Amid the desolate remains of a once-thriving city, only the rumbling of a motorbike breaks the cold winter silence. Its riders, Chito and Yuuri, are the last survivors in the war-torn city. Scavenging old military sites for food and parts, the two girls explore the wastelands and speculate about the old world to pass the time. Chito and Yuuri each occasionally struggle with the looming solitude, but when they have each other, sharing the weight of being two of the last humans becomes a bit more bearable. Between Yuuri's clumsy excitement and Chito's calm composure, their dark days get a little brighter with shooting practice, new books, and snowball fights on the frozen battlefield.
Among a scenery of barren landscapes and deserted buildings, Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou tells the uplifting tale of two girls and their quest to find hope in a bleak and dying world.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Pitzer
Strolling through a grey and barren wasteland, two girls are on a journey. Rations are their only food, each other's company their only comfort and a Kettenkrad motorbike and a protect rifle their only partners. This is a story about a post-apocalyptic future, cultures lost in war and appreciating the little things in life. Few future settings display the thoughtfulness present in Girl’s Last Tour: war has, multiple times, left its mark on Earth and humanity. The numerous layers of the forsaken and metallic city tell tales of many civilizations long gone; their technology gradually grows more sophisticated and the cityscape more complex by the layer.Their different religious beliefs, or lack thereof, as well as their different perceptions of beauty are ingrained in them: some show idealistic symmetry spread evenly throughout, others are dominated by religious symbols resembling a progressed Christianity. However, their god seems more like an alien creature possibly playing a central role in mankind’s long history of war…
The themes and background of the show allow for contemplation and its war-ridden lands give ground for cynical criticism of war, but Girl’s Last Tour is not at all about nihilism, the cruelty of war or the dangers of technological advancement. With overpowering optimism and gratitude for life, it avoids dwelling on many of its philosophically potent and open-ended questions through the sheer simplicity of its appreciation for the here and now; there is solace in solitude and beauty in company.
It’s hard not to get swept up in the show’s pensive mood, but it is near impossible not to fall in love with the protagonists' fun antics: Yuuri and Chito have amazing chemistry and partaking in their intimacy is a truly soothing experience. The two share a heartwarming bond of love and trust and remind one of simpler days; to take the role of an onlooker is to embrace a heartwarming nostalgia.
Chito is the duo’s brain: she is literate and reliable. Over the years, she has learned to work around Yuuri’s shortcomings and deal with her eccentricities. At times, her diplomatic mindset clashes with Yuuri’s air-headedness. However, she has no issue striking back should it get overbearing, for she knows it’s the only way to get through to her dense companion.
In comparison, Yuuri might at first seem like an unpleasant person. She is a glutton, unreliable and at parts overbearingly annoying - but actually a very caring individual. She keeps looking out for Chito and ensures her safety, she is sorry when Chito is hurt and does her best to express her guilt. It is not only her shortcomings that need to be worked around: her partner has serious fear and submits to panic at the blink of an eye. Fortunately, Yuuri always stays supportive of her.
Rusty pipe systems, snow-clad plains filled with weapons of war and desolate temples - the show’s landscape is empty and its designs range from simple to highly complex. The dark, barely saturized, grey color palette only changes during dreams and revelations. Unlike one might initially assume, the empty and wistful world radiates a romantic feeling. While it may be devoid of nature and has no ecosystem to speak of, the countless tales told by the cityscape itself more than make up for it. The bubbly moe character designs help alleviate the central juxtaposition of the cold world and the comforting company of the two protagonists (and whomever they might meet along the way).
Such sparse environment rarely allows for much movement to take place, but through dosated usage of CG the show enables engaging camerawork and alleviates the overall experience. The CG itself does unfortunately not hold up to the gorgeous and detailed look of the hand-drawn backgrounds but it in turn allows the explosive scenes to benefit from the momentum achievable through animation - and they look great!
The show’s solid visuals are accompanied by both upbeat and melancholic music. In insert songs, the vocalist creates a great feeling of departure encompassing an euphoric mood and a grieving goodbye. On the other hand, the Opening and Ending songs excel through their sheer musical simplicity. They embrace modern electronic music and pop culture (the moonwalk and even dabbing), depicting and enhancing the fun shenanigans of the two girls and their endless journey.
Due to its metallic landscape, the soundscape of the show mostly consists of industrial sounds: petrol engines, gunfire and cold, metallic echoes dominate, and their prevalence is only trumped by the two girls’ dialogue.
Girls’ Last Tour is lighthearted and emotionally poignant; it excels through simplicity and thoughtfulness, but never dwells on the latter. The juxtaposition of its thematically dense but desolate cityscape and the intimacy of the main duo create a melancholically wholesome experience and make it one of the best shows of the year.
Score: 85
Stark700
Imagine you’re trekking into a dense forest with your friends. The sun is going down and it’s getting late. Then, you hear strange unknown noises coming from all directions around you. You check your phone and it has no signal. You can’t find the compass in your pocket and there’s no food left. Now, you and your friends just realized…you’re lost. You’re in trouble. I don’t know how many of you have been in this type of situation before but watching Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou brings a similar feeling. The idea of being lost in an unknown place evokes a sort of uneasiness. The constant fear ofdanger, feeling restless, and hoping to survive is what really attracted me to this show. To me, Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou (Girls’ Last Tour) is much more than just a world-end journey. It’s a show that combines slice of life with post-apocalyptic themes for the sake of survival. Do they need a reason beyond that? Not really. Yet, it doesn’t really need more to sell its masterful storytelling.
To be clear, this anime takes place in the aftermath of a vague apocalyptic event. What do I mean by vague? It basically means that the anime doesn’t fully explain the details of what happened in the past. It only leaves behind details with places, objects, and symbols that characters will discover. In the meantime, this anime does a solid job at world building. Essentially, their world is dead. It’s devoid of almost all life. What’s interesting to note is that the structures, gadgets, and weapons looks realistic enough to relate to our world. These range from food factories, libraries, tall towers, and among others. Even some of the weapons that appears in the show looks realistic such as the guns and iconic tank that the two characters operate. Throughout this anime, we can only interpret the various mysteries of their world. To be honest, that’s what makes it intriguing. The anime doesn’t give true answers and leaves the viewers to theorize with their own imaginations. “What happened to this world?” is a big question mark I’m sure most viewers will formulate throughout the show.
If you’re invested into a linear storytelling of complexity, turn back now. This show isn’t to please a certain demographic but instead relies on its creativity to do the storytelling. Every episode is an adventure of its own as Chito and Yuuri makes new discoveries during their journey. At times, it almost feels like playing an open world game like Assassin’s Creed Origins or Fallout. The vast open world of unknown leaves behind so much to explore and honestly, it’s what bought the most interest for me. From cultural symbols to mysterious ruins, it’s a show that carries itself without a plot doing the talking. Our two heroines, Chito and Yuuri walk the earth without an end goal and it’s dazzling at how much interest they bring in.
Of course, Chito and Yuuri are the main characters that ultimately connects the show together. Without these two, there wouldn’t be a journey. Watching Chito and Yuuri together really shows that the two has a unique relationship. Chito’s calm composure balances out Yuuri’s easygoing personality and two makes a dynamic approach to their survival. For instance, Chito has the skill to drive Kettenkrad (their spider-like tank). She’s the one usually making decisions thanks to her literate skills. On the other hand, Yuuri has the knowledge to operate firearms, a skill essentially for their survival. The two make an interesting team in that although they don’t always agree, they’re able to collaborate to survive. However, a big part that attracted me about the duo is their character chemistry. There really isn’t many characters in this show so watching these two connect really brings the best out of each other. There are episodes that show their imaginative creativity and make the most of their situation. Despite their current condition, Chito and Yuuri enjoys each other’s company and even has fun when the opportunities present itself. Their small talk is also meaningful that even includes some philosophical dialogues from time to time. Still, this show does introduce a few characters although they only make sparse appearances. Kanazawa and Ishii are human beings that our main duo will encounter. Their encounter with them brings an interesting side and provokes a question such as “are there others like them out there?” Their role in the show is also interesting to note as they help each other to survive while accomplishing their own goals. Later on in the show, there’s also another character introduced although it swings into the otherworldly category.
