A Place Further than the Universe
A Place Further than the Universe is an original Japanese anime television series produced by Madhouse. The series is directed by Atsuko Ishizuka, written by Jukki Hanada and features character designs by Takahiro Yoshimatsu. It aired in Japan between January and March 2018.
Plot
Mari Tamaki is a second-year high school student who wants to make the most out of her youth but is usually too afraid to do so. One day, she meets Shirase Kobuchizawa, a girl who has been saving up to travel to Antarctica, where her mother disappeared three years ago. Joined by two other girls, Hinata Miyake and Yuzuki Shiraishi, they join an expedition headed towards the Antarctic.Characters
Main characters
;Mari Tamaki;Shirase Kobuchizawa
;Hinata Miyake
;Yuzuki Shiraishi
Civilian Antarctic observation team
;Gin Tōdō;Kanae Maekawa
;Yumiko Samejima
;Chiaki Mukai
;Toshio Zaizen
;Dai Himi
;Nobue Todoroki
;Yume Sasaki
;Honami Yasumoto
Other characters
;Megumi Takahashi;Rin Tamaki
;Tamiko Shiraishi
;Takako Kobuchizawa
Ship
;Penguin Manju GoMedia
Anime
The 13-episode original anime television series by Madhouse was first announced by Kadokawa during Anime Expo 2017 in July. The series was directed by Atsuko Ishizuka with Jukki Hanada writing the scripts and Takahiro Yoshimatsu designing the characters. Yoshiaki Fujisawa composed the music. The series aired in Japan between January 2 and March 27, 2018 and was simulcast by Crunchyroll. The opening theme is "The Girls Are Alright!" by Saya, while the ending theme is "Koko Kara, Koko Kara" by Inori Minase, Kana Hanazawa, Yuka Iguchi, and Saori Hayami. On November 18, 2022, Anime Limited announced at Anime NYC that they will be releasing the series on a collector's edition Blu-ray. The Blu-ray release featured an English dub, produced by Studio Nano, which premiered at Anime NYC on November 19, 2022.Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Meme Yoimachi was serialized in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive manga anthology from December 27, 2017, to February 27, 2019. It was compiled into three volumes.Stage play
A stage play adaptation was announced on January 24, 2023. It ran at the Shibuya Cultural Center Owada from May 17–21, 2023. The play was directed by Hideo Tsuchida, and is also co-written the script with Tomoharu Suzuki. The cast includes Marina Horiuchi as Mari Tamaki, Haruna Ishii as Shirase Kobuchizawa, Miyu Kishi as Hinata Miyake, and Saki Kitazawa as Yuzuki Shiraishi. Hana Taguchi plays Mari's childhood friend Megumi Takahashi, while Reina Seiji plays Mari's sister Rin Tamaki.Reception
Critical response
The anime was selected by The Verge as one of the best anime of 2018, saying that it is "genuine", and by The New York Times as the #8 International Show of the Year, with TV critic Mike Hale describing it as "a funny and moving coming-of-age story that should translate across all boundaries of age or culture." Otaku USA praised the characterization and humor and added that "directing helps a lot of the comedic timing stand out and makes some of the more familiar punchlines feel fresh".In 2019, Crunchyroll included the anime in their "Top 25 Anime of the 2010s" list, describing it as a "heartfelt series about chasing dreams, learning to break out of self-imposed boundaries, and living a life full of adventure". IGN also listed it among the best anime of the 2010s.