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Train to the End of the World
Key visual featuring the four main characters
終末トレインどこへいく？
(Shūmatsu Torein Doko e Iku?)
Genre Post-apocalyptic, science fantasy, slice-of-life, surreal comedy
Created byapogeego
Manga
Written byapogeego
Illustrated byTorimura
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
MagazineKadoComi
Demographic Seinen
Original runMarch 25, 2024 – present
Anime television series
Directed by
Written by Michiko Yokote
Music byMiho Tsujibayashi
Studio EMT Squared
Licensed by Crunchyroll
Original network AT-X, Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, SUN, BS11
Original run April 1, 2024 – present
Episodes5

Train to the End of the World (終末トレインどこへいく？, Shūmatsu Torein Doko e Iku?, lit. "Where Does the Doomsday Train Go?") is an original Japanese anime television series produced by Kadokawa, animated by EMT Squared and directed by Tsutomu Mizushima, with Michiko Yokote handling series composition, Asako Nishida handling character designs based on namo's original designs, and Miho Tsujibayashi composing the music. It premiered in April 2024. A manga adaptation illustrated by Torimura began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's KadoComi manga website in March 2024.

Story

After the disastrous launch of an experimental 7G cellular network warps reality itself, Japan is left devastated with civilization collapsing and being reduced to scattered, isolated settlements. In addition, the 7G Incident has created strange phenomena and affected the surviving population in various ways, such as transforming the residents of Agano into intelligent animals once they reach the age of 21. Two years after the 7G Incident, young student and Agano resident Shizuru Chikura comes across evidence that her missing friend and classmate Yoka Nakatomi is actually alive and well in Ikebukuro. With the warped landscape too dangerous to travel on foot, Shizuru and her friends commandeer an abandoned passenger train with the intent to follow the rail line to Ikebukuro and reunite with Yoka.

Characters

Shizuru Chikura (千倉 静留, Chikura Shizuru)
Voiced by: Chika Anzai [1]
A young student and resident of Agano. She lives with her grandmother and mother, who have both been turned into animals following the 7G Incident. Shizuru has spent the past two years since the 7G Incident searching for Yoka, who disappeared after both girls had a falling out. Learning that Yoka is living in Ikebukuro, Shizuru commandeers an abandoned passenger train and, accompanied by her friends, is determined to ride it to Ikebukuro to reunite with Yoka.
Nadeshiko Hoshi (星 撫子, Hoshi Nadeshiko)
Voiced by: Azumi Waki [2]
A very mature and polite student who accompanies Shizuru on her journey to Ikebukuro and acts as the group's peacemaker, often breaking up fights between Reimi and Akira.
Reimi Kuga (久賀 玲実, Kuga Reimi)
Voiced by: Erisa Kuon [2]
An energetic and cheerful student who accompanies Shizuru on her journey to Ikebukuro and is always highly optimistic, but constantly gets into fights with Akira due to their conflicting personalities.
Akira Shinonome (東雲 晶, Shinonome Akira)
Voiced by: Hina Kino [2]
A highly intelligent but withdrawn student who accompanies Shizuru on her journey to Ikebukuro and tends to keep to herself, but constantly gets into fights with Reimi due to their conflicting personalities.
Yōka Nakatomi (中富 葉香, Nakatomi Yōka)
Voiced by: Nao Tōyama [3]
Shizuru's best friend who had a falling out with her and left Agano for Ikebukuro for unknown reasons. She has subsequently been trapped in the city ever since the 7G Incident.
Zenjirō (善治郎)
Voiced by: Kazuyuki Okitsu [3]
A mysterious train conductor who managed to retain his humanity but lost his sanity and arrived in Agano seemingly out of nowhere. Zenjiro can temporarily regain his sanity for five minutes a day when wearing his conductor's cap and is the one to teach Shizuru how to operate the train. He has a deep grudge against Pontaro, the inventor of 7G, and has sworn revenge against him. He remained in Agano for the time being and communicates with Shizuru and her friends by banging the train tracks to generate Morse code. It is hinted that he also took part in the creation of 7G.
Pochi-san (ポチさん) [3]
Yoka's pet dog, who seems to have been completely unaffected by 7G.
Pontaro
A scientist from Ikebukuro. It was he who invented 7G with the intention of using it to improve life, but to his shock, it instead changed reality.
Doctor Makoto
A miniature doctor who helped construct Inariyama's military base, but was overpowered and imprisoned by the Boss, who took over her role. It is revealed that she is one of the scientists who helped create 7G. She was later freed by Shizuru's group and decided to return to Agano so she can reunite with Zenjiro, who had a past with her.
The Boss (The Boss)
A young unnamed man who likes bases, planes and other military weapons that he wanted to join it, but the people said he wasn't smart or athletic enough to join them. After 7G incident, he was still himself and went to Inariyama only to discover the people there became small, so he took over the place and made the lower class make electricity for him to the base he made his room to his enjoyment. He locked Doctor Makoto away due to fear she might find a way to make everyone return to normal. He dislikes Gyaru types like Reimi and is smitten by Shizuru that he wanted to keep her. He is defeated by Reimi and is banished to an island in Sayama Lake.

