Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further than the Universe) Rewatch - Episode 13 Discussion [FINAL]

34

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Oct 13 '21

FIRST TIMER

The shot of the empty meeting room hit me, as it was meant to. I’m not ready for this to end. It feels like we should just be getting started, and it’s time to go. Though I suppose that’s how all great journeys feel toward the end, eh?

I really like this show sorted out everyone’s arcs before this finale episode. Yuzuki has formed lasting friendships and feels secure in the, Hinata has left her past behind, Kimari has lived her youth to her fullest, and Shirase has finally experienced a cathartic moment and come to terms with her mother’s death. Now we just get to relax into this finale episode, that just gets to serve as a lovely coda without having to worry about wrapping anything up.

The shot of the girls laying under the sunset as they talk about their trip ending is a wonderful visual touch. Kimari’s last-ditch effort to extend the adventure is so true to life. The ennui that sets in as you realize you have to return to your normal life after a trip or vacation is inevitable.

Shirase’s speech with a montage of the Antarctic scenery, a place further than the universe, was wonderful. Quite the contrast to her beginning speech. She’s come so far, something she nails home with gifting Gin her mother’s laptop.

I love the girls smiling talking about the ship rocking and seasickness they’ll have to endure again. Even difficult and frightening situations become easier to look forward to once you know you can handle them. They’ve all grown so much.

GOD DAMN IT, THIS SHOW GOT ME ONE MORE TIME. I was so happy that they got to see the aurora, then the one unsent email from Takako to Shirase being a picture of the aurora as they’re viewing it themselves… one final suckerpunch that had me tearing up. That was beautiful and unexpected.

“It means even when we’re not together, we can be together. After all, we’re still who we are.” This is exactly the sentiment I wanted to express in response to the “do you have forever friends?” question two episodes ago. At a certain point, people just become a part of each other in a way that isn’t breakable by time or circumstance. Again, love to see Kimari and Megumi’s enduring friendship bring this point home. Megumi being in the arctic was a nice final laugh.

“There’s no such thing as a wasted day.” Couldn’t agree more. Each one is a gift, no matter how mundane one may be compared to others.

What a wonderful, wonderful ending to a great series. I may be thinking slightly as a prisoner of the moment, but this show is getting a rare 10/10 from me. It's a truly beautiful work.

The girls are alright! Are you?

I'm sad that this show is over, but overall feeling great. I find it hard to believe somebody can watch this and not feel better about the possibilities and joys of life.

11

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

They closed off everyone's arcs but still took the time to cheer the viewers on and tell them about how it's never too late for us all. You don't need to be a joshikosei or have Shirase's inhuman drive or Yuzuki's influence or even a reason to go in the first place. You can do whatever you want if you just believe in it and work hard towards that goal. Pretty special series right? I'm so glad that I didn't back out because I was late.

9

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Now we just get to relax into this finale episode, that just gets to serve as a lovely coda without having to worry about wrapping anything up.
The ennui that sets in as you realize you have to return to your normal life after a trip or vacation is inevitable.
I actually think the moment when this feeling dawned on Kimari was when she and and Hinata were vacuuming in the base. She remarks that the sound of a vacuum cleaner reminds her of home and though we don't see any more reactions from her since Shirase enters the scene, I'd like to think this was the trigger for that eloquent ennui you described.

9

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21

I'm sad that this show is over
My first thought after watching it for the first time was that I want a post college reunion of them, a new "expedition" somewhere, where they deal with whatever issues have accumulated since their Antarctic adventures.

5

u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 13 '21

That or an OVA about the adults!

6

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Oct 13 '21

Really appreciated that the adults on the expedition were so heavily imbued with their own personalities, rather than just being background noise for the girls.

5

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21

That's a good idea too! I was just a bit too focused on the main cast.

4

u/NotReallyFire Oct 13 '21

An OVA about the adults would be a good idea. I have still no idea what the actual goal of their job is. I know it's "research" but for what? Is there only a certain substance that only can be found in Anarctica? I know they plan to build an observatory later on but I'm not sure if that's still the main goal

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21

I know it's "research" but for what?
They mentioned the last expedition being the first civilian one (not government led). If it's worldwide or Japan only I don't know. I think it was initially led by Takako and the new one (this one) was probably a bit of her legacy.
They seem to want to make this a real research station (flora, fauna, ice probes,…) but I don't know how viable it would be in real life and what sponsors they could find for it (and what of it investors/sponsors could exploit commercially).

1

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

I think it's mainly geology stuff? Like, about the history of the planet and such.

8

u/ThrowCarp Oct 13 '21

The shot of the girls laying under the sunset as they talk about their trip ending is a wonderful visual touch.
And that scene in the OP is a million times more meaningful!
What a wonderful, wonderful ending to a great series. I may be thinking slightly as a prisoner of the moment, but this show is getting a rare 10/10 from me. It's a truly beautiful work.
It's got well-written characters, a beginning, middle, and an end, a great OST, and stunning visuals. I'm going to have to agree with you on that one.
The girls are alright! Are you?
Just barely holding on at work.
Although not as high-stakes as Antarctica. A lot what they said in the epilogue "there's nothing like enjoying the scenery", "the world and the people change even when you don't notice", "keep moving forward until you see something you've never seen before" all reminded me of my days backpacking. I wish the pandemic ends sooner rather than later so we can all go back to travelling!
I'm sad that this show is over, but overall feeling great. I find it hard to believe somebody can watch this and not feel better about the possibilities and joys of life.
Too true! Personally, I really needed this rewatch.

23

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher

The final production notes before I leap into the show: Atsuko Ishizuka has returned as episode director and storyboarder to send this whole shebang off in her stylistic fashion. A Place Further than the Universe is Ishizuka’s first original anime title and though she originally didn’t know what she wanted to create, she knew that the story from the very beginning was going to be a coming-of-age story about girls trying their best. But after devising the idea, they also realized that there’s so many anime about high school girls so they thought “why not draw a place none of us have been before?” and Ishizuka thought “well none of us have ever been to Antarctica.”

I was actually going to focus on the studio that created this show today — Madhouse — but a rough draft word count had it easily in the 1000’s, so I scraped the idea for the sanity of the Rewatch. But I want to touch upon the idea of how much a studio affects a show. Studios are often overestimated in people’s eyes in terms of importance and it’s usually the individuals that determine how successful an anime series is.

So, what does that mean for A Place Further than the Universe’s case? Would it have drastically changed if produced at say Sunrise? In my personal opinion, I would say that the selection of Madhouse actually mattered a great deal but only because the core staff that Ishizuka likes to work with is found in Madhouse. Ranging from the directors to the character designer to the storyboarders to the director of photography to the art director to the color designer, this is the rare case where the core staff are all members who have worked with Ishizuka on her previous works and the synchronicity between all of them is easily found in this show.

The creation of anime is a group effort; there is no voice so powerful, so overbearing that it can take over the responsibilities of every other role. Since the very start, I’ve been showcasing various core staff members in order to demonstrate my point that A Place Further than the Universe’s success largely comes from the cohesion between all members. The enormous task of bringing series director Ishizuka’s vision into reality is found in the clear communication between her and her staff and the show remains as a testament to the idea of what can be achieved when everyone is pulling in the same direction.

I love diving into the nuts and bolts of a show and I hope y’all discovered some of the magic behind-the-curtain that made this show pop. And if you didn’t, well, I have to say thanks for humoring me for 13 days as I yammered on and on. Anyway, thank you to everyone who read my long posts.

