What “SukaSuka” Asks: The Definition of the Happiest Girl in the World — A Record of Ephemeral Yet Beautiful Love Blooming in a Dying World

Broadcast in 2017, this series (abbreviated as “SukaSuka” or “WorldEnd”) is based on the light novel by Akira Kareno, co-produced by Satelight and C2C. The original author handled the series composition himself, with Junichi Wada serving as director.

The story is set on floating islands after humanity has been destroyed by unidentified monsters. In this land inhabited by surviving races, a heartbreaking yet warm daily life unfolds between “Fairy Soldiers”—girls raised as living weapons—and Willem, a young man who is the sole survivor of the “Quasi-Braves.”

The greatest appeal of this series lies in the overwhelming premonition of “death” and the beauty of “love” that stands in stark contrast to it. The sight of these girls, destined to break and lose their lives if they fight, seeking “normal” happiness within their limited time, brings tears to the eyes of viewers. In particular, the symbolic use of the English folk song “Scarborough Fair” in the PV and dramatic scenes perfectly captures the ephemeral and fantastical worldview. Even years after its broadcast, these moments are still spoken of as legendary scenes among fans.

A fleeting and heartbreaking story of girls known as Fairy Weapons and a surviving Quasi-Brave. A world where the surface has been overrun by unidentified monsters known as “Beasts,” destroying many races, including humanity. The barely surviving races fled the surface and lived on a floating archipelago in the sky called “Regulu Ere.”

Waking up 500 years later in the sky, Willem Kmetsch lived a life like a hermit, consumed by despair from being the only survivor and failing to protect what he wanted to protect. However, through a job he unexpectedly took on—“weapon management”—he meets a group of girls.

Shūmatsu Nani Shitemasu ka? Isogashii Desu ka? Sukutte Moratte Ii Desu ka? (What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us?) This long title sounds like an extension of a daily conversation or a question to someone. Do you know this work, commonly abbreviated as SukaSuka (or WorldEnd)?

If you see this title and skip it thinking, “It’s just another anime with a long title based on a light novel,” that would be a terrible waste. Because here lies a sincere inquiry about “love” and “happiness” rarely seen in recent years, and a supreme love story that cannot be told without tears.

An apocalyptic world where humans have perished and beasts roam. Fairy girls who are disposable weapons, and a human young man who survived a battle 500 years ago. Amidst a harsh fate adjacent to death, how did they live and how did they love each other? From the perspective of a veteran columnist, I will unravel the charm of this divine anime, which is sure to make your tear ducts burst from the first episode to the last.

Are your handkerchiefs, no, bath towels ready?

The heroine of this work, Chtholly Nota Seniorious, is a being called a Leprechaun (Fairy Soldier). They are biological weapons created by reincarnating the souls of past lives (souls of innocent children). To defeat the mighty enemy “Beasts,” they are burdened with the fate of burning their own lives to fight.

Despite such a harsh setting, they are surprisingly full of humanity. Being frightened saying “I don’t want to die,” getting excited saying “I want to go on a date,” and blushing in front of the person they like. Especially Chtholly, through her encounter with the protagonist Willem, learns the joy not as a “weapon” but as a “girl in love.” Her MBTI might be INTP-like, but the expressions she shows in front of Willem are exactly those of a 15-year-old girl appropriate for her age.

The composition linking the beginning of Episode 1 and the final episode is simply brilliant. When you understand the meaning of the words she left at the end along with the melody of “Scarborough Fair” playing in that scene, viewers will shed copious tears. “I am the happiest girl in the world.” It may look like a tragic ending, but the meaning of her being able to declare that herself. It is nothing other than the “joy of loving” that she chose herself, not happiness decided by someone else.

The charm of SukaSuka is not just the love story. Its meticulously constructed worldview (world-building) is also a point not to be missed.

The floating archipelago in the sky, the background that the human race has perished, and the past of 500 years ago that Willem carries. These settings function not just as stage devices for fantasy but as “mysteries” related to the root of the story, pulling viewers in strongly. A dark, decadent, yet somehow beautiful apocalyptic view similar to Somali and the Forest Spirit or Shadows House.

And the supporting characters who support that world are truly charming. Especially the men. Grick, the rugged adventurer, and the Technical Officer, who looks like just a sarcastic superior at first glance, take command risking their lives when push comes to shove. The inclusiveness of Nygglatho played by Kikuko Inoue, and the bravery of the children. As the saying goes, “Works that can depict mobs attractively are good works,” there are no throwaway characters in this work. In each of their conversations, one can feel the philosophy for surviving in this harsh world and the hope mixed in resignation, giving depth to the story.

In animation works, the power of music and direction is immense. This work can be called a “Divine Anime” without complaint in that respect as well.

The director is Junichi Wada, who worked on The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan. Through his skill, the ephemeral atmosphere of the original work is magnificently visualized. The use of insert songs is particularly genius. Insert songs with all-English lyrics, such as “Scarborough Fair” and “Always in my heart” sung by Tamaru Yamada, double the other-worldly mood and poignancy.

The OP theme “DEAREST DROP” is sung by Azusa Tadokoro, who plays Chtholly. Lyrics that make you feel tragic determination and passion, like “I can dedicate my everything,” are exactly Chtholly’s feelings themselves. The kindness of the ED theme “From” also functions as healing after the turbulent story.

Regarding the animation, the careful work by Satelight shines. Not only the power of the battle scenes but also the delicate changes in characters’ expressions in daily life scenes. The animation does not collapse even in the raging developments toward the final episode; rather, it increases in beauty, making us feel the production team’s love for the work.

What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us? is not just a “tear-jerker” tragedy. It is a philosophical work that asks us “What is happiness?”

People who are happy receiving love, people who are happy giving love. Even if the ending looks like a misfortune to others, it might be the greatest happiness for the person involved. The short but vivid life Chtholly ran through teaches us, who tend to spend days in inertia, the preciousness of “living this moment right now with all our might.”

If you are tired of daily life and cannot see the shape of happiness. Please watch this work. After watching, surely you should be able to notice the “small happiness” next to you.

And you might become able to say with your head held high like Chtholly. “I am happy now.”

• Chtholly Nota Seniorious: Voiced by Azusa Tadokoro
• Willem Kmetsch: Voiced by Ryohei Arai
• Ithea Myse Valgulious: Voiced by Machico
• Nephren Ruq Insania: Voiced by Akari Uehara
• Rhantolk Ytri Historia: Voiced by Kazusa Aranami
• Nopht Keh Desperatio: Voiced by Inori Minase
• Nygglatho: Voiced by Kikuko Inoue 

• Original Creator / Series Composition: Akira Kareno
• Director: Junichi Wada
• Script: Akira Kareno, Eiji Nemoto, Shingo Nagai, Mariko Mochizuki
• Character Design: Toru Imanishi
• Music: Tatsuya Kato
• Animation Production: サテライト, C2C

(C)2017枯野瑛・ue／KADOKAWA／６８番島・妖精倉庫

tarumaki

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最新作から過去作まで好きな作品を紹介して、少しでも業界の応援になればと思いつつに書いていこうと思います。 基本的に批判的な意見は書かないようにしています。