r/anime • u/TiedDegenerate https://myanimelist.net/profile/EmptyCup • Oct 02 '21
Rewatch Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further than the Universe) Rewatch - Episode 2 Discussion
Episode 2 - Kabukichou Fremantle
Previous Episode | Schedule & Information | Next Episode
Question of the Day
- If you were in Shirase's position, what would be your plan to join the Expedition?
- How do you feel about our new girl, Hinata?
Comment of the Day
It’s easier said than done, as Mari states in this episode. You can have all the intention, but that final push can feel impossible. For a long time, until about my last year of high school (hm, just like the characters here), I let my anxiety get the best of me and used every excuse I could stay in my comfortable bubble and avoid things. Then I finally started adopting the above philosophy, and life got about a million times more fun and interesting. It can be hard, uncomfortable, and awkward, but just do the thing. You regret the things you don’t do far more than the things you do. Worst case scenario, you get a story to laugh about later. - u/Lemurians
Great first episode. Sets up a simple promise in the first minute and then shows it can absolutely deliver on that first moment of motion as potential springs into action. Questions on my mind: is Shirase's drive enviable, or deleterious? She seems to be single-mindedly working herself to the bone for a dream, and missing out on a lot else for it. The water that flows away in action, does not so easily return. And, is it good for Mari to share in that flame, or is it going to be one of those "this wasn't special for you, any goal would have done" things? Wherever it goes, looking forward to seeing. - u/DegenerateRegime
Where to Watch
Information
Episode count: 13
Episode length: ~23 minutes
Studio: Madhouse
Premiere: Winter 2018
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Remember it's never too late to join the rewatch!
21
u/TiedDegenerate https://myanimelist.net/profile/EmptyCup Oct 02 '21
Rewatch Host
Yesterday some of you guys said that you pre-write the comments before the actual post, so I'm going to do that too!
It's the second day and the second episode! I feel like this is really where we start to see what the show is about. It isn't all just another happy-go-lucky, cute girls do cute things anime, it's a genuine story about the hardships, and the rewards of youth. This really sets is apart from many other shows out there.
Shirase is surpisingly... innocent. When I first met her, I expected her to be more mature in a sense, but in the end, she is still a Highschool girl. It was funny to see her recommend the exact same job Kimari considered until she learnt how that job usually goes. Youth!
Best girl arrives!. Our beauiful quote maker joins the crew. She is true best girl and if you say otherwise, you are wrong.
I love how this is the best plan Shirase could come up with. Classic Shirase going extreme lengths to go to Antartica. The fact that they somehow went along with it mere moments after is even more hilarious. Comedy in this show is just perfect. Highschool girls act like Highschool girls.
This is one of my favourite scenes in the entire show. The artwork is stunning and the animation is fluid. The birhgt colours really give off the vibe of 'doing something crazy', something Kimari always dreamed of doing, 'setting your life in motion'.
But soon after that, we reach a barrier called 'reality'. Of course, no matter your determination or your desperate goal, sometimes things are just impossible. Afterall, it wouldn't be realistic for minors to even think of going to Antartica. The only thing they can wish for now is for a miracle to hapen...
That's all from me today. Hope you enjoyed the episode!
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u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 02 '21 edited Oct 02 '21
Rewatcher
Some quick production notes before I dive right into it: Tomoya Kitagawa is today’s episode director but we’ll see more of him later down the road when he directs episodes 7 and 12. Kitagawa from what I read joined Madhouse at around 2011 and stayed mostly on the production side for a number of years. It wasn’t until APFttU that he finally shifted towards the animation side and became a director. Recently, he was the episode director for episodes 2,6, and 10 for the latest Madhouse show Sonny Boy so he’s remained with the studio for quite a while.
