Rei Miyamoto’s journey during the zombie outbreak in Highschool of the Dead is marked by her resilience and determination to survive while protecting those around her. Initially, Rei and her companions navigate blocked routes in search of safer alternatives. Their travels lead them to various confrontations, including a dramatic leap over a ramp and subduing opponents in combat. Shizuka proposes staying at a well-stocked friend’s house, where the group fights their way inside. During a moment of reprieve, Rei shares personal interactions with her companions, revealing her frustrations and insecurities, particularly in her relationship with Takashi Komuro. This culminates in several tense yet heartfelt moments, illustrating her emotional vulnerability amidst the chaos.

Throughout the group’s survival journey, Rei often demonstrates her combat prowess, using her spear and later a rifle with a bayonet attachment. She assists in strategic efforts, from aiding Takashi in dangerous missions to preparing for evacuations. During their stay at Saya Takagi’s estate, Rei confronts her past grievances with Mr. Shido, showcasing her strong sense of justice. Her reunion with her mother, Kiriko Miyamoto, provides a brief emotional respite as they prepare for further challenges. Ultimately, Rei remains a steadfast member of the group, balancing her personal struggles with her commitment to survival, contributing to the group’s dynamics and their shared objective of enduring the apocalypse.

Rei Miyamoto is depicted as a young woman with a slender yet athletic build, emphasizing her physical fitness and combat capabilities. She has waist-length orange-brown hair, which she styles with a small ponytail tied at the back, while the rest of her hair cascades down her back. She also sports bangs that frame her face, with two distinctive strands sticking out above the rest of her hair, adding a touch of uniqueness to her look. Rei’s reddish-brown eyes complement her warm hair color, and her overall appearance is characterized by her slender figure and ample chest, reflecting her femininity and physical appeal.

Rei Miyamoto is a headstrong and reliable member of the group, whose background as a member of the Sojutsu Club reflects her competence in combat. Despite her skills, she possesses a deeply caring and empathetic nature, particularly toward her childhood friend and love interest, Takashi Komuro. Rei is one of the most kind-hearted members of the group and retains a pacifistic outlook, even in the dire circumstances of the apocalypse. She acknowledges the humanity of “them,” the zombies, and openly admits that she hopes never to become desensitized to killing for survival, as demonstrated during the group’s ordeal in Taiei Shopping Town.

Rei’s compassionate personality is balanced by a strong sense of justice and the courage to voice her opinions. She isn’t afraid to criticize her friends when she believes they are in the wrong, such as when she accuses Takashi of killing Hisashi Igou out of resentment rather than necessity, though she quickly retracts her words when realizing her emotional state. Rei deeply values Takashi’s selflessness, a trait she admires and one of the reasons for her enduring affection for him. Her protective instincts for Takashi are evident, such as when she physically intervenes against Tsunoda’s aggression toward him.

Rei also displays a more competitive and emotional side, particularly when it comes to her feelings for Takashi. She becomes visibly jealous of Saeko Busujima’s interactions with him and often competes for his attention, contrasting sharply with Saeko’s calm demeanor. This rivalry highlights Rei’s vulnerability and insecurity, though it also serves to showcase her determination to express her emotions. Despite these moments, Rei maintains a generally level-headed and intelligent demeanor, earning her a reputation as a straight-A student. Her ability to focus and adapt makes her a vital member of the group.

Her darkest and most complex feelings emerge in her interactions with Koichi Shido, whom she despises for personal reasons. After Shido sabotaged her academic career in retaliation for her father’s investigation of his family’s corruption, Rei developed a lasting hatred for him. Her animosity toward Shido is so intense that she actively opposes saving him and later attempts to convince Takashi to leave him behind. When given the chance to kill him by Souichiro Takagi, Rei ultimately refrains, deeming Shido unworthy of the effort. This decision earns her the respect of Souichiro, illustrating her ability to temper her anger with rationality and moral judgment.

Rei’s relationship with Takashi is central to her character development. Despite breaking up with him due to misunderstandings and her involvement with Hisashi Igou, Rei’s love for Takashi remains strong. At the Takagi Estate, she admits that leaving him was a mistake and confesses her deep feelings, stating that she wouldn’t be able to continue living if he were to fall in love with someone else. This vulnerability underscores the depth of her emotions and her struggle to reconcile her feelings amidst the chaos of their survival.

Overall, Rei’s personality is a compelling blend of strength, compassion, and emotional complexity, making her a vital and multifaceted character in the group’s fight for survival.

Rei Miyamoto, as a member of the Sojutsu Club, primarily utilizes spears and spear-like weapons. At the start of the series, she improvises with a broomstick modified with a broken nail at the end, creating a sharp edge suitable for combat. This makeshift spear serves as her initial weapon during the early stages of the outbreak.

Later, at a gas station, Rei transitions to using a nightstick after losing her broomstick, continuing her reliance on close-range weapons. Upon arriving at Rika Minami’s house, she significantly upgrades her arsenal, acquiring a Springfield M1A1 Super Match Rifle with a bayonet attachment. However, despite the firearm’s capabilities, Rei is only seen utilizing the bayonet for melee combat and never fires the rifle itself.

Rei’s preference for spear-like weapons showcases her proficiency in close-quarters combat, highlighting the skills she developed as part of the Sojutsu Club. Her ability to adapt to new tools and weaponry underscores her resourcefulness and determination to protect herself and her group.

• Takashi Komuro
  Rei and Takashi share a deep and complicated bond as childhood friends who grew up together. Despite their close relationship, Rei initially dates Hisashi Igou, believing Takashi had abandoned her during a difficult time in her life. After Hisashi’s death, Rei begins to reconcile with Takashi, and her affection for him resurfaces. She frequently reprimands Takashi for his reckless behavior but also deeply admires his selflessness. Rei openly admits her feelings for him at the Takagi Estate, confessing that she never stopped loving him.

• Saeko Busujima
  Rei and Saeko maintain a respectful but competitive relationship. Rei often becomes jealous of Saeko’s interactions with Takashi and sees her as a romantic rival. Despite this, the two work well together in combat and share moments of mutual trust and cooperation, such as when they protect each other during battles.

• Hisashi Igou
  Rei was in a romantic relationship with Hisashi before the outbreak. She admired his leadership qualities and relied on him during difficult times. His death deeply impacted Rei, but she quickly shifted her attention back to Takashi, whom she had always loved.

• Saya Takagi
  Rei and Saya share a friendly but occasionally strained relationship. Rei values Saya’s intelligence and strategic thinking, but their differing personalities sometimes lead to minor disagreements. However, the two have a mutual respect and work well together to protect the group.

• Kohta Hirano
  Rei appreciates Kohta’s skills as a marksman and relies on his expertise during combat. However, she occasionally finds his behavior eccentric and struggles to connect with him on a deeper level. Kohta harbors an unspoken crush on Rei, which she seems unaware of.

• Shizuka Marikawa
  Rei shares a playful relationship with Shizuka. She often teases Shizuka about her physical attributes, as seen during their time at Rika’s house. Despite their lighthearted interactions, Rei values Shizuka’s medical expertise and compassion.

• Koichi Shido
  Rei harbors an intense hatred for Shido due to his manipulation and personal vendetta against her father, which led to her being held back a grade despite her academic excellence. She openly expresses her disdain for him and even considers leaving him to die. However, she ultimately decides he is not worth killing, showcasing her moral integrity.