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<\/a>Zatsu Tabi<\/em> is a funny one (and I don\u2019t mean the Engrish \u2013 well, not just<\/em> that). It and Apocalypse Hotel<\/em> were two shows whose premieres comfortably exceeded my expectations. If you asked me with first episode I liked better, I would definitely say this one. If you asked me which one I thought I\u2019d like better for a cour, I\u2019d probably say Apocalypse Hotel<\/em>. That\u2019s Journey<\/em> has a healthy scent of CGDCT and healing to it, and those are two hard sells for me. And the evidence suggested that the first ep was atypical in a way that would raise the threat level in that respect.<\/p>\n<\/a>As I noted last week, the premiere totally broadcasted on my wavelength. I got when it was trying to say on a genetic level, no translation necessary. There\u2019s still a lot of that this time, but the fact is, I love solo traveling. I appreciate the experience of traveling with a friend too \u2013 and the exploration of their respective appeals is a fascinating thing in itself. To its credit, Zatsu Tabi<\/em> is clearly aware of this and reflecting on it is part of the narrative. But as a viewer, it\u2019s a slam dunk \u2013 Chika traveling solo is much better anime than her traveling with other people. And the latter is almost certainly going to constitute most of what we see.<\/p>\n<\/a>I could expound endlessly on the pluses and minus of solo travel as opposed to pair or group. It\u2019s a subject all to itself about which I have very strong opinions. Very briefly, for me travel is something of a meditative (reflective at the very least) experience. It\u2019s much harder to achieve that state when traveling with companions. It\u2019s also much harder to connect with local people (and other travelers, usually solo), because one tends to stay in their comfortable companionship bubble. Sharing the joy of a beautiful view or a great meal with a buddy is nice too, don\u2019t get me wrong. But it will always be the change of pace for me, never the staple experience.<\/p>\n<\/a>So how does that translate to watching an anime? In the first place, the temptation to indulge in cute girl tropes when you pair (or group) them off is much harder to resist. Evidence, the A and B-parts this week. That\u2019s the obvious answer, but also, for me Chika\u2019s inner monologue is much more interesting that her giggle exchanges with Koyomi. When she goes to Matsushima<\/a> she\u2019s thinking about history, about her search for inspiration, about her foibles. All the things you do when you\u2019re journeying on your own. When she goes to Toyama with Koyomi<\/a>, she\u2019s bantering and cooing and posing for photos. Compared to the first, in animanga the second is dead common.<\/p>\n<\/a>That\u2019s just me \u2013 I\u2019m sure most (certainly most extroverts) probably wouldn\u2019t see it that way. Which is fine. It\u2019s still travel anyway, and that can always be interesting if it\u2019s well-written (and most of this is). The series has managed to pick three destinations I haven\u2019t visited yet, which both fills me with envy and with fascination. Matsushima is indeed one of Japan\u2019s \u201cthree famous views\u201d (the Japanese are addicted to \u201cbest threes\u201d of everything). As it happens I\u2019ve seen the other two \u2013 Itsukushima and Amanohashidate \u2013 so Matsushima is even higher on my list than it was yesterday. Not oysters<\/a> though \u2013 I\u2019m with Chika on that one. But yeah, they are okay cooked. It\u2019s the raw, booger-like experience I can\u2019t stand.<\/p>\n