The True Nature of “Youth” Depicted in “A Place Further Than the Universe” — Something More Precious Than Treasure Found by Four Girls in Antarctica

“A Place Further Than the Universe” is an original anime series broadcast in 2018, created by the powerful tag team of director Atsuko Ishizuka and series composer/scriptwriter Jukki Hanada. Known affectionately as “Yorimoi,” the series received immense acclaim not only in Japan but also internationally.

The highlight of this series is the journey of four girls who, despite facing various difficulties and walls, deepen their friendship and aim for Antarctica—“A Place Further Than the Universe.” The story depicts themes of “the radiance of youth,” “the passion to pursue dreams,” and “partings and new beginnings” with moving and vivid visuals.

Mari Tamaki (aka Kimari), a second-year high school student, wanted to start something new but found herself unable to take the first step. However, a certain event leads her to meet Shirase Kobuchizawa, a girl determined to go to Antarctica.

Even though everyone tells her it is impossible for a high school student to go to Antarctica, Shirase refuses to give up. Moved by her determination, Kimari vows to aim for Antarctica alongside Shirase…

If asked, “What is youth?”, how would you answer? Sweat and tears, club activities, romance… Among the many answers, the one I want to recommend most right now is the anime series A Place Further Than the Universe (Sora Yorimo Tooi Basho, often called “Yorimoi”).

There is a very memorable scene in the live-action movie The Chef of South Polar starring Masato Sakai. Despite the beautiful aurora appearing in the sky, the expedition members ignore it and obsessively slurp their ramen. It is a famous scene depicting the craving for “food” in extreme conditions. However, when I watched the final episode of A Place Further Than the Universe, I felt I was shown the “answer” at the opposite pole of that scene.

The girls are speechless at the magnificent beauty of the aurora and simply look up at the sky. The moment I saw that, I was taken aback. “Ah, the men in The Chef of South Polar were so starved for ramen that they abandoned such a wonderful moment.” I understood this paradoxically, and at the same time, I trembled with the realization that “these girls have reached a level of ‘emotion’ that surpasses even ramen (appetite/survival instinct).”

Today, I will unravel this masterpiece, which continues to reign at the top of rankings on anime sites years after its broadcast and is loved by many fans as “a work that changed my life,” from the perspective of a veteran columnist. Great music, great animation, great voice acting, great story. I will guide you on a journey through this rare masterpiece that has no negative points.

One of the biggest reasons this work has been widely accepted not only by anime fans but also by the general public is its exquisite character design.

The main characters are four high school girls, but you don’t feel the sugary atmosphere typical of so-called “Moe anime.” Pale colors, realistic hair colors, and body lines. It avoids excessive deformation aimed at the otaku demographic while avoiding being too plain. This sense of balance is truly magnificent. Crying, laughing, anger, surprise. Their expressions, which change rapidly, are well within the realm of reality but are firmly “cute.” There is a charm there that cannot be conveyed in a still image but is completed by movement.

And breathing life into them are the top voice actors leading the modern anime world: Inori Minase, Kana Hanazawa, Yuka Iguchi, and Saori Hayami. For the demographic who thinks, “I’d watch it if it had a little more charm,” this casting gives a strong push. Because of the “absolute trust” in their acting skills, we can immerse ourselves in the story without strange preconceptions.

In particular, the protagonist Kimari’s (Mari Tamaki) sloppiness and Shirase’s (Shirase Kobuchizawa) “disappointing beauty” (ponkotsu) rely heavily on their acting. The way Shirase’s facade peels away with each episode, revealing her clumsy side, makes us feel affection rather than irritation. The chemical reaction of “Voice Actor x Character Design” makes us feel like these four girls are “real friends.”

The story opens with a shocking development where Kimari picks up 1 million yen. It would be boorish to point out, “It’s too careless to carry such a large amount of money” or “Take it to the police.” By daring to leave this point of contention, Shirase’s desperation as the owner and her obsession with Antarctica are conveyed to the viewer as the weight of that thick bundle of bills. And the development where Kimari, who picked it up, becomes Shirase’s comrade creates a strong persuasiveness.

