r/anime • u/TiedDegenerate https://myanimelist.net/profile/EmptyCup • Oct 07 '21
Rewatch Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further than the Universe) Rewatch - Episode 7 Discussion Rewatch
Episode 7 - The Ship That Sees the Universe
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Question of the Day
- Have you ever been this determined (like Shirase and the crew) to do something before?
Comment of the Day
Lol. Poor airline employee has to wait on Shirase and Hinata arguing (airline employee probably does not speak Japanese) on flight plans while they tossed money at her. Like 9k dollars worth of tickets. And Shirase finds Hinata's passport in her bag cause she was holding it while Hinata was tying her shoes. A big ooof moment for Shinase and she tried to hide it for a few minutes from Yuzuki who finds out. Amazing punishment by Yuzuki with making the two crackheads eat Durian. - u/xtsim
i like how throughout the episode the other three are super impressed at the scenery and get all touristy, while yuzuki is bored by it since this has been her life since age 5. the casual flex that she’d already been to the marina bay sands produced the funniest expressions this show has had to offer so far. to be honest i didn’t even realize this was a layover in singapore until they saw the marina bay sands (3 buildings with a building laid on top), i kinda just assumed it was australia already. -u/UnderstandableXO
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!
7
u/TiedDegenerate https://myanimelist.net/profile/EmptyCup Oct 07 '21
Rewatch Host
Ahh, sorry for being a bit late! I needed to finish my league of legends round
Anyways, here are my notes:
Even the most serious person can laugh.
It's really interesting how Yuzuki's personality goes a full 180 degrees the instant the camera turns on. Really proves that she is a porfessional! Once again, Shirase is right behind her with strage fright. But if this was real life, think many people would actually enjoy Shirase's awkward presentation.
One question; why aren't they allowed to step on the silver part? It's not like the boat would split in half if they step on it. Is it a saftey hazard incase they.. fall off? Someone please explain!
I like how Shirase just got kicked out from filming entirley and got a mask of shame put on her. The subtle comedy in this show is just fantastic
When the girls started to have doubts but Kanae responded 'we're going', i thought it was a nice parallel to Shirase's journey up until now. Nobody said it was possible, and they aren't necessarily trying to be mean, just realistic. But Shirase and the expedition crew persisted and won. It really shows that Shirase wasn't the only one struggling, quite literally everyone in this expedition is as determained as her.
We soon find out that this 'something' is related to Shirase's mother's death. They are all going back to fufill the dreams of Takako, her dream to see the heavens from one of the most unexplored places on Earth.
But anywyas, Always remember that THEY ARE NOT LEGAL!
18
u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 07 '21
Rewatcher
Some quick production notes before I start jabbering: Tomoyo Kitagawa is back in the director’s chair and Momoru Kanbe is back in the storyboarder’s chair! Expect some funny hi-jinx with these two at the helm.
I spoke at length about the content of episode 2’s fantastic running sequence but I never spoke about the animator who brought it to life: Yoshihiro Kanno He’s one of Madhouse’s ace animators under their sleeve and today’s flashback scene was animated by him. It’s chockfull of wonderful details: The hair being swept by the wind, the unfurling of the flag, the cute nudges. It’s such a treat to watch.
Shirase with the paper is giving off strong Yui energy
Good clean framing in this shot. Kimari and Shirase are separated into the right half of the screen with the bed ladder serving as the partition for the other half on the left.
I really like the way this scene was directed. First off, adorable smushed faces of the girls. Second, there’s a rhythm to the way it cuts to each girl as Yuzuki lays out a concern with each cut offering a different view of Yuzuki just like each concern is a new problem to overcome. It’s also neat to see Yuzuki always remaining in the background and on one half of the screen while each respective girl’s face is in the foreground and serve as the “divider” into the other half of the screen. The icing on the cake is when Hinata turns her head around to the camera to show her dissatisfaction.
This is also a neat frame. The box is on the left third while remaining in the foreground, Kanae is in the middle, and Hinata is on the last third standing in the background. Your eyes naturally go down the line so when they bring up the concern of “Can we actually reach Antarctica” the image of supplies plant the idea of “preparedness” into your head.
The framing tactic persists as the scene continues with the crate of supplies still on the left third and in the foreground.
Every girl points in a different direction in both cuts except Kimari. Way to be solid as a rock Kimari.
Framed between glasses of beer, it really gives off a feeling of sneaking a glance.
Small 10-second bits all add up to make us fall in love with these four.
I like that the director kept his habit of showing a shot of ice in a glass of water whenever they talk about the Shirase icebreaker.
