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「星空 / 戦争」 (Hoshizora / Sensou)
“Starry Sky / War”
Girls, post-apocalypse, and a dash of slice of life: welcome to Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou. This was one of the shows I was most looking forward to this season, having a cute main duo, wonderful focus on atmosphere, and a subtle, yet defined emphasis on philosophical introspection. Needless to say the manga won me over hard and so far at least it looks like the anime will easily do the same.
Before getting to the good (and bad), the important thing to remember is that SSR at its core is a slice of life. As the handy dandy RC preview states there is little in way of actual “story” here: it’s just two girls exploring the world around them. Sure we have some measure of overarching plot (i.e. exploring things, watching Yuu (Kubo Yurkia) adorably nom on stuff), but SSR is more 4-koma “episodic” than arc-based, sticking to daily shenanigans rather than heading down the well-trodden save the world path. Do not expect those flashbacks and hints of the past to ever be more than flavouring, SSR (at least for the current translation) firmly sticks to lightheartedness and never ventures far into the realm of pain and suffering. The show may look and feel like Made in Abyss, but unlike that tremendous tearjerker, its darkness remains locked beneath the surface of musing over chocolate and war. Expect lots of similar trains of thought as the girls keep trundling forward.
Provided one can get past every inexplicable manner of Kettenkrad, Chi-Ha (and Panzer III), Karabiner 98k, and patented American minigun present though, there’s quite a bit of slice of life to enjoy with SSR. Our duo in Chi (Minase Inori) and Yuu is case in point, having the chemistry down pat and unique personalities to help differentiate them. I imagine Yuu will win over the most here, between her obsession with anything edible (and not) and a clear no sh*ts given attitude regarding life in general, but Chi thankfully retains the stoic rationalism and humorous phobia that will come up later. While I’m not entirely sold on Chi’s voice acting just yet (I imagined something a bit more lively), considering how well White Fox has done with the backgrounds and atmosphere so far (not to mention the bubbly moeblob art), such nitpickings quickly become mute. Plus we also have that fantastic soundtrack to help smoothen over the bumps, which might just give Made in Abyss a run for its money. Healing anime in the making this certainly looks to be.
Having pleasantly laid out its story and given a good taste of what to look forward to, SSR is ready and raring to get this slice of party started. With two chapters a week likely to be adapted and plenty of pre-existing material to work with, the fun is just getting started as this world is slowly revealed. It may not be the most “exciting” anime to ever grace our screens, but among fall’s offerings SSR has the best chance at stimulating our minds and encouraging our thoughts. Certainly hard asking for more as a bit of laid back weekday wind down.
Of all the shows we’ve watched, this was definitely one of them.
Wow. My wife and I just stared at this. Beautiful, charming, horrible.
Where is this going?
This is one of those shows that starts light and fluffy, but then reveals a totally heartbreaking twist to make you feel crappy right? Most people will be watching this thinking wait for it, wait for it, THERE IT IS, OH GOD ;.;.
I’m going to laugh hard at the end when they’re all badly disappointed 😛
The series never once breaks into heartbreak territory, although there are some moments that can really get you thinking. It’s more Kemono Friends than Made in Abyss as maou mentions.
Note: have only seen ep1, no manga, etc: I speculated to wife that these (they ate, but never drank; eating snow (beyond a handful) will put you into shock) that these two are machines.
Show Spoiler ▼
https://randomc.net/image/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2027.jpg
Kemono Friends+Girl und Panzers looks interesting,i will keep it on tab!
Yeah, looks like a MKIII with a short 37mm.
That’s a Chi-Ha.
NOT Panzer III
https://randomc.net/image/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2030.jpg
Well Pancakes, you nailed Pz III, Chi-Ha, US minigun and Kettenkrad down butanyone hasany idea what plane this is? Really looks like Tu-95 Bear. Any Soviet aviation experts here?
I don’t know about you guys but do you notice that they’re wearing different uniform and helmets? One’s wearing a British helmet while the other is wearing a sthalheim… If I spelt it correctly…
I’m guessing the plane is, it’s the only bomber I know with four contra-rotating prop engines and an elongated cockpit nose.
And you’re close the spelling, it’s Stahlhelm 😛
It’s a Bear, but I think it’s the Tu-142 variant as it doesn’t have the distinctive chin radar of the 95.
Never mind, I looked at it again carefully and it indeed does have the bulge to the chin area. It kind of looks like a cross between the two variants.
it seems like nuclear winter with sprinkling of military hardware ranging from ww1 to ww3…
Seems set that way…
World of Fallout (PC Game), just with these two of them
I wish the uguu faces where drawn just a tad more realistically. Just a smidge.
I like CGDCT to a certain extent but these moeblobs are doing too much for me.
So happy to see it animated.
I happened upon this manga a couple of years ago and was completely sold after first chapter. And I thought that it would be great material for anime. Guess what, sometimes you’ll get what you wish for. Definitely highlight of the season.
Unlike you, Pancakes, I think that both girls voices are quite fitting. Pretty much exactly as I imagined them. I guess it’s up to personal preference.
Probably personal preference yeah, I think I was expecting a little more exasperation in her voice considering Yuu’s rambunctious behaviour, but still plenty of time for that to come up.
This was def a good one. 🙂
I have mixed feelings…
one of them are, when i saw they eating Snow to kill their thirsty (perhaps), i got an flashback of some little “sister” eating imaginary rice balls made out of dry sand… Yes it was in Grave of the Fireflies
As i said, an entire season of this could be a bit to much sadness for me.. every time Grave of the Fireflies memories comes back… even if they are not really the same
Well, lets see the other 2 Episodes.. i do not have the heart for 12-13 Episodes of these feelings you now
Warning!
Brace yourself for Grave of the Fireflies. If you do not cry then your have an heart of Stone
Also, if this are Snow produced from Fallout, then the World they living in is not only vast and empty, no then the Surface is deadly for them. Radiation Fallout that are in the Snow…
But not knowing can be an blessing. We do not know yet, in how this world end up this, without Humans.. they evacuated and these two stay behind to fight? So they are the last 2 members of their Squad, traveling vast battlefields
The rifle looks like an Arisaka and not a Mauser. The bolt, front sight and cutouts on the furniture don’t match a K98K.
Could very well be, my rifle identification is about as good as my plane knowledge. Read: not very good 😛
https://randomc.net/image/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2028.jpg
This girl over there, she has a weird…behavior…i mean…
https://randomc.net/image/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou/Shoujo%20Shuumatsu%20Ryokou%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2013.jpg
Oh Come on…i she really hungry or something…?
Just wait, you haven’t seen anything yet 😛
You know these frames are very misleading. At one point you have a war and another Your soldiers are adorable, the type of people you want to shield. I would prefer to know how they got involved this squabble in the first place.
Old Pro Tip of me..
Look for “Quiet Earth” Film from 1985
When an Experiment went wrong and… the rest is history. You sure will find out
While played for laughs, the scene with the chocolate bar was a nice commentary on imperialism, basically saying “I have a gun, so I can take all your stuff if I wanted to”.