Winter 18 anime season was honestly a pretty underwhelming season overall because unlike the Fall 17 anime season didn’t feature a lot of good shows that are not 2nd seasons or leftovers from the Fall 17 season.
The problem that I have with this season that many of the shows are nothing more style over substance meme feasts.
A1+ Trigger mecha show Darling in the Franxx is the worst example of this because not only in my opinion bad at storytelling it also allowed the memes and reference to older shows to take over the actual story to a point where you're literally only watching it
...
for the memes instead of a story and characters. However out of all the anime from the Winter 18 season, A Place Further than the Universe quietly became a big hit and unlike any other new show from this season, it was actually good.
So good to a point where every other anime from winter 18 that is not a squeal or a leftover look mediocre by comparison.
Okay, there was Yuru Camp (Which I haven't seen yet) and cleverly cute Skilled Teaser Takagi San which are great shows on their own right but they pale in comparison to this.
Anyway, what made this show so special?
How did this show become so great that it outclassed ever other anime from the season?
Let's find out.
The story of A Place Further than the Universe follows a high school student name Mari Tamaki who want to make the most of her youth, but she is afraid to do it. One day she encounters a girl named Shirase Kobuchizawa who has been saving up, so she can travel to Antarctica to find her missing mother. Together with two other girls Hinata and Yuzuki, they join an expedition headed towards the Antarctic.
On the surface, A Place Further than the Universe looks like your typical cute girl doing cute things type of show but as the show progresses the show becomes so much more to a point where it deviated from the whole cute girls doing cute things route where it becomes more complex. Add to the fact the pacing the show was brilliant throughout its own as well having great writing, worldbuilding and great themes exploration and got one hell of an amazing series.
One thing that I love about the show is how adventurous it is. Seriously every time you watch an episode of this show you always feel like your actually going on an adventure with the four main girls.
The characters in A Place Further than the Universe were fantastic.
The main girls are very well written as well as having complex backstories that were believable and well told to the viewer.
The character interactions for the four main girls were outstanding as each girl delivers great and charming interactions with each other plus the way the four main girls react to comedic and emotional moments were outstanding to a point where they actually felt like real high school girls.
I honestly have nothing more to say about the characters here since they are all awesome and well written in their own ways.
Honestly, do I really need to say it? It’s freaking Madhouse, and they are known for making anime with amazing production and this show is no different.
The character designs were well drawn as being very adorable to look at on-screen.
The one thing that I adore about the anime is the visual directing, in fact. The visual directing is good it overwhelms the great writing of the story that is honestly very impressive.
For example in the first couple of minutes of episode 1, the show establishes the main character Mari who is an adventurous girl even though she never went for an adventure herself in her whole life however as she finally decided to take the first step towards her adventure of we get some use existent swelling music, however, the train leaves the station and we see Mari standing there. If this was a regular anime, the music would have ended here, however, the music kept playing which was the more emotionally effective choice.
It doesn’t stop there in the couple of scenes we see Mari still being adventurous even though she can’t act it out.
The next shot showcases Mari shoes being wet and that shot alone perfectly symbolize the real world the reality of leaving the school and going on this adventure was being actually more complex then she thought at first. There are more great symbolism and visuals in this but this was one of the best examples of this show amazing visual directing.
Overall visuals in A Place Further than the Universe are a masterpiece of art thanks to great directing and stunning visuals.
The soundtrack is honestly beautiful. It is filled with life, adventure as well-being very emotional.
Yoshiaki Fujisawa did a great job with the soundtrack adding more emotional impact to the series.
The opening theme Alright by Saya is a great opening theme that captures the adventurous tone of the series. It's also very catchy.
The ending theme Koko kara, Koko kara sung by the voice actors for the 4 main girls is an awesome ending theme that I adore to no end. Even more than the opening theme.