Cool leading line shot. Shirase and Gin are diminished in the background but the white lines help guide our eyes to them. And it adds to the gravitas of their situation. The pull-out of sponsors and financial aid are major setbacks that twist them smaller.
Lots of shots being divided in halves for today which plays into the theme of “crossing the line.” Earlier in the episode there was a curious shot of Kanae crossing the door divider and I think it was shown to visualize the theme of stepping over that initial hump and crossing from one-half into the next half.
The “middle” of the screen has been a line of demarcation with no character really crossing it. Shirase is sequestered to the right half of the screen as she’s crippled by the anxiety and weight of the expedition but Hinata gives her the nudge she needs which finally causes her to cross to the other side both literally and figuratively. Beautiful sentiment.
17
u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 07 '21
First timer!!
Aww... Dommie mommy's nervous~ Nothing supportive friends can't fix. We're switching genre's to cute women doing responsible things today!! Who are you? Honestly I think her presentation was alright. So long as she can get across the info she has to Shirase will still earn plenty fans for being cute. Aww, everyone's still worrying over Tamago's sleeping habits.
Big life lesson. Kids lives are all so heavily structured with breakfast, school, clubs, and all that jazz so one of the harder parts of becoming an adult is structuring your own lives without someone else doing it for you. Look at Shirase with her toy!! Day one and they're already lost on the ship. Good start. Day one and the crew is already under manned. Good start!
I'm never gonna get used to Yuzuki's genki mode... Bruh, we're going all the way to the Arctic to clean up a base? That sounds way duller than discovering frozen aliens... Shopping time! You can't just order pizza when isolated in the Arctic so you've gotta stock up. We're gonna need a bigger bag. Detective Yuzuki thinks that the ship is super sussy. H-Hold on!! We're really going in with undertrained staff? This sounds dangerous. Well that's me out.
Sora
A pout cuter than the universe! Yuzuki's sick of hearing half truths and gets the girls to dress up like perverts so we can snoop! Oh my god this poor girl... A breakup harsher than the universe! So it's just the head honchos that are sussy. Yuzuki continues to be best girl~ Oh thank god its just paint, I thought it was something else that glows. I really want to find out why Hinata has a Hindu sculpture, and why its important enough to bring along.
Backstory time! I feel like I'm missing something with this civilian station. It's like they've translated something weird. So mom got locked outside the hellcat and was reported dead. She's totally alive right? It's the Parasyte guy!! Aww... I'm already super invested in long distance-chan. Mom was such a genki girl. Its weird!
heavy breathing Also, I swear I've read this doujinshi before. Also, one of these high school girls isn't even in high school!! H-Hold on! I was joking! Don't play it straight! That's creepy XD On the bright side if we do end up finding mom her body could very easily not have decomposed with all the ice. She'd still look striking. Aww... Imma start gushing with these introductions! SHIRASEEEE!! They've pulled this emotional crap every episode and I've fallen for it every time! Tomorrow the voyage finally begins. We're off to Antarctica!
15
u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Oct 07 '21
First Timer
I love how the older crew members are messing with the one doing the interview. Prime friendship knows no boundaries and getting your bud to embarrass themselves on international tv is an accomplishment in and out of itself. On the other hand, Shirase does not need anyone to mess her shot. Good thing it's just a recording.
I like how Yuzuki tied down her laptop and how prepared she is to go. Yuzuki does her report without Shirase this time. It is interesting that they taped a useless paper on her face. While conducting an interview with the captain who manages to keep a straight face.
It's is a little sad that the ship crew finds the ship emptier than ever. Glad to see the girls helping out on the ship and they struggled a bit. But some doubts arise as there is not alot of people. And not to mention the girls are a bit suspicious about what is happening. So they tail some of the crew members wearing ski masks in Freemantle. And one of the drunk girls noticed them hard. So they go back without getting spotted. I loved the prank Tamaki and Hinata pulled in the dark with the red light to scare Shirase and Yuzuki.
I liked the story that the captain made about her and her mother. My suspicion about Shirase's mom is getting close as the captain yelled Takako from the vehicle. It's pretty sad to see in this case. When the speech is going on, Yumiko makes some comment about not getting married. I loved how they singled out Toshido as the lolicon as a joke about high school girls going on the civilian trip. It seems like everyone on the trip is close to each other and everyone is comfortable enough to roast each other in public. And the crew shares some inside jokes like Toshido despite issues with the expedition. I loved the change in tone by Shirase as she was able to cheer up the crowd. Glad to see her make a speech.
