Saeko Busujima

Saeko Busujima (毒島冴子, Busujima Saeko) is one of the main characters in Highschool of the Dead. She is a student at Fujimi High School and a member of the survivor group led by Takashi Komuro. In the group, Saeko is considered the most reliable of all fighters, and everyone can count on her combat skills to pull them through a tough spot if need be. Like Rei, Saeko is an athletic fighter and talented combat specialist who's forte is in melee battles and can be counted on amongst the many reasons why the protagonists have managed to survive as far as they have. At the beginning of the series, she used a wooden bokken (wooden sword) that she could use very well to fight "them", but she was later given a sword by Souichiro Takagi to fight "them" with. In the anime, Saeko is voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro.

About
Saeko is a third-year in high school and president of Fujimi High School's kendo club. She is extremely skilled with a sword and close combat. Not much is known about her family except that her father had traveled abroad on a self-defense conference before the advent of the Outbreak. It is also mentioned in the manga that the Busujima family has been protecting the throne for ages, therefore all Busujima members are skilled in combat.

Appearance
Saeko has long, straight and shiny black hair which is shown in the anime to have a blue or sometimes indigo colour to it along with a triangluar fringe at the front that barely touches the ridge of her nose, and she is also shown to have blue eyes. One of Saeko's physical features which is often shown in the manga are her lips, which have a shiny pink appearance. Over the course of the series, Saeko mostly wears her school uniform, however she has changed her attire more than once in the series. At Shizuka Marikawa's friend, Rika Minami 's house, she wears nothing but an apron and a thong. After leaving Rika's house, her clothing changes to female battle boots with heels, long lace purple stalkings, purple gloves, her school uniform top, a skirt that shows the string of her thong and her entire right thigh, and a special belt to hold her sword. Later at Saya Takagi's house, Saeko wears a kimono.

(Anime) *

While Saeko and Takashi are on the sandbar, she changes the school uniform top for a tank top because it got wet. Later, she changes back to the school uniform top after they reach the asylum of the shrine. After they arrive at Takagi's house, Saeko appears in a blue kimono with some yellow/purple graphics.

History
Four years prior to the story, Saeko was attacked by a man on her way home one night; however, she was able to easily overpower the man since she had her wooden sword with her. After severely injuring the man the police released her due to the circumstances, but after that night, Saeko found that she had a sadistic side to her and enjoyed killing. It is also implied that at some point in the past she had liked a boy. However, she was never able to tell him how she felt.

Personality
At the begining and throughout the series, Saeko is shown to be a kind, caring, strong and very reliable person, which is pointed out by other characters. Saeko often considers the feelings of other members of the group and often ensures their well being. Later on in the series, Saeko reveals her sadistic side while fighting "them", and she explains to Takashi that she was this way before the start of the story. Saeko's romantic history has been rather lightly touched upon. She only speaks of liking a boy in the past but has never been able to convey her feelings. Also, it is supposed that Saeko has developed intimate feelings toward Takashi, as she always blushes when he talks about her clothing, or, in the mall in the manga, she can be seen fighting over Takashi with Rei Miyamoto after she declares that she should "comfort" her friends as companions to the best of her ability.

Summary
Four years prior to the start of the story, a man had attempted to assault her. Armed with her bokken (wooden sword), she easily disposed of the would-be assailant, breaking several of his bones before the police came. This experience revealed her sadistic tendencies; she enjoyed holding the power to inflict pain on another human being. In addition to her reliance on killing the undead in order to survive, Saeko continually struggles with this part of herself, which causes momentary weaknesses in her otherwise strong demeanor. At the begining of the series Saeko escapes with the other main characters and Shido's group. After being separated from Takashi and Rei, Saeko and the others leave Shido's group to meet up with Takashi and Rei. The group later takes residence at Shizuka's friends appartment where they wait out the night. However Takashi decides to go save a young girl in a nearby house. While he is rescuing the girl, Saeko along with the rest of the group decides to pack all their things and supplies into Shizuka's friends Humvee. After finding out Takashi is surrounded by "them", they all go to save him. Saeko, armed with her bokken, tries to secure a safe area around the Humvee so Takashi can reach the Humvee safely. Once they had successfully retrieved Takashi, they decide to cross the river in the Humvee. On the way to the river, Saeko falls asleep and starts drooling on Takashi's crotch, only to be awakened by Rei. After they reached the other side, Saeko gets dressed along with the rest of the girls. Once they all get dressed, the group decides to drive to Saya's house. On the way, Saeko hears Rei saying that there are wires on the road and they must stop the car. Saeko also notices this too and tells Shizuka to put the Humvee sideways. After an immediate braking, the car stalls and Rei falls off the back of the Humvee, causing the group to get out of the car to help her. As they keep fighting only more of "them" appear.