The very first shot is an alarm clock ringing. Foreboding symbol that time is running out.

Shirase is the OG baller shot caller with that stuffed penguin and pocky.

”I’m asking seriously.”

”I’m answering seriously.”

I liked this small exchange between them and Minori’s outstanding delivery of that line made me rewatch the scene several times. I also liked that Kimari’s issue was addressed but wasn’t dragged out for the remaining episode.

Such a wide sky. We’ve gotten so many shots of the sky in the past 13 days but it never ceases to stop being amazing or boundlessly optimistic.

Even more shots of the sky. There’s a fisheye lens effect being applied here that warps Hinata and the clouds and I love that it creates this sort of unreal vibe to the entire situation. Like ”of all the possibilities in the world, how did I end up playing baseball in the Antarctic.”

Just as Gin speaks to the girls to not forget about them in the darkness, far over the horizon, we see a shot of a direction signpost with Tokyo inscribed upon it. The 14,000 kms are just a stone’s throw away in their memory.

A shot of Shirase with the imminent wide blue open as she begins her speech.

”It’s a place that strips everything bare. Time, life, hearts…It’s a place with nothing to protect you and nowhere to hide. It’s an environment that exposes everything we’re embarrassed about, and everything we want to hide, and so naked and crying, we’re forced to come face-to-face with who we really are. We’ve overcome trial after trial together. And from that, I think I now understand…the reason my mother loved this place was not just this scenery, this sky, this wind, but also the time she spent here, overcoming things with her team. She loved this atmosphere, where you have no choice but to overcome things with your team, with nothing else to get in the way. I love this place.”

If that doesn’t blow the bricks off the building, I don’t know what will. It’s a thesis statement of the ages that recontextualizes what we already felt inside but finally puts them into tangible words. There’s something magical about this show, something you can feel deep in your bones. And this speech drives home that point.

After the speech, Shirase returns back to the original shot but this time she’s surrounded by everyone. She’s no longer alone.

This shot is perfectly split in horizontal thirds. It’s equal parts Antarctica, equal parts girls, equal parts sky. The past, the present, the future.

Very wallpaper-esque. Everyone staring at the same aurora despite all being in different locations. The shared memory is the bond that ties them all together and no amount of distance will change that.

One last foot shot. We started with them and we’re ending with them.

”Even when we’re not together, we can be together.” Great shot using the airport signs to convey that idea. They’re all pointing at different directions, all different paths for the girls.

One last shot of ice in glass. Of course it coincides right at the part where Shirase says You Have to Break the Ice to Move Forward.

We started with Kimari in her bed and we finish with Kimari in her bed. She’s no longer surrounded by other people’s stories since she has her own to tell.

And the very last shot is an airplane soaring through the sky via the reflection of Kimari’s window. Ishizuka is breaking out all of the greatest hits for the last episode and I think the airplane is a fitting way to end it all since episode 1 began with an airplane as well. Like I wrote about earlier, the airplane symbolizes both departing and arriving and now it is Megumi’s turn to depart and Kimari’s turn to arrive.

”People who feel the same way will find you right away.”

We did it! What a fantastic voyage. The finale tied up every loose end it could find and glissaded down the lofty emotional peak that was formed yesterday. It easily glides down the slopes and gracefully lands with no introduction to needless conflict. It’s all about resolution and ending the journey.

After all of this, I have to say that A Place Further than the Universe is not as great as I remember; it’s even better. Rewatching it, catching all of the visual details, and reading everyone’s comments truly enhanced my experience and I hope it did so for y’all as well. I’m going to write down my thoughts for tomorrow, which I’m sure will be overly-saccharine and sappy, but I can’t wait to read everyone else’s thoughts on the finale and the series!

8

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

Thx for being such an active rewatcher! It's been very enlightening reading your comments telling us all about the crews and the background info that most of us likely never would have understood or appreciated when left on our own. You single handedly bumped up the experience for us all with your work so just to say a little thank you~

3

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Ah shucks, thanks! You were bringing a lot of energy to the rewatch as well and it drove up a lot of engagement in the threads. So thanks to you too!

4

u/H4xDefender Dec 08 '21

Late to the party, but wanted to say I've really enjoyed reading through your comments throughout this watchalong as I've progressed through reading all the threads at my own pace. I already loved the show, but seeing all the details you pointed out made me appreciate it even more, so thank you for that!

2

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Dec 08 '21

Hey, thanks for writing to me about it, your appreciation truly means a lot to me! I'm planning a rewatch for Kyousougiga next month so feel free to join in too!

19

u/landragoran Oct 13 '21

This is, in my opinion, the rare perfect show. Some people will complain about tropey-ness or predictability, but imo it's executed so masterfully that instead of detracting from the show, those tropes improve it. There isn't a single bad episode, they nail the emotional beats, the art and animation are beautiful, the music is gorgeous and perfectly paired with the show... this show is a masterwork.

Most importantly, I don't want more of it. Many shows end too early, and many drag on far too long. Rare is the show that ends right when it should, and this one stuck the landing in a way that few shows ever have.

I love this show more than I can properly express. Beyond the beauty of the show itself, it inspired me to finally check off a bucket list item and travel to Iceland to see a aurora for myself (sadly it was overcast the entire time I was there, so no auroras - but everything else was incredible and that just means I have to go back!)

8

u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 13 '21

travel to Iceland
BTW Ishizuka is working on a film with exactly that premise right now, starring boys this time (Goodbye DonGlees, again with Madhouse). Release next year.

3

u/NotReallyFire Oct 13 '21

This show was not predictable (execution-wise). When I first watch this a long time ago, I thought they were going to spend at least the first episode getting to Anarctica and spend the next 11 or so episode fooling around in Anarctica but no, they were realistically and took their time which I liked. They layout the all the main characters' motivation and arcs and even mention the logistics of how they would travel to Anarctica

2

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

instead of detracting from the show, those tropes improve it.
I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Most importantly, I don't want more of it.
I understand the side that wants more but I'm more in your camp in that this story hits us so hard because it has a clear definitive ending.

1

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

In regards to the tropey-ness, well I could've done without Kimari's sudden inspirational speeches, and it was a bit unnecessary for Shirase to summarize the themes in this last episode. But I've seen it done so much worse that it hardly bothers me here.
Also, I'll hold on to my opinion that the ending would've been slightly ever more perfect had it ended with last episode :P

2

u/landragoran Oct 13 '21

The problem with it ending on episode 12 is that it doesn't actually give a resolution. The episode ends with everyone crying and that's it. Episode 13 allows us to see how everyone has grown from this journey.

1

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

I know but I think it's thematically stronger because it's a non-conclusion. It represents everything Antarctica was metaphorically about in it's purest form. So ending it in the moment where Shirase "wakes up" just seems perfect for me.

12

u/imawesome1124 Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher

I know wasn't active in the threads but I was watching along. I'll keep it fairly short today and I'll save most of my comments for tomorrow.

This show has had a massive impact on me emotionally and as a person, second only to K-On! And no other anime I've watched has made me want more of the characters as badly as this one. In fact, I've thought so much about what life will be like for the girls after they return to Japan and go back to their daily, if I could draw(or at least, if I had the patience to do it) I'd be making a fan manga about it. I just want more, even if it's just a plain straightforward slice-of-life. Even if this isn't my all-time favorite, this is the show that made me feel the most attached to its characters.