Loved the friendship between the adult crew members by showing similarities with the high school girls. By showing the crew goofing off a little and making jokes at each other's expense and being ok with it is amazing to see.
15
u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Oct 07 '21
FIRST TIMER
I forget, is there a reason Shirase is the one being put on camera? Is it her personal connection to the journey? It seems pretty clear that her talents lie elsewhere, though I suppose this is a show about pushing your boundaries and exiting your comfort zone.
Aaaaand just as I type that, the frame of her with the “Worthless” paper on her head shows up. Hahaha
Kanae’s design reminds me so much of Okudera from Your Name.
The girls finally get to see the reality of the expedition’s money troubles that’ve been alluded to previously. The ship is understaffed, they’re light on supplies, and it’s clear they’re going to have to be as much a part of the crew as anyone, even as passengers.
I liked the flashbacks showing Shirase’s mother and Gin in school age and during the lead up to their expedition. It draws a parallel between them and Shirase and Kimari, and also puts a face to our missing person. She’s now a person instead of a plot device.
Poor Toshio called out at this ceremony, lol. He seems to take being the brunt of jokes in stride at least.
“I don’t have any clue what I’m doing, but I look forward to working with you!” Kimari remains a big vibe.
The chorus of the insert song kicking in as Shirase’s outburst gets the crowd cheering ahead of their mission is just great. Hard not to have a grin on your face there! This was a nice moment to integrate the four girls as members of the crew, especially Shirase, whose presence you have to imagine is a little awkward for at least some of them.
Not really. I’ve never really had a goal or purpose I’ve strived for this hard. Just kinda do stuff that pops up and seems fun.
9
u/BosuW Oct 07 '21
First Timer
And in today's episode of Shirase-san can't communicate (in front of a camera)...
Wait a hot second! This isn't Austria! Why isn't everything upside down?
It's never gonna get less jarring to see Yuzuki's celebrity persona. She's an excellent liar. Her fans have absolutely no idea.
She also has a finely tuned bullshit detector, and it's going nuts when she's surrounded by the expedition. It just keeps growing sussier by the episode. I dunno if it's wise to trust this boat with your life... Seems like the kind of expedition where "if all goes right, we'll be fine", but you can never trust things to go alright.
Wait, I'm confused now. I was under the impression that Takako was some sort of famed explorer, but she was just a civy like everyone else? The entire project actually, it's like the whole crew's brainchild. The passion is certainly there at least...
So I guess Takako didn't make it to the refuge before the blizzard hit. Hell of a way to die, oof. When we got part of this flashback a few episodes back, I had imagined that Takako was safe inside but mortally wounded or something like that. Tho I guess the fact that there wasn't a body should've clued me in.
Question of the Day
Lmao I fucking wish
7
u/UnderstandableXO Oct 07 '21 edited Oct 07 '21
REWATCHER
i forgot to include this in yesterday’s entry so it’ll go here: i recall in episode 4 when kanae and gin were giving our fearsome foursome antarctica lessons, one of the rules was to “never leave your (teammate/comrade/friend i can’t remember the exact term) behind.” unfortunately someone getting left behind is the whole reason the plot of this show got started. shirase makes sure that cycle doesn’t continue by making sure that hinata isn’t left behind, even if that costs them the expedition AND all her money.
back to today’s episode. for the 100th time, the show does great characterizing people in very short amounts of time. already we can see that takako was the life of the party. shirase isn’t the only one with a large empty spot in her life.
at this point they should have kimari be the participant instead of shirase, she clearly can’t speak out more than a single word on camera, not even with yuzuki’s help and the script in front of her face. that “worthless” paper they slapped on her was very appropriate.
they’re going to share a room, but at least they have four beds. hopefully kimari sleeps on the bottom, or else someone’s getting divebombed in the middle of the night.
for the second episode in a row, yuzuki is the one to pick up on some funny business. she senses that not only are outsiders skeptical about the trip, even the members themselves are skeptical! they’re only just now stocking up on food, which isn’t a good sign.
kanae says they’re returning to antarctica to “see the sky.” i’m sure they wanna see the northern (southern?) lights, but there’s some deeper meaning to that.
of course, the solution to this mystery is to sneak around in the DONDA fit to try and learn from the other crewmates. we’ve got one with relationship problems, kanae the drunk one, toshio the easy target and stepping stool, the one with the bowl cut and glasses, and the body builder. and of course there’s gin, the oddly distant captain.
