Forum - View topic

EP. REVIEW: A Place Further Than the Universe

At the same time, the insights we get out of this conflict are too familiar to hit that slice-of-life sweet spot. The idea of friendship being harder to define than other kinds of relationships comes up all the time, often shows where the writing isn't strong enough to deliver anything more original. A Place Further Than the Universe is at its best when it digs a little deeper and finds a conclusion that's uniquely relevant to its characters, which it's been able to do numerous times throughout the season. Compared to the parting confrontation between Mari and Megumi or the conflicted dynamic between Gin and Shirase, this episode lacks that “eureka” moment where it feels like the series has touched on something special or important. It's perfectly adequate, but it falls short of the standard this show has set for itself.

I was hoping for something goofier or more straightforward. Go on, give Yuzuki a hard time, like when she messed up her polite language in the tent while they were training. That was a much more realistic show of friendship.

Does anyone know if the staff for this show went on a tour of Antarctica themselves, or if they're just relying on the manga and, presumably, photographs and videos from the continent itself?

As an anime-only viewer I don't pay attention to the sources for many programs. I seem to be a dying breed.

First, although we weren't given a ton to go on, I got the sense that Hinata's ex-friends were being sincere in trying to apologize.

I have to say that episode 11 was my least favourite episode, so far. I really love the show, but I did come away from the last episode unsatisfied, for a couple of reasons.

First, although we weren't given a ton to go on, I got the sense that Hinata's ex-friends were being sincere in trying to apologize. I guess you could criticize them for doing it in a very public way as opposed to more "behind the scenes" but I still got the sense they genuinely felt bad for how they had treated Hinata and wanted to make amends. Now, a storyline where they offered this and Hinata graciously accepts would have likely been trite and pat, but I just don't vibe on how it was handled.

Shirase stepping forward to tell off the girls can be perceived as a gesture of a friend sticking up for another friend, but it kind of stole Hinata's thunder, in a way. If the show was going for the, "eh, you're not getting off easy and apologizing to me doesn't let you off the hook" message (which I'm not crazy about in the face of what I perceived as genuine contrition, but whatever) than I would have been happier for Hinata to be the one to deliver it.

Second, by episode 11 I think we should be past the "doing things that show we are actually good friends" stage. To me, this has already been established in spades. What would be more interesting, I think, would be incidents that strain the already developed friendship and how those are negotiated as opposed to going over what I think is welltrod ground.