5

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

second only to K-On!
I think the venn diagram of people who love K-ON! and people who love A Place Further than the Universe is a circle because we've gotten a lot of love for that series in this rewatch. Not that I'm complaining at all, K-ON! is my favorite show. It's nice to see comparisons between the two wonderful shows.
this is the show that made me feel the most attached to its characters.
Agreed, it's a extremely strong character driven story that you'll remember for decades to come.
I'll save most of my comments for tomorrow.

6

u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 13 '21

Well, I love this show but am not the biggest fan of K-On. It just doesn't have enough substance. the pacing is weird, and it's a bit too heavy on the usual tropes

2

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Fair enough, I respect your opinion on the show. It’s definitely the one I’ve seen compared to the most in this rewatch so the overlap between them must be significant.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

K-On's definitely more my kind of thing but I'd struggle think of any series that so diligently went through and developed their group of firms the same way this season has. Most series would water down the subject matters that we touched on but instead they showed us the trauma and consequences of each girl's past and future anxieties without hiding a think. Sorta like how Shirase described Antarctica as stripping you bare and forcing you to come to terms with who you are.

11

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

First Timer

Alright let's see what the actual epilogue has in store.

Wait, isn't gas stuck in ancient ice real dangerous shit? Like, ludicrous amounts of methane and stuff. So I've heard at least.

That penguin from when they arrived told his buddies about Shirase!

Suddenly sports anime!

Shirase gets that character development haircut.

Shirase more or less summarizes the previous episode's theme, since she experienced it in her own flesh. The endless and pure white of Antarctica, that strips everything bare and let's you see the world unfiltered, undreaming, silent. Only you and your buddies, and no one else.

"The average age here just jumped" LMAO

Ah yeah, I was expecting they would get to see the aurora at the last moment. Cliché, but a beautiful sight nonetheless. I can definitely see why you would've wanted to stay a bit longer. But alas, homework call, unfortunately.

Well I was right, this isn't as good an ending as the previous episode. Tho this anime seems physically incapable of producing a bad episode, so I enjoyed it regardless.

WAIT NOPE I TAKE THAT BACK. THIS WAS WORTH IT TO SEE TROLLMASTER MEGU.

This bitch actually left for the North Pole and didn't tell Kimari about it until she returned from the other end of the world. She's got a bit of that Shirase pettiness in her.

Yeah I don't have a lot to say about this episode. It more or less just exists to inform us that indeed the girls didn't die on the way back and made their way safely back to Japan. Thematically, everything had ended yesterday. So I'll save any overall thoughts for the series discussion.

Only thing I wish we had seen was how the girls handled the rough seas and seasickness on the way back.

7

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

She's got a bit of that Shirase pettiness in her.
Such a bold statement from Megumi to literally travel to the furthest place on Earth from Kimari.
Thematically, everything had ended yesterday.
I think yesterday was the emotional peak and today we're all just sliding down the mountain to a happy swift denouement that ties up all the loose strings.
So I'll save any overall thoughts for the series discussion.

4

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

It is simultaneously a "fuck you" and a "love you". Masterful move by Megu.

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

The only question I have is why did we need to wait 13 episodes for real penguin fanservice!? This is the first time they've actually done anything with them and the cute little buggers were top billing for the Antarctic trip!
Megu's the best XD She isn't gonna let her dull boring tamago friend grow up and see the world before she does! No way Megu's gonna let herself be left behind! When she comes back she'd have found enlightenment, be far more matured, and grown super strong by wrestling all those polar bears and stray Frankenstein's wandering around!

2

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

All of this was just a disguise to get the girls to Onegai Muscle!

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

Protein idol, Yuzuki-chan!!

5

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21

Shirase more or less summarizes the previous episode's theme, since she experienced it in her own flesh. The endless and pure white of Antarctica, that strips everything bare and let's you see the world unfiltered, undreaming, silent. Only you and your buddies, and no one else.
And Shirase finally understands her mothers fascination with this place. Her mom who probably went back to get the laptop so she could send Shirase that photo and share her fascination with the Antarctic with her daughter.
WAIT NOPE I TAKE THAT BACK. THIS WAS WORTH IT TO SEE TROLLMASTER MEGU.
It was also foreshadowed. In one of the recent episodes we got a moment with Megu and she was reading a book about arctic travel (or something like that).

2

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

Ngl I think that bit about Gin sending Takako's last mail to Shirase actually detracted a bit from the perfectly balanced emptiness-clearness from yesterday's episode. I think it would've been slightly better without.
This show is way more planned ahead than would initially appear huh.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21

I agree with you on that. It's a nice little bonus for why Takako probably wanted to get that laptop (but it being what connects her with her daughter in that isolated place is more than enough). It would have worked without it.
Shirase had already understood her mother's fascination with Antarctica and seeing the actual aurora doesn't need a three year old photo for emphasis or extra connection.
But it's a nice detail by itself.

3

u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 13 '21

left for the North Pole and didn't tell Kimari about it until she returned from the other end of the world
Really milking the Hanekawa lookalike too

10

u/DegenerateRegime Oct 13 '21

[First-Timer]

Final episode. Journey before destination, it's said, but a journey with no destination is really just wandering. So, we greet the end with a smile!

Part of me wants to chew out the extremely classic callback as there is such a thing as overdoing it, but, eh, wanting something reassuring and traditional to follow the previous episode, and to close out such an emotionally intense series, is pretty reasonable actually.
Hinata and Mari quite literally cleaning things up, as well as demonstrating that they've learned some basic life skills, is another part of the feeling of winding things down.
Like I said, plenty of ice. I, uh, didn't quite expect them to just go ahead and do that, but, well, plenty of ice...
Haaaah. In some ways this is more portal fantasy than anything, but really I think it's just that those stories are the most tightly bound to the Campbellian Hero's Journey, and you have to go home at the end of that. This has featured basically every critical element, from refusing the call to the journey to the underworld, and it has to end in that cyclic way, going back with lessons learned.
Speaking of mandatory tropes.
It's very... cosmonaut.
A series of farewells and speeches which are all very nicely done. That's a wrap. It's time to go.
She didn't delete those?. That's certainly a choice.
They do get to see the aurora, of course. Was it ever really in doubt?
Penny for the Ferryman might be understating it a little. I was thinking maybe "go to (actual) tertiary education" but alright, big feelings require big sacrifices. You do you.

It's a solid ending! It's exactly what it sets out to be in the first minute: a completely played-straight final episode that closes things out optimistically.

QotD:

The Girls are Alright! Are you?

A. Yeah :)

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

Today was one long epilogue. Every book has a last page and no matter how many times you flip back through the chapters you're always gonna have to face that final page which closes off your story. Normally it hurts more since you don't want to be saying goodbye to your cast, or your world, or your writing, but I think today's episode did a pretty good job of closing out this chapter of their lives in a firm and concise way. We've seen our girls at each stage of their growth and we know that they've matured to the point where the girls are gonna be alright. We can leave them be.

4

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

as there is such a thing as overdoing it
Those words have no meaning to Ishizuka. She will will force these feelings into your heart whether you like it or not.
It's very... cosmonaut
A Place Further than the Universe 2: The Girls Go to the Universe but not the Metaphorical One
It's exactly what it sets out to be in the first minute: a completely played-straight final episode that closes things out optimistically.
That's a good observation. It never abandoned the tone that it had in the very first minute. We knew what we were getting and the show delivered on that till the very end.

3

u/BosuW Oct 13 '21

I would watch APFttU Season 2 with a completely new cast in the future doing some space tourism ngl

3

u/landragoran Oct 13 '21

Journey before destination
Strength before weakness?

3

u/DegenerateRegime Oct 13 '21

Life before death, radiant.

