Girls' Last Tour

Girl's Last Tour is an impeccable anime that I feel is the very definition of what makes something unique. Everything in this anime has never really been done before in the industry with this level of care for quality, and is the epitome of a new and fresh experience for viewers. The style is distinct and highly memorable. The story is original, even in the highly saturated apocalyptic genre. The cutesy cartoonish characters manage to feel very human, with their own passions and motives for surviving in a world that guarantees them nothing in life. The enjoyment of watching such a masterpiece is unique to Girls' Last Tour and Girls' Last Tour alone. This one of the very few anime I've enjoyed enough to want to read the manga it originated from (and it didn't disappoint! The anime was very faithfully reproduced, though the manga's story extends to have a more concrete, albeit depressing ending).

The story of Girls' Last Tour is a unique take on the concept of post-apocalyptic media. The original author of the manga is a wonderfully talented, likely depressed, individual who has an affinity for surreal designs and stories. In Girls' Last Tour there's no zombies, there's no disease, and there's no real action. It's just a completely unique and captivating story for reasons other than solely focusing on the post-society aspects. The anime finished prior to the ending of the manga releases, so if you liked the anime, the manga is a must-read in my opinion. Afterwards, "Shimeji Simulation" by the same author, is yet another amazing story that appears to somehow tie into the story of Girls' Last Tour.

The art style is unique to Tsukumizu, though it was slightly altered to fit the medium of anime better. The characters are cutesy and simplified, cartoonishly exaggerated at times, but are very expressive, unique, and simply lovable. The scenery is gritty, eerie, and realistic, feeling just as important as the characters themselves, in an industry where background scenery and setting is often a secondhand thought. Overall, this results in an extremely unique experience that can be found nowhere else. The art is honestly one of my favorite aspects of Girls' Last Tour, and I find myself consistently wanting more art in this style.

Sound is yet another category deserving of a perfect score. It's one of the few series' OSTs I found myself consistently listening to on a casual basis, even using the full ambient OST as driving music on long trips to more remote locations, especially in the rain. It's a wonderful mix of cheerful, depressing, eerie, and atmospheric music. A very original tone that I've yet to see another series match its level. I urge you to listen to the music as you watch the series, and come back to the OST after you finish the anime to enjoy in its isolated form.

Characters? You got two lovable sweet potatoes. Baked with extra sugar and love. These girls are some of the cutest motherfuckers you'll ever meet. Fantastically written, impeccable dialogue, incredibly both fitting with and contrasting against the story at the same time. There's a lot to be said here about the deeper aspects of their design, but I hate it when reviewers just simply spoil character traits within a review, as if it's something I come to read the review for. Just believe me when I say these characters are some of the best in anime. Tsukumizu is as much of a fantastically gifted writer as they are an artist.

Girls' Last Tour is just such a fantastic anime in general. It's a completely fresh experience you won't even find mimicked elsewhere. Everything about it is distinct, purposeful, and entertaining. I was growing up right around the time that everything and everything had to be set in a post-apocalyptic world, so believe me, I'm just as burnt out on the genre as anyone else. Despite that, Girls' Last Tour is the freshest breath of air you'll find in the genre, anime or otherwise, and this genuine masterpiece has rightfully landed a place in my #1 favorite anime of all time.