You would think a show like this is about despair and sadness. No. If you take notice, you can easily discover that Chito and Yuuri lives their daily lives happily. Their journey takes them to ruined cities as they scavenge for supplies. They even hope to make memories from this journey with the help of a camera. Additionally, there are episodes that puts these two into ludicrous positions such as being drunk. I can also honestly confess that the show is emotionally appealing on different levels. Chito and Yuuri’s relationship give the impression that no matter how desolate a world can be, there’s hope and joy. Adapting a show like this really takes skill and I am very impressed by the craft the creators applied. As a manga reader, I’m also glad that the anime captured the mood of the show throughout each episode. It’s mostly faithful and really does a solid job at selling its ideas.
White Fox has been experimenting with a variety of genres recently. To make this anime really needed effort as adapting a desolate world is no easy task. Thankfully, I can say that they did a stellar job at adapting the visual quality of the show. The atmospheric feel really hits the marks with designs of the city ruins, cultural objects, and even weapons. Kettenkrad is a tank that people can relate to our modern world while the weapons such as rifles are visually realistic. The most interesting part is perhaps the character designs of Chito and Yuuri. The two look like characters from a cartoon. Some viewers might not be too keen on accepting them but it should be recognized that they are more complex than they appear. This is expressed through their character expressions. There’s no succinct way to put it but the two really draws a line between abnormal and normalcy. Their expressions evoke emotions from laughter, sadness, and curiosity. To note, there’s also some fan service but viewers should overlook that as those parts stand as a foil to the despair of this desolate world. You’d think these girls would be dressed like they are child soldiers read to go to war but in reality, they just live life.
I can’t say this enough but the soundtrack is stunningly beautiful. Music composer Kenichiro Suehiro shows his craft through the simplistic yet very convincing OST for this show. The melancholic tone with the eerie vibe every episode gives off matches perfect with the setting. Not to mention, I’m also impressed by the avant-garde style of the theme songs. It’s unique with a catchy tone that’s hard to miss. Finally, praise should be given to the two main heroines. It only took one episode to convince myself that Chito and Yuuri’s voices matches perfectly with their personalities.
I’ve watched this show several times during its duration and it still feels like I only scratched the surface. Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou is a rare anime that took on a peculiar premise and turned it into a near masterpiece. It has the ability to get viewers invested without an overlaying plot. The characters are deceptively complex. With a world setting filled with mystery, it’s no wonder you can find yourself lost. Don’t worry though. It won’t be like one of those trekking trips where you get drenched in fear. No, it’s a show that breathes life into such a post-apocalyptic world.
Pipe
We can be in the presence of a deja-vu, an anime about children (I used that words before). Could it surprise us as Made in the Abyss did? Will we feel empathy with those kids in a post-apocalyptic world? The truth is that we can be surprised one more time. We live our lives hastily surrounded by numerous technological devices. We consider that our daily tasks, such as eating and taking a shower, are "habitual," and we never asked ourselves what would happen if life change due to destruction and a terrible war. What would happen if we lose those things? What would wedo to survive? Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou takes us to a time where civilization disappeared because of war. The only memory of the existence of the culture lies in the numerous ruins of cities and the devices that once served humans. The animation captivates us with an incredible story of friendship, trust and the constant struggle to survive. Day after day the actions of two girls are a ray of hope in a desolate world.
The story 9
The world is a hostile, challenging and sometimes somber place. The constant struggle between nations led to chaos and destruction where countless lives were lost. The war took to oblivion the meaning of the civilization that once existed. The bonds of this condemned world are reflected in the few survivors who day after day must be scavengers to obtain a supply that can prolong their existence in a dead world and thus give meaning to their lives
Two girls, Chito and Yuuri, wander in the middle of the solitude, the ruins and the deteriorated structures of what was once a society. In the same way, they struggle to find their daily sustenance. A simple ration bar could be a treasure, a place to bathe would be a longed-for dream. In summary, all the dreams changed for the constant struggle to survive. Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou's story has an incredible context that could make you remember writings from Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre that talk about human existentialism. In the same way, the story leads this duo to question about life, death and human nature.
These girls have dreams, feelings, fears that are exposed in each episode and are perceived by the spectators. They transform a simple rain into a musical festival and maintain a high level of optimism that we can observe in the various actions, games, and jokes that they make throughout the plot. However, you can ask yourself if one day you will find an answer to what happened to the world and if these girls will live long enough to grow and have a happy life if there is one.
The setting of Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou is excellent. The anime portrays the scars of a war that happened a while ago. Abandoned buildings, rusty pipelines that vanish in the shade as the last sign of life and in the midst the survivors. Elements such as the environment show the catastrophic scenario that these girls have to endure in order to survive day after day. Maybe those details add more realism to the story.
Something you can notice is the constant need to move, climb and reach higher levels. We can compare that world with a spiral without an apparent end. What will they find in the higher levels? What difficulties will appear? Moreover, the world is full of mysteries, one of them is the reason for the war, another the "statues" that arise during the adventure that perhaps are part of a higher purpose and a camera that keeps the records of the lost memories.
The most exciting part is how the information is delivered to the viewers. The story advances with these girls and the audience advances with them. The viewer is an active part of the story since it depends on these girls and is not a simple observer. The story has good pacing it has a lovely narrative that will keep you hooked until the end.
Sometimes, for a lot of spectators is difficult to sympathize with children or to find an animation about children engaging. However, this duo maintains the innocence of their age no matter what problems they have had. They still act like little girls in a devastated world. Yes, I know that, under certain circumstances, they must make decisions as adults, but I liked that they still have dreams, that they question everything and that they want to discover new things. In other words, they are not adults, Chito and Yuuri still have a childhood to live. For example, I will always remember when Yuuri tried to draw Chito in the diary. That kind of moments matches the innocence and youth of the characters that sooner or later will have to mature. Finally, the series highlights several ideas such as friendship, trust, the need to be together to survive. What would they do if one of them were in danger near death?
Pitifully, the story does not conclude entirely. Maybe we will need to wait some time to see a full conclusion. However, the final episode could give you a partial completion where the emotions (sadness, love) were present. It will reveal some mysteries and facts that we were suspecting.
Characters 9
The most delightful couple of the season. Chito and Yuuri could be very different, but they care for each other. Moreover, they are in a constant fight to survive, but they maintain the innocence of a child that isn't corroded by the war or any other event.
Chito. She is the brain of the group, she takes smart decisions but also is very fragile and has some fears. She likes to read and writes a journal. Also, she keeps the duo working for a higher cause, surviving or maybe feeding Yuuri.
Yuuri. She is the muscle and the comedian of the group also is a good shooter. You can see her as Chito's guardian. Her humor is fantastic she can make us forget about that desolated world with her actions and jokes. For example, it was hilarious when Chito comment to Kanazawa "she burns others books," and Yuuri's expression was pretty amusing.
Art 8
Each episode offers excellent detail and artistic quality. However, some CGI can be observed in some camera angles (mostly on the Kettenkrad motorbike), but they are not so strange and do not damage the narrative. Also, the series has an intelligent use of lighting. You can feel that the world is gone. The light is contrasted each scene showing the designs where the decadent world (rusty pipes), abandoned machinery, weapons. The camera angles used in the scenes are correct and keep the eyes occupied in the critical parts of the narrative and the main characters.