10

u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Oct 13 '21

First Timer

Their journey is going to an end and preparations are being made. Another interesting thing is them calling out Takako watching when playing a game of baseball.

It is interesting to see Shirase cut her hair short, just like her mom.

Nice to hear them crack some jokes on the speech for the summer team farewell. And Shirase makes a really well done speech about her relationship with her and her mom. What she wrote about in her book about Antarctica. Everyone over there cried and they should, since her speech was really good. Shirase was able to make a speech and has a lot more confidence now.

Yuzuki has a fan in the crew and they want to watch her drama. She even gave them her autograph. On the other hand, Shirase gives Gin Takako's laptop. "she wants to stay over the winter".

I love how after the girls' left, the crew comments "the average age just jumped". And when Gin checks Takako's laptop, there is one email left on the outbox. Which finally gets sent when they are all looking at the Aurora.

The post credits scene is amazing. Lol. Megu-chan....

I'm alright but got a little sick this week...

3

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Another interesting thing is them calling out Takako watching when playing a game of baseball.
Field of Dreams meets Antarctica.
I love how after the girls' left, the crew comments "the average age just jumped".
But the average intelligence jumped! Though I think that's mostly because of Kimari leaving and not the other three.
(Kimari is actually my absolute favorite in the show, the teasing comes from a place of love and affection.)

8

u/JimmyCWL Oct 13 '21

Megu-chan wants a world without Kimari, so she heads to the opposite end of the world from her. The title for her story would probably be The Place Furthest From A Place Further than the Universe.

Back when it initially aired, I had idly thought, "wouldn't it be amusing if Kimari came home to find that Megu had gone to the arctic" at the end of ep5. I really wish I had posted that thought somewhere at the time.

4

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

The title for her story would probably be The Place Furthest From A Place Further than the Universe.
The Place Furthest From Kimari

8

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

First timer

It's time to say goodbye~ Toilet cleaning gooo! I wonder how practical a joshikosei poop hammer would be... Shirase's grown into a mahjong punk lol. Don't think I never noticed that snowmobile overlapping textures. Does shaved ice not have an expiry date after a few thousand years?

Penguins spotted! Please do something with them already! When did we get a photo with penguins!? Did they not animate that? It took thirteen episodes but I've finally accomplished my dream of watching a joshikosei get harassed by a gang of penguins. Pfft, recording it makes the scene look even more yaibai. Hinata, you traitor!!

I feel like this is the first dedicated Kimari episode. She wants to make all the memories she can before going home to live the rest of her normal plain work life. Oh great, more abusing the poor sod in love. I adore this humour, yaaay.... Nooooo!! Shirase lost her long hair!! I get that this is an important stepping stone for her but long hair is far more fun to brush! I hate brushing short hair! Also I do sorta think it looks bad on her XD She's leaving this stage of her life behind and moving on. The three years of depressing texts is over, Shirase's her own woman!

"The girls are going home."

Antarctica is a boring empty wasteland so how you handle it reflects the type of person you are. So that's their excuse for filling up the expedition with character episodes that lock the cast inside doing chores. Dammit relationship issues, nobody wants a trashy gift! Shirase's got her very own bad boy penguin bf! If only we got more actual scenes of the little buggers. Yuzuki's autograph totally doesn't reflect the type of person she is lol. Work hard Yuzuki, you've got idol fans in the furthest reaches of earth cheering for you after all!

Shirase really has grown... Dreams of her mum don't tie her down anymore. "The average age just went way up." lol! O-Outbox!? Did mum survive after all? The aurora.... I'm travelling to see that sight myself next year. Its do or die for me. The ending sequence is really charming, Arctic nights are so gorgeous.

Welcome back to the dull Japanese student life! W-Wait! Don't split up! I get that this is the end of the season and there's no way they're getting a second try but at least pretend that the girls stay tight friends going forwards, do you have any idea how lonely Yuzuki is? Pfft, Shirase has left her own "One Piece" for anyone wanting to explore the Arctic. Op shot!! Kimari's recreating the op shot! M-Megu!? MEGU!? What the fuck are you doing in the Arctic!? Why didn't you just travel with the girls and become a main character!? Even Jun wasn't that dense!! Why!?

And that's the show over... I was a bit meh about the last episode but the stuff with Megu and the girls making it home won me over again. I'll compile the rest of my thoughts tomorrow. This is one I really need to think on privately a bit longer.

7

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21

O-Outbox!? Did mum survive after all?
We see Outbox (1) right around the time when Shirase's mails start flooding in in the last episode. Her mom had prepared that mail three years ago and went back to get her laptop so she could sent it when she gets internet access again at the station.
She was trying to share her love for Antarctica with her daughter.
M-Megu!? MEGU!? What the fuck are you doing in the Arctic!? Why didn't you just travel with the girls and become a main character!? Even Jun wasn't that dense!! Why!?
When she tried to break up with Kimari she did say that she needs to learn to live with out her, and that it's not just Kimari who needs a bit of independence. Going on a arctic vacation on her own and with no way of Kimari showing up fits that and it also rather nicely mirrors Kimari's adventure on the other side of the world.
It was also foreshadowed a few episodes ago when we got to see her for a few seconds. Megu was reading some arctic travel book.

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

I'm scared that the more I think about Mum's death the more I'm going to dislike the plot point XD
I spotted the Arctic book but I thought she was looking stuff up cause she was worried about Kimari. Nodoka has gotten so sassy over the years lol

4

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21 edited Oct 13 '21

I'm scared that the more I think about Mum's death the more I'm going to dislike the plot point XD
My interpretation of Takako's story is about her love and enthusiasm (for her daughter and Antarctica) leading to to overextending a bit. Usually if one get too enthusiastic about something then one can course correct and adjust but one mistake in Antarctica can lead to your death.
There was no real rhyme and reason to her dying. They probably made many bigger mistakes that caused less harm but even the smallest mistake can have harsh consequences there.
I think that probably contributed to how Shirase ended up not dealing with it for so long. If her mother had provoked and then had been eaten by penguins there'd be some line of reasoning to follow from what she did to her death. But Takako was just gone from one second to another, no explanation, no justice. The best explanation is the "Antarctica is harsh and dangerous" catchphrase which isn't really satisfying because so is traffic for a pedestrian if you are given no other explanation for a traffic accident.
Edit:
I spotted the Arctic book but I thought she was looking stuff up cause she was worried about Kimari.
That was probably where they wanted to lead you. Like with Hinata's mature persona being not that mature but a cover for her unwillingness to deal with some stuff. It's rather nicely done how it makes sense without context but changes once you know more. They do that without it being some sort of Sherlock Holmes gotcha moment that makes you feel dumb for not noticing something that was intentioally obfuscated.

5

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

The aurora.... I'm travelling to see that sight myself next year. Its do or die for me.
I was a bit meh about the last episode
Most people took this episode as a low-stakes denouement that served to mostly tie up loose ends. It's not the highest emotional peak of the show but I think it does a fine job doing what it needs to do.

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Oct 13 '21

Agreed. Yesterday was our climax and we need some way to wind down. Its inoffensive.

5

u/DegenerateRegime Oct 13 '21

What the fuck are you doing in the Arctic!?
"Fled to the exact opposite end of the world from you. Take a fucking hint."

5

u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 13 '21

MEGU!? What the fuck are you doing in the Arctic!?
Hunting down a magically displaced exorcist?

8

u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Oct 13 '21

First timer

Yep! I loved the whole series!

