5 Centimeters per Second: Love in Its Finest Form

“completely for adults even though it is an anime”

Do you know the speed at which cherry blossoms fall?

I’ve just watched an animated film named 5 Centimeters per Second by Makoto Shinkai. And now I am writing about it so that you feel inspired to watch it too.

I must admit, for many years, I used to think that animation films are just for kids, and we, adults, have nothing to do with them. But thank god that I did a try-watch to an animation movie in my university days. Then, it was history.

The first animation movie I watched was Megamind, an incredible one that forced me to rethink the definition of good and evil. After that, I watched hundreds of animation movies.

Now, I have become an animation movie fan. And no animation-film-fan can be a true fan without experiencing the beautiful world of Japanese animation, especially the breathtaking works of Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli. I have watched almost all of Miyazaki's films. He enriched my life in so many ways. Anyway, I will talk about him in another post someday.

Today, I will talk about an incredible young man in the Japanese animation industry named Makoto Shinkai, and his lovely romantic drama film that I mentioned in the beginning.

Makoto Shinkai: The new Miyazaki of Japanese animation

First thing, first. Let’s know who is this guy named Makoto Shinkai and what does he do.

Makoto Shinkai is a Japanese animator, filmmaker, and manga artist often dubbed as the new Miyazaki of Japanese animation. He made his first work as a short film in 1999 and released the anime movie named Voices of a Distant Star in 2002, which is still hailed by critics as one of his finest shorts.

But his fame spread worldwide after directing the stunningly animated masterpiece Your Name as the film gained tremendous response and became the third highest-grossing anime film of all time.

My younger brother recommended me the movie, and after watching it, I instantly fall in love with Makoto Shinkai’s works.

Later, I watched The Garden of Words. It’s a story about a lonely teenager who skips his morning lessons to sit in a lovely garden where he meets a mysterious older woman. Eventually, he shares his feelings of alienation with that woman and forms some sort of connection.

Makoto loves to play with human emotions. His best works include The Place Promised in Our Early Days, The Garden of Words, 5 Centimeters per Second, Your Name, Weathering with You, and more.

Each of his films tells an incredible story, wonderfully depicted on the screen. He is best known for his stunning images that are inspired by the real-life locations in Japan. Of course, the music he uses for his touching plots is a perfect match every time.

Okay, that’s enough of Makoto Shinkai, now let’s go back to the film I need to talk about.

5 Centimeters per Second: Love in its finest form

It is a story of love and longing that surrounds the life of Takaki Tōno and his relationship with Akari Shinohara. It’s a continuous struggle between love and distance.

Makoto Shinkai divides the story into three segments — “Cherry Blossom,” “Cosmonaut,” and “5 Centimeters per Second”. Each of the parts has its own story with tension and longing.

In the first part, Takaki Tōno and Akari Shinohara become friends when Akari transfers to the elementary school in Tokyo. Eventually, they get too close and form an unnamed bond. But after graduating from elementary school, Takaki moves to another city in another school. Then, the two start writing letters to keep in touch.

And with time, the distance grows further, but the affection and love intensify. What happens then? Why, after one year, Takaki suddenly take a train in the awful snowy weather to see Akari? What’s in his pocket? Is that a letter? What secret is in there?

Listen, I am not going to tell you anything about the movie anymore. It’s a beautiful movie, and I am not going to spoil it. Watch it by yourself and experience love in the corners of your heart.

When the concepts of love and distance mingled together, it becomes a poem. This 5 Centimeters per Second is like that. It will touch you in a way that you will feel love and sorrow at the same time. And the tension!

Oh, Makoto masterfully plays with love, distance, and tension in this film. He presents the cruel reality in a lovely and understanding way. Moreover, Shinkai’s love for image-details and playfulness with lights will enhance your entire experience.

To Conclude

I don’t know whether you are convinced or not. But let me give you a few pieces of information more that might encourage you.

5 Centimeters per Second is considered one of Makoto Shinkai’s early masterpieces. The film won the Lancia Platinum Grand Prize at the Future Film Festival for best movie in animation or special effects.

It also got the Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2007 Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Moreover, it was Japan’s fourth most popular Blu-ray film in 2008.

I hope you understand why you must watch this masterpiece from Makoto Shinkai. So, have some time to experience this stunningly beautiful animated film.

Happy watching.

Trailer: 5 Centimeters per Second

If you want to read more of my stories, you may read the following post published in The Masterpiece.