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
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Skyscraper sized Pokémon cards to appear in Tokyo all year long in Tocho projection mapping event
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Kura Sushi?【Japan Super Budget Dining】
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Skyscraper sized Pokémon cards to appear in Tokyo all year long in Tocho projection mapping event
What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Kura Sushi?【Japan Super Budget Dining】
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Host club royalty Roland demonstrates his night-time routine, claims it’s not dissimilar to yours
Japanese potato chip Rubik’s Cubes coming soon
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Playing Switch 2 games with just one hand is possible thanks to Japanese peripheral maker
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
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
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
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Host club royalty Roland demonstrates his night-time routine, claims it’s not dissimilar to yours
Japanese potato chip Rubik’s Cubes coming soon
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
10 vegetarian foods you can order at almost any Japanese restaurant
Larger than life Doraemon doll will delight fans, terrify pets and small children
Kyoto’s “ikezu” culture of backhanded compliments explained in hilarious souvenir sticker series
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Hey, 2020s kids! The ’90s have a sticker picture message waiting for you in Tokyo
Chinese classroom introduces roller coaster-style desks, hopes to protect kids’ eyesight
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
If you haven’t tried an antenna shop in Japan, you’re missing out