The brilliance of this work also lies in the balance between this “fiction (opportunism)” and “reality (thorough research).” The depiction of the Antarctic expedition, drawn with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the National Institute of Polar Research, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, is surprisingly authentic. The depiction of life on the icebreaker is particularly outstanding. Bathing, laundry, and toilet situations inside the narrow ship. And the intense shaking unique to the Southern Hemisphere. The direction that swings the camera work itself like a pendulum creates such a sense of presence that it feels like the viewer’s semicircular canals might go haywire.

Kimari and her friends started moving with just a vague impulse of “I want to do something interesting!” At first glance, it may seem that they were “just lucky” to go to Antarctica. However, as a famous quote from another work says, “Luck can only be caught by those who have prepared to catch it.” Shirase and her friends continued to act recklessly even when they were mocked as “Antarctic Girls” by those around them. Because of that action, the divine favor named “Karma” was granted. This work is overflowing with enough “youth” and “heat” to convince us of that.

A Place Further Than the Universe is a story about going to Antarctica, but at the same time, it is a story that redefines “What is a friend?”

Shirase, who was isolated until meeting Kimari. Hinata, who dropped out of high school and keeps a distance from others. Yuzuki, who has been in the entertainment industry and does not know ordinary youth. The loneliness and lack carried by each of them mesh like gears through the extreme journey to Antarctica.

Especially episodes 5, 11, and 12 cannot be discussed without tears. “Friendship is not about contacting each other every day or being together.” A relationship where you can say you will meet here again no matter how far apart you are. A relationship where independent individuals support each other, not through dependence. Shirase’s scream of “Zamaamiro!” (Serves you right!) directed at the friends who once made fun of them was not revenge, but a declaration of victory over herself and the ultimate proof of friendship.

The adults of the expedition team also treat them strictly but warmly as fellow team members, not treating them like children. Watching them grow by looking at the backs of such adults is “youth” itself. Even if the present is painful, the world changes if you have friends aiming for the same goal. Looking at the foreshadowing left in the interactions of the four in the last scene (such as leaving the money behind), I cannot help but wish for a sequel. However, the lingering feeling that makes us think so is proof that this work is a rare masterpiece.

Only 13 episodes. In this short span of one cour, this work perfectly depicts everything from the meeting to the departure, life in Antarctica, and the return. There is absolutely no sagging in the middle; serious moments, gags, emotions, and daily life are spun at a magnificent tempo.

The use of music is also god-tier, such as the scene where the insert song “Koko kara, Koko kara” composed by Hige Driver plays. This work pierced relentlessly into my chest, even though I was cynical, wondering, “Does youth really exist?”

If you feel a sense of blockage in your daily life. If you want to start something but can’t take the first step. Please watch the journey of these four girls. After watching it, you will surely want to start running somewhere on your own feet. If they could go to a place further than the universe, they will surely push our backs too.

• Mari Tamaki: Voiced by Inori Minase
• Shirase Kobuchizawa: Voiced by Kana Hanazawa
• Hinata Miyake: Voiced by Yuka Iguchi
• Yuzuki Shiraishi: Voiced by Saori Hayami
• Gin Todo: Voiced by Mamiko Noto
• Kanae Maekawa: Voiced by Yoko Hikasa
• Yumiko Samejima: Voiced by Lynn
• Toshio Zaizen: Voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
• Dai Himi: Voiced by Jun Fukushima
• Nobue Todoroki: Voiced by Kana Asumi

• Original Creator: Yorimoi
• Director: Atsuko Ishizuka
• Series Composition: Jukki Hanada
• Script: Jukki Hanada
• Character Design: Takahiro Yoshimatsu
• Music: Yoshiaki Fujisawa
• Animation Production: MADHOUSE

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tarumaki

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最新作から過去作まで好きな作品を紹介して、少しでも業界の応援になればと思いつつに書いていこうと思います。 基本的に批判的な意見は書かないようにしています。