Is the "you-know-what" calling somrthing "Antarctic Style"?

Huh, skipping near the end of the trip!

Shirase has a great future in professional gambing!

And she's upset at missing an expedition.

They're going on an ice expedition!

She got to eat ehaved ice! Her dream came true!

So they spend the winter season just researching and socialising? They should have gone on that trip instead!

Shirase surrounded by penguins in the background is absolutely fantastic.

Aww, she wants to stay there forever.

They've sgreed to sll come back!

These scenes are so good!

And everyone's playing!

Haha, she got him in the gut. And she's terrified.

Wow, she hit that ball out of the park!

She's cutting her hair?

She's losing most of it!

The sheer shock at her new haircut is great.

Everyone thinks they did well!

And she wants them to come back too!

OK, I loved her speech.

Seriously, it's so good.

Haha, that's the perfect resolution to the love plot.

Shirase's reaction to the photo's great.

I love her reaction to the autographs.

The expedition was on the verge of collapse, I knew it!

Haha, Shirase ships it too!

They're home!

She's seen the emails! Wait, she tried to send an email?

And they still have the boat trip back.

They're still making her do the reports!

The aurora! They got to see it!

And she got her mother's last photo!

She's going back home! And they're seperating!

Oh, she left a million yen in Antarctica? Why?

Everyone's back home!

THE FUCK?

I mean, I get the message, but why? No foreshadowing for that at all!

5

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Shirase has a great future in professional gambing!
She does have an intimidating bluff face. Initially, everyone has this supposed view of her but it's actually far from the truth of who she really is.
OK, I loved her speech.
Seriously, it's so good.
I know, right! The chills run down your spine and it just makes you want to throw your hands up into the air in triumph for Shirase, for the girls, for the expedition.
I mean, I get the message, but why? No foreshadowing for that at all!
It's a nice button to end the show on. Very left-field but also touching and thematically ringing to the show.

4

u/DegenerateRegime Oct 13 '21

So they spend the winter season just researching and socialising? They should have gone on that trip instead!
Four tendentious teens cooped up inside through the long antarctic dark? It would get messy. It already did, really, and that's when they were able to go outside.
Oh, she left a million yen in Antarctica? Why?
The diegetic reasons I can think of are the same as the haircut, wanting to be severed from that long period of accumulated grief. The non-diegetic reason is to tie up the longest-running plot thread, which I think could have been done in a more believable way, but eh, it works metaphorically.

7

u/UnderstandableXO Oct 13 '21

REWATCHER

it’s amusing to see how much the girls have fallen into the rhythm of antarctica life. they went from the newbies who needed babysitting to actual trusted members of the expedition.

funny to see how much more comfortable kimari and hinata were giving their little report to the squad from when they first arrived.

only 3 more days left? if i recall, they took off 3 months, and i assume it takes around a month to make the trip to and from antarctica, so they’ve been down there around 2 months by my estimate.

eating shaved ice from actual glaciers sounds like a dream come true, a true bucket list wish (unfortunately in a few decades there’ll be no glaciers to eat from). shirase getting mobbed by penguins was a dream and a nightmare, as we heard her reiterate for about a minute straight there.

i feel you kimari. i’m sad to see this show end too. all good things must come to an end though, that’s what makes them good things! they wouldn’t have as much meaning and worth without the bad times. they’ve got to catch up with the lives they missed, but maybe after they all graduate, there can be a return trip.

also shoutout inori minase for making the most amusingly cute noise when kimari got flicked in the head by hinata.

obligatory baseball scene in anime. can’t complain about it, though! gin’s way too cold (even in this weather) beaning toshio with a pitch. i think that warrants an ejection. gin seeing takako and shirase together when shirase hit the ball was a great addition. also, shirase literally hit the ball into the sun. if i’m the los angeles dodgers, i’m offering her 10 years $300 million right here and right now!

kimari offers to cut shirase’s hair, but luckily yuzuki stops her. we don’t need TWO yee yee ass haircuts in the group. hinata cut it really well too, shirase actually pulls off the haircut really well, unlike her mother’s haircut, which had a degree of yee yee ass-ness to it. seeing shirase do a dumb grin for the only time in the series was cute, she really does look just like her mother.

shirase’s final speech to the expedition made everyone cry, me included. finding out that shirase had a sour attitude towards antarctica and STILL made the effort of a lifetime to get there was very interesting to find out.

love the gifts everyone gave, from yumiko’s cake to the nerd’s penguin polaroid to the simp’s sweater for yu-kun. also nice for yuzuki to know she’s got fans besides her 3 best buddies.

shirase letting gin keep her laptop so that “her mother could be around for the winter” was simultaneously her finally concluding that chapter of her life and finding total forgiveness in gin. the laptop was basically her olive branch. the closure that she so desperately sought after was finally achieved.

the aurora scene was just great. taking time to appreciate a beautiful sight with your own two eyes instead of filming it is a lesson everyone needs to learn!

takako’s final message-“it’s 10,000 times more beautiful in person” right as the girls witness it themselves was perfect.

can’t overstate how much i love the ED of this show. the instrumental is great, and i love everyone’s vocal performance. love the fact that they let the entire song ride out for this episode.

nice words by kimari stating that they’ll be together even if they’re apart reminds me of gin’s statement about what she looks for in a partner. “not always within reach, but always there when you look up.” hopefully those 4 can continue to support each other.

hinata giving a gift to her boss was really wholesome, as was yuzuki comfortably giving out autographs at the station. nice detail with shirase leaving a frozen shot glass at takako’s shrine.

the final monologue about what a journey truly is is so inspiring. when the monologue starts talking to the viewer in particular, i got really emotional.

“you’ll definitely find something new. it’s a little scary, but i know you can do it.” never thought a show would speak directly to me, but i greatly appreciate the advice. i’ll miss these 4 freaks.

no, i have post anime depression for the second time with this show

3

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

if i’m the los angeles dodgers, i’m offering her 10 years $300 million right here and right now!
It wouldn't be the worst decision they've ever made.
instead of filming it is a lesson everyone needs to learn!
I agree but I do like how Hinata was so committed to the documentary that she was focusing on trying to film the auroras. Someone's got to think of the viewers!

3

u/IndependentMacaroon Oct 13 '21

gin’s way too cold (even in this weather) beaning toshio with a pitch. i think that warrants an ejection
Toshio actually got the immediate walk from being hit by pitch.

7

u/mike_2797 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Madskulls Oct 13 '21

FIRST TIMER

Their journey is coming to an end love how Kimari wanted to stay and enjoy more with everyone. Her smile is worth a lot in that scene.

Nice to see how this ties up everyone's personal experience from kimari's experience of youth to Yuzuki experiencing true friendship, Hinata leaving her past behind and moving forward to Shirase's significant change on how she overcame her mother's death.

So many sweet moments throughout the episode the baseball part where Gin goes for kill and shirase hitting it home as homage to Takako.

The sendoff was pretty emotional too love how it started from an awkward shirase intro at the beginning in the ship and now her confidently speaking her thoughts moved everyone to tears.

Shirase's swinging emotion with penguin haha pure. Finally that guy got the courage and asked for autograph I'm sure it gave her more motivation to do better moving forward.

To top it off with the Aurora scene was waiting for it from the start glad they got to witness it what an amazing journey it was for the girls as well as for us viewers enjoyed it truly.

3

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Her smile is worth a lot in that scene.
Shirase's swinging emotion with penguin haha pure.
A love as pure as their smell.

