A Place Further Than The Universe was one of 2018’s best anime, but will it return for a second season? Tokyo-based anime giant Madhouse has been pumping out hit animations since it was formed back in the early 1970s. Even anime lightweights are likely to recognize at least a few of the studio’s titles which include anime series like Death Note and One-Punch Man alongside films such as Barefoot Gen and Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue.
Madhouse continued its winning streak in 2018 with the anime series A Place Further Than The Universe. Directed by Atsuko Ishizuka from a script penned by Jukki Hanada, the 13-episode series aired internationally on Crunchyroll and follows four teenage girls – Mari, Shirase, Hinata and Yuzuki – who become friends when they embark on a civilian expedition to Antarctica where Shirase’s mother went missing three years earlier. A charming coming-of-age tale about friendship and adventure, A Place Further Than The Universe earned rave reviews from anime critics and fans alike.
The final episode aired in March 2018 and saw the four friends arrive back in their native Japan having learned a thing or two about themselves on their Antarctic adventure. While the finale offered a pretty satisfying conclusion to the series, fans have wondered whether the anime will get a second season. Here’s what we know about A Place Further Than The Universe season 2.
Madhouse Could Eke Another Season Out Of The Anime
While it’s true that A Place Further Than The Universe ended on a satisfying note – with Shirase gaining some closure over her mother’s death and the rest of the girls confronting issues of their own – there is some scope for another season. During the last episode of A Place Further Than The Universe, Shirase promises to return to Antarctica one day and the finale title alone – “We'll Go On Another Journey Someday” – implies the friends could soon reunite on another adventure. The episode also ended with the reveal that Mari’s childhood friend Megumi had gone on her own expedition to the Arctic, so there’s plenty of material that Madhouse could expand on in a second season of the hit anime. That said …
A Place Further Than The Universe Season 2 Isn’t Likely
Although there are many ways Madhouse could continue A Place Further Than The Universe, the studio hasn’t made any official announcements regarding reviving the show. Of course, this doesn’t completely rule out a second season or some other sort of follow-up like an OVA, but at present, it’s not looking likely.
Perhaps, however, A Place Further Than The Universe should remain a one-season anime. It’s a delightfully heartwarming tale and milking it for another season could spoil its charm.