This will be a non spoiler review This was written on December 31st 2021. I wanted to finish one more anime before the year ends, so I went with "A Place Further Than The Universe". I usually don't do full reviews but this show deserves one. ___ First of all, I found it really hard to get into the first few episodes. It took me like an hour per episode cause it was slow and nothing really happened. But that all changed around the 4-5th, where the show really found its stride and started to pick up momentum. Around this time was when we get to see more interactions between our main characters and actually start to care about them and this journey. The girls may often clash with one another, but that just shows their strengthening bond and growing relationships with each other as they take on the world together. ____ The first few episodes may have lowered my expectations a bit, but after episode 5, every episode following that would blow my mind on how they just keep on getting better and better. By episode 7, I was fully invested in their journey and found myself following their adventure as if it were my own. I would celebrate their achievements with them, and hell, even get emotional along with them when they faced personal challenges too. Few shows can get me to care THAT much about the main cast, but this one managed to do so in only a couple episodes. They are just that loveable. ____

One of the biggest factors of APFTTU is how strongly motivating it is, something that I value very much. I would say even more than something like Gurren Lagann. Although it has a simple plot that may sound mundane if I just merely describe it to you, it's something you really have to experience for yourself to feel its magic.

Our main character, Kimari, is motivated by a desire to live her youth to the fullest and travel to the reaches of the unknown, in this case Antarctica. I can relate to this a lot, since I also want to travel and explore the natural wonders of the world someday, so her motivation is also personal to me. I was so invested I actually started researching about Antarctica on my own time.

_____ Episodes 12 & 13 are truly the climax of their journey and are guaranteed to take you on a feels trip. The ending is extremely satisfying and tied up everything. It definitely makes up for the show's slow start. Even though the saying "The best part of the journey was the friends we made along the way" can be kind of cliché, this show implements it in a way that doesn't feel corny at all.

I believe this is the type of show that will leave anyone with a big smile or tears of joy in the end. Overall, I couldn't end off the year with a more fitting anime. The lessons and inspirations I took from it are something I can value for the new year, and the rest of the life. If you couldn't tell already, I can't recommend APFTTU enough. If you like emotional character driven adventures with a wholesome yet inspiring charm, this is for you.

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This anime taught me to just go out there and live life, because there's no time like the present! So go and laugh with your friends, celebrate your accomplishments and venture to places you've always wanted to go! Happy New Years everyone!