It’s one thing to go on an overseas trip as a high school student, but quite another to embark on a journey to Antarctica. This original anime by MADHOUSE is a coming-of-age drama about four high school students who make the most of their youth and see the world as hurting and wonderful, in a place further than the universe. It takes pride in its poignant storytelling and sound design, unique protagonists, and well-crafted themes, which have made it one of the best slice-of-life anime of the past decade. 

I can still remember the anime that destroyed me; I have no choice but to ugly cry. There’s Hotarubi no Mori E, Fruits Basket, and Violet Evergarden, to name a few. But the tears I had from watching A Place Further Than the Universe weren’t entirely made of pain. It’s also a cry of joy and satisfaction, the kind that would come out when you’re met with closure, or when you can’t help but feel happy for the characters themselves. It broke me and mended me in the most beautiful way possible. Now, it’s cemented at the top of my best anime list, and I wonder why I haven’t watched it sooner.

This review is spoiler-free.

Girls Beyond the Edge of the World

The title “A Place Further Than the Universe” is romantic and poetic enough for viewers to expect real adventure, and it delivers on its promise. It’s an adventure drama-comedy starring four high school girls who navigate friendships, life’s harsh realities, and the place that is Antarctica. The latter part may seem unbelievable at first, but the plot shatters our doubts, as it did to those who didn’t believe in our main characters. It’s made for the ones who want to go on a journey, who don’t give up on their big dreams, and who want to live their lives to the fullest.

While our protagonists are mainly in high school, the involvement of adults helps make it a well-written coming-of-age story. To start, the trip only exists because of Shirase Kobuchizawa’s dream to look for her mother in Antarctica, where she disappeared. She meets Maki “Kimari” Tamari, who decides to join her, and they later meet Hinata Miyake and Yuzuki Shiraishi, who complete their circle before they set out to the White Continent.

On the cruise, the girls are treated as adults by the expedition team members. They are expected to fulfill their duties, participate in their daily work and training, and are exposed to the struggles and dangers of embarking on such a journey. The adults prepare them for what lies ahead, literally and figuratively, and grow with them in the short time they’re together.

A Deeper Look into Friendships

As the girls make their way through Antarctica, the anime explores the friendships they have made. Unlike long-time friends, however, they’re only brought together by an expedition, showing us a realistic way of how friendships are formed. That it’s not an awkward thing for extroverts, but its meaning can baffle someone who has never had true friends.

When does it happen? When do you decide we’re friends? What makes us friends? These are some of the questions they try to answer, allowing us to take a profound look at human relationships. But they don’t overthink it either, and it’s why we see a real representation. They’re not afraid of being true to themselves and confronting each other. They fool around like teens their age, but they also have each other’s backs. They’re the perfect strangers-to-best-friends with the best friendship goals, as they had already achieved what most high school students couldn’t.

As Shirase put it, our friends can be “a little weird, a little frustrating, a little broken.” But they can become our most treasured people, who are willing to do literally anything with us, even if it means traveling to Antarctica.

Girls are Alright (and the Designs)

Shirase is the one who sets the girls’ trip in motion, but the anime does a great job of giving every girl a chance to shine, including a supporting character. Shirase is the bold, stubborn “jerk” of the group, Hinata is the playful and happy-go-lucky, Yuzu is the straightforward and pure gap moe, and Kimari is the curious and reflective one. But even with their differences, they get along really well, like they’ve known each other for a long time. They have distinct personalities and backstories that don’t overshadow one another, and we see their own character arcs unfold, with Antarctica as the best witness to it.

All these beautiful moments happen with MADHOUSE’s clean and smooth animation, where the characters appear as if they stepped out of paper. There’s just something raw and youthful about it. Saya’s The Girls Are Alright! as the opening song is also very apt for the series, as well as the ending theme song, Koko Kara, Koko Kara, which is performed by the principal cast.

But what stands out are the insert songs, as they elevate the experience for the viewers. They simply cannot be missed. My favorites are Haru ka Tooku and Sora Wo Miagete by Saya, and One Step, which is also performed by the girls’ voice actors themselves. I could feel my life starting to move simply by listening to them; it’s a different experience. 

To a Place Further Than the Universe

The series ended with only 13 episodes, but it didn’t leave anything unanswered. The girls found out what they were searching for in Antarctica, and they went home fulfilled, complete. Just as I am. It’s youthful. It’s courageous. It’s nostalgic. It fills you with homesickness for a place you’ve never been to, with yearning for a dream you once had and a moment you may have missed. It’s lonely and painful, but it’s full of joy and hope. It holds you, and it tells you to keep moving forward to a place further than the universe.

I’ve had many favorite anime series in 2025, but A Place Further Than the Universe was the most beautifully written. I’ve enjoyed every second, and I’ve cried through every single episode (I wasn’t like this in any series before). It stirred something deep within me; I wish I could watch it again for the first time.

Rating: 10/10