Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou

Also known as “Girls’ Last Tour”, this new autumn anime adapts the “少女終末旅行” drama manga by Tsukumizu. Was intrigued by “Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou” after seeing the promotional video because the cute, simplified character design style did not seem to match the serious, dramatic plot synopsis of Chito and Yuuri’s plight to survive while they ride around the desolate ruins of civilisation on a Kettenrad half-track motorcycle looking for food and supplies.

Knew I had to check this anime out and got hooked from the very first episode on. While the character design style may not be to everyone’s taste, it adds a childlike innocence, a simplicity to Chito and Yuuri which does help in successfully bringing the emotionally weighted story and themes across in a way that it does not become overbearing or depressing.

From the very first scenes where we are introduced to these two young girls who are left to fend for themselves, their interaction and the unique dynamic of their relationship as they struggle to survive in this abandoned, snow covered world is expertly well done. Their familiarity with each other, the depth of their bond is obvious, as is the fact their relationship is somewhat disjointed considering their traumatic past and current predicament.

Another main character of sorts in this anime is the scenery, the post-apocalyptic landscape is rendered in backgrounds with a quite rough painted look full of grey, muted colours that perfectly create an atmosphere of a cold, dark world that is near devoid of life. Any warmth, any sliver of colour instead will need to come from Chito or Yuuri themselves as they interact with each other or the world surrounding them.

Only rarely do shows succeed in conveying a dramatic story with such a light touch that still makes it a joy to watch, these stories are instead often told with dramatic gravitas that renders them too dark, making them feel overbearingly depressing. “So-Ra-No-Wo-To” also excelled at this thanks to its bright characters and slice-of-life elements, albeit it in a different way, especially considering it has key story dissimilarities to “Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou”.

If you’re looking for an interesting series to watch with strong themes and a somber atmosphere that offers a less used approach to the post-apocalyptic story and is still an enjoyable watch instead of an agonising drama, then you should definitely try “Girls’ Last Tour”.