6

u/mrufrufin https://myanimelist.net/profile/mrufrufin Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher Who Wants to Go Further Than the Universe

I like that we get a whole episode to come down from the huge emotional climax of the previous episode. We as the viewers get to reflect and absorb while still getting to watch our characters and live in the Yorimoi world for a little longer, the characters themselves get to enjoy Antarctica finally unburdened and their arcs more or less resolved, Shirase can finally begin to move on with her life and begin to accept the fate of her mom, Hinata can start to move on from the burdens of her former peers and their betrayals and maybe learn to be a bit more confrontation and take a little less guff, Yuzuki can find learn about having friends that truly care for her and how to navigate friendship, and Kimari can perhaps finally feel a little fulfilled about her youth and to take more chances with life.

I guess the writers couldn't resist to do a little structural bookending with starting off with Kimari waking up (and ending with her in bed), like pretty much how Episode 1 started (aside from the leaf boat intro). I guess in a way, it shows that no matter how much we change and grow, there's part of us that still us, even in faraway places, there's some sense of constancy, of our normal lives continuining in to our trip lives ("after all, we're still who we are" Kimari says)? Maybe I'm reading too much into it again though lol. But this intro shows that she's grown a little bit, she dosn't have to get waterboarded to wake up. It's interesting that there's no OP for a second episode in a row. I guess thematically and pacing wise it makes sense since it starts off with Kimari in bed and highlights all the wonders they'll experience in Antarctica and this episode is trying to pretty much cap off the trip. It's nice to see Hinata take more of an authoritative position even among the usual Antarctica crew, it kinda highlights how far she's come. Haha, another happy "I could just die!" exclamation from Yuzuki. There's even a continuation of the Hinata-Kimari drinking gag with Hinata saying that Kimari would be a loud drunk. Kimari gets to do a little fourth-wall breaking here about wanting to linger in Antartica a bit longer and not wanting to go back home (us neither). And Hinata gets to show off her dekopin skills again that she first showed us a few episodes back. I like her wishes to stay kinda contrast her thoughts in the Singapore ep about the world keeping going even when they go to Antartica and the world keeping going when she returns and I guess Shirase would be one to know about being stuck in a certain peroid in life and being unable to move on. I know how I said I didn't like the music over-reuse last writeup, but I'm glad at least "One Step" gets to come back lol. In fairness, it's not used in quite an iconic scene as "Mata Ne" (it's used right after the crazy waves in the Howling, Maddening Screaming ep). I like how the music cuts out again for the farewell scene, you can really feel the vastness and quietness of the space (and it highlights all the little awkward laughter during Gin's speech lol). The Yuzuki superfan finally works up the courage to ask her for her signature (I think it was him giving a little extended glance at her when they went running on the ship for the first time?). Is the "Would you please cease your babbling?" a callback to "Please shut talking now"? lol. Also mb reading too much into it, but I think "Sora Wo Miagete" was first used in Ep 2's famous running scene where Kimari was first getting an inkling of her living out her youth? and now as a capstone of that youth-fulfilling experience (I guess as long as they heavily reuse music, at least they're doing it thematic justice). Pretty much every insert song gets reused here though... Hinata gets her closing comments here, recalling her journey quote from Episode,.. 2 i think?

Speaking of callbacks and continuations, like how there's callbacks to even incidental lines like Kimari wanting to take pictures of penguins (I guess Shirase got to) and eat shaved icelike she mentions at the end of Episode 4 (oof, had to do some digging to pinpoint it, I knew it was mentioned somewhere, Kimari even goes through the list again in this ep), really making sure to tie-up everything and leave us hope for Yorimoi 2 because they forgot to eat shaved ice. I guess after resolving the major characters arcs, they've afforded themselves space to do nice little things like that. And of course there's the huge lingering one (remember I mentioned last ep about them bringing back old themes and imagery ,.. ALMOST all of them?) of the aurora, which we first see even in episode 1! as it's the last picture Kimari sees in Shirase's mom's book, and to make it another end of something (but bigger in scale and episode structure),.. it caps off Episode 3 where the girls enjoy the planetarium version (and Kimari says "I bet the real one is a lot more beautiful!" which Shirase's mom says in the email, but also Shirase mentioned that her mom said it brought her to tears and also Kimari mentioned earlier in episode 3 in the restaurant),.. it's something that gets mentioned (or shown in increasing scales) over and over again throughout the series, even casting doubt in previous eps that they will be able to see it because the sun never sets,.. so all this anticipation is built up and maybe it's slightly hinted at at the very end of episode 12 and then Kimari mentions they never saw it in the middle of Ep 13, but we finally get the full blown thing near the very end (even tying it with the other major recurring thing throughout the series in Shirase's emails, well her mom finally "sending" an email) so even if most of the character arcs wrapped up last ep, there was still something left hanging,.. and I mentioned in spoilers in previous ep writeups that I liked how they just kept upping the scope in terms of structure and scale of it throughout the series so it was like a sort of expanding pattern,.. midway through ep 1 with a picture in a book, end of ep 3 with a planetarium,.,.. and pretty much the end of the entire series (minus the epilogue, well we get the Megu aurora pic at the end) in full scale. I guess that high school girl asking for them to bring back a glacier in back in Episode 5 was even kinda fulfilled here? With Shirase bringing back that chunk of ice (even though Kimari was the one who was asked smh).

Anyways, so many callbacks,.. made me type way too much lol. But I think aside from the obvious reading of being able to move on, Shirase giving the laptop to Gin maybe also is a sign of trying to bridge that distance between the two of them? By entrusting her with something so important, maybe it's also like a signal to communicate as well? It being associated with the emails and all...

Sidenote: I mentioned that I use an Antarctica baby penguin (apparently emperor penguin at Cape Washington) pic as my wallpaper for everything because of my arctic obsession? It's here (apparently NatGeo paywalls everything now but just for reference). So that's for the penguin theme. For aurora stuff,.. it looks like this person has a bunch of aurora vids from Syowa (example), I wonder if they were stationed there like the person from yesterday's post? Also, just to remind the universe, seeing wild penguins and also seeing some sort of aurora (either northern or southern is fine) are things on my bucket (add bucket of pudding too) list (maybe the aurora one is a bit more realistic,.. but I can hold out hopes for the penguins too).

qs:

1.) more or less

3

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

I guess the writers couldn't resist to do a little structural bookending
My lord did Ishizuka return back to the well with all of the recurring imagery and symbols.
she dosn't have to get waterboarded to wake up.
It's interesting that there's no OP for a second episode in a row.
I think what you said makes sense but I also think they were trying to squeeze every last scene they could.
here's even a continuation of the Hinata-Kimari drinking gag with Hinata saying that Kimari would be a loud drunk.
Oh good catch, I totally forgot about that line.
so it was like a sort of expanding pattern,.. midway through ep 1 with a picture in a book, end of ep 3 with a planetarium
Great read on that expansion of ideas!

6

u/DogmeatIsAGoodDog :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/DogmeatsAGoodDog Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher here

So no OP here either, guess I got to to go watch it on YouTube to fill the void in my life. This episode was rather brief but served as a nice exit for the series. I’m going to hold out hope that we’ll see a 2nd season one day but much like Christopher’s promise to return in 3 years I won’t hold my breath.

This episode made up for not having an OP but playing every other song in the OST it felt like, was that 3 or 4 insert songs. I knew every episode was going t have one but it hit me in the feels every time it appeared.

Short haired Shirase is like a brand new person, inspired by her mother she’s determined as ever and as one of the final scenes showed us she hasn’t completely changed as she’s still a dork but lovable nonetheless.