As off now A Place Further than the Universe hasn’t got an English which is honestly sad because I really wanted Funimation to do a simuldub with this hidden gem but no we cannot always have nice things because Funimation rather simuldub a broken show like Hakyu Hoshin Engi.
Oh well least with got the Japanese audio which was amazing as every Seiyuu did a great job with the roles especially with the four main girls.
What an amazing emotional and fun ride this was.
This show was honestly a blessing to the winter 18 anime season from mediocrity hell.
The story was amazing filled with great writing, world-building, themes, and pacing. The characters were wonderful and developed, the visuals were brilliant, and the soundtrack and voice acting were great.
I honestly never expected this show to dominate the whole winter 18 season and am glad it did because the show is a perfect example of how to make a good modern anime.
I hope this show gets an English dub someday as well getting licensed by an anime distribution company so we can get a Blu-Ray release for this hidden gem show.
If you want to watch a great slice of life/adventure show then I strongly recommend checking out A Place Further than the Universe.
You won't regret it.
Alternative Titles
Synonyms: Uchuu yori mo Tooi Basho, A Story That Leads to the Antarctica, Yorimoi
Japanese: 宇宙よりも遠い場所
More titlesInformation
Type:
TV
Episodes:
13
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Jan 2, 2018 to Mar 27, 2018
Premiered:
Winter 2018
Broadcast:
Tuesdays at 20:30 (JST)
Producers:
Movic, AT-X, Sony Music Communications, Docomo Anime Store, Kadokawa Media House, Kadokawa, NewGin, Crunchyroll SC Anime Fund
Licensors:
None found, add some
Studios:
Madhouse
Source:
Original
Theme:
CGDCT
Duration:
23 min. per ep.
Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Statistics
Ranked:
#1332
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity:
#444
Members:
515,656
Favorites:
14,233
Available AtResourcesStreaming Platforms | Reviews
Filtered Results: 251 / 255
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Your Feelings Categories Mar 29, 2018
Winter 18 anime season was honestly a pretty underwhelming season overall because unlike the Fall 17 anime season didn’t feature a lot of good shows that are not 2nd seasons or leftovers from the Fall 17 season.
The problem that I have with this season that many of the shows are nothing more style over substance meme feasts. A1+ Trigger mecha show Darling in the Franxx is the worst example of this because not only in my opinion bad at storytelling it also allowed the memes and reference to older shows to take over the actual story to a point where you're literally only watching it ... May 22, 2018
Yorimoi Review (edited; slight revision to character's overview to reduce spoilers; 2023)
//I just wanted to say that this is my first ever review on MAL and I really felt the urge to discuss the greatness of this Anime.// ( and probably my last. even after 5 years, I haven't felt the same inspiration that YoriMoi gave me with newer shows, not to say they aren't good/better. Still one of my favorites to date! ) //Spoiler Free (As much as possible)// Never judge a book by its cover. It's something I'm trying to get over because this happens most of the time, we judge everything based on first impressions. ... Mar 28, 2018
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS
------------------------------------------------------ A Place Further Than the Universe was a show I almost skipped out on. I was just starting to get into seasonal anime for the first time. As I perused through the Winter 2018 anime list, I noticed this show. At first, I was going to pass on it, as like most others, it just seemed like an average cute girls slice of life show. But I noticed a little something about it that intrigued me to no end, the promise of an adventure to Antarctica. So I went with my gut, and gave it a shot. This gut feeling turned ... Apr 12, 2018
I was hoping Sora yori mo Tooi Basho be an anime where cute girls wear ridiculously puffy winter coats against winter scenery, an adventure approached with the comfy manner. Instead this series focused too much on the serious side and contained loads of drama.
Seriousness and drama aren't something I would mind. The problem is the believability. If there is a serious anime about teenage girls travelling to Antarctica, it should be taken seriously instead of half-assedly throwing in obstacles and factors that need to be taken into consideration before the trip. And suddenly at the very next scene we're looking at slice of life ... Mar 27, 2018
Youth.
