Matsushima, Kurobe, solo traveling, and food aversion were the main takeaways in Zatsu Tabi Episode 2. But with the show settling into a formulaic plot this early on, will it manage to retain its viewer base? I’m tempted to say that, based on travel shows of old, it will. But our attention spans get shorter by the year. So, should the show bank on rejected proposals leading to somewhat spontaneous journeys, it might bode unwell for Chika.
Oh Matsushima, Oh Oh Oh Matsushima
Located on the northeastern coast of Honshu Island, Matsushima looks like my kind of place. The vistas and pine-forested islands are stunning, there’s fishing and a pristine seafood culture, and you can’t twirl your twintails without hitting a temple.
But while Chika traveled to this Eastern paradise in Zatsu Tabi Episode 2, she only partially shared my interest in Matsushima. She might have enjoyed the nature and history of Matsushima, but when it’s time to eat, a problem arises. Our kawaii heroine has quite an aversion to the town’s specialty dish (oysters).
Food will always be one of people’s main issues when traveling. As I write this, I’m munching on a bag of Don Bugito Coconut Brittle Bugitos, so I consider myself an adventurous eater. But you can’t pay me to eat a tamale or Hákarl again.
But Zatsu Tabi Episode 2 showed two important aspects of how travel can change an individual’s palate — overcoming aversion and trying something you’re familiar with in a different way. If you tried a dish once and disliked it, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll always dislike it. Being in a new place means that familiar ingredients are prepared differently. That seems like common sense, but I’m surprised by how many people fail to understand that.
Solo Travel for Two?
Solo traveling gets lonely (pressing X on this one), or at least Chika thinks so. As in Zatsu Tabi Episode 2, the wandering heroine finds herself wanting some companionship. So, the story introduces us to a new character, Koyomi Hasunuma (VA: Sayumi Suzushiro). Together the girls travel to Kurobe in Japan’s Toyama Prefecture. There’s not much to expand on about this development, as it was basically a cute girls doing cute things segment. I argue it’s better to travel solo, but people tell me I’m misanthropic, so there’s that.
Zatsu Tabi Episode 2 — Travel Propaganda
Super Cub was just Yamaha propaganda. Zatsu Tabi on the other hand is a psy-op by the Japan National Tourism Agency. They’re plotting with animators to make us travel to Japan and touch grass, you can’t change my mind about that. I will wear that tin-foil hat to the grave. The show makes sure to spend a lot of time on the vistas it’s presenting. Yuru Camp and Encouragement of Climb are also guilty of this, but you get more of a character POV vibe.
Think of it this way — in anime like Yuru Camp, the vistas are presented in a way that reflects what the character is seeing (and feeling). Here it’s more like, “Look at Chika; she could be you. Why not visit this place in Japan?” That’s not necessarily a bad thing, buuuuuuuuuuuttttttttt it does feel a bit forced at times.
Yuru Camp and similar shows immerse you in what’s happening — here you often feel more like a bystander. But then again, here we are witnessing someone else’s journey, a journey that the anime hopes will inspire us to embark on our own adventures. So far, Zatsu Tabi excels at that.
Screenshots via Crunchyroll
©Kenta Ishizaka 2023/KADOKAWA/”Zatsu Tabi” Production Committee
