Ningyou Kyuutei Gakudan

Ningyou Kyuutei Gakudan (also Grand Guignol Orchestra, The Royal Doll Orchestra and lots of other names) is a manga series by Kaori Yuki.

The series name should actually be read "Guignol Kyuutei Gakudan", but by the time this was clarified it already got known as "Ningyou Kyuutei Gakudan".


 * Crapsack World: You are in constant danger of being infected by a virus that will slowly turn you into a mindless monster. Once infected there's no escape. The only ray of light are a group of musicians who seem VERY doubious, but with their music they can destroy the zombies and even turn them into humans for a moment before they die - said group however consists of wanted criminals. And even if YOU are not infected... chances are high one of your loved ones will be. You'll have to watch them turning into brainless, bloodthirsty monsters and are forced to either get bitten or to kill and burn them (unless of course said musicians happen to be around). Best part? Once someone in your town is infected all you have to do is sit back and wait for a lighting sent by your not really emotioanlly stable queen to nuke your town into oblivion. And this doesn't even include all the shit that's going on AROUND said queen. There's a reason she's crazy.
 * Creepy Doll : The enire premise of the manga is this: A virus turns infected people into zombies that look eerily much like old dolls, complete with crack marks on the skin (resembling old, cracked paint) and prominent joints.
 * Dude Looks Like a Lady/Gender Blender Name: Lucille, who's often mistaken for a girl. Also, various other characters provide gender confusion.
 * Ho Yay / Foe Yay : Berthier is rather blunt about his interest in Lucille.
 * Magic Music: Duh. Music done by the right people can destroy and purify the Zombies. A certain collection of songs performed by people with said ability can end the Zombie Apocalypse. And then there's still the thing with the song the queen occasionally will sing...
 * Really 700 Years Old:
 * Spell My Name with an "S" : Is it Lucille or Rutil?
 * Tsundere: Spinell to Rutil/Lucille. Very much type A.
 * Wholesome Crossdresser: The girl Celestial who dresses as a boy and goes under the name of her deceased twin brother Eles. Lucille often is confused for a woman and has absolutely no qualms about using this for his own end. Justified in that he is what they call a Philomela in his world.
 * Yandere : Doesn't even begin to describe how Cordie/Queen Gemsilika feels towards Lucille.
 * Berthier towards Lucille to insane amounts.