Girls’ Last Tour Episode 12: Parting At The End of the World

Posted on by Karandi

Review:

For a final episode of a slice of life/post-apocalyptic anime this episode this episode of Girls’ Last Tour hits all the right notes. First we look back at the journey the girls have taken courtesy of their catalogue of photos that they have taken since receiving the camera. Also, throw in the most overt reveal yet of what happened in the past to get the world to this point.

GLT12a

Add in a dash of danger and a threat so that this final episode feels just that little bit more dramatic than previous ones. This sends Chito into action in a way we haven’t really seen previously from the character who usually freezes in the moment. It was a wonderfully done segment and also gave us a glimpse as to how Yuuri and Chito’s journey started.

GLT12c

Then we get a glimpse of the future and this is probably the weakest part of the episode because even though we’ve had plenty of build up this explanation still felt weak and rushed. I would have liked a little bit more from this part of the episode and yet it was still narratively sound and certainly does what it needs to do as part of rounding out this series.

GLT12d

Finally, we have our feels with the girls reaffirming what we’ve known all along. These two belong together as they perfectly compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses. There is no doubt that neither girl would be alive without the relationship of trust and understanding that they have. And then they set off continuing their journey upward through the layers even with no knowledge of what they may find or even if there is anything to find.

This show has been beautifully done from start to finish and there is no cause for complaint with this final episode. I look forward to writing my series review for this one.

In the meantime, the reader’s poll for best and worst anime of the season will close at the end of this week. If you haven’t voted click here.

Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this post and like the blog, consider becoming a patron to support further growth and future content.

Patreon2

Thanks,

Karandi James.

avatar

Advertisements

Girls’ Last Tour Episode 11: Painting a Grim Picture of the Past

Posted on by Karandi

Review:

While the whole time we’ve traveled with Chito and Yuuri we’ve been given hints about the society that was once upon a time, this episode is the most blatant yet at suggesting that the old society literally self-destructed through war and weapons. While it isn’t guaranteed that war wiped out most people, the obvious conclusion is that people just found new and better ways to kill each other.

GLT11a

In this we had a really interesting response from both girls with Chito responding with horror to the weapon they uncovered and accidentally fired and Yuuri responding with childlike joy at the destruction (at least until Chito uncharacteristically punched her).

Of course, we had the ongoing mystery of the ‘cat’ where the episode also drew the parallel between it and the statues the girls found earlier which leads the audience to ask some really interesting questions particularly when you note it seems to eat weapons. However, if that isn’t enough cohesion for you, the series also finally addresses the girls’ helmets and why they wear them.

All and all, this series remains a truly interesting watch.

Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this post and like the blog, consider becoming a patron to support further growth and future content.

Patreon2

Thanks,

Karandi James.

avatar

Girls’ Last Tour Episode 10: Not Answers But Insight

Posted on by Karandi

Review:

Girls’ Last Tour continues to avoid the trap of exposition dumps as it doesn’t explain in detail how the world the girls are exploring came to be. Instead, we continue to be immersed in the world, gaining some insights as we go along and being left with many questions to ponder. It helps that neither of the two main characters really know what happened or why things are the way they are, but they haven’t felt the need to cheat by having them read a history book or find someone who simply spells it all out. The narrative has actually been better for the lack of explanations.

GLT10a

This episode is pretty straight forward with the girls catching and riding a train, finding themselves somewhere new, the radio Yuuri has smuggled along coming to life, and then finding what might be a cat (I am hesitant to agree that it is a cat, but okay). Still, this show hasn’t been about what is happening, but more how the girls reflect on life and interact and that remains very well done in this episode with many good moments.

GLT10c

It is amazing how such a seemingly light hearted story can take place in such a bleak setting and how the show manages to remind the audience of the situation the girls are in through subtle reminders such as the nearly empty ration container. These girls aren’t road-tripping for fun. They have to keep moving and looking for supplies in order to survive. Despite the fairly heavy themes, this remains pure joy to watch.

Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this post and like the blog, consider becoming a patron to support further growth and future content.

Patreon2

Thanks,

Karandi James.

avatar

Girls’ Last Tour Episode 8: What Is Left Behind?

Posted on by Karandi

Review:

This week we get three short stories in the episode where the girls first visit a grave yard of sorts and start thinking about what people have left behind. Yuuri, as usual, has some interesting insights which she then contradicts with her next breath, but she’s still amusing and thought provoking. I also like how the camera continues to be used (and the return of the statues) as the series progresses so even though there’s no real over-arching story here there does feel like forward progress as the girls gain knowledge, memories, and items.

GLT8a

The second story gives us another rare brush with action and danger as the girls climb another tower. Again, this links back with the previous story climbing the tower including looking at the lift that was broken which is what forced them to try to drive up the spiral. This was a nice break from the usual sleepy nothing and once again showed why the girls make such a good team and the strengths they bring to the partnership.

Lastly, what to do at the end of the world after you explore and don’t really find anything? Try the random golden fluid you found in a bottle of course. I’d be a little more cautious about drinking random liquids, particularly ones that look and smell more like petrol than water, but the girls down quite a quantity of beer under the shining moon light for a very relaxed and cute ending.

GLT8e

This show continues to be a fun and relaxing watch with just enough poignant moments that you can’t dismiss it as fluff but it seldom gets too serious for too long. Very good watch so far this season.

Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this post and like the blog, consider becoming a patron to support further growth and future content.

Patreon2

Thanks,

Karandi James.

avatar

Girls’ Last Tour Episode 7: Two Types of People

Posted on by Karandi

Review:

It is always a bit of a risk having such a small cast but Girls’ Last Tour has managed to craft two characters that despite their moe like appearances really give the audience plenty to like and to relate to throughout their travels. Their contrasting views on a number of things lend themselves to numerous discussions that border on philosophical but don’t become preachy because both girls fairly readily admit that they don’t really know what is right in the end.

GLT7b

This week begins with a hunt for the ration factory that Ishii mentioned in the previous episode and it sees Chito facing her fear of heights once again. This gives Yuuri some very good moments as it isn’t often that she gets to be the voice of reason and the calm and collected one of the pair. We also see why this partnership remains in-tact because sometimes it is difficult to see what Yuuri brings to the party but scenes like this one remind us that Chito would pretty much curl up into a ball and never move without Yuuri’s reassuring and fairly strong presence.

GLT7c

However it is the discussion about the arrows that really brings their personalities into sharp relief. Chito believes it would be easy if life had arrows pointing the way but Yuuri disagrees pointing out it would be boring and wouldn’t it be more fun to see if you could get there a different way. She points to a hole on the other side of the pipe and suggests it would be better to see if they could go that way instead. I found Chito’s question of who wouldn’t follow the arrows quite amusing because I could relate so well to it. I like clear pathways and processes and when I have a marked path I’m not going to stray off of it, so I’ve found myself asking the same question of people. Why wouldn’t you follow the arrows? Yuuri however simply points out she’s a person who wouldn’t follow the arrows. The show doesn’t cast judgement on either side so regardless of whether you like marked paths or prefer to find your own way (or even if you sit on the fence) there’s something in this scene for you to relate to and to contemplate.

GLT7d

All of this is wrapped up by the cooking sequence where the girls essentially make biscuits and their contented expressions here kind of says it all. They still don’t know where they are going next and they have to first find their way back to their transport. They can’t stay here because the food is almost gone but they have managed to get some supplies. Still, for the time being there is food covered in sugar so these girls are pretty happy with life. Honestly, it is impossible to watch this show and not feel better about things.

Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this post and like the blog, consider becoming a patron to support further growth and future content.

Patreon2

Thanks,

Karandi James.

avatar

Girls’ Last Tour Episode 6: Look! There’s a Person/Plane

Posted on by Karandi

Review:

The girls encounter another person in this episode, just when they need some help because their vehicle has broken down. Chito tries very hard to repair it but unfortunately she lacks the parts they need and Yuuri’s solution is less than helpful.

GLT6a

And yet, you can’t help but feel that maybe she has a point. This is clearly something the writers wanted the audience to contemplate because hopelessness becomes the theme of a song Yuuri ends up singing throughout odd moments in the episode and we return to this idea of getting along with hopelessness after seeing the end of Ishii’s (the woman they met) story.

GLT6c

But while the episode gives the audience something to consider, this anime hasn’t become about preaching a message. Merely providing food for thought and contemplation as the girls continue their journey to a destination they don’t yet know and probably won’t ever reach. The viewing therefore remains relaxing but thought provoking. While Ishii’s presence this week leant the story a bit more direction as they all worked toward a common goal for a large chunk of the episode the girls themselves continue just to deal with situations as they occur as they take the audience along with their exploration.

Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this post and like the blog, consider becoming a patron to support further growth and future content.

Patreon2

Thanks,

Karandi James.

avatar

Girls’ Last Tour Episode 5: Beauty in Simplicity

Posted on by Karandi

Review:

Normally I would be the first to describe something like Girls’ Last Tour as dull. The plot does not exist other than two girls travelling around seemingly deserted world occasionally looking for food but mostly without any kind of direction. The two characters, while charming, aren’t anything particularly note worthy. Even the setting, post apocalyptic or abandoned world, doesn’t have anything really striking about it. This show should bore me to tears and yet the execution of this show has been so beautifully done that this world has come to life, these characters are truly engaging, and all in all, this has become a completely engrossing watch this season.

GLT5c

I would never have believed that two girls sitting in a room imagining what it would be like to have a bed, a bookcase and a pantry could be that enthralling, but Chito and Yuuri pull it off. There’s something utterly compelling about the blend of optimism and emptiness that comes across in every exchange between the girls. They aren’t wallowing in their circumstances, but they aren’t deluded into thinking everything is just fine. It is a curious mix of harsh reality with an odd contentment that comes from accepting circumstances as they are and it is something I don’t feel I’ve come across before in an anime.

GLT5d

The final segment of this episode had the girls sheltering from the rain and we once again get to see how young they are and how starved for anything resembling play and entertainment. Yuuri notices the sound of the rain on her helmet and soon the girls gather cans and other things to stack under rain drops. At first it is just noise but then they blend that sound seamlessly with the music for the closing credits and to be honest it was fantastic. And yes, I am aware  I just said that watching two young anime characters put tins under rain drops and listen to the sound was fantastic.

Girls’ Last Tour is not to my usual taste, it is slow and sleepy and I’ll probably never rewatch, but I am absolutely loving this viewing experience right now.

Thanks for reading.

If you enjoyed this post and like the blog, consider becoming a patron to support further growth and future content.

Patreon2

Thanks,

Karandi James.

avatar