Japan is facing a potential crisis. While the rest of the world has been readying itself for the zombie apocalypse for years now thanks to the likes of author Max Brooks and his The Zombie Survival Guide, the inhabitants of the land of the rising sun have been given precious little to prepare them for life after society has been torn to shreds by the flesh-hungry living dead.
Thankfully, with World War Z–a movie loosely based on Brooks’ 2006 novel of the same name–finally hitting Japanese cinemas on August 10, the powers that be have decided it is time to arm the nation with the knowledge it’ll need to survive. Arriving in bookstores next month, a Japanese language version of The Zombie Survival Guide might just keep the country going until we can start rebuilding society.
Containing an alarming amount of information about the undead, how best to tackle them, and handy tips for life sans creature comforts, the book is written in an entirely deadpan (some might say paranoid, but they won’t be so smug when those strong arms start coming through the living-room windows!) narrative voice, making use of ‘historical’ data and recorded outbreak-related incidents to better equip humankind for the grim future.
Suffice it to say, the book is an absolute blast for any zombie and post-apocalyptic survival fans, and a startling number of the tips that can be found within its pages can actually be adapted to real-life, non-zombie-related survival situations.
Containing all of the original chapters, technical diagrams and instructions, Brooks’ book has been lovingly translated into Japanese and will go on sale from August 8, priced 1,890 yen (US$19). We just hope it’s not too late…
A movie adaptation of the The Zombie Survival Guide is due to arrive sometime in 2014, but in the meantime, here’s another look at this summer’s Brad Pit-runs-around-being-handsome-and-brave zombie flick World War Z.
Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to buy some two-by-fours and make some molotovs…
Source: My Game Newsflash (Japanese)
Title image via Amazon JP
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Is this Japan’s most extreme cherry blossom viewing? Leap, cycle and climb through 2,500 sakura
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Is this Japan’s most extreme cherry blossom viewing? Leap, cycle and climb through 2,500 sakura
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Japanese Prime Minister once criticized deploying military to fight Godzilla
Tomahawk Tonkatsu at Japanese restaurant becomes a hot topic online
Tokyo Ghoul creator, anime’s star celebrate Yuzuru Hanyu’s Olympic win
Godzilla hammer from Japan lets you smash nails like a kaiju
McDonald’s Japan is bringing back its Beef Stew Pies (and their lovely puns)!