Media

Manga

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Torimura and told from Akira's perspective, began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's KadoComi manga website on March 25, 2024. [4]

Anime

The original anime television series was announced on Railway Day on October 14, 2022, which celebrates the 150th anniversary of Japan's first railway. [5] [6] It is directed by Tsutomu Mizushima and written by Michiko Yokote, both of whom had previously worked on the anime series Shirobako and The Magnificent Kotobuki, and features animation production by EMT Squared, original character designs by namo, animation character designs by Asako Nishida, and music composed by Miho Tsujibayashi. [2] The series premiered on April 1, 2024, on AT-X and other networks. [4] The opening theme song is "GA-TAN GO-TON", performed by Rei Nakashima, [7] while the ending theme song is "Eureka", performed by Rokudenashi. [3] Crunchyroll licensed the series. [8]

Episodes

No.Title  [9] [b]Directed by  [c]Written by  [c]Storyboarded by  [c]Original air date  [11]
1"I'll Be Going Now"
Transliteration: "Chotto Ittekuru" ( Japanese: ちょっと行ってくる)		 Tsutomu Mizushima Michiko Yokote Tsutomu MizushimaApril 1, 2024 (2024-04-01)
Two years after the disastrous launch of an experimental 7G cellular network that warped reality, Japan has been left devastated with civilization reduced to various scattered, isolated settlements. Strange phenomena are now commonplace throughout the country such as the people of the town of Agano being transformed into intelligent animals once they reach the age of 21. Shizuru Chikura, Nadeshiko Hoshi, Reimi Kuga, and Akira Shinonome are four students native to Agano who are left to wonder about their future, knowing they will inevitably turn into animals as well once they come of age. They then find a newspaper showing that their missing classmate Yoka Nakatomi is still alive in Ikebukuro, but have no way of getting there. That night, Shizuru finds a train conductor's cap and returns it to a feral Tairo Zenjiro, who suddenly regains his sanity and reveals he has a grudge against Pontaro, the inventor of 7G, and seeks to get revenge on him. Unable to leave Agano himself, Zenjiro teaches Shizuru how to operate an abandoned passenger train. Shizuru's mother respects her daughter's decision to leave for Ikebukuro and after announcing that she is dropping out of school, Shizuru prepares for her trip. As she starts up the train, Nadeshiko, Remi, Akira, and Yoka's dog Pochi decide to accompany Shizuru and they begin the long trek to Ikebukuro, which is 30 stops away.
2"Suppose, Maybe, Presumably"
Transliteration: "Suisoku, Darou, Omowareru" ( Japanese: 推測、だろう、思われる)		Fumihiko SuganumaMichiko YokoteFumihiko SuganumaApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
Riding the train, the girls soon reach the Koma River, where they experience sharp turns. They soon come to realize that in their haste to leave Agano, none of them had thought to bring adequate supplies for the trip. Shizuru reveals that she did bring some supplies, including a bitter melon plant. They then come across an eccentric old man from Ikebukruo, who is exploring the Koma River using a swan boat. They trade cigarettes for his map of the river and rail line, but the man warns them that route to Ikebukuro will be dangerous; the map that he gave them proves to be anything but helpful. They learn to communicate with Zenjiro through Morse code via banging the train tracks. Reimi then suggests that they turn back and return to Agano to properly stock up on supplies. However, a tsunami suddenly forms behind the train, forcing Shizuru to drive forward at full speed in order to outrun it. They are able to escape the tsunami, but it destroys the bridge behind them, forcing them to continue forward toward Ikebukuro. Eventually, they reach Higashi-Agano Station where they are greeted by the local populace, who are humans with mushrooms growing out of the tops of their heads.
3"Short, Happy and Easy"
Transliteration: "Shōto de Happīījī ni" ( Japanese: ショートでハッピーイージーに)		Takahiko UsuiMichiko YokoteJong HeoApril 15, 2024 (2024-04-15)
