I told you guys, didn’t I? I told you right!!??!! Beatrix is the best. At least I think she’s the best. She is my favourite character and I have been waiting for her to show up ever since episode 1. Her arrival also marks a little bit of a tonal shift for the story, I look forward to seeing how the anime will handle that. But for now, let’s all welcome Beatrix.
I was not a huge fan of the work camp mini-arc. I know it was just a couple of episodes but I’m glad they’re over. And I’m glad we’re not going back to Akira’s work-related PTSD for a while. I’m just ready for new stuff, you know.
There was a time when the buddy road comedy was a popular genre. You saw it all the time. But it seems like it has almost disappeared lately. Maybe a couple of years couped up in our apartments made that type of movie feel a little too unrealistic or just a little mean. Not sure. In any case, it’s a very particular subgenre that I like a lot and I was thrilled to see it in ZOM 100.
Because that’s what this episode was when you think about it. Sure, there were still zombies roaming around and the two fight sequences we got were actually some of the best so far, but the bulk of the episode was just the gang riding around and doing fun stuff at all of their stops. I mean they almost made me want to book a trip to zombie-infested Japan. It was nice to see it without all the annoying tourists. I guess it wouldn’t be as nice right now… ;P
I know I keep saying that I love Beatrix, and I do, but it’s almost more about what she represents than the character herself. She’s a hopeless optimist and a dreamer. She’s the essence of wonder and admiration. She’s also one of the rare foreigners obsessed with Japanese culture stereotypes in anime that is portrayed generally positively. Beatrix is kind, generous, understanding, very efficient and reliable, and fun to be around. She is a definite plus to the team rather than some at best hapless, at worst creepy, foreigner annoying and misunderstanding everyone around them.
And I love her backstory,. This idea that she has dreamt of visiting Japan her entire life and has been working hard to save up for the trip for years now just to get there right as the outbreak hit and yet she’s still determined to make the most of it. Not only that but she succeeds. She manages to recognize and appreciate all the little things that enamored her to the culture even in these dire circumstances.
I absolutely loved that sushi restaurant scene. I always felt a little off about them leaving the chef behind but I also kind of get it. He dedicated his life to the art of sushi and now someone flew across the world specifically to taste his creation, got there despite civilization crumbling around them, and was moved to tears by the experience. I mean how much better can it get? If ZOM 100 is about seizing the day and doing something you can really enjoy before you get turned into a zombie, then that chef accomplished that. To me, that scene always reminded me of the movie big night. That’s a pretty big compliment as far as I’m concerned. And I was really happy to see it on screen.
This was my favourite episode in a while!
Beatrix comes from the Latin, via (road) and trix which makes a noun into a feminine term. Together it translates into roughly into “road woman” but is generally taken as “traveling lady.”
I’m wondering… could she possibly have a touch of autism? We haven’t seen deeply into her personality but Japanese culture is her special interest, an obsession really. She is very prone to information dumps. Autistic people are very prone to information dumping about their special interests.
It is good to have gender balance in nudity. I love how Ken gets to wander about naked and it’s… nothing. Even Gray Fullbuster doesn’t get that kind of freedom.
Being from Germany, Beatrix would be well aware of the nude coed spas and baths that are the rule there rather than an exception. Germany is the birthplace of the “Freikörperkultur” movement, where it is still quite popular today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freik%C3%B6rperkultur
Maybe we’re looking at a couple of future Adams and Eves. Just keep Ken and Trixie away from snakes and apples.
Beatrix basically has all the upsides of our protagonist without any of the downsides. I find she represents the seize-the-day attitude of the show much better, without any of the downsides. Yeah, I like her a lot.
Haven’t seen it yet. I agree with you about the work camp. It was a bummer arc for me.
Love your opening GIF! And yep — Beatrix is awesome.
Right!!!???
I love Beatrix too and have also been patiently waiting. Was worried we wouldn’t see her with all the delays but she’s here so it’s time to rejoice. Yeah!!!
She makes everything better