In the latest installment of “Touring After the Apocalypse,” Episode 10, titled “Oarai, Oya, Nikko,” viewers follow Yoko and her android companion Airi on another leg of their post-apocalyptic journey through Japan. This episode delves deeper into the duo’s dynamic, exploring Yoko’s protective instincts and the haunting realities of their desolate world, particularly during a chilling visit to a rock mine.
The Chilling Rock Mine Exploration
A significant portion of Episode 10 centers around Yoko and Airi’s visit to a remarkably cold rock mine, where the temperature drops to a mere four degrees Celsius. As they navigate the dark, cavernous space, Yoko makes a grim discovery: several well-preserved human corpses, essentially refrigerated by the mine’s natural coolness. Demonstrating a recurring protective behavior, Yoko quickly retreats to ensure Airi does not see the bodies. This mirrors a similar incident in a previous episode where Yoko discovered a corpse in an upstairs bedroom and chose not to inform Airi.
This act highlights Yoko’s developing “Big Sis” role for Airi, who appears significantly younger. The episode subtly questions whether Yoko’s cyborg nature makes her less affected by such sights, or if her cheerfulness is a deliberate facade to shield Airi from the existential horrors of their lonely, empty world. Despite being fully aware of the melancholy that permeates their abandoned world, Yoko maintains an almost “terminally upbeat” demeanor, often singing traditional songs with Airi as they ride their electric Serow.
Close Calls and Mysterious Protections
The episode also features moments of peril that underscore the dangers of their world. Airi’s vigilance is credited with saving Yoko from potential death on at least two occasions during the episode. One notable instance involves a massive falling rock that threatens to crush the intrepid duo. Conveniently, a bolt of lightning strikes at just the right moment, shattering the boulder. While Yoko whimsically attributes this to the spirit of a giant spear-wielding warrior, Airi, ever the “realistic romantic,” suggests it’s more likely an energy beam from an orbital satellite, possibly connected to the enigmatic “Big Sis”.
The Journey Continues: Oarai, Oya, and Nikko
The pair’s journey through this episode takes them to specific locations, as indicated by the title: Oarai, Oya, and Nikko. These destinations likely offer more opportunities for the girls to explore abandoned landmarks and picturesque, albeit overgrown, scenery. “Touring After the Apocalypse” is known for showcasing how natural beauty has reclaimed sites of interest after years of disuse, often tempting viewers to visit these places themselves before it’s “too late.”
The series, an anime adaptation of Sakae Saito’s manga, premiered in October 2025 and follows Yoko and Airi as they traverse a post-apocalyptic Japan on their electric Yamaha Serow, photographing scenery and camping in towns overtaken by nature. The overarching narrative explores their adventures and discoveries in a world devoid of its former human inhabitants, emphasizing themes of companionship, survival, and finding joy amidst desolation.