(Manga) *
Seemingly doomed, Saya's mother and a group of people come to their rescue. Saeko and the group is saved. They stop at Takagi's parents house and gathers supplies as well as a good rest break. Here, Saeko and Rei have their first heightening of tensions as they fight over for Takashi.

Soon after, "they" start to attack on the vista. Mr. Takagi orders that they close the gates at once to the vista, but "they" are in too great of a number and bust down the gate. Hirano is soon shown using his gun skill against "them" and the adults are amazed. Souichiro and his men are shown throwing dynamite at "them", which could attract more of "them". Souichiro and Yuriko Takagi are last shown fending for themselves while the gang flees from the crowd of "them". Takashi and the gang flee on the ATV and Takagi's parents are glad that they have left and regret nothing. Takagi's parents are assumed dead.

The gang then tries to flee on the highway, only to be surrounded by "them". Takashi and Saeko devise a plan to meet up within a day while they distract "them". Afterwards, Saeko and Takashi drive off to the riverbank to get some rest. Later, Takashi decides to use the ATV's amphibious feature. In the resulting splash when they landed in the water, both Saeko and Takashi gets wet. When Takashi turns around to check if Saeko is alright, he is mesmerized by her see-through wet clothing. Saeko and Takashi are soon found on a sandbar in the middle of the river to distract "them", because "they" cannot cross the river. After Saeko changes shirts, Takashi drives the ATV to a nearby park where there is a fountain in the middle. The ATV then continues to go around in a circle in the fountain attracting "them" to it. When it comes to fighting though, Saeko is shown that she does not have the will at the moment to kill two children that have been turned into "them". Takashi rushes over and shoots the children in the head, saving Saeko. Saeko and Takashi flee to a nearby shrine for the time being.

In the shrine at night, Saeko explains to Takashi her sadistic side about how she nearly killed a man in "self-defense." When morning comes, Saeko and Takashi are surrounded by "them" when they step outside of the shrine. In order to make Saeko not hesitate in combat again, he goes behind her and gropes her left breast saying that he will always think Saeko is the greatest girl ever and he'll accept her faults and sadistic nature. After that, Saeko snaps into action and dominates "them" around her. The quote "I'm getting wet" then follows, possibly due to the fact that she is cutting up so many people or she is enjoying the sensation of cutting up "them." After the fighting, Saeko asks Takashi if he will "Take responsibility". It is hinted that Saeko has developed feelings for Takashi and at least, her reason to continue to fight is because of him

They later meet up with the others where they rest at a mall. After Saya Takagi mentions that Takashi and Kohta are the most likely to "lose it and become a danger to themselves", Saeko simply replies that she will try to help them out as much as possible as companions. This raises some doubts from Rei and Saeko responds by "don't forget i'm of the female sex". This leads to a scene where theres a lot of tension between the girls. Later, Saeko is seen sitting next to Takashi and talking to him in a flirtatious manner, while Rei tries to fight over Takashi, she accidentally gives him a sexual stimulant, causing an awkward moment between the three. After the awkward moment, they decide to leave the mall and formulate a plan B, in which they do. After their escape and in the latest chapter, Saeko asks Takashi "where are you taking me now" in a seductive way with a grin. This causes Saya and Rei to be disgruntled. It is later seen her fighting with some of "them" after.

After they arrive at the police station, the group discusses how the police must've left in a hurry, judging by the skid marks on the ground. Inside the station, Takashi orders the group members to go search for the weapons cache. En route, the group encounters a pair of "them". After Saeko swiftly dispatches them, Takashi notes how they were a couple and at least died together. Saeko, shocked that they are a couple, looks at Takashi nervously. After locating the room and breaking down the lock, the group goes in while Saeko clears off the oncoming wave of "them". Once they find nothing usable in the cache, the group decides to go the storage room to look for illegal weapons the police might have collected.

As they make their way to the storage room, Saeko talks to Takashi in a seductive way and licks her lips as she says that they can maybe find what they're looking for in the storage room. Just before they reach the door, Saeko kills a fully dressed police Them. After killing the policeman, Kohta pounces on the police's weapons and gives Saeko a pistol. Saeko only replies that she doesn't know how to use it yet, but Kohta says that he'll teach her later and tells her to strap it to her leg. After the group is done grabbing supplies from the storage room, Saeko walks in proudly displaying her new holster on her right thigh, leading to Takashi and Kohta blush. Not only does this garner a positive response from the guys, Shizuka and Alice Maresato strongly approve of it as well. The only ones who are angry at Saeko showing off her new pistol strap is Saya and Rei, who claim "What the heck is that?! Aren't you embarrased showing like that? I can't believe you're walking around like that!". After the compliments and disses end, the group decides to go to the communication room.

