What Is the Highschool of the Dead Color Manga?
The Highschool of the Dead Full Color Edition (学園黙示録 HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD FULL COLOR EDITION) is a fully colorized reprint of the entire HOTD manga. It covers all 30 chapters across 7 volumes, published by Kadokawa Shoten (one of Japan’s major manga publishing houses) from February 2011 to March 2013.
The story is written by Daisuke Satō with art by Shōji Satō — the same creative team behind the original. This isn’t a remake or a retelling. It’s the exact same manga, just with every page printed in full color instead of the standard black-and-white.
The color version was originally published chapter-by-chapter (serialized) in Monthly Dragon Age, a manga magazine in Japan, from February 2011 to February 2013. This overlapped with the original manga’s continued publication.
Here’s the most important thing to know right away: the color edition exists only in Japanese as individual volumes. English-language color editions were published in a collected format (called omnibus editions — more on those below), but they are now out of print.
Full Color Edition vs. Standard Manga — What’s Different?
The content is identical. Same 30 chapters. Same page layouts. Same dialogue. Same story beats. Nothing was added, removed, or rewritten.
The only difference is the coloring applied to every panel.
That said, the color makes a real difference to the reading experience. Shōji Satō’s art is already incredibly detailed in black-and-white — his action sequences, character designs, and (let’s be honest) the sexually suggestive scenes the series is known for are drawn with a level of polish that stands out. Adding color gives the artwork significantly more depth and impact.
The horror and action scenes especially benefit. Blood looks like blood. Explosions have heat. The zombie hordes feel more visceral and chaotic when you can see the full range of skin tones, gore, and environmental detail that color brings.
Physical Format Comparison
| Feature | Standard B&W (Black-and-White) Edition | Full Color Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Chapters | 30 (same) | 30 (same) |
| Volumes | 7 | 7 |
| Pages per volume | ~192 | ~192 |
| Book dimensions | ~5 x 7.5 inches | ~5 x 7.5 inches |
| Paper type | Standard manga paper | Thinner, glossy pages |
| Language available | Japanese and English | Japanese (individual volumes), English (omnibus — out of print) |
One thing worth noting about the physical books: the color volumes use glossy paper to properly display the coloring. Some readers have reported that pages can stick together slightly, especially in humid conditions. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing if you’re a collector who cares about book condition.
If you’ve never read a manga in physical form before, note that Japanese manga is read from right to left — you open the book from what would feel like the “back” cover in a Western book and read panels from right to left across each page.
Complete Volume List and Release Dates
Here’s every volume of the Full Color Edition with its Japanese release date:
| Volume | Chapters | Release Date | ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | Ch. 1–4 | November 9, 2011 | 978-4-04-712627-7 | ||
| Vol. 2 | Ch. 5–8 | January 9, 2012 | 978-4-04-712628-4 | ||
| Vol. 3 | Ch. 9–12 | March 9, 2012 | 978-4-04-712629-1 | ||
| Vol. 4 | Ch. 13–17 | July 9, 2012 | 978-4-04-712630-7 | ||
| Vol. 5 | Ch. 18–21 | September 10, 2012 | 978-4-04-712631-4 | ||
| Vol. 6 | Ch. 22–26 | December 10, 2012 | 978-4-04-712632-1 | ||
| Vol. 7 | Ch. 27–29 | February 9, 2013 | 978-4-04-712633-8 | (Ch. 30 was a standalone magazine chapter not collected in tankōbon) |
The ISBN numbers in the table are useful if you’re ordering from a bookstore or import retailer — they let you identify the exact edition you want.
The chapter breakdown mirrors the original collected volumes, so if you’re already familiar with the standard release, the structure will feel the same.
The complete set totals roughly 1,344 pages of full-color zombie apocalypse manga.
Is There an English Version of the Color Edition?
The short answer: yes, but it’s out of print and hard to find.
Yen Press (the US publisher that handles HOTD in English) released Color Omnibus editions — larger books that collect multiple volumes’ worth of the color manga with translated English text. Two omnibus volumes were published:
- Highschool of the Dead Color Omnibus Vol. 1 — collects earlier color chapters in English
- Highschool of the Dead Color Omnibus Vol. 2 — continues the collection
These have been out of print for some time. They do occasionally appear on secondhand markets and through third-party sellers on Amazon or eBay, but availability is inconsistent and prices can be higher than the original retail.
If you just want to read the story in English, the standard black-and-white manga is your most practical option. Yen Press published all 7 volumes between January 2011 and July 2012, and these are still more widely available through online retailers and used bookstores.
With author Daisuke Satō’s passing on March 22, 2017 — a loss that hit the fanbase hard given the series was left permanently unfinished — it’s unlikely we’ll see any new English editions of the color manga. What exists now is probably all there will ever be.
