"5 Centimeters per Second" Review: Makoto Shinkai's story of youth and distance

"5 Centimeters per Second" - A timeless love story

"5 Centimeters per Second" is a theatrical animation released in 2007 by director Makoto Shinkai. This work is a three-episode animation series that depicts the growth, separation, and reunion of two boys and girls, Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

March 3, 2007 - January 1, 2000

■Distribution company

CoMix Wave Films Inc.

■Frequencies

63 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Makoto Shinkai

■ Director

Makoto Shinkai

■ Production

・Production: CoMix Wave Films Inc.

■Works

©Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films

■ Story

Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari were separated when they graduated from elementary school. Time passed, despite the special feelings that existed between them. Then, one day, in the middle of a heavy snowfall, Takaki finally goes to see Akari...

■Explanation

"Oukasou" depicts the day Takaki and Akari are reunited, "Cosmonaut" depicts Takaki from a different person's point of view after that, and the title work "5 Centimeters per Second" captures the wanderings of their souls. This is a series of three animated works.

■Cast

・Takayuki Tono/Kenji Mizuhashi ・Akari Shinohara/Yoshimi Kondo, Ayaka Onoue ・Kaname Sumida/Reimi Hanamura

■ Main staff

・Director, scriptwriter, original author, storyboard artist, director, character designer, art director, color designer, cinematographer, editor, 3DCG work, sound director: Makoto Shinkai ・Chief animation director, character designer: Takayo Nishimura ・Art: Takumi Tanji, Ryoko Umajima ・Music: Tenmon ・Dubbing director: Yuji Mitsuya ・Production, distribution: CoMix Wave Film

■ Main Characters

Takaki Tono is an only child who transfers to a Setagaya elementary school in the spring of his third year of elementary school due to his parents' work. He meets Akari a year later. The two of them grow closer as they share a common bond of constantly transferring schools and a love of reading.
Akari Shinohara is Takaki's first love. His love is unrequited, but mutual. Like Takaki, she is an only child with only her parents. In the spring of her fourth year of elementary school, she transfers from Shizuoka to Setagaya, Tokyo, due to her parents' work, and ends up in the same class as Takaki.
A girl who is in the same class as Sumida Kanae Takaki at junior high school in Tanegashima. She has parents and one older sister. In the spring of her second year of junior high school, Takaki transfers from Tokyo and she senses something different about him than the other boys, which makes her fall in love with him.

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: Oukasou (March 3, 2007)
・Episode 2/Cosmonaut (2007/03/03)
・Episode 3: 5 Centimeters per Second (2007/03/03)

■ Theme songs and music

・TM1
・One more time, One more chance
Lyrics by Masayoshi Yamazaki; Music by Masayoshi Yamazaki; Singer by Masayoshi Yamazaki

・IN1
・Your Number One…
Lyrics: Maki Watase Composition: Tomohisa Kawazoe Arrangement: LINDBERG, Tatsuhito Inoue Singer: LINDBERG

・IN2
・A World for You・Lyrics by Yuuki Mizusawa・Composition by Nobu Rodriguez・Arrangement by Nobu Rodriguez・Vocals by Yuuki Mizusawa

■ Evaluation and impressions of the work

"5 Centimeters per Second" is a work that stands out for director Makoto Shinkai's unique aesthetics and delicate depictions. In particular, the beautiful landscape descriptions and emotional music enhance the story, moving you both visually and aurally. Below, we will provide a detailed evaluation and impressions of each episode.

Episode 1 "Oukacho"

"Oukasou" tells the story of Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari from their childhood to elementary school years. The process of the two meeting, becoming close, and then parting ways is carefully depicted. In particular, the scene with cherry blossom petals falling in the air is beautiful, symbolizing the pure emotions of the two. This episode realistically depicts the innocence of children and the process of their growth, evoking deep empathy in viewers. The farewell scene between Takaki and Akari is also deeply moving, and many viewers will have shed tears.

Episode 2 "Cosmonaut"

"Cosmonaut" tells the story of Takaki after he becomes a junior high school student. After transferring to Tanegashima, Takaki meets a new friend named Sumita Kanae. This episode is told from Kanae's perspective, and delves deeper into Takaki's inner thoughts. Kanae's pure love and Takaki's inner conflict intertwine, depicting the pain and beauty of youth. In particular, the scene where Kanae writes a letter to Takaki, symbolizing her bittersweet feelings, touches the hearts of viewers.

Episode 3 "5 Centimeters per Second"

"5 Centimeters per Second" is an episode depicting the reunion of the grown-up Takaki and Akari. The two have grown up and are living their own lives, but somewhere in their hearts they continue to think of each other. The scene where they meet again by chance on a train captures the viewer's heart, but in the end the two part ways without exchanging a word. This episode depicts the passage of time, human growth, and the difficulty of making up for lost time. In particular, the beautiful scenery and sad music in the final scene will leave a deep impression on the viewers' hearts.

■The appeal and recommended points of the work

"5 Centimeters per Second" is a highly recommended work for the following reasons:

1. Beautiful visuals

Makoto Shinkai's works are characterized by beautiful landscapes, and "5 Centimeters per Second" is no exception. It is a visually stunning film, with scenes of cherry blossom petals fluttering in the air, snow falling, and the beautiful scenery of Tanegashima. These visuals enhance the emotions of the story and leave a deep impression on the viewer.

2. Emotionally rich music

Tenmon's music further deepens the emotion of the story. In particular, Masayoshi Yamazaki's "One more time, One more chance" is a masterpiece that resonates deeply with the audience. LINDBERG's "Kimi no Ichiban ni..." and Yuuki Mizusawa's "Anata no Tame no Sekai" are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story.

3. Realistic human drama

"5 Centimeters per Second" depicts a realistic human drama. It realistically depicts the pure love between Takaki and Akari, and the relationship between the two that changes as they grow up. Additionally, Takaki's inner thoughts, depicted from Hanae's point of view, also evoke deep empathy in the viewer. These human dramas deeply move the viewer, providing an opportunity to reflect on one's own life.

4. Depicting the passage of time and growth

This work places emphasis on depicting the passage of time and human growth. Takaki and Akari's journey from childhood to adulthood is carefully depicted, allowing the viewer to feel the passage of time along with their growth. It also depicts the difficulty of regaining lost time, deeply moving the viewer.

■ Related works and recommendations

If you enjoyed "5 Centimeters per Second," we also recommend the following related works:

1. Your Name

One of director Makoto Shinkai's masterpieces, it is a love story that transcends time and space. It features beautiful visuals, emotional music, and a realistic human drama, and is recommended for fans of "5 Centimeters per Second."

2. The Garden of Words

This short animated film by director Makoto Shinkai is characterized by its beautiful landscapes and emotional music. It also depicts a realistic human drama, and is recommended for fans of "5 Centimeters per Second."

3. Weathering With You

This latest work by director Makoto Shinkai features beautiful visuals, emotional music, and a realistic human drama. It also has a wonderful depiction of the flow of time and growth, and is recommended for fans of "5 Centimeters per Second."

Conclusion

"5 Centimeters per Second" is a work that stands out for director Makoto Shinkai's unique aesthetics and delicate depictions. Its beautiful visuals, emotional music, and realistic human drama will deeply move viewers. In particular, the work's emphasis on depicting the flow of time and human growth will evoke deep empathy in viewers and provide an opportunity to reflect on their own lives. We hope you will watch it and experience the moving experience for yourself.