‘Train to Busan’ may be one of the most popular Korean films internationally. Belonging to the worn-out zombie apocalypse genre, the film became as much of a success as it did because it used the apocalypse as nothing but a premise. Instead of banking too much on the jumpscares, the movie used the apocalypse to create an emotionally charged film. And now, its animated prequel has started streaming on Prime Video.
Titled ‘Seoul Station’, the movie takes place in and around Seoul Station. The story revolves around three main characters: Suk-Gyu, a father who searches for his runaway daughter (Hye-sun), who he finds is alive and currently a prostitute. He finds her through her boyfriend, Ki-Woong, who tried to pimp her to him. Just as he is about to be reunited with her, a zombie epidemic breaks out in Seoul.
The movie starts with a homeless man walking around the Seoul Station area with a bloody wound on his neck until he reaches the station and lies down. Bitten by a zombie, it is this man who onsets all the events we see in the movie. If you are wondering if the prequel answers the questions raised while first watching ‘Train to Busan’ like how the zombie apocalypse started, then no, this anime does not. Instead, it tells us another story, something that takes place during the early stages of the apocalypse.
A brave movie that raises societal issues such as prostitution and homelessness, this anime is also successful in being much more than another addition to the genre. With an unexpected suspense towards its end and an engaging screenplay, the movie has a perfect 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews and an average rating of 7.0/10.
Mind you the movie is not your normal anime movie, however, if you give it a try, it is sure to grow on you. ‘Seoul Station’ is an adult film and is coupled with a tense mood consistent throughout most of the film. Thinking of trying something new? This may just happen to be just that!