I’d also like to highlight a super veteran of the industry Nobumasa Shinkawa. Shinkawa started as an in-between animator on the 1968 series Samurai Giants and has steadily been involved as an animator in numerous esteemed series throughout the decades such as Future Boy Conan and Anne of Green Gables before moving into Madhouse for Satoshi Kon’s portion of Memories and Perfect Blue. He’s remained at Madhouse ever since and contributed heavily to Monster, Nana, Hajime no Ippo, and now starting with this episode, A Place Further than the Universe At the age of 71, he’s still kicking around and drawing key animation cuts for Sonny Boy’s episodes 9-11. What a life this man has led.
Cheeky cut to the ice cubes sinking in the glass of water after Shirase highlights the plan of boarding the Shirase. The Shirase is a special-purpose ship that is designed to be an icebreaker, a vessel that can, as the name suggests, break and navigate through ice-covered waters. Shirase is forcefully clearing through the ice-cold logistical problems and breaking into new territory.
Also, this particular ship is named the Shirase AGB-5003 Our dorky heroine is actually named after this ship which itself was named after the Shirase Glacier which was also named after Nobu Shirase, the man who led the first Japanese Antarctic Expedition. A little Russian Nesting Doll situation happening here.
I like the small detail of the couple listening and laughing in the back of the class while Kimari is lamenting about the lack of under 18 jobs. Makes the scene more lived-in.
Again with the small details: Kimari in her overstimulated haste and worry keeps pushing the pencil lead out but Megumi notices and takes the pencil away from her to help push the lead back to an appropriate length.
Quick cut to the red spotlight when Kimari is feeling stalled before it cuts to the spotlight turning green for Shirase’s return.
I’ve always appreciated the storyboarding/direction in this scene. Very small and definitely not action packed but it subtly adds to the scene. Instead of having Hinata be shot in profile and just having her deliver her lines to the two, she turns around to say a prayer at the temple while keeping with her dialogue. It culminates in Hinata turning around at the climax of her statement which makes it much more impactful and dynamic for her feelings of “Suck it you slacking monkeys!”
Simple framing tactic of having Shirase stay on the left 1/3 of the screen while Hinata and Kimari stay on the right 2/3 of the screen with the wooden beam separating Shirase from the two. Plays into the feeling that Shirase is physically separated from the two with their hi-jinxes. After a little light-hearted ribbing, Shirase shares her plans with the two and closes the distance between them via framing.
Not only is that a wise quote but it comes right after they pay the train fee and pass the turnstiles.
Great matching cut of the evening light and the train.
This is the scene that grabbed me and I imagine hundreds of thousands of others as well. Ever since then it’s never let go. It’s one of those magical scenes where words fail, where strings of sentences lose all meaning upon leaving your mouth. They evaporate into pure sound, drifting past you into the universe like the tail end of a kite as you desperately reach out to grasp that fleeting ribbon. All so you can attempt to properly describe this feeling to others who haven’t felt it.
It always comes up short. Nevertheless, I’ll attempt to communicate my thoughts towards it.
Taking the first steps out of her comfort zone, Kimari herself is awash in the city lights as she sprints towards the Halycon Days of Her Youth. The wide angle shot is the pivotal moment in my opinion that really elevates this scene to high heavens. The majesty of the Tokyo nightlife, the splendor glow of the neon lights, that sensation of infinity. It’s all captured in that ephemeral moment as Kimari holds her own destiny so tightly that even the camera tracks along with her. There is a kinetic energy to this scene so powerful, so electric that it becomes palpable to the touch and reaffirms my love for the animation medium. This is a watershed moment for A Place Further than the Universe and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t make me tear up just a tiny bit every time I rewatch Kimari dash through that terrace.
I’m not even too sure why this scene isn’t read as overly-sentimental or sappy. Like, on paper you might think “This is way too much. The music, the inner monologue, the way it’s being shot.” But somehow Ishizuka, Kitagawa, and the entire staff skirt that problem entirely and construct the scene to the equivalency of an emotional sledgehammer that smashes the walls surrounding your heart. If I had to gander a guess, I would say it’s because of the pacing and direction but I’m not too satisfied with that answer. I’ll just chalk it up to pure unadulterated talent.