The characters' design is not very detailed. Moreover, they are a bit simple, they follow a chibi art, for some persons they have a mocking style, but I liked it in general, and it helps to have a better idea of the personalities of the main characters.
Sound 9
The sound is pretty amazing. I am a bit amazed by the score; it can compete with Made in the Abyss. Also, the track rises the climax of each episode. For example, the central theme (Episode 1, Ending) adds the concept of mystery and innocence to the story. The sound mix is excellent, you can feel with your senses the desolation and the ruins because the sound boosts the ambiance and the characters actions.
The OP is very catchy, has a constant rhythm where you can see some traits of the main characters, and it has interesting lyrics. About the ED, it isn't as good as the OP but in general is a good song.
Enjoyment 9
In each episode, I expected to see answers to some mysteries, and I was waiting for what this pair would find. I wanted to follow the story. However, maybe the plot has some problems since we will not have all answers to all questions and there is no real ending that reveals us the future of this unique duo because the manga is still in progress. No matter this issue I liked how this pair acted and tried to find answers to philosophical questions such us life and death, and the reason for the existence.
Overall 9
Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou was a surprise. In my case, I want to see the answers to the mysteries, I want to understand more about what happened to that desolate world and, above all, I want to see if these girls will survive the adventure in this world. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait a while for that, and I'm sure you will have similar feelings towards this magnificent story because you will see it regardless of my recommendation.
SingleH
Girls’ Last Tour is one of the easiest masterpieces to drop, or worse yet, finish and have entirely missed the point of. Its visual presentation does such a clever job at obfuscating the story’s deeper, darker meaning, you’d hardly be at fault for viewing it as your average cute girl show which just happens to be weirdly surreal. I mean, whether you find yourself here because you saw a gif of moe girls dabbing or because you’re genuinely interested in watching the show, you probably didn’t come because you were invested in exploring its themes of hopelessness, aimless despair, philosophical stoicism, and the inevitability ofdeath which its suicidal creator subtly imbued it with.
I first learned of this series not as an anime, but as a manga. The manga was said to be boring; a story with cuteness, but no real depth. Since this was said by someone who, at the time, I knew was intelligent enough to recognize the fact CGDCT shows still had the ability to be smart and meaningful, I took this appraisal as gospel and promptly forgot the series existed. Having since gone back to have a look for myself, I now appreciate the manga as a powerful, deeply emotional work which weaves the bleakness of Texhnolyze through the enchanting, brutalist world of Blame! plus the soothing atmosphere of Mushishi, with just as many breathtaking displays of visual artistry.
While the anime doesn’t reach the manga’s conclusion where the point becomes clear, that which the anime does adapt is wonderfully done. The background art is nothing short of masterful, and its brilliant landscapes are only complemented by the expertly balanced, minimalistic color design. The music builds atmosphere perfectly, and it can easily send a waterfall of tears streaming down your face. This is one of those rare anime which ran the risk of looking too good. Should this have been adapted by a studio like Production IG or Kyoto Animation, the result would’ve been lavish enough to betray the intentional drabness of the setting, so what we got was the absolute ideal.
As for those heavy themes I bluntly stated in my introduction, Girls’ Last Tour, just like any series with the expertise to properly explore such topics, handles its message almost entirely via subtext. I could spell it all out for you, since I honestly see myself as even more of a depressed mess than tsukumizu, but I feel that would kind of undermine the point. I’m not against spoon-feeding in general, but I feel like people who have trouble understanding the worldview this series promotes are perhaps lucky. Should you take the show to heart, and the show then makes you feel something, it did its job, but if it doesn’t, it didn’t strictly fail, and you probably really enjoyed yourself.
If you were here for those dabbing memes, however, then I thank you for enduring my lugubrious analysis, and I’m happy to say the adorable protagonists, Chito and Yuuri, will do those gifs all due justice. If you're looking for some hardened men, killer action sequences, mind-breaking cliffhangers, brutal action sakuga, and most importantly NO MOE, then this is certainly not for you, but if you're looking for literally anything else, I promise Girls' Last Tour will have something to offer you. Be it a quaint little slice of life that follows two cute girls who you can’t help but love, or a bleak reflection on your existential dread which you can find embedded in its grim thematic undertones.
Thank you for reading.
Killbay_Kun
Ok, so it seems like i am the only guy in this entire site that didn't like this show (at least in the review section), so i fell the need to write why this show is so terrible. Also, this is my first review in the site and i'm not a native english speaker, so sorry if the structure of this review seems garbage to you. Firstly, i want to say that i was very excited to see this show when it came in the seasonal chart, i didn't know how it whould be, but even if it was just a generic slice of life show, itwould be interesting just by the premise, bonus it was made by White Fox, that is one of my favorite studios.
What i got was really dissapointing: a show about literelly nothing, most of the show is just these two girls walking and visiting some unisteressing place, and that is it, i wouldn't have a problem with that if the show had something interssing that could haddle it to be entertaining, but... what this show have of entertaining?
Story? None of it, most of the show is episodic and there is barely any worldbuilding. Good comedy? Nah, there is barely any comedy at all and the few jokes are just Chito punching Yuu. Cute girls suffering shit? Meh, the girls act like the fact that they are the last two humans in the entire earth are just normal business. Some philosophic and 2deep4u shit? Nope, none of the stories have any meaning at all.
Not saying that a anime MUST do some of these things to be good, these are just some ideas of things that Shuumatsu could do to be at least enterteining, but shuumatsu does none of it and does nothing that i didn't say too, it's just two girls living, nothing is fun, must of the stories barelly have a conflict, nothing has any purpose at all, everything is just a great piece of nothing.
And bonus, this show is slow as hell, it drags a in a lot of things just to fill that 23 minutes mark, like bake a loaf for entire 2 minutes or take 3 minutes with a montage that is pure filler, and all those facts combined result in to the most boring show in this entire year, i think i could not watch it all if i didn't watch it weekly, cause must of the time i was just waiting for the episode end so i could do something better.
Another thing that could have saved this show would have good characters to handle the boredom, but that brings in another problem that is the characters are more bland then a piece of paper, they're uncharismatic, boring and do not stand out, and this wouldn't be a problem in a normal show, but this are the ONLY 2 characters in the entire show, you can't just be this lazy and expect the viewer to give a shit about then in this way.
I could also talk why this ending is forced and totally garbage, but spoilers are agains't the Review Guidelines, so if you want to know, ask in my comments.
In conclusion, this show is just a waste of premise and it's a shame that such talented people did work in this, i hope WF give us a better work next time.
Querxes
Let me make it clear that I will now write a lot about how this anime left me feeling, and reasons for it... Reasons for why many people like myself like this show so much... [There will probably be quite heavy spoilers] So let me begin with saying that this show really left me feeling with the "void" feeling after finishing it, the type of feeling of... seeing something so true (if that makes any sense). It goes over some very dark ideas throughout the whole series which might at first be quite apparent but there's way more if one cares to delve deeper. In the show weare shown what only seems to be a destroyed world far into the future, not a single type of plant or animals are still alive and at no point in the show do we see foliage of any kind, instead, we see the world covered in metal presumably to make it easier to live on for humans, to basically, create a "perfect" home for those living on it. Of course the dreams of life are rarely no more and with great cities destroyed the way it is in the show, it becomes almost impossible to live.
I think one important part of the show that I feel makes a lot of people like it, is duo to how mysterious it is. We aren't really told what destroyed the planet more than subtle hints every now and then and it really never explain things in the story, yet even though this is true, it feels like everything has a reason, it feels like everything has a backstory that makes sense. They've created a world that seems so believable it might as well be our earth.
By having such rare encounters with people in the series, it creates something I don't think I've almost ever seen in a different show... It's the feeling of isolation in a world were millions and billions of people once roamed the earth. This creates not specifically a suspension each type they meet a new person, but almost as if a new hope, something which the 2 main characters seem to lack more and more the more they go on.
