Catch this Train to the End of the World Anime Review -

Of the new anime series that I have streamed in Spring 2024, Train to the End of the World stands out in a crowd.

Although the first season was only half-finished when I wrote this, I could tell that it would be worth a review.

Basics
Prologue: A Cell Phone Apocalypse
Plot: A Dangerous Train Quest
Characters
Graphics
Soundtrack
Voice Acting
Where to Watch
Final Verdict

Note: This series is unrelated to the Trans-Siberian Railway movie, D2: Train to the End of the World.

Train to the End of the World Basics

Train to the End of the World is a post-apocalyptic action-comedy fantasy anime series.

The series features a group of high school girls who are searching for their missing friend. This quest will take them across a mysterious landscape that used to be Japan.

The title comes from their means of transport, Seibu Railway’s Ikebukuro Line. (According to reports, the series celebrates the 150th anniversary of Japan’s first railway.)

Train to the End of the World started in April 2024. The anime-first series is not an adaptation of a manga or light novel — which puts it alongside such creative hits as Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

(Although a manga exists, the manga adapts the anime.)

Because it is an original series, viewers can’t cheat by reading ahead.

Prologue: A Cell Phone Apocalypse

At the beginning of the series, Agano schoolgirl Yoka is visiting Ikebukuro when she randomly gets chosen to help launch the 7G cell phone network.

For some unexplained reason, 7G triggers a disaster. The world gets warped, distances expand, civilization collapses, and the countryside ends up looking like something from a Hayao Miyazaki film. (One scene from Spirited Away comes to mind.)

To make matters worse, the distortion affects people as well. For example, all of the adults in Yoka’s hometown turn into intelligent animals.

The main story begins two years later. Life goes on, although the remaining towns are more isolated. People have learned to adapt to the changes.

Plot: A Dangerous Train Quest

When Yoka goes missing, her friend Shizuru starts searching for her without much luck. However, she learns that Yoka may be still alive in Ikebukuro.

With the help of Zenjiro, a half-senile/ half-normal train conductor, she learns how to operate a train, and plans to take it to find her friend.

Joining her on this quest are schoolmates Nadeshiko, Reimi, and Akira — and also Yoka’s dog, Pochi. (Zenjiro remains behind, but is able to contact them when he’s in his right mind).

Without giving away too many spoilers, the journey has been dangerous. Each station was affected in a different way, with various forms of insanity awaiting the girls. (In hindsight, Agano got off easy.)

Fortunately, the series does provide some quiet moments, including cute and fun flashbacks.

Eventually, we get some clues about the true nature of 7G, and the sinister backstory behind Zenjiro’s strange condition. When the series isn’t focusing on the oddities of the post-7G world, we also get some insight into the former lives of the girls — including an argument which may have caused Yoka to leave.

Train to the End of the World Characters

Unlike some ensemble-heavy series, this plot-driven anime has done a lot with a handful of characters.

The minimalist cast includes the girls, their dog, the train conductor, and the missing girl (who has only appeared in the introduction and in flashbacks).

A doctor who was introduced in episode 5 seems to know a lot, and has the potential to become bigger later. The girls also met a weird adventurer who provided them with a (probably useless?) map. The helpful caravan guy, “Neko-nii,” may also turn up again.

It take an episode or two to really get to know the girls. But for the most part, they seem like typical teens.

Zenjiro is an interesting character, with his split personality. His senile old man persona is useless. But his younger self might reveal a lot if he could remain focused.

Graphics

You would expect a series which takes place in a surreal, post-apocalyptic fantasy version of Earth to have good artwork. And Train to the End of the World does not disappoint.

The series features roller coaster-esque sections of track, giant floods, and some amazing scenery. We also get creative, if sometimes disturbing imagery.

Soundtrack

It would be hard to come up with a more appropriate opening theme song than “Ga-Tan Go-Ton” by Rei Nakashima.

Even ignoring the lyrics, it is a cute, bouncy, and fun piece of music which fits the mood and tone of the series. You can even hear some electronic distortion, which echoes the 7G disaster.

If you translate the lyrics into English, it becomes even more appropriate. For example, the title is typical Japanese onomatopoeia — roughly equivalent to typical train sounds such as “clickity clack.”

The ending theme, “Eureka” by Rokudenashi, is also a good song. But it is less on-the-nose appropriate for this series, and could be used for a lot of anime.

Voice Acting

The voice acting for the series is quite good.

Chika Anzai plays Shizuru, the determined leader of the group. Anzai was Reina in Sound! Euphonium.
Erisa Kuon is perfect as the gyaru girl Reimi. Kuon was Surahappa in My Isekai Life.
Hina Kino has the perfect voice for the sarcastic, intelligent bookworm Akira. Kino is also Flora in Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear.
Azumi Waki plays Nadeshiko, the peacemaker between Reimi and Akira. Waki also plays Alicia in Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I’m Not the Demon Lord.
Kazuyuki Okitsu convincingly plays both young and old versions of Zenjiro. Okitsu is also Jonathan Joestar in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
So far, we haven’t seen much of Nao Toyama as the missing schoolgirl Yoka. Toyama is better known as Rin from Laid-Back Camp.