User reviews

Ever since high school girl Shirase Kobuchizawa's mother disappeared during an expedition in Antarctica she has saved up so that she can visit that frozen continent. She meets fellow student Mari Tamaki, who is determined to do something with her life but can't decide what... inevitably it isn't long before she too wants to go to Antarctica. Later they are joined in their goal by Hinata Miyake and Yuzuki Shiraishi. After some time trying to get on an expedition they finally succeed and head south; first flying to Singapore then on to Australia where they board the ship to Antarctica.

There are plenty of anime series about groups of ordinary school girls doing various things together; as far as activities go heading to Antarctica is one of the more unusual! The series could easily have been silly but actually it was a highlight of the season. The characters are likeable and their motives for wanting to go to Antarctica nicely varied. Shirase's motive leads to some fairly emotional moments as it is fairly obvious that her mother must have died. The story is well paced with much of its run time dedicated to the girl's attempts to get on an expedition. There is a nice blend of comedy and drama and likeable characters. The animation is pretty good with distinctive characters and impressive backgrounds. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of school girl dramas looking for something a little different.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

It starts with a story of a high school girl and how she wanted to do more while she was young. On the path to going somewhere new she meets new people that end up being the best of friends. A story of friendship on a journey to a place further than the universe.

If I were to describe a place further than the universe in one word, I would probably use the word "wholesome". All it took was 4 girls from different backgrounds and story wanting to something amazing in their life. Nothing extraordinary, just cute girls doing amazing things and that is what attracted me. I first came across this anime when I was watching one of Gigguk's video and he highly recommend this anime to every viewer. At first, I thought that is this anime that special? All I see was an ordinary anime and it turns out I was wrong. From the moment I started watching, I was deeply immersed within the storyline. The character development of every character was extraordinary, bringing out the characteristics of each individual while hinting the obstacles that were preventing them from moving forward. Challenges such as avoiding challenges, seeking the true meaning of friendship and trust were all well developed throughout the series while maintaining the "moe" element of the characters. Throughout the series, I admired the staff that worked on the sceneries and the places that were involved in the anime. Small things such as Merlion, durian and details that we did not know about the Antarctica were well described in the series, which shows the viewers that the research team behind the scene did their research. The seiyuu for the series was also spot on as the voice actors that were chosen for each role were able to bring the characters to life, adding their personality into it as well. The songs for the opening and closing also carries meaningful meanings and the song that impressed me the most was the filler song "one step" that describes the girls marching towards their goal one step at a time. Last but not least, I have learned a lot throughout this anime in terms of determination, never give up and courage. The determination that the characters showed in the anime proved to me that nothing is impossible as long as you are determined to do it. Who cares if we are strangers, who cares if everyone in the world rejects us, as long as we are here, in the end we will always reach the destination that we always desired, even reaching out to a place further than the universe, hence the title for the anime "a place further than the universe" gave a different vibe to the series itself. I totally recommend this anime if you are into slice of life anime and trust me, you will never regret every second of the show. 10/10 is the score I am giving to this masterpiece! Let's go on another journey someday and hope for more shows like this to come out in the future!

First of all.. This anime was wholesome, inspiring and everything u want from a slice of life and much more.. It has an start so good that u wont be bored.. And trust me I did tear up in most of thr episodes that is because the anime captivates the spirit of youth in a way no other anime can.. And that's y it is so much special to me.. The characters are so humane that u want to hug them when they are happy, cry with them when they cry and also be motivated when they shout zamamiro!! Love this anime.. Also it took a 10 very easily

This may just be the most wholesome anime I've yet to see. I thought the premise was a bit silly or cheesy at first but boy does it end up hitting close to home. Give it a shot and you won't be disappointed!

I watched this piece of diamond a year ago and wow It was comfortesque. The way the story revolved around four girls from being just strangers to become the shoulder of each other in tough times. It only consist only 12 episodes yet make a inextricable bond with you. Loved every moment and the animation and the details were all impeccable. OST'S are a great feast for you as well.

Surely 10/10 if not more.

In all honesty, wholesome is the perfect word to describe this anime series. It was really nice to watch in my free time and more of a "slice of life" anime. I thought the art style was captivating and cute as well. Although, I feel like I do need to point out that it isn't the best I've ever watched and I occasionally stopped throughout just because it wasn't always my go to since at some points it gets just a tiny bit boring, hence why it isn't a ten. Overall, this anime was great! It almost made me cry, it made me chuckle, like I said, just perfectly wholesome.