Also when speaking about lack of hope, Yuuri, one of the main characters, keeps singing a tune about no hope, but she doesn't sing it in a way that's specifically sad but almost as if happy and cheerful. I think it's quite obvious to say that she isn't "happy" with everything being the way it is now, but more so, trying to make time pass while creating a mood. In such desperate times there's no real need to make it any worse, therefore this could be her (like we also see her do in many other ways) to try to cheer up Chito (the other main character).
To be completely honest, it is really hard to explain this story without seeing it with your own eyes. I've had many people tell me and other reviews say that "literally nothing happened in the show", which if you're one of these people I believe you misunderstood the reason this show is so loved. It's not because it very specifically gets to a goal at the end, but exactly because it doesn't. They wander the earth with basically no real confidence and hope, and that's exactly what they get.. they get a endless world filled with nothing but metallic buildings destroyed and a reminder that they too will soon enough join this rubble.
One show that I could say is kind of similar to this is "Made in Abyss", another one of the series I've given a 10 (I haven't given many shows a 10). Both aren't scared to really show how the real world is, everything doesn't always have to end well and things don't always have to coincidentally happen just so the main characters of the show can continue on a mission, this is one idea that sparks life in both of the these shows and gives them a sense of relatability.
I find myself often listening back to the songs from the series, for example the opening, the opening itself has quite a happy tone, yet each time I listen to it, I almost shed a tear, remembering the greatness which is this show, it means more to me than I could possibly convey.
This show is easily a 10/10 for me, in fact I'd like to give it a higher score. If you haven't seen this show (then sorry for spoiling some basics of it, but you will certainly still enjoy it) then you really should check it out! "Don't watch anime with your eyes closed"
East
Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou - Series Review What if there really was a world where you and your very best friend were supposedly the only two people left in the world after a post-war society? How would that feel, being with the one and only person you ever wanted to be with until you die, experiencing hardships, connections, good times, and everything in between? Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou gives me an idea of how that would feel and for some reason that idea has kept popping back up in to my head. You and your friend are just lost in what seems like an endless “sandbox world” toyourselves, maybe even seeing people along the way. There’s always that tense feeling of not knowing what you will see next or what’s waiting for you in the near or distant future. Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou may not be seen as the best anime series ever by most people, but to me, I felt a connection. A connection with the environment, the characters, and the dialogue… everything. I want to explain why this is my favourite series of all time without being biased. This is all my opinion, and I hope that you can understand why this is the best anime I have watched as of the time I have made this review.
The story is set in stone right from the first episode. Chito and Yuuri are supposedly the last two people left in society, maybe even the last living organisms in society. Everyday they rely on what they learned from what they found the day before. They are always finding new things to discover, and the show really pulls you in from what they find each episode. In this post-war apocalyptic environment, you’d expect quite a melancholy of a story if anything, with the whole story being about how the last two people left in the world only have the small things that are ahead of them to look forward to. That’s not the case for Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou. In fact, Chito and Yuuri’s journey is fairly merry and joyful. Most of the experiences that are bad overshadow the good because of how short the bad moments last. It makes this show much more enjoyable and shows that all the sad moments in life should only last such a small amount of time, and you should only focus on the best parts of it. That’s what I love about this show. Maybe you have depression, and you really connected with this show. That’s basically the same case for me; I think that this show tells you that even if life is hard at times, nice things still happen, and you should shift your focus on those nice things. Then, your life will be much happier. Chito and Yuuri had left their parents from a society that seems to have no backstory other than that, making it raise a lot of questions and makes this anime more mysterious as it goes on. Who knows what could have happened to that society besides the fact that it was most likely torn down by war? To be honest, anime that propose a question or have mystery elements to them are some of my favourite aspects of anime in general.
White Fox is known for being really experimental with what they make and they always love to reach out to new genres. They have made a lot of amazing anime and I appreciate how hard they work on making things perfect. Steins;Gate was an amazing anime for me and it’s honestly unforgettable. They also made some other really great series like Katanagatari, Akame ga Kill, Re:Zero, Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka, Hataraku Maou-sama, and probably more. Of course, Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou adds to the amount of great series they have made. Their way of adapting Tsukumizu’s art style was perfect and it feels like Tsukumizu could have even made the anime herself if she could. The landscape and scenery stand out a ton in many episodes and attention to detail in scenes that need to be pointed out as the most important parts are absolutely stellar, hell, maybe I can even call it flawless. I have this attachment to how cute the style of the characters are and it makes me happy everytime I see them. White Fox just did really good at making this anime adaptation and I’m so glad they did.
Chito and Yuuri are characters that feel real in a way that makes it very relatable to many people. They are almost like opposites to each other, and their interactions display many different emotions and they clearly are happy that they are together in this end of the world society. It makes me wonder how it would feel like if me and my best friend were in a society quite like the one in Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou. Chito is the character that worries a lot about what’s ahead and does repairs to the Kettenkrad. She seems to be a lot more of a survivalist than Yuuri is, but her personality is really adorable. Yuuri is the carefree and happy go lucky character, and honestly the one that you can have more of a connection with. She may be a bit greedy, but she can be really wise and she reminds Chito that the world isn’t always full of tension and despair. There’s always something to look forward to and you need to see more things positively. Both Chito and Yuuri make the plot of this story and I couldn’t ask for more. Their opposites attract, and it makes watching this anime just amazing, especially when it gets meaningful and emotional.
I really want to point out how beautiful the soundtrack is to this anime. Some tracks are quite sad and depressing, and some are really, really happy. However, the part that really stands out the most for me is how each of the tracks sound. It’s a beautiful and unique soundtrack, and I haven’t heard such an amazing soundtrack since Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica and Made in Abyss. The passion used to make this original soundtrack is just beyond my own comprehension, because it sounds perfect in my ears. Kenichiro Suehiro took many different elements of music and combined them to make the soundtrack for this anime, and he did it near flawlessly. The soundtrack is used so precisely on the perfect moments and it makes the vibe of each part of the anime feel so good. Whenever Chito and Yuuri are in a dark area, a more calm or eerie song plays. Whenever they discover something amazing or they look out into the distance and see the beauty of the layered city, a song that will make the scene so much more emotional plays. That’s what I love about this OST, it’s just perfect to me.
This anime is so powerful even after a first time watch. I want to rewatch this so many times, I bet won’t ever get tired of seeing how amazing this is. The meaning behind Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou probably goes far beyond what I feel like it already is. This anime is such a rare find today that there’s almost nothing like it, even now. This may just be one of the most unique anime ever made and I appreciate White Fox for it. The amount of time and dedication to make this anime amazing is beautiful. I felt happiness, sadness, emotional connections, and all the meaningfulness from this show just go right into my head, never to come back out because it’s so worth it to keep these memories in my head after watching this. The complexity of Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou is so deep that maybe even if I watched 10 times I couldn’t find out the true meaning. I just stick to what I think it’s about and I’m happy that I think of it that way because it makes the viewing experience so much more enjoyable. There hasn’t been a single anime like this one that I’ve watched before and it’s the most unregrettable and unforgettable experience I have ever had watching anime. My opinion may be biased compared to most, but I felt too many great emotions when watching this.
Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou is my favourite anime.
Story: 10+/10
Characters: 10+/10
Art: 10+/10
Sound: 10+/10
Enjoyment: 10+/10
Overall: 10+/10
RebelPanda
What makes a good post-apocalyptic story? The atmosphere. A dense and foreboding feeling that life was at one time much greater than it is today, but now all that's left is a hollow shell of a former civilization that you'll never be a part of. What makes the story of Girls' Last Tour (AKA Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou) great is not just the slice of lifestyle plot. It's the storytelling that makes it extraordinary. As Chito and Yuri explore the desolate city, they learn more about the setting, giving the audience helpful information to piece together the lore. The world they live in is implied to beEarth in the distant future after a war has wreaked havoc and left the world barren. Chi and Yuu spend each episode exploring, looking for supplies, and finding new aspects of their world that they had never known before. The show implies that they were born after the war because of the director's impressive ability to tell us about the characters in subtle ways. Whether it be how they react to finding something that would seem normal to people like us. For example, They find a fish at one point and can only identify it based on distant memories. From that simple interaction, we have enough information to infer that they have never seen live fish and most likely a body of water.
