Sentai Filmworks has announced the acquisition of the 12-episode anime series High School of the Dead, which is based on the ultra-violent shonen manga series by Tetsuro Araki.  The anime series, which is being produced by Madhouse (Death Note, Ninja Scroll), follows a group of Japanese high school students who have to take on hordes of flesh-eating zombies.  Sentai will release High School of the Dead in North America in both English dubbed and subtitled versions.

Meanwhile the Anime Network is planning to simulcast subtitled episodes of High School of the Dead, which is being directed by Tetsuro Araki (Death Note, Black Lagoon).  The episodes will be available via the Anime Network official Website’s online player.  The series debuts in Japan on July 5th, and the first episode will be available on the Anime Network site at 12 AM (midnight Sunday) Central Daylight Time.  Subsequent episodes will be streamed at 10 PM (CDT) on Sundays.