Subculture Anime Blog

Oh man, I’m speechless. It’s a good thing I can still type. I finally got to watch the the rest of Byousoku 5 Centimeter, which I have been waiting to watch for months in the back of my mind. Words alone probably cannot describe this movie. Shinkai Makoto is a genius, and the work this production team has created is godly. I constantly found myself taken back at how unbelievable the scenes in this movie were. The story itself is a simple story about the love between a boy and girl and their parting. As simple as it is, it is quite powerful, and the beautiful animation and unique directing just helped to strengthen it. This is a movie that I could watch over and over again, and never get tired of it. It is truly a work of art, and one that I want on my shelves when I obtain a copy of it.

Oukashou Summary:

When they were children, Shinohara Akari told her friend Toono Takaki that sakura petals fall at the speed of five centimeters per second. She commented that the sakura blossoms look like falling snow, and hoped that the two of them could watch them again the following year. In the future, the two have began exchanging letters to keep in touch with each other, since their separation a year ago after their elementary school graduation. Because Takaki will soon be moving to an even further place, the two agree on a date to meet once more before he has to leave. Takaki looks back on the time he spent with Akari, such as the time he defended her from the other kids who made fun of them for being a couple. He mentions that as long as they were together, they were not bothered by any of this. They had many similarities, such as transferring into the same school at the same time, and both preferring to stay in the library than going outside. For some reason, they thought that they would both transfer to the same junior high school, and stay happy forever.

As Takaki starts making his way through the train station, he remembers the time he found out that Akari was transferring schools over the phone. He could feel her pain in his frustration, and regretted that he could not do anything to help her. Meanwhile, the trains are constantly being delayed because of the heavy snow, and Takaki mentions that every minute he waited felt like an eternity. He remembers how happy he was when he received Akari’s first letter, and how long it took for him to write a reply. Whenever he pictured Akari from the letters, she was always alone. Takaki finally reaches his destination, but he has become extremely late because of the delays. He doesn’t think that Akari would be waiting any more, but he is surprised when he sees her sitting alone next to a heater. When Akari sees him, she grabs onto his coat and starts to cry. While eating the lunch Akari had prepared for the two, Takaki claims that it is the best food he has ever had, but Akari says that it is just because he is so hungry. An employee then informs them that the station is closing, and reminds them to be careful because of the snow.

As they both walk outside, Akari points out a large tree, the cherry tree that she had mentioned in one of her letters. Akari again says that it looks like falling snow, and standing there reflects the way it was during their childhood. At that moment, they embrace each other, and share a kiss. That night, they spend the night in an old shed under one blanket, talking for hours before falling asleep. In the morning, Takaki boards a train while Akari bids him farewell. They both thank each other, and tell each other to take care. Takaki promises that he will be writing and calling, as the train doors shut. As the train leaves, Takaki remembers that he forgot to tell Akari about the letter he meant to give her. He had lost it to the wind while traveling through the stations. Because he felt like their kiss had changed the world altogether, all he wanted was the strength to protect Akari. At that moment, Akari takes out a letter from her bag that she could not give to Takaki.

Cosmonaut Summary:

Sumita Kanae’s older sister greets her on the way to school, reminding her to do well in her studies. Upon arriving, Kanae greets Takaki who has been practicing archery quite early, before heading to class. At lunch break, Kanae’s friends ask her where she plans to attend college. Finding that she hasn’t thought about it at all, they mention that she has only been thinking of Takaki, and claim that he has a girlfriend in Tokyo. Later, Kanae’s sister approaches her while she is observing the waves, which aren’t doing well. After being dropped back off at school, Kanae waits for Takaki outside. Seeing that she has gotten back, he suggests that they go home together. While driving behind him, Kanae remembers when Takaki transfered to her school, and how she came to like him. She studied hard to get into the same high school as his, and came to like him more. Every day was difficult, yet happy, and she couldn’t do anything about her feelings. Stopping by a small convenience store, Kanae and Takaki purchase drinks. When she arrives outside, Kanae sees that Takaki is mailing someone on his phone, something that she sees him do from time to time. In her mind, she would always think that it would be nice if it was herself receiving the mails.

The next day at school, Kanae is called to the office by intercom. She is reminded that she is the only one who hasn’t decided on a university, and is given a suggestion for a choice if she still can’t decide. Closing the door on her way out, she thinks to herself that her older sister has nothing to do with her choice. While doing poorly in her surfing practice, she thinks to herself that it is because it was her sister’s wish for her to start surfing, yet she has not gotten far. Kanae once again waits for Takaki to leave school, but he doesn’t show up this time. She makes her regular visit to the convenience store, but stops on the way home at the sight of Takaki’s moped. Making her way up the grassy hill, Kanae sees him looking at his cell phone. She thinks that upon seeing Takaki, her heart ached a bit. While explaining how she found him, Kanae thinks to herself how kind he is. Takaki confirms to Kanae that he is going to attend school in Tokyo, and she tells him that she is not sure of her future. He tells her that everyone is probably like that, and surprises her by saying that even he has uncertainties. After hearing this, Kanae takes the paper she was given, and throws it into the distance as a paper airplane.

