Nakatomi Youka is selected to inaugurate the launch of the 7G network. A technology set to revolutionize the world and the way people communicate. Unfortunately, during the ceremony, something went wrong. The device controlling the entire system ended up changing the lives of everyone on Earth. From that moment on, people over the age of 21 began transforming into animals,. Although they retained much of their human consciousness and instincts. A significant portion of the world’s land areas was reshaped. Many services and goods that were once commonplace became severely restricted or entirely eliminated.

Two years after this event, Chikura Shizuru and her friends are still searching for their missing friend, who disappeared right after the failed inauguration. By chance, Shizuru learns how to operate an electric locomotive from a former railway worker. She decides to embark on a more serious search, setting out on a long journey aboard one of the abandoned trains.

Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? (2024) – Audiovisual Design

Video

Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? is an original project by EMT Squared studio. Visually, the series is quite impressive. The character designs are full of detail, as is the environment. The only thing I could criticize is the scenes featuring the trains, which were rendered using 3D models.

In addition, it’s worth noting that the animation of the characters and the emotions they convey are very dynamic, making every episode a pleasure to watch.

Audio

The cast features some very popular names, many of whom are among my favorite voice actresses. These include Touyama Nao, Saitou Chiwa, Shimoji Shino, Anzai Chika, Waki Azumi, Iguchi Yuka, and Kitamura Eri. The anime is full of fast-paced, dynamic, and emotion-filled dialogues. Thanks to these seiyuu and the directors, listening to the show was such a pleasure and satisfaction.

The soundtrack is also a unique aspect of the series. Many of the tracks in the score are more than just background music. They are interesting arrangements that are enjoyable to revisit outside of the show as well. The opening (Nakashima Rei – GA-TAN GO-TON) and ending (Rokudenashi – EUREKA) songs are particularly noteworthy and have permanently found a place on my playlists.

Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? (2024) – Plot and Characters

Introduction

Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? is another series that premiered in the spring of 2024. It initially caught my interest for a few reasons. Firstly, it was an original project. Secondly, its theme involved train journeys through a world that can’t quite be classified as post-apocalyptic. This was a plus for me, as traditional post-apocalyptic settings don’t usually appeal to me. To be honest, I was somewhat discouraged during much of the first episode. I was expecting something entirely different than a random assortment of scenes. I felt that the creators were trying too hard to force the uniqueness and creativity of their work. Moreover, some shots with 3D graphics contrasted sharply with the otherwise beautifully crafted backgrounds. However, the last few minutes restored my hope that everything would eventually get back on the right… track.

A Quick Overview of Seiyuu Radio no Uraomote Plot

Nakatomi Youka is selected to participate in the inauguration of the 7G network. This technology is meant to change the world and the way people communicate. Unfortunately, during the ceremony, something went wrong. The device controlling the entire system literally changed the lives of everyone on Earth. From that moment on, people over the age of 21 began transforming into animals. Although they retained much of their human consciousness and instincts. A significant portion of the world’s land areas was reshaped. Many services and goods that were once commonplace became severely restricted or entirely eliminated.

Two years after this event, Chikura Shizuru and her friends are still searching for their missing friend, who disappeared right after the failed inauguration. By chance, Shizuru learns how to operate an electric locomotive from a former railway worker. She decides to embark on a more serious search, setting out on a long journey aboard one of the abandoned trains. She is joined by Nadeshiko, Remi, Akira, and a dog named Pochi.

Not long after their journey begins, the girls realize that other regions have been affected by anomalies completely different from the transformation into animals. Additionally, the distances between different districts of Tokyo have increased so much that it is no longer possible to reach them on foot.

Characters

The main group of heroines, consisting of Shizuru, Nadeshiko, Remi, and Akira, is a mix of completely different personalities. Shizuru takes her plans to find her friend Youka very seriously. She is driven by guilt—she can’t forgive herself for the harsh words she said to Youka in anger. Her determination is so strong that she’s ready to embark on the journey alone. Remi, on the other hand, is carefree. She acts on impulse and emotion, without considering the consequences. However, she’s very friendly and, in her own way, cares for her friends. Akira has a complex about her height, so she tries to appear mature and rational at all costs. It’s not hard to guess that this often doesn’t work out too well for her. Nadeshiko is kind-hearted and excels at solving problems by calming situations in various ways.

The heroines complement each other with their differing personalities. Their different perspectives on the world allow them to carry out their travel plans and get out of most situations unscathed. Moreover, the occasional arguments between them paradoxically bring them closer together and strengthen their bonds.

Other Characters

Each episode introduces many new characters. Most of them are episodic and do not return in later episodes. However, this doesn’t mean that every new character the girls meet during their train journey is forgotten. At least a few supporting characters have had a real impact on the course of events.

What is the series about

Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? tells the story of four friends who set out on a journey into a completely unknown world. Almost every episode features the next stop on the Seibu Ikebukuro line. The line starts in Ikebukuro and ends in Agano. The girls travel through the stations in reverse order, starting from Agano, as Ikebukuro is the destination of their journey. It was there that Youka was last seen.

Each place they visit turns out to be affected by a different phenomenon. In one, people are turned into zombies. In another, they visit a miniature version of the world; and in another, people live in symbiosis with mushrooms that grow on their heads. The scriptwriters have certainly made sure that viewers can marvel at the fruits of their creative work. Many ideas really appealed to me, genuinely surprised me, and quickly made me forget the mixed feelings I had from the first episode. A nice addition is the well-executed fanservice in many places. This includes both the charms of the heroines and the fairly accurate depiction of operating a train, as well as the train models themselves.

It’s worth mentioning that the train the heroines travel on is a fairly accurate representation of a real electric multiple unit that operates on the suburban lines of Tokyo. The train in question is the Seibu 2000 series, which first appeared on the tracks in the late 1970s. The first information about the work on Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? was announced on the 150th anniversary of the opening of Japan’s first railway line.

Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? (2024) – Evaluation and Summary

As soon as I saw the first PV for Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku?, I knew it would definitely be on my watchlist for its premiere. Original series often struggle with maintaining the right pacing and keeping the audience engaged with the characters’ fates. In this case, the overall execution wasn’t perfect either (with P.A. Works and most of their original projects being a reference for nearly flawless execution). The ending (not to be confused with the conclusion) left much to be desired. I’m not even referring to the overly exaggerated, almost comical antagonist, who was deliberately created that way. The events leading up to the conclusion simply weren’t as satisfying as the preceding episodes. However, in the finale, the creators managed to resolve the mentioned issues quite skillfully, presenting an interesting ending that I simply didn’t expect.

The undeniable strength of Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku? is the train journey motif. Fans of this mode of transportation will certainly feel right at home. The excellent work of the voice actors also deserves special mention. This anime is definitely worth watching, even though I probably wouldn’t list it among essential titles.

Finalny werdykt

Final evaluation

Which translation do I recommend to watch Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku?

• Crunchyroll – one example of how official translations should be carried out (and that, as you can see, somehow it is possible). It may not have been a perfect translation, but it was as respectable as possible.

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