Often called the springtime of one’s life, one’s days of adolescence are a time of many firsts: the first time you skip class without your parents knowing, the first time you go on a journey with no destination and maybe even your first love. It is during these days that the innocent and inexperienced bundles of insecurities that are teenagers finally break out of their shells and the small buds turn into full-fledged adults. Or at least they should. Unfortunately, such is not the case for the gung-ho goofball Mari: when she finds an old notebook filled with scribbles of her past self’s wishes for her high ... Jan 26, 2018
There is only 4 episodes of this anime out so far but it is already by far the best anime of the season, in my opinion. It's main strength is its strong characters, but it is incredibly good in all other aspects as well.
The story is centred around high school girls, which is nothing new, but it has a pretty unique twist that makes it a lot more interesting. Visually it is outstanding. The art is beautiful and the animation is smooth and lively which suits the spirited characters. The main characters are just a small group of high school girls, yet are the best part ... Mar 28, 2018
This year—that is 2018, to warm up your Winter with an adventurous slice of life, Madhouse has brought close to you A Place Further Than The Universe.
Antarctica, a barren continent completely ruled over by frozen white. The only colors that paint over this vastest canvas on the planet are luminous electromagnetic lighting-effects, a phenomenon known as 'aurora'. To consume the visage of this awe-inspiring painting crafted by the largest known artists (Sun and Earth) using the smallest of tools (particles and atoms), or to experience the euphoric sensation of conquest, or to be overwhelmed by its scale, humans have always been attracted to this region ... Apr 25, 2018
How would I describe this anime in 5 words? Realistic. Hilarious. Dramatic. Journey. Incredible.
It's amazing how one place, Antarctica, while being desolate, barren, and harboring little variety of life forms, has the potential to unite 4 school girls who seemingly had nothing in common, to fulfill a common and yet tough objective: Find who they are and challenge their characters' limits, right before a crucial moment of their life, adulthood. A cast consisting of only females might remind you of some other anime in the context of "cute girls doing cute things" but I can assure you, that as far as I'm concerned, this anime is ... Apr 8, 2018
A decent cast with a unique plot that was unfortunately weighed down with pointless pseudo-drama and overstuffed with cuteness. Anyone watching this show expects a cuteness overload and plenty of slice-of-nothing-happens, which is completely fine if done properly. However; A Place Farther than the Universe reaches for something more complex and story-driven, but falls short on delivering any engaging drama.
The story and genre are at odds with each other; it strives to have dramatic tension between characters, but also wants to beat you over the head with cuteness and positivity. The result is a boatload of forced drama caused by characters being too nice to ... Mar 27, 2018
Journey. This one word has a heap of meanings behind its back. Why do we travel? The reasons range from being a collective success of mankind to discover a new plateau to just the sheer joy and curiosity that is obtained from setting foot in a new land. The air, the atmosphere, the scent... these things feel so different and anew and there is a kind of refreshment that you can only find in yourself after the exploration of an unknown place.
Sora yori mo Tooi Basho takes us on a journey to Antarctica, also promulgated by the show as a 'Place Farther than the Universe'. ... Mar 27, 2018
This is not only the best anime of Winter 2018, which already imo was a really strong season, but it's one of my favorite anime series ever now. This series is not only an argument for the best things anime can do as a medium, but a full refutation of the idea that "cute girls doing cute things" is somehow a lesser form of the medium. This series is as inspiring, as heart-wrenching, as memorable, and as affecting as any of the most beloved anime series, and the team behind it deserve true kudos for indeed going on their own Impossible Journey and risking so
...
Oct 24, 2018
Have you ever thought that life is meaningless?
That your entire life is mundane and ordinary? That you are just going to be another person in a pool of 7 billion? That is exactly the protagonist's thoughts until she decided she wanted to go out of the way and do something with her life. Through the wonderful coincidence of meeting someone that had the never-dying determination to pursue her mother's lost footsteps, the main protagonist, Mari decided that was it. She wanted her life to be meaningful, she did not want to be ordinary, she wanted to be extraordinary. This tear-jerking and adventure filled story about 4 young high ... Mar 27, 2018
Adventuring is a unique experience that only a select few have enjoyed in their lives.