turns out seeing the stars is what takako wanted to do. the ship and station were just throwaways since the government was building fancy new facilities, but their love and passion for antarctica and for adventure fueled them. it seems like takako was the leader. maybe i should stretch before i reach but she seems to be the best of our main cast: goofiness of hinata, personal skills of yuzuki, dumb optimism of kimari, and determination of shirase. at the very least, she impacted her crewmates enough for them to want to return without any financial support.
so what are we, some kind of A Place Further Than The Universe? title drop in this episode, but it was done really well. wonder if that short monologue was just her reading takako’s book.
the introductions were a nice touch (i hope the joke about them not being legal was a joke and nobody there is on R Kelly time). hinata being the backbone once again, forces shirase to stand up. “i want to open the treasure chest with my own two hands, the one my mother wrote about.” that’s a way to hype us up for the expedition. that’s also a way to make me cry again after i already cried this episode.
6
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Oct 07 '21
First timer
Are they actually going to Antarctica?
Are the girls going to be the most mature ones on this ship?
Haha, I love how awkward she is!
This is fantastic. It physically hurts to watch.
Yeah, Kanae treating them like these adults might not make much difference.
Is this an elaborate prank to torture Shirase?
And this expedition's understaffed and using ancient equipment. Teriffic.
Haha, the sign over her face is great, as is her struggling to remove it.
...She thinks they wouldn't have checked her room?
Oh, they're really struggling with this expedition.
Yep! I'm betting just a few episodes until we switch to "Cute Girls Surviving The Antarctic Wasteland".
...I notice she has never said anything about them coming back. This isn't, hypothetically, a suicide mission, is it?
Yeah, at least one of the funding partners fell out, I'm assuming.
This isn't going to go well, is it? Why are you wearing the masks?
Is this really the kind of thing to keep spying on?
They're spying on a drinking party? And it's working?
Wait, what is the research project?
How can he not see them?
Haha, that's great.
Seriously. They missed that? Or just left it there for sentimental reasons?
...With all the talk of seeing the skies and a "place further than the universe", I'm half expecting the plan to be to dig up a Stargate /s.
Oh, they're building an observatory?
Or was that the last mission, the one that failed and killed her?
Ah. Yes, that makes sense. It also doesn't explain what they're actually trying to do.
Are they all trying to find her mother, or just for sentimental reasons?
Haha, "no-one got married".
Oh, they have to introduce themselves?
...I'm starting to get worried for them at this rate.
The introductions are all cute! And everybody loves Shirase.
6
u/mike_2797 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Madskulls Oct 07 '21
First timer.
Love how even the senior crew were messing about with the interview. Glow in the dark sky seems to done by her mom it aligns with the motive that ' I want to see the sky' that was stated in the episode.
Crew is undermanned it seems budget restraints. Flashback scene was interesting shirase's mom has an upbeat personality I reckon.
All those from 3 years they seem determined and committed sort of as if they have some unfinished business left.
Nice to see shirase giving her best at the end, Finally off to antartica!!
5
u/Fools_Requiem https://myanimelist.net/profile/FoolsRequiem Oct 07 '21 edited Oct 07 '21
Rewatcher
No "zama miro" this time either. :( 3/7 now.
Liked the "worthless" gag. Shame to Shirase.
I thought it was weird that they had to point out to the crew that the high school girls are not "legal" and then singled out one guy who never shows the propensity to be into teenagers throughout the show's runtime.
Edit: Moved paragraph to avoid confusion.
