Okay, let's talk about the end of All Of Us Are Dead! You know, that zombie apocalypse story that had us glued to our screens (or books, if you're old school like that). Remember the constant nail-biting and the utter despair mixed with moments of crazy, almost unbelievable hope? Good times (sort of!).
Wait, is there Manga?
Before diving into the end, let's clear something up. The show we all know and love is actually based on a webtoon called "Now at Our School" by Joo Dong-geun. So, when we say "manga ending," think more like "original source material ending."
Think of it like this: the show is the awesome pizza you ordered, but the webtoon is the original recipe. The crust might be a little different, the toppings tweaked, but it’s still fundamentally the same delicious zombie feast!
So, How Did *That* End?
Alright, buckle up! The ending in the webtoon is... well, it’s definitely an ending. Did it leave everyone satisfied? That’s a whole other debate we could have over a pizza (again!).
The survivors, including our faves like Nam-ra and On-jo, make it out of the school. They’re traumatized, obviously, because who wouldn't be after fighting hordes of the undead and losing basically everyone they know?
But here's the kicker: The story jumps forward in time. We see them trying to rebuild their lives in a world permanently scarred by the zombie outbreak. Think The Walking Dead, but with more school uniforms and less of Negan's delightful personality (okay, maybe "delightful" is a strong word).
The Big Differences (Show vs. Webtoon)
One of the biggest differences that people talk about is the fate of certain characters. Without giving away major spoilers for those who haven't experienced both versions, let's just say that some characters who survive in one version... don't in the other.
It's like choosing between two flavors of ice cream. You might prefer the sweetness of vanilla (the show's ending, for some), or the bittersweet tang of chocolate (the webtoon's). Neither is necessarily "better," just different!
The Ambiguity Factor
The webtoon ending leaves a lot more open to interpretation. What happens to the half-zombies (like our beloved Nam-ra)? What does the future hold for humanity? Is there really any hope for a return to normalcy?
It's kind of like ending a movie right before the hero delivers the final blow to the villain. You're left wondering if they actually succeed, or if a sequel is inevitable. It's frustrating, but also keeps you thinking about the story long after you've finished reading.
Was It Satisfying?
That's the million-dollar question! Some readers found the ending too abrupt and ambiguous. They wanted more closure, more answers, and maybe a bit more sunshine and rainbows (because, let's face it, the whole story is pretty bleak).
Others appreciated the realistic and slightly melancholic tone. They argued that a neat and tidy ending wouldn't have been true to the story's overall themes of loss, survival, and the complexities of human nature.
Ultimately, whether or not you enjoyed the All Of Us Are Dead webtoon ending is a matter of personal preference. But one thing's for sure: it definitely gave us a lot to talk about!
So grab some friends, rewatch the show (or reread the webtoon!), and debate the ending until you're all hoarse. Just try not to turn into zombies in the process! And while you're at it, try out Joo Dong-geun's other works!
The ending is what you make of it!
