Is This a Zombie?

The short answer to the titular question is “maybe,” and the creature referenced is high schooler Ayuma, who while home alone (as his parents travel) tries to befriend a strange, silent girl in armor and then is suddenly slain by a mystery killer. It turns out that the armored female is actually the Queen of Hades, Eucliwood Hellscythe, and she's emotionally moved to resurrect Ayuma. Although not a George Romero–type flesh-eating ghoul (he regenerates from any injury and has enhanced-strength superpowers), Ayuma still considers himself a walking corpse and is shamed by his debased after-lifestyle, which soon attracts other supernatural young women to dwell with Eucliwood under Ayuma's roof. This harem includes a big-breasted ninja vampire and a student witch—armed with a chainsaw—who accidentally transfers her powers to Ayuma, making him, to his embarrassment, a transvestite zombie. All of this leads to Ayuma invoking spells to fight various marauding monsters. Ranging from mammary-gland-happy slapstick to breathtaking surrealism (at one point a string orchestra fights a flying fleet of whales), this manga-derived action-comedy anime is hardly a classic; but at least it encompasses a full story arc involving a main villain (Ayuma's murderer). Compiling all 13 episodes from 2011 on a dual-language set, rated TV-MA, extras include episode commentaries and textless songs. A strong optional purchase. (C. Cassady)