Little details like this are all over the show. You'll constantly be learning about the world of Girl's Last Tour without a single line of exposition.
I was impressed from beginning to end because of the well-executed story. Girl's Last Tour understands that simplicity is beautiful, and it shows us its understanding at any chance.
The overarching plot is relatively simple and could be categorized as a slice of life by some standards. In every episode, the girls go somewhere new. They're constantly driving, after all. They make pit stops at a place each episode to refuel or investigate a new location. We gain insight into what Chi and Yuu know and comprehend about the world through their various pit stops. The show's foundation is the two main characters, Chi and Yu. If you don't like their chibi designs or childish personalities, chances are you won't enjoy Girl's Last Tour. For me, their childish look and goofy banter made the show incredibly pleasant despite taking place in a desolate post-apocalyptic world. Throughout their journey, they meet several enigmatic inhabitants of the city, all of which have interesting information to provide to the girls and the audience.
Frequently CGI is used for the car that they drive, but the world has an undeniably arresting aesthetic. It's a bleak world with a color palette of primarily black, white, brown, and grey, but there is beauty in the lighting and great use of shadows. While the visuals may not inspire as much imagination as a show like Made in Abyss, they still tell a story. One of the best ways the director tells a story through visuals is his obsession with stairs. And I mean that in the best way possible. Every time the characters are shot climbing up in their little car, the scene has a double meaning. The further they rise, the more they learn about their world. In the show's very first scene, the lead characters are introduced to a dark cavern driving along as they always do. By simply shooting the characters in a visually compelling factory, the artists do a fantastic job of establishing that the story is about these childish characters and their journey to becoming adults.
To complement the sprawling world and the mystical atmosphere is a mellow soundtrack. I do love the music, but it's really underused. Many scenes have no music at all, only very effective use of ambient sounds. A myriad of background noises adds to the atmosphere and believability of the show's world. While you're watching it, you feel like you're there. The whirr of the car engine, the clinking of metal, and the well-performed voices of Chi and Yuu make up much of the show's ambient sounds. Thanks to the great voice actresses of the lead characters, their personalities come across really well without the show ever needing to tell us explicitly about who the characters are. The show is effortlessly enjoyable, thanks to the voices. Slight inflections in their voices are enough to figure out what they're thinking without requiring unnecessary dialogue to explain things.
I can't complain too much that the soundtrack was underused because the best songs were saved for the best scenes. During these critical moments, the melancholy soundtrack rises in volume until it becomes the only thing you can hear. It does a great job of hammering home the impact of some crucial scenes.
The show lives and breathes the phrase, "The journey is more important than the destination." Even though it is a slice-of-life show, you're constantly being given details about the setting through Chito and Yuu as they learn more about the world on their journey. Some of the shenanigans they get into are funny. However, don't expect a comedy because it's mostly just a cute and uplifting tone that keeps it enjoyable. There are very few jokes. This is fine because it would probably drain all the tension from the moody atmosphere.
An exciting setting and fantastic visual storytelling immediately make Girl's Last tour worth watching. Whether or not you will be immersed in the Girl's Last Tour world depends on how interested you are in the world and the journey the lead characters undergo. It's so content with simply being happy and heartwarming that I didn't feel like it was missing much. I like my slice-of-life shows with meaningful subtext, and Girl's Last Tour has that. The atmosphere is dense, the visuals are breathtaking, the audio engages you, and the mysterious setting offers something more substantial for you to chew on.
TheEdguy
Wow this show is dull.. I thought this was gonna go a similar direction as Made in Abyss with misleadingly cute art and a slow paced start before the show gets more dramatic, but this show never does ANYTHING. There's no characters, no humor, no story, no motivations, no drama.. The only thing the show has going is that there's seemingly a rather rich backstory / lore to it, but it's never actually used for anything. The art and sound is also very obviously cheap. Maybe you'll enjoy this if you like slow paced shows about nothing like Mushishi or Flying Witch, but atleast those shows havestuff happening and characters..
I honestly don't think Girls Last Tour has ANYHTING going for it. It's not offensive or terrible in any way either, it's just critically boring.
rawrXtina
Imagine you could take a step back for a moment, and take a long, hard look at humanity. Where will we be in 1,000 years? Are the issues we face in the present really that important in the grand scheme of things? What does it mean to live? If our civilisation comes to an end one day, will it really be that bad? Girl Last Tour is a unique take on post-apocalyptic fiction and in my view one of the most beautiful shows to come out in a long time. The setting might seem bleak and depressing at first glance, and whilst those feelings are present,it’s mostly used as a backdrop for the talking points of the main characters. It might also seem like another Moe, slice-of-life show that has value in its cuteness and not much more, but it’s really much more than that. It’s an abstract journey through history and human culture through the eyes of people who never got to experience it themselves, with a perspective completely detached from our everyday lives and personal drama. It makes you think about how insignificant many of our stresses and quarrels really are in the grand scheme of things and often brings into question the meaning of why we live and do the things we do. Themes like war and human greed are brought up and criticised, just as is the importance of knowledge, keeping records and the preservation of life. In many ways this show is a harsh introspection of ourselves as a species and in many others it’s an optimistic exploration of the beauty of living and learning. More than anything, it's about finding hope for the future even when the world seems bleak and empty.
Both the setting and characters are vehicles for the social commentary of this show, and as such don’t end up being particularly interesting in themselves. There’s no grand, overarching plot or a great deal in the way of character development, because that’s not really the point of Girls’ Last Tour. It’s not a show about fictional characters, it’s a show about how we think about the world and ourselves, and it works exceptionally well.
BaneofKermit
Two chibi girls on a vintage Kettengrad motorbike explore the war-ravaged city that they once called home. This sentence without context sounds ridiculous, but Girls' Last Tour manages to pull it off by providing one of the best shows of the season with beautiful background imagery, variation between the two leads that mimic those of two sides of a brain, and a soothing yet melancholic soundtrack The quality of the backgrounds can be mostly attributed to the widely used post-apocalyptic setting and the source material of the show. Tsukumizu's elaborate ruined cityscapes of rusted pipes and war-torn steel fully contrast with the two chibi, moeleads.
Chito and Yuuri compose the dual leads that this anime relies on to contrast it's grim setting. If you were to divide the two into the halves of a brain, Chi would be the intellectual right and Yu would be the cheery left. Both care immensely for each other, as seen in the show, and operate almost as one conscious entity. The very design of our two main characters is the antithesis of this show's setting of a post-apocalypse, something that has been done in other shows such as Made in Abyss. The interactions the two have with each other can only be described as nostalgic, and the soundtrack of this show furthers this by a significant margin.
The soundtrack is very well supplemented with acoustic guitar and vocals among other instruments and is often used to evoke a sense of discovery or nostalgia as the two girls venture throughout the city. The warmth of the guitar clashes with the frigid concrete, providing another point of divergence that fuels the nostalgia train.
The technical aspect of this show is pretty impressive on its own, but the themes and thought-provoking questions that Chito and Yuuri impose upon the reader also need to be taken into consideration. They might be open-ended but hint towards a deeper learning that is happening as the two girls adventure through the wasteland. The story itself might be disconnected in some regard, but the experiences that our two leads are having could be interpreted as rediscovering what it means to be human. The episode titles contribute to this as well, with simple names like Bath or Friends.