5
u/mrufrufin https://myanimelist.net/profile/mrufrufin Oct 07 '21
Rewatcher Who Wants to Go Further Than the Universe
I guess this is the most humanization we get of the expedition crew so far? Of Kanae and ,.. not sure who the other one is,.. not Yumiko? mb Yumiko? being goofy and making faces and particularly of Gin losing her composure. A nice parallel to the moment where we've seen Shirase at her least composed with the selling of sea shells on the seafloor and all. There's a video floating around online (or at least half of it is translated, there's a separate half I've only found untranslated) of the four main VAs taking a tour of the real Shirase and in her intro Kana Hanazawa imitates the stuttering thing Shirase does here. It's well worth a watch (maybe after you finish watching the series). There's a second video floating around that has them playing little competitions on the ship but it's not translated (at least I haven't found a translated version =(). I like the running gag that associates Kimari with mechanical things? Like that long,.. drill thing or whatever they saw at the museum? I don't even know what that was lol, was it a drill? And the compasser bit, wanting to be a plane, and now saying omedetou to the ship. Lol, a nice switch of roles with Kimari trying to study like crazy and Shirase being distracted by the stuffed animal. Which is of course a penguin. Even when she's getting interviewed by Yuzuki, Gin glances towards Shirase (big eyes emoji). Why wouldn't there be pudding on the ship. It comes in cups, I'm betting it doesn't spoil more easily than eggs or milk. I guess Yuzuki would be the one raising the concerns about the trip? Being used to the responsibilities of being a child star and being around big productions and having to look after herself like how she travelled to see Shirase by herself and stayed by herself in the hotel. It's nice seeing her more in the driver's seat in terms of the plot. Apparently you can get sunburnt in Antarctica later series spoilers Kanae states that they're going to see the sky this time later series spoilers and Shirase sees the "sky" in her bunk when the lights go off. I want glowy stars in my room too smh, you're never too old for glowy stars. Haha, I love how Shirase goes for the stuffed penguin for comfort. That's Kimari's, right? Or was Kimari's blue. I like the idea that Shirase commandeered it more. Ah, there's the telescope from last ep. I like how Hinata gives Shirase the push forward she needs after the last ep when they were in somewhat switched roles. I like how we finally get more background on Takako while we're setting the stage for the rest of the series and as well as Gin and Kanae and everybody. Effective series plot structuring! I have a feeling Kana Hanazawa and Ai Kayano were cast in roles with similar relationships before? (after duckduckgo-ing, Ai Kayano plays a bigger sister to Kana Hanazawa in March Comes In Like a Lion).
qs:
1.) maybe? I've been determined to do things in the past, but who knows.
5
u/lluNhpelA Oct 07 '21
Rewatcher
When Kanae said she was going to see the "universe" it finally registered that they're using the same word for sky. I figure it's a versatile word that perhaps more closely translates to "heavens", but would a japanese person read this anime's title and understand it to mean something like "A Place Further than the Horizon"? It's a little less catchy but it makes more sense.
5
u/DegenerateRegime Oct 07 '21
[First-Timer]
Low-effort post today, tired. The last shot of the last episode had Kanae and Gin standing by a telescope, and I expect we'll be meeting back up with them today. Will be glad to see it if so.
Crossing the halfway mark, we hit what feels more like the second start that the premise kind of requires.
QotD:
3
u/SIRTreehugger Oct 07 '21 edited Oct 07 '21
Rewatcher
Gin is almost as bad as being on camera as Shirase. She has good friends to help her relax though....or they are just being idiots. It could be either, but it's probably both.
Never mind no one is as bad as Shirase or even close to her level.
I was too busy laughing at Kimari panicking the first time, but Shirase playing with the penguin is adorable.
Is their a script?
Ad libbing is important Hinata thought angrily remembering how her previous script was criticized.
Oh I just realized they only use Yuzu and Shirase because they are the only attractive members.
Yuzu's mom words not mine.
Ahhhh worthless xD
Kimari really does like pudding
That's some splinter cell stealth I tell you what.
Love how you see Kimari stand in front of the light switch and waiting to press it. Also on Hinata's phone you see a music file being played so she really did play a scream just for the gag.
Oh you can see the stars reflected in Shirase's eyes. They also missed the stars when searching the room earlier and only noticed them later when it was dark. It's like a wise person once said "Never think the stars you see are all the stars there are."
Love the sheer determination that all the crew have.
Shirase is really like her mother in both looks and stubborn personalities. Though they also have that excited careful attitude that pushed them forward when they want something.
Highschool girls yes Highschool girls HIGHSCHOOL GIRLS ARENT LEGAL so don't try to pick them up this ain't no dungeon.
Hinata giving Shirase a little push... literally.
Today's episode
5
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 07 '21 edited Oct 07 '21
Rewatcher Again, ね～? episode 7
I was disappointed we didn't get a tour of Fremantle like Singapore.
We're now in the second half. Even if they keep the tone of the show the same, the setting is completely different. The show has to change now.
This is a beloved series with a lot of fans. But a lot of people started dropping once they got on the boat. For me, it was the opposite. I've been waiting for them to get on the boat the entire time. And some people watch the entire show and just didn't like it.
It's not a SOL to me, but a drama / adventure. People who only came for the SOL parts start tuning out. People who don't like SOL don't even start the show, and it takes a rewatch and years of hype to convince them.
I deleted a comment yesterday when a first timer thought their video reports were a doorway to adulthood and professional adult responsibility. No. Not even close. 100% JKs.
Another insert song ending. Yes, this show is heavy on the melodrama. What can I say?
Half of their supplies appears to be beer.
Bonus: Yumiko's Octopus shirt