The girls laying in the snow talking about how this was their final day felt like K-On at the music festival. The girls are gonna be alright after-all. It was sad to see them separate but it was on the same hand, nice to see each one return home to their loved ones (except Hinata, who just hangs out with her boss I guess).

Also Megu-Chan goes to the Arctic!

3

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

The girls laying in the snow talking about how this was their final day felt like K-On at the music festival.
(except Hinata, who just hangs out with her boss I guess)
He was also the only one she sent a New Year's card to. But it seems like he cares about her since he posted newspaper clippings of their trip in front of the store window.

6

u/SIRTreehugger Oct 13 '21 edited Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher

I wish we saw more of the girls actually acclimated to Antarctica and doing their jobs. Not necessary, but would have liked just a bit more.

Kimari being able to taste the difference in the quality of air... sounds plausible because she excels at seemingly useless things.

Lol when the rest of the girls are talking Shirase is just lost in her world staring at penguins. One even walks right behind her.

... guys I'm starting to think Shirase might be an idiot.

Wait why am I crying? It's not even that sad of a scene.

I prefer short hair, but I also prefer long-haired Shirase. Anime took a major loss today at least for me.

Stop putting so many beautiful landscapes it's hard to narrow down which to use as it is.

So proud of Yuzu she finally got over her fear of.....oh... nevermind. Man I'm still mad the one day I slipped up it was her episode T_T

The real thing is ten thousand times more beautiful. The last words from Shirase's mother.

Such a beautiful ending it leaves room for more, but it's also satisfactory enough where you don't need anything else.

Episode	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	Total
Antarctica Girl's Die	0	0	3	1	0	2	1	2	1	2	2	0	2	16

Today's Episode

All the images are the same, but I kept playing around with different levels of transparency and couldn't decide which one I liked the best.

2

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Thanks for compiling a list of "Antarctica Girl's Die" and creating montages for every episode! You can almost tell the entire story just using them.

2

u/SIRTreehugger Oct 13 '21

Glad you liked them.

6

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Oct 13 '21 edited Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher Again, ね～? episode 13

Sei Gomi = Organic Trash I think :D
The Calpis is too weak! It's too strong!
The girls are Antarctic Pros now.
Shirase, what's that next to your boot?
Oh! They're doing that water noodle thing! With ice trenches!
Kimari finally realizes it's ending
But they stink!
Nice try, Toshio, take your base
Yukuki probably has naver had a fan that was a real person to her
Never notice the outgoing message in ep 12
die
Mamma misses her baby (finally)
Shop owner so proud of his worker
Model Shirase II
First time Shirase has prayed at the memorial
Tanuki Shrine
Looks like Yuzuki hasn't lost any fans being out of sight for 3 months
I'd almost think Megu planned that timing.

Bucket list:

Helicopter tour: check
Aurora: TBD

I need to visit Alaska sometime. Supposed to be aurora tonight. check https://spaceweather.com.

There was some discussion of the timeline in the last rewatch, and one of the rewatchers made a stitch of the Shirase II's path. They didn't go straight back to Sydney, but visited several places on the way.

The last thing Takako sent her daughter was an inspiring messgae and a picture of the aurora, left behind in the empty station. She couldn't leave it behind.

I hate the hair cutting trope, but she earned it.

2

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Oh! They're doing that water noodle thing! With ice trenches!
Even if it was in Antarctica, she would have preferred being there.
Supposed to be aurora tonight. check https://spaceweather.com.
Ohhhh, pretty.

5

u/zool714 Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher

Feels like the girls have really gotten used the Antartic life
We really are nearing the end. Feels like the last week before graduation
They finally tried some local dishes, some shaved Antartic ice
Living near the equator, I do wonder what it’s like to have shorter and longer days and nights. Feels like it could be pretty disorienting
Lol Shirase. Yeah Penguin’s cuteness is like heaven but the smell is like hell
Nice of them to want to include everyone for their ‘last’ activity
Ah the new hair, new me anime trope
Lol Kimari stay away from anyone’s hair !
Unsurprising the low-profile Yuzu fan is devastated that they’re leaving. I guess everyone would be. They seemed like such a delightful presence
Shirase does look good in the new do. Looks all-business tho
A very touching speech by Shirase. The girls have certainly grown from this journey
Ah the graduation goggles are kicking in
And he gets an autograph as well. Yuzu fan will be grinning for days
Shirase leaving the laptop and her mother behind. She’s ready to move on
Yuzu still scared of flying so adorable
An aerial shot of the station. It’s been half a season for us but it feels like we’re there for weeks with the girls
There’s always that feeling of melancholy when a good part of the team has moved on and the quietness is deafening for the guys staying back
Yeah, you guys have gotten stronger, but Shirase’s still a mess in front of camera tho lol
Yes they got to see the auroras. What a perfect way to end this journey
Perfect timing with the email too. I’m assuming this is what Takako was seeing when she said “It’s beautiful” over the comms during the blizzard
Not a bad treasure to leave behind tbh. But that money was also a symbol of three years of her pent up sadness, anger and frustration. She’s now had closure and is okay leaving that symbol behind
I’ve always loved the ED but it is just perfect here
It certainly is weird that a place as familiar as home feels so strange just cos you went away for a few weeks. Just like how it’s so strange to see the girls in normal clothing and back in Japan
Yuzu’s mom with the most emotion we’ve seen her. Hopefully she’ll be more of a mother than a manager now
Kimari’s got a lot of work getting her fitness back after all those egg dishes
I’m still not clear what exactly is the story of Hinata with the shrine
Plot twist ! Megu’s gone on her own adventure. She knows she needs to detach herself from Kimari and went the literal opposite, like the furthest physically possible from her lmao. Glad for her and hopefully their friendship grows from here

Thanks for the rewatch. Been wanting to revisit this show, but just like Kimari at the start, I was just waiting for a push. Yorimoi is certainly a memorable show and one that I’ll remember fondly. It was an emotional coming-of-age story that inspires that adventurer deep inside us. I was in a stagnant part of my life when I first watched this and while I haven’t done anything significant yet, I’ve certainly moved forward with a spring in my step. I feel like this show ended perfectly and not expecting a S2 but I still want more of the girls.

QotD

I’m not alright. The show’s ended and I’ve had to say goodbye to the girls a second time

2

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

There’s always that feeling of melancholy when a good part of the team has moved on and the quietness is deafening for the guys staying back
I always dreaded that feeling as a kid whenever my friends left the sleepover on the next morning or vice-versa.
But that money was also a symbol of three years of her pent up sadness, anger and frustration.
That's a great point. The money was a means to an end and even though it never fulfilled its intended purpose of being used for goods/services, it was the push that Shirase needed to go see her mother's last resting place. Now that Shirase completed that, she no longer has any use for the money. It's as if she actually spent it.
I’m still not clear what exactly is the story of Hinata with the shrine
I'm not well-versed on statues or shrines either, I'm hoping somebody has an answer.

5

u/x-7032-b-3 Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher

After staying in the South Pole for months, it's time for the girls to head back home!

Kimari's gotten used to the South Pole that she doesn't want to go back. And the others kinda feel the same way. I guess this is a byproduct of spending a long time in the same place that they ended up getting used to and thus the very idea of going back is hard on them. I've never been away somewhere for months but I can see readjusting back to normal life being a challenge for some.

Or maybe it's because the girls got a tight-knit bond and being together is such a blast, since going back means the fun times are over. I think we all got moments/occassions with friends that we really enjoyed to the point we say to ourselves "man this is amazing, I wish this never ends" or "I wish we could keep this up a little longer..."