To conclude, Girls' Last Tour is without a doubt the best show of this winter season, displaying an array of insightful themes with impressive execution. I hope Studio White Fox makes a second season for this gem
BadGuyBoog
I use the word melancholic a lot as it is one of the most interesting emotions to have, and one of the hardest to get right. This show is the walking definition of melancholic. Melancholy, technically, is sadness with no reason. But I always took it to be a bittersweet emotion. It’s happiness and sadness, hope and isolation, a personal feeling that lands a slight grin on your face and a light burden on your heart. Happy things are happening and you can enjoy it, but there are introspective elements that have this personal reflection and somberness to it. Like going separate ways with someoneyou once cared about (or still do) with no hard feelings, or knowing it’s the right thing to do. That is what this show is to me and why it is so personal. It is about these two innocent, naive and ignorant little girls forced to question heavy subjects concerning their own mortality. The plot of the show is these two girls travel a war torn city. Through this they question civilization and societies behaviors like religion, war, the desire to destroy, the importance of books and life and friendship. They reflect on time and monotony, on Darwinism, on memories and dreams, on the purpose of living and bodily necessities like hunger and baths, and fun, song, humor, art, hope, homes, death, companionship, society, survival and everything in between. These girls question the purpose of life and everything it has through the innocence and ignorance of children. They are in constant hunts for food and amusement, taking pleasure in simple things. They are absolutely adorable and their friendship is precious, as they are all they have in the world. Both characters are lovable and adorable and mostly hopeful, never thinking too seriously about their situation. This show, with all philosophical points I’ve described can be seen as a very serious and sad show, but because of the personality of these girls, who only focus on making the most of their situation, making for genuinely funny and heartwarming scenes, it makes for a melancholic tone. This is a very light hearted show for the most part, with the girls getting on each other's nerves and getting into many antics. The girls are content and even happy at times, leading to funny moments and wholesome interactions, all the while with weapons over their shoulders and a desolate war-torn infrastructure around them. Their philosophical conversations aren’t shown as existential (even though they absolutely are) but more like a neat idea they came up with. It’s simple conversations to pass the time with meanings they don’t fully understand. You smile at their antics, but feel sadness in your heart from their situation. “Getting along with the loneliness” is a repeated phrase that perfectly describes the show.
This tone isn’t only carried by the astounding dialogue and charming, yet introspective characters. This show’s tone and themes are also expertly crafted through the unique world they inhabit. It’s not our world they are traveling through, but a towering, desolate infrastructure of machine and cement. So industrialized that a fish is the only other surviving animal in the entire show (other than human), and has great significance in its existence. Other characters are rare and a breath of fresh air and relief when you do meet them. The religion and stone figures, along with the indescribable, yet very industrialized artifacts leads to a world of unease and mystery. As you explore the world, through mazes of pipes and fields of cement, the more ominous it becomes, leading to one of the most existential endings to a show I have ever seen. There is no exposition, all adopting a show-don’t-tell story method, which is very much against the usual anime. It allows you to make your own conclusions about the world. It introduces heavy, yet subtle themes of over industrialization. The effort of ascending this multi-layered city is inspiring, yet dreadful. The mystery of the world is filled in by our understanding of the themes, and is explored by the ignorant children who were left behind.
To aid in this atmosphere, this show has some of the best sound design in all of anime. I haven’t hear foley this thematically rich and enticing since Wall-E (which actually has similar themes). The mechanical trotting of the vehicle, the subtle wind, the isolating echoes and the sound of emptiness make for a very lonely experience, only made hopeful through the voices of our protagonists. It’s not something that gets enough attention but the subtle sounds and lack thereof, leads to a much more isolating and thorough world. Just the different uses of water alone, from eerie drips, to beautiful rain drops, to relieving baths and and the somber tank of the fish, it all leads to different emotions from the sounds alone.
The cinematography is also astounding. The color is so devoid of life, so grey, that whenever color is in the shot, it’s so impactful and that much more dazzling. The wide shots of this lifeless world shows just how small our characters are. Every camera angle and shot size is intentional, there is not a wasted moment visually in this entire show. A lot of this is due to the amazing art design. They put so much effort into the textures of the environment, the gritty rust on the metal, the cracks and wiring of the cement and the dirt of the snow; the world is so realistically animated. And yet the girls, Yuuri and Chito, are drawn so bubbly and squishy with huge eyes. Their cutesy art style clashes so heavily with the gritty environment (without seeming out of place) it truly emphasizes the melancholy and the tragedy of their situation. The soundtrack is equally as melancholic and matches perfectly with the sound design. It’s very simple and very effective, carrying the whimsy of a child with the hint of loneliness. This anime is a masterclass in every sense and is so underrated.
Just ignore the fact that they dab in the OP please.
Mister_Meister
To those who wonder why I give 10s for everything, I’ll explain why. This anime left me speechless and it truly is a diamond that’s shines bright within the animes that I have watched. If you like adventure, moe, drama and a bit of slice of life, I highly, highly recommend you to watch this show. [Slight Spoilers Ahead] The story is more than amazing, it’s one of those stories that aren’t too generic, but not too unique to the point where you can’t wrap your head around it. The story is simple, two girls left in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world where humans are a rare sight. Theirgoal? Go up the layers that each cities has. This honestly was an unique story choice created by the author and you won’t see it in any other anime. As the story goes on, it’s quite amazing as the main characters develop. The ending is depressing but it spreads a very moral message about our lives. 10/10
The art is honestly something that I personally enjoy, you might not like this art style, but that’s alright! The characters are drawn in a more chibi style in comparison to the traditional anime. The background, scenery and motion are very smooth and it’s quite a beauty, in my opinion. 10/10
Music is almost always reoccurring. And it really enhances the show in a way that it almost makes scenes more emotional. The opening and ending though, they are one of the most cheerful tunes I have heard, I never skip them. This is actually the only anime that I’ve watched that I don’t skip the op and the ed. Cheers to the music production! 10/10
The characters aren’t your generic, anime girls in popular anime. Sure, they might possess a lot of similar characteristics, but they utilizes unique skills that they have to create diverse but not distant, personalities. For example, Yuuri is a girl who likes using force and not her brain. The authors expressed her personality as she carries a rifle and always wants to eat what ever she comes by that is alive. Chito is a girl who wants to learn about the environment around her. She likes reading and prefers peace over violence. The combo that these two girls often times creates conflicts but they are still good friends at the end. 10/10
The enjoyments speaks by itself from the previous reviews. It’s awesome, superb. It’s boring, but intense, it’s slow-paced, but can be fast-paced. It perfectly utilizes the mood of each scene and enhances them with other elements. The ending might be bittersweet but who cares? Sadness can leave quite an impression. 10/10
Overall, this is definitely one of my top three anime, you might disagree with me, but that’s fine. This is my personal opinion. 10/10
Gundroog
SSR started off strong, it was intriguing to see a SoL show set in post-war wasteland about two girls drifting through abandoned landscaped towards upper levels without a certain goal. It was promising when through dialogue and analogies the show set up themes about value and point of living. However that's kinda it, maybe there's something more to it in the manga but the show itself is painfully shallow. It's not void of neat little character moments that build up the main couple, make you sympathize with them and simultaneously feel the atmosphere they're immersed in. Despite that at any other point in timeI found myself incredibly bored cause nothing was happening, there was little to look at and dialogue while touching upon some interesting themes never really went beyond sort of mentioning that they exist in a very superficial way.
With dialogue that boring the saving grace could've been the adventure itself, if there's nothing to listen to maybe there's something to see. In that regard SSR offers occasionally very curious environments that bit by bit contribute to the bizarre world its set in. You have giant rows of file cabinets that have a bit of a dark meaning behind them, you have buildings standing on tall beams, factories made out of infinite tubes, occasional weird statues of something unknown with an unknown purpose. It's neat at first but usually the show offers too little to late to redeem anything with that. Doesn't help that color direction is extremely boring. I understand that it's hard to do much when your show revolves around burned out and crumbled cities and factories but it is possible, at the very least proper contrast is a must and they author of original manga must've knew that a bunch of boxes and squares don't make for a visually interesting environment.
