The post-apocalyptic journey of Yoko and Airi takes an unexpected turn in Episode 9 of Touring After the Apocalypse, titled “Mobility Resort Motegi”. What begins as a quest to satisfy a longing for speed evolves into a poignant exploration of loss, memory, and the enduring “spirit” of machines, leaving viewers with a surprisingly emotional experience.
This episode, which premiered on November 29, 2025, sees the two protagonists delving deeper into the remnants of a world irrevocably altered, yet still holding echoes of its vibrant past.
The Allure of Speed at Mobility Resort Motegi
Picking up from Yoko’s previous attempt to satiate her desire for high-speed racing, the episode brings the duo to the Mobility Resort Motegi. Her electric motorbike, while reliable for their travels across ruined Japan, proved inadequate for the thrill she sought. As Yoko and Airi prepare to depart the resort, an ethereal suggestion to “wait” draws them back, leading to a remarkable discovery.
A Museum Frozen in Time
Their return reveals an incredibly preserved museum, a relic from ages past, filled with iconic motor vehicles. To their astonishment, these machines appear to be in working order, a fact confirmed by ISAAQ, the sole surviving android tour guide of the facility. The introduction of ISAAQ immediately sets a tone of bittersweet expectation, echoing previous encounters with sentient, yet ultimately tragic, AI in the series.
The Race Reimagined: Fuel, Friendship, and Phantoms
With ISAAQ’s help, Yoko finds herself on a racing bike, experiencing the raw power of a gasoline engine – a stark contrast to her usual electric ride. The “smell of burning gasoline” evokes “copied memories” of races past, igniting a joyous exhilaration in Yoko as she speeds around the circuit.
Airi’s Unexpected Participation
Not to be left out, Airi, despite her smaller stature, participates by remotely controlling a specially equipped racing car. The scene is lighthearted and charming, as the two friends engage in a friendly competition, showcasing their unique bond amidst the desolate landscape.
Visions of a Bygone Era
However, the joy of the race takes a profound turn as Yoko nears the finish line. She experiences intense hallucinations, seeing specters of the museum’s vehicles racing alongside her and a grandstand filled with ghostly robots cheering. These visions suggest a deeper, almost spiritual connection between the present and the past, where the essence of the machines and their former glory linger.
The Fading Echoes of the Apocalypse
The episode culminates in a somber realization. As Yoko stops, both her borrowed racing bike and Airi’s car cease to function. More tragically, ISAAQ, the android guide, collapses, his internal systems corroded beyond repair, revealing he had been in a state of severe degradation for years. The seemingly vibrant museum and its functioning vehicles were, in essence, a final, fading performance, brought to life by the girls’ presence and ISAAQ’s last vestiges of operational capacity.
This moment underscores the series’ ongoing themes: the transient nature of existence, the beauty found in decay, and the lingering imprints of human (and mechanical) endeavor even after “the end of days”. The emotional weight of ISAAQ’s demise, coupled with Yoko’s visions, provides a powerful reflection on what it means to remember and to witness the final flickers of a once-thriving world.
The Broader Narrative of Touring After the Apocalypse
Touring After the Apocalypse (also known as Shuumatsu Touring) follows Yoko and her cyborg companion Airi as they traverse a post-apocalyptic Japan on a Yamaha Serow motorbike. Their journey is one of discovery and quiet contemplation, often involving them photographing abandoned landmarks and camping in towns reclaimed by nature. The series, adapted from Sakae Saito’s manga, is characterized by its blend of adventure, post-apocalyptic settings, and slice-of-life elements, offering a unique perspective on a world without humanity.
Episode 9, with its exploration of forgotten racing culture and the “machine spirits,” adds another layer to the series’ philosophical undertones, highlighting how the characters find meaning and connection in the remnants of a vanished civilization. The emotional depth of this episode solidifies Touring After the Apocalypse‘s reputation as a poignant and thought-provoking entry in the post-apocalyptic genre.
