateful female cash register thief, Yoko (Okuda Erika) and Mitsuo picks up a zombie bite.

Mitsuo throws himself off a bridge before he can change into a friend eating monster, leaving Fujio with a shrew.  They end up losing the car, and having to bail over the bridge within two minutes of Mitsuo's suicide.

Five Years later:

The rich and powerful have built an enclave.  There they live in comfort, served by the poor, who are no more than slaves.  For entertainment, the slaves battle zombies.  If one gets popular, they get a condo in the pyramid with the rich folks.

Fujio is a zombie battler; but he isn't very popular.  He just goes out, and Ju Jitsus the critter in as few moves as possible.  No showmanship, no flash.  If the MC did not have a crush on him, I doubt he would have made it this long.  Nor is his home life in the slum any better.  Yoko is still a shrew, and their daughter, Fumiyo (Matsuoka Hina) doesn't speak.  It is looking like his life will never get any better.  His only friend is the picture of Mitsuo.

Then a new battle against the most fearsome zombie ever captured promises to finally change his life, one way or another.  The zombie...Mitsuo!

This is a slapstick comedy, along the lines, but not in the league, of Shaun of the Dead.  Imagine if Laurel and Hardy had been born in Japan, and discovered by George Romero.  It is funny, with the same humor as bad wuxia movies (Wire Fu).

One thing that makes it much more accessible to Western audiences is the excellent dubbing.  You can play it in original Japanese with subtitles, but the dubbing is not the Godzilla effect, but is almost seamless.

Given the horrible topic, it is a very funny movie, and the humor translates well.  It is not Shaun of the Dead, but it's entertaining.

This review, like the walking dead, is Lean-N-Mean, weighing in at 666 words exactly.

The Dead Shall Walk the Earth!

Romero: Father of Zombies.
Night of the Living Dead
Diary of the Dead
Land of the Dead

Another kind of "Zombie" Movie:
28 Days Later
28 Weeks Later

England's first true Zombie Movie:
Shaun of the Dead


Assorted Flavors of Shamblers:

Return of the Living Dead
Edges of Darkness
Zombieland
Tokyo Zombie
Resident Evil: Degeneration
Resident Evil
Dead Space: Downfall

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older