The ending for obvious reasons is not exactly conclusive and there's nothing wrong with "adventure goes on" kind of endings but after basically nothing happened they kind of back loaded a lot of exposition and storytelling to the last episode so it's as if entirety of the show started and concluded there. Not knowing what a climax is wouldn't be too out of place for SSR though as each individual episode was also terribly paced. Sometimes I would check how much time went by and when I thought the episode must be coming to an end it usually turned out it's only about a halfway point. That is once again cause nothing happens and when it does it's stretched out so thin that it does't make much of a difference. That would've been fine if the show aimed to be relaxing but I didn't find it such cause it's not relaxing by default if you just watch at pretty landscapes or watch girls enjoy eating something or taking a bath, which happens weirdly often given the setting.
So in summary, I just think SSR was a bunch of wasted potential, if it wasn't trying something new it would probably get a 4 from me at most but at least there was an attempt.
shioo2
a story like no other, in a market full of isekai's, romances, slice of lives and comedic over the top stories anime tends to bring us, this stands out as something truly unique and unreplicable, the message behind this show is something that can be interpreted differently by each person who views it and covers many deep philosophical topics in a show disguised as two potato girls riding a strange little army tractor thing around a city that has been destroyed that consists of multiple layers, the visuals are quite beautiful and the show really shines with its world, how the viewer knows just asmuch as the protagonists about the world and how to interpret these things they are experiencing, girls last tour really stands out for it's story and it's message, it tells a story of war and destruction from the perspective of people who know nothing of it, causing them to find joy and sadness in things we take for granted in our day to day life, it really is a beautiful thing to watch, so if you're reading this and have not seen the show, please watch it, this masterpiece is worth your time i assure you.
this is a brief section about the manga with no spoilers, just an input some might want to know.
the anime covers vol 1-4 and gives a propper ending to the show, tho the manga has 6 volumes, 5-6 continue from where the anime ends and gives the "true ending" which someone finishing the anime might not know, the anime ending works well enough for what it is but I highly recommend the manga also.
Shingster
Please note this review is intended to be read by those that have finished watching Shoujo Shuumatsu and while care has been taken to minimise spoilers there may still be spoilers within character analysis. Intro and premise In a world devastated by war two girls embark on a journey to find the truth and along the way encounter many new lessons that adds new perspective to their lives as they see the devastated world. Based off a popular web manga of the same name Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou also better known as the Girls Last Tour is a sci-fi and mystery anime that makes use ofa premise and setting not commonly seen in the anime world which is a journey by two young girls in a world that was devastated by large-scale war that killed off much of humanity and left the few survivors to scavenge the ruins for supplies that they can use to live another day. The post-apocalyptic world setting is not one that’s easily seen in animes and more commonly seen in games instead so having two girls travelling through such a world as they go on their journey was what drew me to this anime. Using the journey and the experiences and encounters that the girls encounter along the way the anime allows us to see the girl’s reactions and sentiments as they see a world that while in ruins and mostly devoid of human life still provides many lessons that can be contemplated and remembered.
Though the world in which the anime takes place in is never quite revealed it can be seen that the world itself is an advanced one that takes the form of a tower that has many floors. Each floor has its own unique climate and theme and seems to be divided into different areas like residential or industrial. Though desolate the world also contains many survivors that have managed to survive and scavenge through weapon littered fields for gear and equipment that can be used to survive.
The overall story for Shoujo Shuumatsu follows the life of two girls as they embark on a journey across the vast expanses of the world that they live and include the driver and leader the serious-minded but intelligent Chito and her partner the carefree but oddly positive soldier Yuuri who acts as Chito’s second and best friend. As the girls travel across the vast expanses of the world and explore the ruins of a civilisation they encounter plenty of situations and encounters that provoke deep thought and questions in the girl's minds making them realise that the world is much larger and more complex than what they had read in the limited knowledge that they had.
Chito
Chito voiced by veteran seiyuu Inori Minase of Re Zero and Re Creators fame is one of the main characters of the series and serves as one of the main protagonists of the series. A cautious, intelligent and strict person Chito serves as the pairs overall leader and driver that directs the overall path that they take as they advance towards their goal. While a serious and strict person by nature Chito is also a level-headed and calm person that likes to have all the facts about a situation on hand before trying to determine the course of action that they should take. This is in contrast to her partner and friend Yuuri who prefers to act on impulse rather than logic. While quiet by nature Chito is shown to be a realist and is not someone that will develop high hopes for something and indeed she is one that prefers to take things slowly but cautiously accomplishing what they need to do in the less risky manner possible. An interesting personality trait of Chito’s is her love of reading, learning and documenting and it can be seen that this comes from her desire to both know about the ancient world and at the same time hoping to create a record of what they had learned in their journey so that it can be used by others. As a result of this, it can be seen that Chito is someone that values knowledge and the maintaining of records and can get surprisingly angry when these are damaged. While a soldier just like Yuuri is it can be seen that Chito is someone that is a pacifist by nature and doesn’t like to use weapons even to defend herself which I found was rather strange for a soldier. While not hostile towards strangers that they encounter in the wasteland that they travel through it can be seen that Chito is someone that trusts slowly and wary of any strangers that cross their path. However, once they have proven themselves trustworthy it can be seen that she can be quite warm and trusting towards them.
The character of Chito I felt was an interesting character and one that was well developed and designed. In addition to serving as the one that kept the pair focused on the overall goal of the journey Chito also served as a contrast to her partner Yuuri serving as a foil that dealt with the worst of Yuuri’s impulses. While her calm and cautious nature is what stops Yuuri from getting too crazy with her impulses the fact that Chito is also an avid reader and believes in seeking and recording knowledge also serves as an additional safeguard and adds charm to her character.
Yuuri
Yuuri voiced by veteran seiyuu Yurika Kubo of Youkoso and Urara Meirochou fame is one of the main characters of the series and is Chito’s partner on the journey that they are taking. A carefree, positive and happy person by nature Yuuri is someone that is the very definition of a joker as she in contrast to her partner Chito is someone that can remain optimistic even in the grimmest of situations. While Chito’s serious personality often results in her causing somewhat tense situations Yuri’s personality as a joker is able to balance this out by introducing a number of light-hearted moments that help defuse such situations such as building snowballs on Chi’s head after a long trek and seeing snow in the morning. Unlike Chito who is well versed in both reading and writing Yuuri is someone that lacks both of those skills but is able to bounce back up due to her ability to adapt to new situations relatively quickly. While Yuuri herself can be overactive and careless at times it can be seen that beneath that happy side of her Yuuri is someone that is more perceptive than she first seems and is someone that is cautious and wary of strangers. When new situations and parties appear in their midst it can also be seen that her bond and friendship with Chito is something that she cares about greatly and values and as a result, she is fiercely protective of Chito. The character of Yuuri I felt was an interesting one as her personality contrasted a great deal with her partner Chito yet at the same time she also complemented Chito’s own flaws as well. One aspect of Yuuri’s personality that I particularly liked is her ability to create the most interesting and comical of questions from the most random things that she sees on her journeys something that is necessary in the long journeys that the girls go on.
