I started watching this anime on a whim and I truly had no idea what awaited me. I was expecting a light-hearted anime about four girls who go on an adventure to Antarctica. But what I got in the end was something much more profound than what I had expected. Be warned, there are some minor spoilers ahead but I will try to keep them to a minimum.

A Place Further Than the Universe is a beautiful and inspiring story about longing, adventure, growth, friendship, and the power of the human spirit. It's about four girls who are all searching for something they are missing, some of them know what they are looking after, some are not quite so sure, but somehow they all happen to find each other by being open and willing to welcome their new found travel friends as they are and without judgement.

One of the strenghts of A Place Further Than the Universe is its well developed and highly charismatic characters. Any time one of them appears on screen and says something or acts in a specific way, you can tell it is in no way forced, it's what they would do in that given situation. They feel real and relatable, they have real wants, needs, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. And as you follow them along on their epic journey of growth and self-discovery, you get to watch as they learn to support and rely on each other, and how they grow as individuals from the experiences of joy and wonder they share along the way, as well as from the challenges and setbacks they overcome together. In the end they learn that the most important thing is not the destination, but the journey and the friends you make along the way.

I'm so glad I found A Place Further Than the Universe and gave it a chance, it's a show that has moved me deeply, and will forever hold a special place in my heart. In this day and age, when it can be easy to feel gloomy and stuck in place, this anime serves as a reminder of the power of friendship and the importance of following your dreams. It's a call to action to get out there and explore because there is still so much to see and experience in the world, to make new friends, to grow as a person, and to cherish the wonders of the world around us.

So, if you're looking for an anime that will stay with you long after you finish watching it, then I highly recommend A Place Further Than the Universe. It's a captivating story that will find its way into your soul and inspire you to reach for your own dreams.

P.S. I have already personally recommended this to anyone I know who watches anime, and I am one hundred percent sure I will rewatch this at some point, if not several times, it's just one of those animes that comforts you and makes you feel warm and happy as you watch.