Skip to content
MovieCove
Sankarea

Sankarea

2012Miniseries1 season15 episodes~24 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

Zombie-obsessed Furuya is making a potion to reanimate his dead cat when he meets Rea. She’s about as miserable as a girl can get, thanks to her creepy, domineering father. When the pain becomes too much, she tries to commit suicide with a sip of Furuya’s weird elixir. The potion doesn’t kill her – but it does turn her into a zombie after she falls from a cliff. Now that Rea’s undead and ready to finally live, she hides out with Furuya, who’s always dreamed of having a zombie girlfriend. Their one-of-a-kind relationship comes with some challenges, like the fact that Rea is decomposing. Even worse, her freak-show dad is dangerously determined to get her back under his control. As Furuya fights to keep his ghoulfriend safe, Rea finds the secret to resurrecting her happiness: Live like you’re dying – even if you’re already dead.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Sankarea?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Sankarea streaming on Crunchyroll via Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Highlights

What stands out about Sankarea?

Sankarea earns 2 badges, led by Before they were famous and Bittersweet.

  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is Sankarea worth watching?

Sankarea's Midcredits score is the 47th percentile of all shows, from 2.1K ratings across 2 sources. 65% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

47th percentile

Better received than 47% of shows

55th percentile among Animation45th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)55th
Approval (how many liked it)40th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

72 /100

55th percentile of all shows

61st percentile among Animation53rd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

65% liked it

40th percentile of all shows

49th percentile among Animation38th percentile among 2010s
65% rated it 7–1035% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

69th percentile

1.9K ratings across platforms

63rd percentile among Animation72nd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 5% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A zombie romantic comedy with an original premise that is more lighthearted than expected, featuring fanservice and an unresolved ending.

Fans praised

  • distinctive zombie-romance premise
  • emotional connection to characters and story
  • appealing main duo Chihiro and Rea

Detractors panned

  • uncomfortable fanservice, especially involving the cousin
  • lighthearted tone inappropriate for dark subject matter like child abuse
  • unresolved ending with no second season

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive75

fresh zombie-romance concept but becomes formulaic

CharactersDivisive70

Chihiro and Rea are engaging, but cousin romance is divisive

Emotional impactDivisive70

heart-warming and moving for fans, flat for detractors

Plot and storyDivisive65

interesting premise but execution cliché for some

AtmosphereDivisive60

lighthearted tone contrasted with dark backstory

HumorDivisive55

some good laughs but fanservice humor divisive

Pacing50

dragging scenes and slow moments

EndingDivisive35

hints at continuation but no second season, disappointing

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2012 · 12 episodes · 6.1 average across 1 rated episode

  • S1E1

    Once I… Become a… Zombie

    Apr 6, 201224 min
  • S1E2

    It Was… Successful

    Apr 13, 201224 min
  • S1E3

    Sanka… Rea

    Apr 20, 201224 min
  • S1E4

    A Normal… Girl

    Apr 27, 201224 minTMDB rating 6.1
  • S1E5

    If She’s a Zombie… That Means…

    May 4, 201224 min
  • S1E6

    It’s Because I… Ran Into You

    May 11, 201224 min

Watch experience

What is Sankarea like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and charged — a slow-burn watch that leaves you bittersweet.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
MelancholicRomanticDread
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe show plays its zombie premise straight while maintaining a playful and affectionate register toward its characters.
The rideThe series maintains a consistently melancholic and romantic atmosphere as it explores death and rebirth, with underlying tension from supernatural elements.
StructureThe series unfolds linearly, following Chihiro's experiments and Rea's transformation into a zombie.
Episode formatThe entire series tells one continuous story about Chihiro's resurrection quest and Rea's fate, each episode a chapter in that arc.
Season formatThe series is a single season telling one complete story that concluded in 2012.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
BittersweetHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves a bittersweet aftertaste—heartwarming in its love story but tinged with melancholy from the unresolved ending.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7% (this title): Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% (this title) · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Liberation: Breaking free of a confining life (Room).

7% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe story centers on Rea's transformation into a zombie as a form of liberation from her oppressive home life, with Chihiro's help enabling her rebirth.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% (this title) · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

PurposeMortality · 2% of showsFamily bonds
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe series centers on a young man's fixation on resurrection and a woman's desire to be reborn, both searching for meaning in life and death.
StanceThe series questions what it means to find purpose through death and resurrection, keeping the stakes personal to the two protagonists.

The world

ContemporaryDomesticUrbanMagical realism
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score
SettingA small Japanese town where an ancient resurrection text leads to supernatural occurrences.

Content guide

Is Sankarea okay for kids?

TV-MA

Sankarea is rated TV-MA. As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (74/100), sexual content at intense (62/100), language at mild (20/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (8/100) and frightening material at intense (79/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14+
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland15
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 66%
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense
too few votes to rank (8 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (40 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Sankarea have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Sankarea?

Cast

Aaron Dismuke
as Chihiro Furuya
Tia Lynn Ballard
as Rea Sanka
Ryohei Kimura
as Chihiro Furuya
Rising: A short career with a standing when this show came out above the median working actor today.
Jamie Marchi
as Ranko Saoji
Felecia Angelle
as Mero Furuya
Maaya Uchida
as Rea Sanka
newcomer then · star now
Misato Fukuen
as Baabu
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Shirô Saitô
as Jogaro Furuya
Sayuri Yahagi
as Ranko Saoji
Monica Rial
as Babu

More like this

What are shows like Sankarea?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Sankarea include Hayate, the Combat Butler (2007), Is this a Zombie? (2011) and Corpse Princess: Aka (2008).

Like this, but

Explore by

What other shows share a tag with Sankarea?

179 other shows share the rarest tag below, relationship: caretaker and dependent. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.