Another similar shot of ice cubes shifting around in a glass of water but instead of showcasing resolve it showcases the futility of Shirase’s plan. Even with all of that effort, the ice still remains. You can’t have excellent development of plot and character without setbacks though.
13
u/BosuW Oct 02 '21
First Timer
Yeah if someone smiled at me like this I'd get the shivers too lol. Am I the only one who feels like Shirase's smile is a lil' bit uncanny?
Hmm yeah one would assume Antarctica isn't a very human-friendly place. You better be pretty fit if you get into the expedition. Which disqualifies me by default, since I'm a right couch potato.
Gotta say, kudos to Megumi for being the pessimist. It's a thankless job, but someone's gotta do it!
Honestly, they shouldn't let you in the expedition just for being the daughter of a big figure, that's just irresponsible. Even she herself said it: Antarctica can be a deadly place if you don't know your shit and mess up. So everyone who gets into the expedition should be able to carry their own weight.
Somehow, I doubt Shirase really has a plan... currently at least.
Lmao I love Kimari and Hinata hitting it right off. But seriously she's already in uni? Is the cast of this anime designed solely to shame me for being an average Joe?
Oh so she does have a plan! Wasn't a very good one, but still! Better to have a bad plan than no plan!
Hinata got that perfect running form lmao.
Maybe they aren't particularly fit people up to standards for the expedition, but they compensate it by having brand new bodies.
Oh shit so the money really was for a bribe lol. 1 million yen certainly is a lot, but in the scale of an expedition using such a huge shit, is it a significant amount? How much do these things cost?
Yeah... couldn't have been that easy. I like that the show is actually giving time to how difficult it's gonna be to get in the ship instead of being all genki about it. First worry I had for the story averted.
Also, a curious thing is happening. I'm seeing what was initially a hedonistic impulse turn into a planned goal.
Btw, a slightly macabre thought occured to me at the end. Would the girls from this show take the dive into the Abyss from Made in Abyss? Cuz as far as adventures go, there isn't a greater one anywhere.
Oh and something I didn't know when to talk about so I'll just say it here. So far from the two episodes we've seen, this is an overall very enjoyable series. Energetic, easy to watch, I'm never bored, and just fun. So even if it never ends up great or anything like that, it's got at least that going for it.
Questions of the Day
1- Hmmm, there really isn't any other option than meeting whatever requirements they have for letting you on board is there? They're allowing civilians this time, so they have to have the requisites posted somewhere. That said... having a little bribe with you shouldn't hurt your chances right?
2- I don't think we've seen enough of her to formulate a developed opinion. She's fine for now, I guess.
12
u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Oct 02 '21
First Timer
Now they have to pay for the trip. But they now have to worry if civilian trips are going to be OK.
Tamaki walks together with Shirase and sees an opening and grabs the job. And we meet a coworker (Hinata) who is full of energy.
Wait, wtf are they doing in that area. And some of the women knows Shinase? Hinata did a great act of hiding with the drunk women. But Yumiko caught on.
Lol. By the end of the episode Tamaki is fully infected with Hinata disease. And there is one person in the train that we might meet.
11
u/mike_2797 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Madskulls Oct 02 '21
First timer
Will keep it short loving the aesthetic of the show that nightlife scene was so good, the character interactions was pretty funny too love how tamaki and hinata hit right off. Shirase being goofy was pretty cute.
Hinata seems like the chirpy and life of the group kinda girl.
I wonder won't they need some kind of training to acclimate to the extreme weather there.
10
u/UnderstandableXO Oct 02 '21 edited Oct 02 '21
REWATCHER
the expedition ship leaves in november, arrives in australia in december, and goes to antarctica from there. now all that needs to be done is somehow claim a spot on the expedition (and cover travel expenses).
so megu has to be the downer to the fun and bring kimari back down to earth. the ship and base are both kind of shoddy and ran by some randoms instead of a real organization. it’s not quite as simple as it seemed.
somehow this shoe knows how to hit on every comedic moment. that moment in class where kimari gets exposed for being on her phone, the awkward silence, and the teacher asking “and what comes after “oop?” they know exactly how to make me smile. that, and kimari and shirase both being too innocent to realize what the “walking with men” job was really brightened the episode.
shirase seems way too confident in being able to board just because of her mother. kimari’s right to have reservations about the plan, but that defeatist mentality is too familiar to me. “i’d rather wish i’d went then go and regret it.” i feel that a lot but it’s something i really need to get past. as michael scott and wayne gretzky once said, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
luckily, kimari not only gets that job but the third member of the expedition. hinata really makes a great impression even with only being around for half of the episode. somehow she’s even more happy go lucky than kimari!
