According to the afterward, this second volume of Another World’s Zombie Apocalypse Is Not My Problem! only came to be because of the warm reception for the original novel. However, the author doesn’t give any indication if a third volume is in the works, dependent on the sales of this book, or if Mizuha’s adventures are definitely going to end here. I think my reactions to volume 2 would be different depending on if I knew which one it was, mainly because much emphasis is placed on a new character.
After choosing to stay in this other world, formerly Japanese schoolgirl Mizuha continues her days of purifying zombified people and creatures. She has gotten used to it, but now she’s introduced to beastman — short dwarf-like beings with catlike features — who are trickier than most other zombie types. After healing some, Mizuha immediately is drawn to the unusually tall one that appears to be a girl her age, and she sets out (and succeeds) in becoming friends with Nady.
Nady, as you probably have guessed, is the character I referred to earlier who takes the spotlight. Her physical height and sensitive nature has made her an outcast in her tribe, and so much of the story here is Nady trying to prove to everyone — including to herself — that she’s not worthless and pathetic.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with her storyline, even if it does play out as you would expect. And I am glad that all the key characters from the original make an appearance here, assisting in one way or another as Mizuha sets her sights on reducing the zombie population. (So yeah, the title is a bit of a misnomer now that our heroine is being proactive.) Nady, however, is perhaps tied a little too much to volume 2. Mizuha often is wrapped up in her being Nady’s new BFF (and also continuing to dote on Cia and crush on Lex), and the volume ends almost immediately after Nady’s personal triumph. She’s a fun character (and I know many people are catgirl fans!), but if this is the last time we see Mizuha, I wish we could have seen a little more about her. She picks up a bow to try it out, and I don’t know if it’s the kind of thing she’ll try to work on or if it was a one-time thing. Not to mention her relationship with Lex doesn’t seem to have progressed. Things like that I wanted more of.
Otherwise, the actual world conflict is that zombies can fly. And be dragon-sized. And be almost impervious to weapons. Yikes! So even with the kingdom’s army and allies growing by the day, a dragon zombie presents a whole new level of challenge for Mizuha and company. Fortunately, Nady’s tribe are expert archers, and their help is necessary. Plus, even some mob characters turn out to be useful allies. Nice to see soldiers who actually seem like soldiers instead of weaklings.
But Another World’s Zombie Apocalypse Is Not My Problem! volume 2’s best asset is that it’s a fun read. You know the simpler episodes/arcs in series like Naruto and Inuyasha, with a lot of character interaction, humor, and action without an overreaching feeling of doom and gloom? That’s the target the novel aims for and hits. Mizuha is still unenthused her spit is a miracle cure or that masochist soldiers cheer when they recall being smacked. Plus, Mizuha, Cia, and Nady hanging out together has that cute girls doing cute things appeal.
But most of all, this volume of Another World’s Zombie Apocalypse Is Not My Problem! is another fun, slap-happy zombie-fighting adventure. And that’s enough reason for everyone who enjoyed the first to pick up the sequel.