When Japanese people want to get away but stay within their own country, one place tops their go-to list: Okinawa. The beaches, the food, the sound, and even its unique culture are what bring the folks from Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka to bask in its glory. Sure is a damn shame that the zombies had to go and ruin it for everyone. However, as the twentieth volume of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead shows, there’s always hope when it comes to turning things around.

Akira and the gang get an SOS call from Okinawa, with hoards of zombies close to taking over the last area filled with any unaffected. With the aid of two surprising friends, everyone plans to make the trip to the furthest part of Japan. Although this could be their last mission before the zombies get them, everyone’s can-do attitude pushes them to do the right thing. Plus, who would say no to skydiving down to one of Japan’s most beautiful areas?!

Yet again, Akira gets to cross off another thing off of his bucket list, as he and the others do some daredevil techniques. As usual, it’s fun seeing everyone have a ball whilst falling 20,000 feet in the air. However, when the boys get separated from the girls, readers are treated to a sight that I don’t think they’ve seen often in Zom 100: a ladies’ adventure arc! Shizuka, Beatrix, and Izuna get a glimpse of Okinawa, streets bare and filled with many stores.

Shizuka often shits on Akira’s constant excitement over new sights and opportunities. So it’s pretty laughable watching how the girls react basically the same way over shops, food, and other trinkets of Okinawan culture. Their eyes glow with joy, holding nothing back as they partake in the best things the island has to offer. (No ice cream, sadly.) But when they’re greeted with the sight of a literal army of zombies, the harsh reality sets in.

That’s when the ladies make a new friend, one who has quite good foresight. It’s not a magical power like a certain Sakamoto Days character has, but rather years of constant paranoia allowing her to sense any sort of zombie danger. Watching as the ladies go from place to place to seek safety, only for the zombies to keep on popping out of nowhere is both scary and hilarious. And when they figure out how to evade the zombies, they’re treated to a sight that many islanders don’t take advantage of experiencing.

Meanwhile, the boys are on their own adventure, dealing with a sanshin-playing man with little hope for the world. He’s the polar opposite of the new female character, both in his personality and outlook on life. The man has a positive outlook, but feels bleak about his situation. Meanwhile, the woman is often pessimistic, but is holding out hope for a reunion of her best friend. (And before you ask: yes, it’s just like that.)

There’s a lot to enjoy in the twentieth volume of Zom 100. Some nice sightseeing, a killer skydiving session, and new & familiar faces help to continue pushing this tale along an exciting and dream-fulfilling journey for everyone. Yes, it’d be better if the dreams didn’t involve swarms of the undead, but a solid threat is needed to push people to get out and grab life by the horns. Considering that Okinawan sanshins are made primarily from water buffalo horns, one can bet that something musical is sure to come out of grabbing it.

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.