The group reaches the communication room, and, after Kohta makes sure it is clear, they enter. After Saya finds the working computer and says the J-alert system is working, Saeko asks where it is getting power and suggests that a power plant nearby could still be working. Saya tells her that is "inconcievable," and it is probably running on backup power. Saya finds the information on the evacuation, and they leave the communication room with Saeko leading the way down the stairs. When Saya mentions that the evacuation is taking place at Shintoko Third Elementary School, Saeko smiles as she notes that the elementary school is where Takashi's mother is supposed to be and says it is lucky. Rei abruptly stops and angrily asks about her parent's, thinking they intend to abandon them. Saeko turns and reminds Rei that she told her before that all she wants to do is be useful. She then reassures Rei that, as a member of the Busujima family, she intends to be true to her word. Takashi tells Rei that her father comes first, and she leads them to the office where her father works.

After Rei bursts into the Public Saftety Division office and is shocked to find it empty, Takashi turns to ask Saeko if she can guard the door. Saeko tells him she is not the one he should worry about now, indicating Rei's need for his comfort. Saeko stands by as the others search the room and eventually find the message from Rei's father saying the survivors have gone to the elementary school. As they prepare to leave, Takashi tells the group that they will go to find Rei's mother first, then go to the elementary school. He is urinated on by Zeke, and, as he doubts his right as their leader, Saeko tells him he is perfect for the job. They leave the police station, and Saeko notes that the weather is looking gloomy. They decide to go to a convenience store to find ponchos before it starts to rain.

(Anime) *
After the incident at the wire fence, Saeko and Takashi end up being separated from the rest of the group as they were rescued by Takagi's mom while they tried to draw the attention away from the group. After being separated, the two head toward a previous sighted motorcycle store. There, they locate a amphibious ATV with 6 wheels. They later head back to the river bank and journey to a small sandbar in the middle of the river. After arriving at the riverbank, Takashi questions if Saeko has any person that she has in mind, which she says yes to, and they abruptly leave the sandbar and head towards Takagi's house. After they found out that the road is infested with too many zombies, they head to a park and continuously let the ATV run in circles in a fountain to attract the zombies. As they are fighting their way towards Takagi's house, Saeko kills many zombies efficiently until she encounters a cluster of zombie children which causes her to space out and freeze. Takashi comes to her rescue and shoots one of the kids in the head, before taking her hand and running to a shrine. In the shrine, Takashi learns about Saeko's sadistic side and about how she enjoyed beating up her would-be molester four years ago. This causes Takashi to feel bad for her as she mentions that how can a girl like her have something as pure as love and thats why she never conveyed her feelings to the person she liked. Takashi stops her abruptly and grabs her hand and leans in for what seems to be an intimate kiss.

The next day, they head out of the temple, to only find them being surrounded by zombies. Saeko, even after the previous night's events, still hesitated, but Takashi comes up and grabs her left breast and tells here that if she needs a reason to fight, then fight for both of their survival and how that Takashi will always think that Saeko is the coolest girl ever. After hearing those statements, Saeko returns to her old self and massacres the entire horde. After killing the last zombie, she says "I'm WET!" While running to Takagi's house, she stops Takashi and hold his hand asking him "you will take responsibility, right?" with an expression as if they were dating. Later, they arrive at Takagi's house and is shown walking there together with arms around each other intimately, much to the chagrin of Saya.

After Saeko and Takashi arrives at Takagi's house, Saeko changes into a beautiful blue kimono and shares an awkward, but funny moment with Takashi after he comments on how pretty she looks. At the mansion she has an argument with Hirano over either guns or swords are better in combat. After the argument, she is seen leaning over a small pond and observing the koi in the pond. Shortly, Takagi confronts her and remarks that not only is she adept at Kendo, she knows about Koi. After they hear an argument brewing between the Takagi house against Hirano and Takashi, Saeko steps in with Saya to help out in the argument.

