5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)

Told in three interconnected segments, we follow a young man named Takaki through his life as cruel winters, cold technology, and finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to test the delicate petals of love.

Director:

Makoto Shinkai

Writers:

Makoto Shinkai (screenplay), Makoto Shinkai (original story)

Stars:

Kenji Mizuhashi, Yoshimi Kondou, Satomi Hanamura

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenji Mizuhashi	...	Takaki Tohno (voice)
Yoshimi Kondou	...	Akari Shinohara (segment "Oukashou") (voice)
Satomi Hanamura	...	Kanae Sumida (segment "Cosmonaut") (voice)
Ayaka Onoue	...	Akari Shinohara (segment "Byousoku 5 Centimeter") (voice)
Risa Mizuno	...	(voice)
Yuka Terazaki	...	(voice)
Yûko Nakamura	...	(voice)
Masami Iwasaki	...	(voice)
Rei Kondo	...	(voice)
Hiroshi Shimozaki	...	(voice)
Takahiro Hirano	...	(voice)
Akira Nakagawa	...	(voice)
Keiko Izeki	...	(voice)
Suguru Inoue	...	(voice)
Rion Kako	...	(voice)

Storyline

Takaki and Akari are two classmates in elementary school. During their time together they have become close friends. Their relationship is tested when Akari moves to another city because of her parents' jobs. Both of them struggle to keep their friendship alive, as time and distance slowly pulls them apart. When Takaki finds out that he is moving further away, he decides to visit Akari one last time.

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Plot Keywords:

nostalgia | friendship | cell phone | classroom | convenience store | 

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Taglines:

Did you know? The speed at which cherry blossom petals fall...

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Genres:

Animation | Drama | Family | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title 5 Centimeters Per Second comes from the speed at which cherry blossoms petals fall, petals being a metaphorical representation of humans, reminiscent of the slowness of life and how people often start together but slowly drift into their separate ways

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Goofs

When the train departs from Nogi, the sound comes from a train traveling much faster.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Akari Shinohara: Hey... They say it's five centimeters per second.
Takaki Toono: What do you mean?
Akari Shinohara: The speed at which the sakura blossom petals fall... Five centimeters per second.

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Connections

Featured in Anime Abandon: 5 Centimeters Per Second: Boredom Personified (2020)

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Soundtracks

Aogeba Toutoshi
Traditional Japanese graduation song

User Reviews

5 Centimeters Per Second

I could copy almost my entire review of THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS, Shinkai's previous film. More Takahata than Miyazaki... check. The same wistful, nostalgic tone is woven throughout these three episodes of youthful romantic pinings turned into bittersweet adult reminiscences. Breathtaking animation... check. The artistic style is uncommonly beautiful, with extraordinary attention to detail, gorgeous color and lighting, and images that deftly evoke a sense of melancholy. If all anime looked this astonishing, I'd watch more of it. Satisfying human elements but oversentimental... check. I could relate to the feelings expressed by Takaki, Kanae and Akari -- surely there is something nearly universal about those unrequited adolescent yearnings that can resurface years and years later -- but had to roll my eyes a bit at all the tinkly piano and whispered voice-over. Where this film surpasses its predecessor is in its lack of a goofy sci-fi subplot. There is a rocketship involved, but it's a background element purely for metaphorical purposes. Without that sort of distraction, I was more easily charmed by the gentle rhythms, pleasant characters, and lovely visuals.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Wikipedia

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

3 March 2007 (Japan)

Also Known As:

5 Centimeters Per Second

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$256,851

Company Credits

Production Co:

CoMix Wave

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min 63 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (animation) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1