Sora yori mo Tooi Basho

Filled with an overwhelming sense of wonder for the world around her, Mari Tamaki has always dreamt of what lies beyond the reaches of the universe. However, despite harboring such large aspirations on the inside, her fear of the unknown and anxiety over her own possible limitations have always held her back from chasing them. But now, in her second year of high school, Mari is more determined than ever to not let any more of her youth go to waste. Still, her fear continues to prevent her from taking that ambitious step forward—that is, until she has a chance encounter with a girl who has grand dreams of her own.

Spurred by her mother's disappearance, Shirase Kobuchizawa has been working hard to fund her trip to Antarctica. Despite facing doubt and ridicule from virtually everyone, Shirase is determined to embark on this expedition to search for her mother in a place further than the universe itself. Inspired by Shirase's resolve, Mari jumps at the chance to join her. Soon, their efforts attract the attention of the bubbly Hinata Miyake, who is eager to stand out, and Yuzuki Shiraishi, a polite girl from a high class background. Together, the four spirited girls set sail toward the frozen south, all in search of something great.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Kobuchizawa, Shirase Main

Hanazawa, Kana Japanese

Miyake, Hinata Main

Iguchi, Yuka Japanese

Tamaki, Mari Main

Minase, Inori Japanese

Shiraishi, Yuzuki Main

Hayami, Saori Japanese

Toudou, Gin Supporting

Noto, Mamiko Japanese

Samejima, Yumiko Supporting

Lynn Japanese

Takahashi, Megumi Supporting

Kanemoto, Hisako Japanese

Zaizen, Toshio Supporting

Matsuoka, Yoshitsugu Japanese

Himi, Dai Supporting

Fukushima, Jun Japanese

Maekawa, Kanae Supporting

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Kananiwa, Kozue Producer

Tanaka, Shou Producer

Iizuka, Aya Producer

Ogata, Mitsuhiro Producer

Reviews

May 25, 2024

Peyta12

Recommended

A Place Further than the Universe Review – Spoiler Free

A Place Further than the Universe is not a simple cute girls doing cute things story, but a complex adventure of liberating yourself from the shackles of normality to do something impactful and memorable. It is a beautiful show that holds your hand while walking you through both the heartwarming and gut-wrenching experience of youth. By the end of every episode, you find yourself with tears streaming down your face but usually accompanied by a smile on your lips. It seamlessly moves between lighthearted comedy and cute interactions to emotionally heavy scenes but spends enough time ... on every single one to make them just as impactful as they need to be.

This show follows the story of four girls on their trip to Antarctica and all the laughs and tears along the way. While it is often referred to as “slice of life,” I find this description to be a disservice to a show like this, as it implies something normal and insignificant. This expedition may just be a small slice out of these girls’ lives, but it has an enormous impact on not only the lives of the characters, but on the viewers’ as well. We are first introduced to the main character, Tamari, who feels weighed down by her mundane life and feels the need to do something epic. This opportunity comes along in the form of Shirase, who has been working to save enough money to venture to Antarctica ever since her mom was lost there years ago. These two eventually also meet Hinata and Yuzuki, who join them on the expedition for various reasons of their own. They experience many difficulties from the moment they decide to go on this trip, and at many stages it looks like it may never happen. However, after a lot of work and perseverance, they are able to make the trip happen.

Where this show truly shines is with its characters and relationships. A Place Further than the Universe, at its core, is a character driven show, with each of the main cast carefully distinguished with unique personalities, desires, strengths, and weaknesses. Their personalities are what makes this a truly enjoyable show to experience, and their weaknesses are what lead to perfectly executed character development. In only 13 episodes, each of the main cast experiences meaningful and convincing growth through their battles with things like grief, anxiety, rejection and the inability to fit in. The four girls help each other through these battles when they can and leave each other alone when necessary. At the end of it all, these girls have successfully navigated and closed an important chapter in their youths, coming out on the other side more confident, mature, and experienced.

Studio Madhouse is a very popular name in the industry for a good reason, and A Place Further than the Universe is another feather in their cap. The animation and visuals of this show are spectacular. For a show about an expedition to one of the most secluded places on Earth, we rightfully get beautiful scenery that is very eye catching. On top of that, the animation, specifically to bring out the emotions of the characters, is near perfect and the framing and directing further accentuates the epicness of this adventure.