The girls find the residents of Higashi-Agano to be very friendly and hospitable, and they are allowed to stay the night in a vacant house. However, Akira is uneasy at how friendly the residents seem to be, and catches sight of them watching her and the girls from afar. That night, Akira wakes up and heads for the bathroom, but stumbles upon a meeting between the residents who are planning to force the girls to join their town, but has to run when she is spotted. Akira is found by her friends, but the residents claim she simply had a nightmare. The next day, the girls' departure is delayed by the train being covered in bitter melon vines. As they remove the vines and obtain supplies, the girls except Akira begin growing apathetic as mushrooms begin growing out of their heads. Akira manages to remind Shizuru about her desire to reunite with Yoka, and she removes her mushroom and helps rescue Reimi and Nadeshiko. The residents reveal that since they no longer want to live in a world ruined by the 7G Incident, they voluntarily allow themselves to be infected by parasitic mushrooms that remove their negative emotions, but at the cost of killing them in two years. Seeing that the residents do not want to be saved, the girls board the train and continue on their journey; upset that the girls don't want to join them, the residents reluctantly let them leave. However, Akira realizes to her horror that something is growing on her back.
4"Why Are You Hiding Your Butt?"
Transliteration: "Nande Oshiri Kakusu no?" ( Japanese: なんでおしり隠すの？)		Tsutomu MizushimaShigeru Murakoshi
  • Jong Heo
  • Tsutomu Mizushima
April 22, 2024 (2024-04-22)
As the girls contemplate how long it will take to reach Ikebukuro, Akira hides the growth on her back. When the train arrives at Musashi-Yokote Station, the girls are forced to keep moving when they come under attack from a herd of humanoid goats. That night, the girls decide to take turns driving the train to give Shizuru a chance to rest, and Akira remains in denial that something is growing on her back, fearing it is a mushroom. The train then arrives at Koma Station, but the girls decide to keep moving when they see the area infested with living turnips. They pass Higashi-Hannō Station as it rains golf balls, and find trees shaped like humans at Hannō Station. Other visited places include a field of tiny lights, a station full of sentient but immobile statues, and an area full of giant organs. The girls finally notice the mushrooms growing on Akira's back and remove them, but she reverts to a childlike personality. Zenjiro fears Akira's brain might be affected and advises the girls to see a doctor who lives near Inariyama-kōen Station. Upon arriving at Inariyama, Shizuru and Reimi leave the train to the explore the area and find a miniature town, only be attacked by miniature Japanese Self Defense Forces. They are both knocked unconscious and later awake to find themselves tied to a helicopter's propellers.
5"I'll Be Reduced to Bones"
Transliteration: "Hone ni Sarete Shimaimasu" ( Japanese: 骨にされてしまいます)
  • Masayuki Iimura
  • Takahiko Usui
  • Tsutomu Mizushima
Shigeru MurakoshiJong HeoApril 29, 2024 (2024-04-29)
The miniature soldiers interrogate Shizuru and Reimi and become concerned when they learn they are looking for the Doctor. After the soldiers leave, the girls convince a groundskeeper to help free them despite the punishment that she may receive for helping them. The groundskeeper explains that the 7G experiment caused Inariyama, the nearby JSDF military base, and all of its inhabitants to shrink. Doctor Makoto helped organize Inariyama to deal with the incident, up until the Boss overthrew her and seized control of the city. Shizuru and Reimi manage to rescue Makoto from the base, and discover the Boss is simply a normal sized human like them, Shizuru helps them escape, but gets knocked out. Reimi takes Makoto back to the train where she reveals she was a 7G scientist who worked alongside Zenjiro and Pontaro. Makoto theorizes Akira is suffering from "7G wave brain phenomenon", where a person's physical state is affected by their own self perception. She suggests feeding Akira a mushroom to convince her she is cured, Shizuru wakes up in the Boss's room and he explains to her about himself and after 7G incident, the smitten Boss attempts to make a bargain with her, but then Reimi returns to the base to rescue her and collect a mushroom. During the fighting, Reimi's bracelet, which was a gift from Akira, gets broken, and she goes berserk, easily defeating the military and the Boss before Shizuru calms her down. Reimi then feeds Akira the mushrooms, but when that doesn't work, she force feeds pages from Akira's favorite book to her, which cures her. Afterwards, the people of Inariyama exile the Boss to an isolated island for his crimes and Makoto decides to travel to Agano to reunite with Zenjiro. The girls bid them farewell as they continue on to Ikebukuro.