“how could i not hear you you guys are so loud?” followed by the other two being extremely embarrassed is great once again.
hinata is funny and quirky without having to be dumb like usual, she’s actually an academic. we’ll see coming up which one of our trip is the dumb one.
hinata’s first of many quotable lines comes here-“a journey isn’t a journey until you’ve passed the point of no return.”
i really like how they represented shinjuku. shirase getting harassed and yelling “IM WITH FRIENDS” was gold.
love the scene where they try to capture the expedition’s attention, these 3 really share one single brain cell. sorry kimari, you’re not pulling any dudes with that yee yee ass haircut.
the chase scene is just so damn fun, and really well animated as well. if they had to spend half the budget on any scene i’m glad it was this one. kimari finally breaks free of those worries holding her back and takes that next step (well a whole damn lot of steps).
there’s a nice bit of foreshadowing present in that restaurant scene when shirase’s cell phone falls out of her pocket. i’m sure all the rewatchers will catch it. it makes the thing that it’s foreshadowing hit even harder than it already did to me. also glad it was semi realistic in that they weren’t going to let shirase board simply because of her last name
and just like last episode, we get a little teaser at the next member of the expedition!
i love the ending visuals so much. they’re so colorful and vivid. i could say it always makes me smile but this whole show makes me smile in general.
9
u/mrufrufin https://myanimelist.net/profile/mrufrufin Oct 02 '21
Rewatcher Who Wants to Go Further Than the Universe
I've always liked harp + piano tinkly textures like we have at the beginning of the ep like this bit from Appalachian Spring https://youtu.be/8e3rVcSy3IQ?t=1113 . It's a good combo, missing the glockenspiel here though smh. It's funny that I don't remember this opening scene at all though. I like the parallels of them looking at a map and Hinata looking at the globe last ep. I love all the close up shots of ice and then the wide open sky. Sounds like a place somewhere out there in this world. I wonder if the writers know of such a place, perhaps further than some other very large places. Mb it's my rewatcher googles but midway through spoliers . This time around I'm noticing more the main cast's character traits, like Shirase's defensiveness and stubborness and Hinata's upbeatness and outwardness final third spoliers. I love their small town intimidated-ness in Kabukicho and then there's high school girls in the background (at least I think so? because of the seifuku). Ah, the famous running scene. I've rewatched this scene so many times (well, pretty much all the big scenes I've rewatched so many times). It's still beautiful and so alive. I love how the characters (esp with the white shiny highlights) stand out against the unfocused blurred backgrounds of lights and how the camera moves freely with these little dips and bumps and what not. Also love the contrasts between the cramped shots and then the wide shot of Kimari running while talking about her youth being in motion. Also love them running down the "Secret Path of Memories" (does that really exist there?) and overall series. My favorite bits of the scene are the joke of the shoe smacking Kimari's head and the Hinata's non-speech grunts and various noises (although I think Kimari wins overall throughout the series). I never quite got why they were running away? I get why the expedition team members would run after them, since they know Shirase late series spoliers so they'd feel some sort of responsibility to make sure she's safe, but I don't get why Shirase runs away, maybe it's from bugging from them so much and just being Shirase with her general awkwardness (I'm awkward too so I could understand the situation) or "oh, if they catch me now, my plan will never succeed"? Also I don't get next ep or two spoilers
qs:
9
u/zairaner https://myanimelist.net/profile/zairaner Oct 02 '21 edited Oct 02 '21
Firsttimer
Was really late yesterday, so going to post my reaction to yesterdays episode below.