Even fewer have had the reality of adventuring to Antarctica, probably the most unique adventure that is possible. This anime is about four girls with different lives who all have a common goal, to get to Antarctica, with comradery, drama and youth at its finest that awaits you. Story (10/10) I love how much the story made the adventure feel important as getting to Antarctica itself felt difficult for the characters. ... Mar 27, 2018
“Water collects into stagnant pools. I’ve always loved watching it spill out all at once. Breaking free, liberated, rushing out. The energy stored up during its stagnation bursts forth. Everything springs into action!”
Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further than the Universe) is an anime that can be easy to misjudge on the surface. One can look at the poster or the synopsis and write it off as just another anime about cute girls doing cute things. However, this anime is so much more than that, and I’m going to try my best to break it down and explain why I think ... Mar 27, 2018
Sometimes, less is more.
I have to admit this is that one show that have slipped under my radar when the season first started. I'm not a big fan of the Slice of Life genre, as it is just so easy to get those shows wrong (prime example being Musaigen no Phantom World) when shows in this genre have such light plots, so I was pleasantly surprised when Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further than the Universe) was not "just another CGDCT show that i'm probably going to forget in half a year or so". For shut-in otakus like most of us here on MAL, ... Mar 6, 2018
AotY
I generally like shows about cute girls doing cute things, but this one is special. I didn't think a show of this type could be so emotive and personally encouraging as this one, that makes me feel I have live my life to the fullest. Till then, only other type of shows could move me as much (e.g. BnHA). Each of the main 4 characters has unique traits without being excessively steriotyped, and this create a really adorable dynamic between them. Support characters have a lot of personality as well, making them feel pretty alive. Girls going on an adventure isn't really that surprising by itself, but ... May 24, 2018
this ain't a slice of life moeshit that takes place in antarctica. in fact, most of this damn show doesn't even take PLACE in antarctica.
because this show isn't about antarctica, it's about the journey there and it's about the four girls bold enough to take that journey. and God, what a fucking fantastic journey it is. i'm utterly wracking my brain rn to think of any, ANY reason to give this show less than a 10. but all i'm remembering are these things: how the show can seamlessly slip from hilarious, gutbusting moeshit antics with standout performances by talented seiyuus to gutwrenching, sob like a ... Mar 22, 2018
To put it out there,
I am very emotionally touched by this show. I literally cried while watching this show and in my opinion, This is the best show of this season and I cannot realistically think of any other show rivaling this one. As the page says, there are supposed to be 13 episodes and I haven't watched the 13th episode yet but it seems that the 12th episode is the end of the main story. 13 could just be an extra (maybe not) I dunno. First I thought I'd never watch an anime which looked like it's gonna be a CGDCT anime ever again ... Mar 27, 2018
Please note this review is intended for those that have finished watching Sora Yori Moi Tooi Basho and while care has been taken to minimise spoilers there may still be spoilers within character analysis. You have been warned!
When four high school girls decide to make unforgivable memories by doing something truly remarkable Based off an original piece of work Sora Yori Moi Tooi Basho which is also known by its English title A Place Further Than The Universe is an adventure-themed anime that makes use of an interesting premise and a theme that all teenagers and indeed any human would experience at least once in ... Oct 9, 2018
This is an anime that I'm sure many of you have heard about. Maybe hearing about it through various anime reviews with many people praising it for it's writing and called the anime of the winter 2018 season. But for me, I watch this long after the season has ended so I didn't get hyped and enjoyed to the fullest in my opinion.
The anime is about a group of 4 girls going to Antarctica, which is very much in this universe, and their journey they took to go there. This anime speaks to me even from the first ep as we are introduced to ... |