Notes

  1. ^ Episode Direction Chief (演出チーフ)
  2. ^ All English titles are taken from Crunchyroll. [10]
  3. ^ a b c Information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.

References

  1. ^ Harding, Daryl (July 11, 2023). "Tsutomu Mizushima's Shumatsu Train Doko e Iku? TV Anime Signs Chika Anzai in Lead Role". Crunchyroll. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Cayanan, Joanna; Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 30, 2023). "Shūmatsu Train Doko e Iku? Original TV Anime Reveals Cast, Staff, Promo Video, 2024 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 15, 2024). "Train to the End of the World TV Anime's 3rd Promo Video Reveals Ending Theme Artist, More Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Loo, Egan (March 3, 2024). "Where Does the Doomsday Train Go? Anime Unveils Ad, Manga Adaptation, April 1 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  5. ^ Mateo, Alex (October 14, 2022). "Kadokawa Announces Original Shūmatsu Train Doko e Iku? TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  6. ^ Harding, Daryl (October 14, 2022). "Shirobako Director Tsutomu Mizushima's Next TV Anime 'Shumatsu Train Doko e Iku?' Announced". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 11, 2024). "Shūmatsu Train Doko e Iku? Original TV Anime Reveals Opening Theme, April Debut in Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 13, 2024). "Crunchyroll Announces Release Schedule for Spring 2024 Anime Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Sutōrī -Orijinaru Terebi Anime "Shūmatsu Torein Doko e Iku?" Koshiki Saito-" STORY -オリジナルTVアニメーション『終末トレインどこへいく？』公式サイト- [Story -Original TV Anime "Train to the End of the World" Official Site-]. shumatsu-train.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  10. ^ "Watch Train to the End of the World - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  11. ^ "On'ea -Orijinaru Terebi Anime "Shūmatsu Torein Doko e Iku?" Koshiki Saito-" ON AIR | -オリジナルTVアニメーション『終末トレインどこへいく？』公式サイト- [On Air -Original TV Anime "Train to the End of the World" Official Site-]. shumatsu-train.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 1, 2024.

External links

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