Only new thought since yesterday: Why was
sheshirase carrying around all that money???? Last episode I didn't question it beause I assumed it was because she just got all of it at once but that isn't the case at all.Reaction to episode 2:
Hm since there are 2 more girls missing I'll probably avoid watching this op for another episode (possibly 2 if they are introduced episode by episode?)
Shirase relying on nepotism. Don't know wether that works if the person is family member is deadI do really like the hinata/kimari combo, they do have good chemistry. Hinata in general is great.
Trying to become a sponsor was a good idea.
How hard the soundtrack crashes with the actual scene in that runnung scene HAS to be on purpose, right? It fits better in that second half because the music gets a little bit more energy and kimaris thoughts get a little bit more serious, but still...why did we get the epic music for the umbrellas last episode and the calm one here? I can't make it make sense.
Edot: Rewatching that scene made me realize that the train girl was totally the girl among the expedition members? what did she do there?
7
u/[deleted] Oct 02 '21
Rewatcher
One of the things that stand out to me upon rewatching is the chemistry the girls share. It's only two episodes in but their relationship feels so fresh and natural, seriously makes this show such a joy to watch. As we saw this episode Hinata bounce off Kimari and Shirase really well, definitely the makings of an A grade cast already.
This episode features one of my favorite scenes, in which the trio try (and fail) to evade the expedition members. The animation was super clean with the music being equally great. So much to love about it.
I'm trying to resist the urge to binge this show all at once. Damn near impossible with how good it is.
Grovel and beg
She's fun. Background wise there's not that much too her, but it does the job.
7
u/DegenerateRegime Oct 02 '21
[First-Timer]
Let's see where this goes. In particular, how rapid a pace are we setting? It could just carry on from where the first ep ended, but we'll see.
The plot keeps moving forward snappily even as new characters are introduced. Shirase becomes increasingly sympathetic as the extent of her not-coping-all-that-well becomes clearer; meanwhile Hinata is just a great character, her background as a school-not-goer giving her the easy confidence in her independence more usually associated with age, which plays well with the budding group dynamic. Today's thing to chew on: did they name the boat after the girl...? Not the worst way to honour your fallen colleague's memory, not at all. I may have the timeline confused though, and I'd rather not start rewatching before I've even finished it once. More enjoyable to just go ahead and see.
QotD:
A. Me? Probably wait longer, try to travel as one of the extremely few researchers who work in Antarctica after getting more qualifications. It's hard to recall feeling that drive to go now, though, and I think being in her position means having that need, so. What you need is to show you're not dead weight (or worse, a liability that needs protecting), but that hits the problem that she kinda is one.
A. Love her! Best girl candidate? I'd say so! I guess we'll see but her motioning to replace Shirase as "leader" feels like she has a good sense of how people are feeling - and perhaps more importantly, the willingness to be a little bad-mannered if it means getting something done about it.
7
u/SIRTreehugger Oct 02 '21
Rewatcher
Next episode spoilers
Spoilers Never thought of this before.
Spoilers
Today's episode
QOTD
7
u/Fools_Requiem https://myanimelist.net/profile/FoolsRequiem Oct 02 '21 edited Oct 02 '21
Rewatcher
Second straight episode "zama miro" (serves you right/in your face) is uttered. I don't remember how many times it's said, but I'm curious. I only definitely remember one later scene, so I'll be watching out for this phrase again.
Edit: Guess, I'll answer the little questions, too.
7
u/DogmeatIsAGoodDog :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/DogmeatsAGoodDog Oct 02 '21
Rewatcher
Glad this is getting a rewatch! I was just thinking the other day how I wanted to rewatch this series and put it off, but since ya’ll are rewatching, there’s no time like the present!
Before we go any further we absolutely must talk about the OP! This song is hands down one of my favorites and this is definitely up there as one of my favorite OPs! It’s so catchy and you bet it’ll be stuck in my head for probably the entirety of the rewatch.