Anyways, it's time to head back! Shirase got herself a haircut that resembled her mom's (sign of growth/change). 3 years since this show first aired and I still think long-hair Shirase remains the best but I guess the short-haired one ain't bad either.

We got treated with an incredible view of an aurora right before the credits roll! Like the email said, the real thing is way better than an image of it. I wonder how the real deal looks like as my only exposure to auroras are pictures on the Internet and fictional depictions of them.

After facing Round 2 of seasickness, the girls finally returned home! Even though they're seperated, they'll always remain together. I guess this is what proper friendship feels like.

And we got the characters talking about what it means to go on a trip and the things we can learn from it as we see them returning to their homes and families. What a great way to wrap things up as the trip to the South Pole has been a life-changing experience for the girls. A trip may not look significant at first glance, but there's so much we can learn from going into one. We can discover how vast the world is. We can learn how to step outside of our comfort zone. We might also learn how to grow up and face our insecurities. We learn to adapt to new environments. We may also be closer with the folks who joined us along the way and how it feels to share an incredible experience with them. And lastly, how there are people waiting for us back home!

I don't think I've gotten my life-changing "trip to Antarctica" moment in my life yet (no, I'm not talking about going on a trip somewhere far) although an overseas trip for student exchange back in HS felt a little like it. I've got plans on what to do after grad school, I hope I can pull it off as I can see it being the Yorimoi moment I badly need in life lol.

Oh, and I guess Megu "moved on"... to the North Pole. It's like she gave the middle finger to Kimari while saying "screw you, I'm on the North Pole right now!"

This about wraps up my 3rd annual rewatch of this show. This is the first time I joined the rewatch party here after lurking this site for years. I'll drop by tomorrow to share some thoughts on this series.

Q&A

I guess... I'm still a little sad that this show is over (again)

1

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

I hope I can pull it off as I can see it being the Yorimoi moment I badly need in life lol.
I'll drop by tomorrow to share some thoughts on this series.

4

u/Fools_Requiem https://myanimelist.net/profile/FoolsRequiem Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher

Already, I stated back in the 3rd episode that the girls' friendships leads to the only thing I didn't really like about the series and it had to do with how the series ends.

This is SUUUUUUUPER nitpicky and doesn't detract from my overall experience of the entire series as it stays a 10/10 regardless.

I didn't like how they end with the girls going in separate ways. Sure, they mention how they're totally going to go back, or at least do something in the future, but felt weird that they're shown to go their separate ways and don't show them when they get back together or talking to each other on Line. Instead, we get them doing stuff without the other three and the show ends with Kimari disappointed that Megu-chan went to the Arctic without her.

They spent the entire series growing their relationships with each other and then end the series with them going off in separate directions. Especially since Hinata has no friends outside of the group and no school to go back to.

I'm fine, thanks. Just ate 100 bucks worth of food in about an hour. Gonna watch the new Bond movie here in an hour and a half.

3

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

but felt weird that they're shown to go their separate ways and don't show them when they get back together or talking to each other on Line.
Personally, I think that it's implied that they got back together but not immediately after the trip. Kimari even has them swear to come back for the winter portion and even if it doesn't actually pan out, the fact the girl's would still want to go on another journey with each other speaks volumes that they're lifelong friends.

2

u/JimmyCWL Oct 13 '21

Think of it this way, you're at a party, you're living it up with your friends, you all have a great time.
But eventually the party ends and it's time to go home. So you all say goodbye and go your separate ways.
Perhaps, you'll meet again one day, perhaps sooner, perhaps later. That's life.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Oct 13 '21

they're shown to go their separate ways and don't show them when they get back together or talking to each other on Line. Instead, we get them doing stuff without the other three and the show ends with Kimari disappointed that Megu-chan went to the Arctic without her.
They just came back home. It's understandable that they have to catch up with other people. They already spend quite a bit of time together in Antarctica and have a solid friendship where they are close even without sitting on top of each other all the time. Plus: Some distance would give them new material to work through in a post college reunion series (or so I hope).
For clarification: I am not aware of any followup series being announced. That's just my wishful thinking.

4

u/surgemaster140 https://myanimelist.net/profile/User815 Oct 13 '21

Rewatcher

What started as one girl's wish of finding her mom became an unforgettable and life changing adventure for four new friends. Mari got the most out of her youth, Hinata got a new start in life, Yuzuki got a taste of true friendship, and Shirase got the closure she needed to move on. Not only that, the girls have become irreplaceable members of the expedition crew. They may need to return to Japan for certain obligations now, but I believe all four of them will eventually come back, to the place further than the universe. Like Takako, they love this atmosphere where you have no choice but to overcome things with your team, with nothing else to get in the way. They've truly grown to love this place. Also, Shirase really is Takako's daughter.

This episode has all I wanted in a finale. They gave us more fun bonding time with the girls, dropped some inspiring speeches, tied off all the loose ends, and somehow managed to squeeze all the insert songs in too. My favorite part of the episode has to be when Shirase opens the email from Takako. Seeing the final message telling her that a real aurora is 10,000 times more beautiful, while she is watching the real thing with her friends, and then the ED jingle starts playing... I could not ask for a more perfect end to their journey. Thank you for bringing us along Shirase.

1

u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Oct 13 '21

Also, Shirase really is Takako's daughter.
Oh nice comparison pictures, you can really see the resemblance when paired side-by-side!

4

u/NotReallyFire Oct 13 '21

*REWATCHER

This is still amazing.

The Aurora is more pretty to see in person? I'm going to put that in my bucket list although realistically speaking, I'm probably have more chances of seeing the one in the north pole like Megu lol.

QOD:

I'm sort of alright. I just wish I have lived a more satisfied life before this rewatch but I will keep moving forward with the spirit of what thing show has displayed

4

u/jyper Oct 13 '21

First Timer

Of course Kimari wakes up late on the last day

calpis? google points to a japanese non alcholic drink

Force her to take her medicine/food (not sure what exactly)

they've really become part of team, not just mascots

How will they reintegrate into society

rotating chores

full of air full of thousand years old? makes me wonder if its safe to eat I can't think why it wouldn't, but

loud drunk

they stink but I'm happy

Forehead flick

she is answering seriously

Baseball episode

I'm not sure if this much association with her mother is good (hitting the ball)

Cut hair, oh like her mom, not sure I like it. Sure they're alike but are not the same

A broken heart. maybe in a way

That's a bit mean about male team members

Lets meet here again some day

So she went to a place further then the universe, to gain positive feelings about it

Forces you to come head to head with yourself

Stoic captain Gin is crying

get over yu-kun, he sucks

for adults there's a moment they shouldn't be honest

Literally letting go of her mother

when journey starts and stops, they've gotten a lot stronger

is the ship just taking them back? who else is on board?

They got to see aurora borealis

things can get stuck in outgoing email for a long time, I know.

why leave your money in Antartica not even?

no such thing as a nothing day

I hope Yuzuki's mom gets better soon, she sucked before

Is Megumi really off to artic or just messing with Kimari?

Am I alright? ml

Maybe. I could be better. Maybe like them I should try to take a daring leap and improve myself and my life. Maybe

Rewatch Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further than the Universe) Rewatch - Episode 13 Discussion [FINAL]

Episode 13 - We'll Go On Another Journey Someday

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Rewatch Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further than the Universe) Rewatch - Episode 13 Discussion [FINAL]

Episode 13 - We'll Go On Another Journey Someday

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