Saeko is next seen sitting in a room with Souichiro Takagi. She examines a sword that he presents to her and notes that it is a rare one as well as being double-bladed. After a clever discussion on how to accept the sword from Souichiro, she talks about the relationship between Souichiro and Saya, noting how Saya is so much like her parents and that Saya's intelligence has saved them in more than one occasion. Saeko also discusses Takashi's standing as the non-official leader of the group with Souichiro. They conclude that although he is reliable, Takashi hesitates too much and is unstable. After receiving her new sword and finishing her discussion, Saeko heads to Takashi's room. There she waits for Takashi to finish his conversation with Rei outside his door. As Rei leaves, Saeko tells Rei that she didn't hear anything and waited outside because she knew someone was in there. In response, Rei tells Saeko that Takashi would prefer Saeko talking to him and that she'd make him happier. As Saeko is about to enter Takashi's room, she tells Rei to stop calling her senpai and mentions that if "it were true...", but then is abruptly cut off by Rei who tells her that she doesn't want to remember any of that.

Later, Saeko is heard saying that she wants to accompany Takashi in his search his and Rei's parents. Dressed in her combat gear, Takashi comments on how good Saeko looks, much to Rei's dismay. After Rei goes after Shido, who has just arrived, Takashi goes to try and stop her from killing Shido, but is held back by Saeko. Saeko tells Takashi that Rei has to decide this for herself and not let Takashi interfere with her actions.

After Shido leaves, Saeko is seen with the group looking at an overjoyed Shizuka, who seems to have remembered her friend Rika's cellphone number. While Shizuka is making a call to her friend, Saeko notices a blinding white light. Later, Saeko receives an explanation from Saya about what the EMP does. After Saya finishes her explanation, Souichiro joins the group and talks to Saya. During their conversation, one of the concrete block movers arrives at the estate's gates but is held back and killed by a couple of "them". Along with the rest of the group, Saeko is utterly in shock to see the blockade has been breached. After Souichiro orders the estate's gates to be closed to prevent more of "them" slipping in, Saeko prepares to fight along with the rest of the group. Shortly after they manage to close the gates, a horde of "them" crowd into the gates and manage to break it down with sheer force.

Once "they" break into the estate, the group goes and tries to eradicate "them". After Saeko backflips into a group of "them", Saeko manages to kill most of them until one of them starts to ambush Saeko. Rei comes to Saeko's aid and kills it. Following that act of kindness, Saeko and Rei exchange warm glances with each other. After what seems to be a slowed advance of "them", Saeko gathers along with the group and some survivors, including Souichiro and Yuriko at the house.

After listening to Souichiro's speech, Saeko along with the rest of the group go to the warehouse where the Humvee is stored. Luckily, Maddo, the Takagi family's mechanic, is there to perform checks and make sure it can run. During the time that Maddo is checking up on the car, the group holds off a wave of "them".

When the Humvee is capable of running, Saeko hops on to the roof and the group drives off. Just before the blockade, the group notices that the area that they can go through is too thin. Therefore, Shizuka puts the Humvee on two wheels while Saeko holds on tightly to the roof. Almost touching the ground, Saeko gets pulled into the Humvee by Takashi just before they are about to reach the blockade. This saves Saeko from being squashed between the humbee and the concrete block.

After driving for some time, Saeko points an entrance to a highway. The group drives onto the highway, but only to find it saturated with "them". Stopping to take a look, Saeko, Takashi, and Kohta go on to the roof of the Humvee and the three prepare themselves to kill "them".

End of Season 1 Anime Summary for Saeko Busujima

Quotes

 * "Protecting a man's pride...is a woman's duty." (to Shizuka before killing Kazu Ishii)
 * "It made me feel good to make him suffer! After realizing I had the overwhelming upper hand with my wooden sword, his frightened movements seemed inviting... I attacked without any hesitation! (to Takashi).
 * "All I mean is that I don't intend to forget that I'm of the female sex." (to Rei and Saya).
 * "If I remember correctly...I told you some time ago...that all I want is to be useful. As a daughter of the Busujima family...I intend to be true to my word." (to Rei).

Trivia

 * Saeko is the captain of Fujimi Academy's kendo club.
 * Saeko is the first character to realize that knocking "them" over is almost as effective as killing them.
 * According to Morita, Saeko ranks as the sexiest female student at Fujimi Academy.
 * In Morita's Report, he shares his fantasy with Takashi about Saeko wearing nothing but an apron and a thong, and, ironically, Saeko actually wears this attire later in front of Takashi.
 * Saeko drools when she sleeps.
 * Saeko's interests involve cultural Japanese things such as koi fish.
 * Saeko dislikes it when Rei calls her a senpai as the two should be in the same year.
 * Saeko's phrase "I'm wet!" has became a widespread use for parodies across the net. Many people have inserted the "I'm wet" kanji into other anime moments. It can be seen here I'M WET! *Warning, this link goes to a site with adult material, therefore enter at your own discretion*
 * Saeko ranked 1st in the latest Dragon Age character popularity poll. She's one of the 4 HOTD characters in the rankings.