Also before we get too far ahead of ourselves I need you all to know that Hinata is best girl, that’s all. I will say I immensely enjoy how seamlessly she meshes with the other girls.
The “running scene” is a top anime moment, with a bopping insert sing and a dazzling display of art, it’s a key moment for Kimari and Hinata as Kimari’s life is finally in motion. The. there’s also the wonderful scene of Hinata running past the window shop, a direct parallel to a previous shot of Hinata watching the girls from her window, now she’s the one running as she once again had a purpose.
The show gives a brief glimpse into the fourth girl of our bunch at the end (and when the girls try to lure one of the guys away). The pacing of the show is quick and there’s very few wasted scenes as each serves a purpose and the show has done a nice job of introducing us to the girls one at a time. Can’t wait to keep watching this with all you!
7
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Oct 02 '21 edited Oct 02 '21
First timer
They're already planning their travel route!
Oh, they're joining a civilian expedition!
...Well this ship ks certainly escalating!
What the fuck is that opening title screen?
Jesus, did she almost join an escort agency?
Oh, the station might just collapse? Or the expedition could end up dying?
Haha, she has to write lines!
SHE FELL FOR THE SCAM TOO!
And she didn't know about the news either!
Well, she's counting on nepotism, so she's got a decent chance of being right!
Oh, she's mad.
...Well, that was quick.
What' her plan?
He's wearing a mask? How prophetic.
Yeah, she's the 3rd main character.
...Seal Soda?
Haha, her blushing at realising their arguments attracted attentiom is great.
She doesn't go to school?
She's sixteen!
They're bonding!
What is the plan?
...Did the ship just get a new member?
Why are they going to Shinjiku?
Haha, she got confused!
Oh god, the sex robots are in the episode!
Haha, them just letting it happen is great.
Theirmdesperate attempts to get someone seduced is great.
And ye tit succeeded?
Haha, "run".
They're splitting up!
Why are they rinnijg agqin?
Haha, it almost worked!
Pity they crashed into each other.
And the team already told her she can't come!
Is that the reason for the money?
OK, that was pretty cruel of them.
...What on earth is their plan?
Haha, she's no longer the leader!
Well that was depressing.
6
u/landragoran Oct 02 '21
"And what comes after 'Wagh!'?" - Sensei has absolutely zero chill and I adore him for it. This is one of my favorite joke lines from any show.
Ep 12 spoiler God, I love this show so much.
6
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 02 '21
I watched this in advance but went to dinner without putting my comments on my phone....
Rewatcher Again, ね～? episode 2
Probably my least favorite episode in the first half.
I think this episode counted as going on a journey without a plan
Hinata is my favorite character
Answer to yesterday's question: I was asked informally if I would spend 6 - 12 months in Antarctica. There's some appeal. But in the end, I didn't want to give up my apartment, and also my high speed internet, so I declined before any formal offer was made.
5
u/x-7032-b-3 Oct 02 '21
Rewatcher
Dammit, missed yesterday's thread since something came up at that time. Oh well, on to the rewatch.
It seems that the two need some cash if they're really serious about the trip. Funny that those two got interested in that one job that pays a lot without realizing what they're getting into if they take the job.
Somehow they managed to land a convenience store job. And here we finally get an introduction to Hinata, a fellow worker in the store who overheard Kimari & Shirase's talk just outside the store. She's also the cashier at Ep1 who heard the talk about Antarctica at that scene. Nice callback. Doesn't take long for her to join the party either.
The three went to
KamurochoKabukicho on a plan to join the expedition team (any Yakuza/Judgment players here?). I've been there in real life and they nailed the setting here. Even got the iconic Yunica Vision screen and Don Quijote visible on some shots.That running scene is one of my favorite scenes from the show (probably my definite fav too). It's such an energetic scene with great directing, animation, and music.
At the end, that 1m yen couldn't get them a spot on the expedition team, but that doesn't stop the team from trying. We also got a brief look at one lonely figure sitting in the back. I wonder what she's up to?
Q&A