Although the OST doesn’t have any songs that are going to win awards, each one is perfectly written for the tone of the scene it is being used in. For a show that needs to move through a variety of emotions, each song of the soundtrack matches the atmosphere flawlessly and amplifies the viewer’s experience. The OP along with the ED are amazing. “The Girls are Alright!” perfectly encapsulates the feelings of the “call to adventure” and visuals of the opening are well executed to introduce the main cast and their personalities. “Kokokara, Kokokara” is a phenomenal ending song that evokes a beautiful sense of bittersweet melancholy which complements the bow that is placed on each nicely wrapped up episode.

A Place Further than the Universe also has a part of it that is just indescribable. It is something that can only be experienced for yourself to understand the true quality and allure of the show. I don’t think there is any adequate amount of writing that can be done to fully quantify the impact or level of enjoyment that this show has and what makes it a masterpiece.

Overall: 10/10

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Mar 14, 2024

AIDZBOY

Mixed Feelings

Jumped into this not knowing what to expect and ended up getting hooked on the journey of these girls aiming to reach Antarctica. It's more than just an adventure; it's about breaking free from your comfort zone and chasing your dreams, which is pretty inspiring. The way each character has their own reasons and fears, but still pushes forward, makes the story relatable and the group dynamic interesting. Plus, the animation when they showcase the landscapes and the harsh beauty of Antarctica is seriously cool, adding a whole new level to the experience.

But while the concept and the character development are top-notch, there were times ... when the pacing felt off, like some episodes dragged on longer than they needed to. It's a 7/10 for me because, despite these slower moments, the overall message and the emotional highs make it worth watching. The anime does a great job at mixing light-hearted moments with serious themes, making you laugh one minute and reflect the next. It's definitely a unique take on the slice-of-life genre, showing that sometimes, the most extraordinary adventures can come from the simplest desires.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jul 11, 2023

WakunVR

Not Recommended

Oh, where do I even begin with other than the writing is "Further Than The Universe." This anime had so much potential, yet it managed to squander it with its overuse of unnecessary tears and a plot that meanders aimlessly. Brace yourselves, because this review won't be holding back.

Firstly, let's talk about the characters. Instead of developing meaningful and relatable individuals, the show seems to think that the best way to engage viewers is by having them cry at the drop of a hat. Seriously, it's as if the creators were determined to break a world record for the most tears shed in a single ... anime. Every minor setback or emotional moment is milked to the point of exhaustion, leaving the viewer desensitized and bored.

The crying wouldn't be so bad if it served a purpose, but sadly, it feels forced and lacks any genuine emotional impact. It's as if the writers couldn't come up with meaningful ways to deepen the characters' connections, so they just threw in buckets of tears as a lazy substitute. It becomes repetitive and numbing, making it difficult to empathize with the characters or invest in their journey.

Speaking of the journey, let's address the plot—or lack thereof. A Place Further Than The Universe promises an exciting adventure to Antarctica, but instead, we get a meandering narrative that seems to go nowhere. The characters' motivations are weak, their goals are vague, and their actions often feel arbitrary. It's frustrating to watch a story unfold with no clear direction or purpose.

Sure, the animation quality is decent, and the background art captures the beauty of Antarctica, but these visual elements alone cannot save a show that fails to deliver a compelling story. The potential for exploration, self-discovery, and personal growth is wasted on a narrative that feels like it's simply treading water.

To add insult to injury, the pacing is uneven, with episodes dragging on and the story failing to gain momentum. There are moments when it seems like something significant might happen, only to be deflated by more tearful outbursts or inconsequential side plots. It's frustratingly disjointed and ultimately leaves the viewer wondering why they invested their time in the first place.

A Place Further Than The Universe had the opportunity to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant anime. However, its reliance on excessive crying and lackluster storytelling leaves much to be desired. If you're looking for a fulfilling and well-crafted narrative, I suggest looking elsewhere. Save yourself the disappointment and find an anime that truly knows how to deliver on its promises.

Reviewer’s Rating: 2

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