Any anime fan worth their salt knows about "holy site pilgrimages"—the ultimate quest to visit real-world locations that inspired their favorite series. It's a fantastic way to satisfy curiosity, and for many regions, it's a brilliant blend of subculture and economic boost.
Recently, a Japanese X user took the concept to the extreme, embarking on an epic journey to Antarctica, the very setting of the beloved anime "A Place Further Than the Universe." After finally stepping foot on the icy continent, they let out a triumphant shout of "Zamaamiro!!!" (roughly, "Take that, world!"), a moment that deeply moved countless netizens who admired and envied their unwavering determination.
"A Place Further Than the Universe" is an original TV anime produced by MADHOUSE, which first aired in January 2018. The story follows Mari Tamaki, a high school sophomore who one day encounters Shirase Kobuchizawa, a girl who has been saving every penny to travel to Antarctica. Shirase's mother went missing there three years prior. Joined by two other girls, Hinata Miyake and Yuzuki Shiraishi, the quartet embarks on an expedition to the South Pole, determined to find Shirase's mother.
The intrepid traveler who successfully reached Antarctica is X user Gunziotaku ( @gunziotaku ), a passionate globetrotter. Their past adventures include completing the Shikoku Pilgrimage (visiting 88 temples across Shikoku) and exploring over 400 inhabited islands across Japan. For the past 15 years, Gunziotaku has also been a dedicated "holy site pilgrim," visiting the real-life locations featured in anime and manga. They've even compiled these experiences into doujinshi, running a fan circle called "Gunhack" with friends.
But for "A Place Further Than the Universe," Gunziotaku made a solemn vow: "I won't write a doujinshi for 'A Place Further Than the Universe' unless I personally set foot on the Antarctic continent!" Despite numerous delays caused by the pandemic, they officially began planning their Antarctic expedition in October 2023. Choosing a cruise route from Argentina, and after a series of twists and turns, they finally boarded a ship to Antarctica, ultimately reaching their destination on January 4th of this year.
Gunziotaku, shouting with their character acrylic standees in tow.
They even brought along their favorite fan merch for the journey, a true testament to their love for the series.
Gunziotaku's incredibly passionate pilgrimage sparked an outpouring of congratulations from netizens. Comments flooded in: "Congratulations!", "Now THIS is a true holy site pilgrimage!", and even "My heartfelt applause and praise know no bounds!"
Even Go Wakabayashi, the music producer for "A Place Further Than the Universe," was moved, responding, "I feel truly honored to have been involved in such an inspiring work."
It's incredible to see the power of anime to motivate people to undertake such extraordinary journeys, even to a place as remote as Antarctica. This kind of dedication is truly admirable. As for "A Place Further Than the Universe" itself, it's a highly recommended, undeniably moving masterpiece. If you haven't seen it yet, definitely check it out—you won't be disappointed!
via： X 帳戶軍手