A Practical Approach for English Readers
If you want both the story and the color art, here’s a reasonable approach:
- Grab the English black-and-white volumes (or the Color Omnibus editions if you can find them at a reasonable price) to actually read the story
- Pick up the Japanese color volumes as a visual showcase and collector’s item — since you’ll already know the story, you can follow along and appreciate the artwork without needing to read Japanese
This approach only makes sense if you’re a fan who wants the color art as an additional experience. If you just want to read HOTD in English, the standard black-and-white volumes are all you need.
Highschool of the Dead Color Omnibus Vol.2
Highschool of the Dead Color Omnibus Vol.1
Highschool of the Dead Vol.1
Where to Buy the Full Color Manga
Japanese Full Color Volumes (Individual)
The individual Japanese volumes are available through several retailers:
- Amazon US — Individual volumes are typically available as imports, often around $9–$10 each
- Amazon Japan — Usually has the most reliable stock for Japanese editions
- CDJapan — An import retailer that ships Japanese manga and other products from Japan to other countries
- eBay — Good for finding secondhand copies or picking up specific volumes you’re missing
A complete set of all 7 Japanese color volumes purchased individually tends to run around $68–$70 total at standard import prices. There are also complete Vol. 1–7 set listings that appear on Amazon, but these are typically priced higher — around $114 — so buying volumes individually is usually the better deal.
English Color Omnibus Editions
The Yen Press Color Omnibus volumes are out of print, so your best options are:
- Amazon (new or used marketplace sellers)
- eBay
- Local used bookstores or manga trading communities
Prices vary depending on availability. Since these are out of print, expect to pay more than original retail.
English Black-and-White Volumes
For the standard English manga, the first volume is still widely available and a great starting point. The whole series is only 7 volumes, so it’s a very manageable complete collection to build.
What Buyers Are Saying
The color edition is well received among buyers. On Amazon US, Volume 1 of the Japanese color edition holds a 4.7 out of 5 star rating across 84 ratings. Reviewers consistently praise the color quality and print work, even those who can’t read Japanese. Multiple reviewers specifically note that the Japanese color volumes are worth owning purely for the visual experience, which says a lot about the quality of the coloring work.
Is the Color Edition Worth Buying?
This depends entirely on where you’re coming from as a reader.
It’s a good pick if you:
- Already love HOTD and want to experience it in a new way
- Collect manga art books (books that showcase manga artwork, as opposed to the story-focused volumes) or special editions
- Appreciate Shōji Satō’s art and want to see it at its most vibrant
- Don’t mind buying Japanese-language books for the art, especially if you already own the English black-and-white volumes for the text
It might not be for you if:
- You haven’t read HOTD yet — start with the English black-and-white volumes first
- You only want English text and can’t find the Color Omnibus editions
- Budget is tight — the standard English manga gives you the same story for less money
The color genuinely elevates the artwork. HOTD’s action-horror scenes — the chaotic zombie fights, the dramatic character moments, the detailed backgrounds of a collapsing civilization — all hit differently in full color. The horror feels more visceral, and the quieter character moments feel more cinematic.
If you decide to go for the Japanese color set, buy volumes individually rather than opting for complete set listings. At roughly $9–$10 per volume, a full set of 7 comes to about $68 — significantly cheaper than the ~$114 bundled set listings. You’re getting the exact same books either way.
Series Background — Highschool of the Dead Manga Overview
For anyone new to the series or needing a refresher:
Highschool of the Dead is a zombie apocalypse manga written by Daisuke Satō and illustrated by Shōji Satō. It follows a group of high school students and a school nurse fighting to survive as the world rapidly falls apart around them.
Key Details
- Volumes: 7 (both standard and color editions)
- Chapters: 30
- Genre: Action, horror, ecchi (a manga term for sexually suggestive content — think frequent revealing scenes and provocative framing, though not explicit)
- Target audience: Shōnen (manga aimed primarily at teenage boys)
- Status: Unfinished — the series was left incomplete after Daisuke Satō’s death on March 22, 2017
- Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten (Japanese), Yen Press (English)
Anime Coverage
The anime adaptation (12 episodes produced by studio Madhouse, a well-known Japanese animation studio, aired in 2010) covers roughly Volumes 1–4 of the manga (Chapters 1–16). If you’ve only watched the anime, the manga continues for three more volumes beyond where the show ends, covering Chapters 17–30.
The manga doesn’t reach a proper conclusion due to the author’s passing, but it does move the story forward significantly beyond the anime’s endpoint. For fans who have only seen the anime, there’s genuinely new story to discover in those later volumes.
The Series’ Legacy
Even unfinished, HOTD remains one of the most recognizable zombie manga ever made. The combination of high-octane action, detailed art, horror elements, and unabashed fanservice created something that stands on its own. The full color edition is, in many ways, the definitive visual version of this series — and for fans, that makes it something worth tracking down.