AMV
In terms of animation, I felt that the character designs for the series main characters of Chito and Yuuri were well done and reflected well on the fact that in this world fashion and style pale in comparison to ease of maintenance and functionality. The design of the girl’s main form of transportation which though unnamed in the series I felt was interesting as it looked like a combo of a bike and a tractor and as a result allowed them to travel along many different types of terrain quite easily. The various terrain that the girls travel through as they go about their journey though I felt was well developed and designed though as each level and area that they go through was unique in terrain and theme and featured unique challenges that the girls had to overcome as they encounter it. The music for the series I felt was pretty good and the background music did well to complement the different situations that the girls encounter along the way. The opening and ending themes of the series, I felt were also well done with the former being catchy and funny and symbolising positive thinking and the latter symbolising optimism. The voice acting for the series was strong and I felt that despite the lack of an effective backstory that Inori Minase and Yurika Kubo who voiced the main leads of Chito and Yuuri respectively did an excellent job of portraying their characters and showing the unique interaction that exists between them when they are exploring.
Overall conclusion
In overall Shoujo Shuumatsu was an interesting anime that had among its main strong points an interesting premise, interesting story, character interaction and excellent voice acting. Though the premise of a post-apocalyptic world is rare by anime standards it is not unheard off but the concept of a journey in which two young girls explore the wasteland as part of their quest to reach their objective was one that drew my attention to it. The overall story of the series while thin along the lines of what their overall quest was still managed to accomplish the task of expanding upon the wasteland and developing the girl’s characters by introducing various situations and events that the girls encounter along the way. Each of these situations and events while not overly dramatic and indeed rather simple also did well to introduce us to the state of the world that the girls live in as well as provoke some interesting theories and opinions that the girls express. The fact that knowledge about this world is so few and far between also serves to enhance this process as neither girl knows about the things that they can encounter along the way and as a result, their opinion and theories are based on their personalities instead which makes every event and encounter interesting to see. The fact that these feature many different themes I felt also served to enhance this. Within the series there are many examples of simple things that we take for granted that no one no longer knows exists such as music, camera’s, elevators and watching the main characters reactions as they encounter this and be amazed by it also serves to remind us just how much this world has lost to the fires of war. The interactions between the two main characters I felt was also one of the strong points to the series as between the situations and events that the characters encounter are many quiet moments and seeing the conversations that take place between the two as they head on to the next encounter I felt was funny and refreshing and helped greatly by the fact that these conversations can start from the most random of topics that can create the most interesting of answers. The atmosphere of each of the episodes as the girls explore the various areas that they encounter I felt was also well done and helped convey a sense of loneliness to the world that harmonises well with the setting.
In overall Shoujo Shuumatsu was an anime that while having an interesting premise and characters expanded upon its greatest weakness, which was its weak story by introducing events and situations that the girls meet along the way that featured a surprisingly large number of themes and questions and answers that were also surprisingly deep and well thought out that resonated well with this world that the girls live in where knowledge is rare and precious. In terms of final score, I think this anime will deserve a final score of 9/10.
Earth_the_wizard
This anime is a true gem, and one of the best I've ever seen. It’s a slow, thoughtful journey following the daily lives of its characters. There’s no major goal or dramatic plot — survival is their only aim. While it lacks intense excitement and only offers small moments of tension, I still urge you to give it a try if you have the time. That said, it may not be for everyone. However, if you appreciate atmospheric storytelling, enjoy slow-paced narratives, or have a passion for philosophy, you’ll definitely love this series. The world in Girl’s Last Tour is uniquely designed with a haunting beauty.The desolate, post-apocalyptic environment is steeped in loneliness, and the creators subtly hint at the events that led to this world’s downfall. It’s all left somewhat ambiguous, which I personally enjoy, as it leaves room for thought and imagination. I absolutely love the world they’ve built here.
As for the characters, I adore the main duo. There’s no need for over-explanation — their chemistry is perfect. Even the side characters that appear in different episodes are well-executed. This is a slice-of-life anime that’s laid-back and humorous, yet powerful and deeply profound. It makes you feel both lonely and warm at the same time, as it portrays a journey through emptiness, but with an underlying sense of hope. It’s not overly optimistic; the characters face reality as it is.
If you enjoy interpretation, this anime incorporates various philosophical ideas and symbols for you to discover. But even if you watch it casually without overthinking, you’ll still walk away with meaningful insights. The philosophy in Girl’s Last Tour is accessible and easy to grasp. I truly hope you’ll enjoy this masterpiece as much as I did.
SuperJohnDoe
Perfect in every way, for what it was aiming for. The atmosphere alone won me over. Everything's bleak, in disrepair, nobody's around and hope's nowhere to be found. Despite all that, you have to keep going. Not unlike our everyday lives, no matter our personal situation or experiences. The anime however doesn't try to hide the fact this world is long gone. Ther are no messages about humanity's potential and the only time life is valued is towards the very end. Much like Turn A Gundam, the approach is "Look at how much destruction humanity is capable of causing; maybe we should get along insteadof quarrelling.", except in Turn A there was hope from the beginning and Tomino constantly tried to show the joys and beauties of a simple life. There's even a hardcore soldier turned peace-and-nature-loving monk type of character after his defeat (and near-death experience!) to REALLY drive the point across. Girls' Last Tour feels like an empty dream, the kind where you aimlessly walk around a misty town desperately searching for something. Everything around you is long-abandoned and there's no one else but you there, but there's not a force that could stop you from pressing on, awake or asleep.
The way the lore is served up is fantastic too. The show only has about 5-6 characters max, yet everyone has their own little story to tell. The few times the girls interact with others, they all share tibids of their past and it's fun piecing together who they were before the war or what happened to the ones around them. Even Chito and Yuuri's chemistry alone is fantastic.They do argue from time to time, but they just make up and move along. Can't afford to remain angry in their situation, so they have learned to get along for however long they've been together. They make come off as simple tropes at first, but they don't just cover each other's weaknesses; they both learn from each other, give space, share their emotions and thoughs (some of the best parts by far are just the two of them sharing their views on life; their immature yet curious nature is adorable and fascinating at the same time!) and try to understand each other better as the show progresses. Best of all, they don't even have second thoughts when it comes to working as a team!
What beautiful music too! There's not a lot of it, but when there is, oh man it hits me like a ton of bricks!! Especially in the last episode... I'm sure the OP and ED songs will be stuck with me for a while. Both reflect the show's themes pretty well.
Couldn't have picked a better ending either. The more the show goes on, the less likely it becomes for the girls to make it through another day. Yet despite the challenges they face, the ending leaves me with a melancholic yet hopeful feeling. Kinda like when a long chapter of your life ends.
I wouldn't have it any other way, but I do wonder what the manga is like!
lFrogs
Personally I believe this show is not getting the respect it deserves, for even it's high rating it has on this site it is still criminally over-hated by people who refuse to look at the show for what it tries to do, expecting it to be something it isn't, why did you even watch the show when it says right there under the name of whatever app you use to watch anime, that is IS INDEED a Slice-of-Life. The main problem with this anime is that it would go over most peoples heads with it's visual queues implying to the viewer what you could expect, maybea psychological thriller? Something like Made in Abyss perhaps? This show IS to it's core and outer ends, a Slice-of-Life, it is in-fact, 2 girls all by them self in a seemingly life absent world, wandering around doing Slice-of-Lifey things. There is NO story. But you know what, that is what I like about this show.
The story itself could be just the moral, it's any way you paint it to be, and some people just choose to be negative and paint it as lost potential or boring, when you could paint it as a story of moral, teaching the value of everyday things we see in our day-to-day lives and take for granted. What exactly do these girls have? What do they make of the few things they do have? During the duration of the series I felt myself get excited over simple things, like when the girls got a hot potato, or finding rations amongst military equipment. It's truly a very interesting take on reality, taking a concept which could be used in a way people would expect it to, but then using it for something else, and executing it to tell a meaningful message, that is what I believe people overlook in this show.
The main point of the show, is the teach these hopeless girls how grim, and blank, the world can be, and to just accept that some things cannot be helped, to accept the reality that is the world they're in, and to get along with hopelessness. When you've failed, you can feel so carefree.
