A spoiler-free review~

There is freedom in going out of your way to do something you have not once pulled-off before, and a certain allurement in aiming for the impossible. A Place Further than the Universe, is an entrancingly narrated and exquisitely animated coming-of-age slice of life drama/adventure pertaining to endeavoring something extraordinary with your life…and moreover, journeying the far-flung continent— Antarctica. In essence, it’s a tale apropos of simply getting out there and exploring the scads of mesmerizing locations and mysteries that the world has to offer. To me, occasionally, it feels like the anime is emboldening its key demographic of otaku to relinquish loafing around in front of their computer, TV screens; and to instead just get out there, do something with themselves, and enjoy life to its fullest. Collectively, this anime has one of those rare singular plots that efficaciously manages to strike a balance between believable and extraordinary. The anime has a lot going for it. From the symphonious and catchy score, to the splendidly crafted frozen landscapes, each and every aspect of this show commingles to complement this poignant tale. One particular aspect that I love about the show is how adventurous it is. When it comes to travelling, I reckon that more than the destination itself, the very journey to that destination is what matters more. The overarching plot of reaching Antarctica works effectually to continuously engender fresh, new environments and circumstances for the characters of the show to deal with. It’s also meticulous and sublimely executed.

The pre-eminent plus point of this anime is unequivocally the four main girls, their friendship, and the heart behind their trip. A Place Further than the Universe is a poem to the tender steps these girls undertake toward their friendship set on a continent that, in Shirase’s words, “strips everything bare.” What renders the friendship depicted in this anime so vivid and memorable is that these girls aren’t merely blank pages for the viewer to project personalities onto. All of them are remarkable; they’re full of life, vivacious and obstinate in their own ways. Every single one of their disputes feel relatable and tangible, and their diverse backgrounds leads to a congenial cast with quintessential chemistry. Dialogues are consistently brimming with personality, and their interactions can fluctuate from gut-wrenchingly emotional to hilariously adorable. This is one team in all probability that you won’t get tired of. The visuals of this show are both expressive and spectacular. The scenic wide-shots are utterly stunning, accomplishing the laudable task of portraying the pristine, untainted beauty of the Antarctic scenery— a gentle reminder of the beauty that’s out there. All things considered, A Place Further than the Universe delineates a story that’s as specific as it is universal. It’s a tale about heartbreak, about the necessity to connect, and about the yearning to achieve just a bit more in one’s life. Even beyond the amazing animation, the friendship at the core of the anime is one that feels genuine and relatable. It had me smiling and laughing just as often as it got me emotional. It felt like I was experiencing the journey and feeling their emotions with the four girls. At the end of the day, being a wanderlust, the anime made me want to stand up, face and explore everything that our world has to offer.