This is a little gem that I did not expect to find. It has some great character arcs and beautiful character development. Antarctic expeditions "amlost" seems fun after watching this. It's short and doesn't overstay it's welcome.

Any anime that can make me feel things is automatically a few steps above the rest in my opinion. The visuals are really top notch, the music is impressive, and the story is amazing. The only reason this doesn't get a 10 is because I usually reserve 10s for something that revolutionizes anime or is just SO incredibly good that if anyone suggested it is something other than a 10 I would argue with them until they saw things my way. Overall, an amazing show, you WILL NOT regret watching this. That is a promise.

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.

I'm quite new to anime but what I have watched was amazing and so far better than this. Actually, I like the mystery genre and watched that kind of animes before so didn't quite like it. But it's enjoyable .

Directed by Atsuko Ishizuka, this captivating anime series follows the unexpected friendship that blossoms between four high school girls as they embark on a daring expedition to Antarctica. From the bustling streets of Japan to the icy wilderness of the South Pole, the girls' journey is a testament to the power of dreams and the bonds that unite us across continents.

At the heart of the story is Mari Tamaki, a spirited young girl with a burning desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life and explore the unknown. Her quest to reach Antarctica is driven by a sense of wanderlust and a thirst for discovery. Joined by her equally determined friends - Shirase, Hinata, and Yuzuki - Mari sets out on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition that will push them to their limits both physically and emotionally. Along the way, they encounter challenges and obstacles that test their resolve, but also forge bonds that will last a lifetime.

The anime successfully blends humor, heartwarming moments, and breathtaking visuals into a seamless tapestry of storytelling. The animation is vibrant and dynamic, capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of Antarctica with stunning detail. But beyond its stunning visuals, the series is a celebration of friendship and self-discovery. Each character undergoes their own journey of growth and transformation, learning valuable lessons about courage, perseverance, and the importance of chasing your dreams. The soundtrack is a melodic masterpiece, perfectly complementing the emotional highs and lows of the girls' journey. From uplifting anthems that inspire courage to gentle melodies that tug at the heartstrings, the music adds an extra layer of depth to an already captivating story.

In the end, it's more than just an anime series - it's a reminder that the greatest adventures often lie beyond the boundaries of our comfort zone. It's a testament to the power of friendship, the beauty of the unknown, and the magic that awaits those brave enough to chase their dreams to a place further than the universe.

All characters are good, there are no proper male character but we do not feel the need as Gin and Yumiko are able to cover the spot.

It can be educative, so I would reccomend for teenagers.

However, after watching many and many series I have to downgrade the rating to 9 due to lack of punch: it is perfect yes but also takes no risk of any sort so would be unfair to compare to other series rated 10.

I liked the first few episodes before the girls reached Antarctica. It would have been much better had we been given an entire first season devoted to seeing how the girls, determined to go through with their plans to reach Antarctica, had to fight and work for it, to overcome all the challenges at school, at home, and with the expedition group. That, for me, would have made this anime series at least a 9.

Unfortunately, the build-up was too disappointingly short. Even the mid-point of the journey in Singapore could have been at least a couple of episodes with the potential drama that could have happened there. Once the girls are on the ship to Antarctica, the story dragged and was no longer all that interesting to me.

What's positive, however, is the overall good animation and the characterization of the four girls. I think the series should have focused more on their relationships and motivations and, as mentioned above, their struggles.

There are a lot of shows similar to this. Where the basic story is that a group of girls hang out and all kinds of miscellaneous events happen. We have shows like K-on, lucky star, and Kinmoza. But for some reason, I haven't really enjoyed any of them that much (Except for Lucky-star). They didn't really have any underlying themes that I could resonate with.

But that's something "A place further than the universe" does really well. It manages to combine "moe" elements with interesting themes of friendship and goals. You can enjoy watching these cute anime girls while being interested in the underlying themes of the story. And I really liked that aspect of the show. I have seen shows like this that I like more, for example, yuru camp and Kobayashi's dragon maid, this is the first time I have liked a show so much because of that combination.

Of course it had flaws. It got a little boring after the first half and some of the character designs were a little too similar. But I could overlook it because it was so fascinating to watch the show. A show I wasn't too hyped to watch at first.

So yeah. The show was really good. 8/10