On the way home, Kanae and Takaki become amazed at the sight of the passing cargo at the train tracks. On a later day, Kanae declares that she will do what she can, finally riding a wave successfully. Noticing that Kanae seems happy later at school, her friends ask if something has happened between herself and Takaki. She only smiles, and thinks to herself that she will finally confess to him. Kanae pulls on Takaki’s shirt while leaving the convenience store that day, but cannot bring herself to say anything. After finding that her moped is having problems, Takaki offers to walk with her on the way home. Kanae begins crying, which makes Takaki wonder what is wrong, but they are distracted by a rocket lifting off into space in the distance. Kanae realizes why Takaki is always mailing someone on his phone, and that he would never look at her the way she wished. Because of that, she did not say anything to him. She thinks to herself that although Takaki is kind, he is always looking somewhere much farther than her. She becomes sure that her wishes will never become true, but she still cannot help her feelings for him. With these feelings alone, she cries herself to sleep.

Byousoku 5 Centimeter Summary:

After seeing a sakura petal fall on to his desk while working, Takaki decides to take a walk outside. Passing who he thinks is Akari at the train tracks, he mentions the strong feelings of wishing he could go back as the train passes by. Before this, Takaki makes his way out of a train station by foot. Takaki gets a phone call, but he doesn’t pick up for the girl on the other side. Elsewhere, Akari’s parents bid her off at the train station after hearing of the preparations she must be making soon. While on the train, she mentions that she had a dream of the past, that she probably had because of the old letter she found the previous day. Takaki goes to check the message he receives on his phone after smoking on his veranda. It is from a girl named Mizuno, who is working for a company. Takaki had stopped becoming involved with that girl, and quit the job he had in a company after reaching his limit.

Takaki and Akari both mention a dream they had, where the two of them had the chance to once again see the sakura petals fall. As the both of them travel through the city, their memories up to this point are revealed. They had been regularly sending each other mail, and anxiously waited for them. Eventually, the letters being sent became less. Friends such as Kanae became separated from them as they graduated high school. Takaki had become involved with Mizuno in his sorrow. Akari became engaged with another man. Though Takaki sometimes thought he saw her, he never had a chance to see Akari in person. Though the two constantly thought about each other, they had long become separated. Passing each other at the train tracks they were at as children, Takaki looks back in hopes of seeing Akari while the train passes. There is no one there after the train has passed, but Takaki smiles and moves on after being able to see the sakura petals fall with Akari one more time.

Impression

The ending of this movie is certainly unexpected, and different from the standard. After watching the first story, Oukashou, I was certain that Akari and Takaki would end up together. The feelings conveyed were so strong, and it came off to me as a fated relationship. After watching the second story, Cosmonaut, this feeling became even stronger. I felt sorry for Kanae, knowing that her feelings would never be answered. I thought that no one would be able to break Akari and Takaki’s relationship if they were able to keep in touch for so long. However, at the start of the third story, Byousoku 5 Centimeter, my mouth dropped at the sight of the ring on Akari’s finger. After watching the real life hardships Takaki had to go through, and the explanation of what happened during their separation, I could not help but feel moved. What makes this movie so powerful, is its reflection of a real life situation. It is hard not to empathize with the characters, as we are shown a true to life ending. The resolution came with Takaki passing by Akari on the train tracks. He is able to move on because they do see the sakura petals fall, Akari’s wish from the beginning of the movie. It is unrealistic for the two to be able to become involved with each other anymore, but they are constantly reminded of their past feelings. Hearts are broken. Progress is made. Everyone moves on.

Adding to the movie’s brilliance was its strong artistic approach. Watching this movie made my artistic emotions flare, something that hasn’t happened in awhile since I started anime blogging. I cannot begin to describe how amazing the art and animation is in this movie. My mouth was wide open throughout the entire movie, especially during the scenes in the second story. There is also artistic symbolism all throughout the movie, and when they shifted to them during the dialogs, I couldn’t help but jump in joy. Anyone who claims that those scenes are pointless either cannot appreciate good art, or is just plain dumb. The directing is done by none other than Shinkai Makoto, famed for his film The Place Promised in Our Early Days. His unique directing definitely showed in this movie, and it was simply amazing. I will constantly call him an artistic genius, because just the way he displays things can make a scene unbelievably powerful. The soundtrack was also fantastic, and I still can’t get “One more time, One more chance” out of my head.

To me, this movie is a masterpiece. I’m sure many will be quick to point out its “flaws” to me, but there are none! Everything is done in the purpose of artistic expression. Many have already gone against the story, but the story displayed in this movie is one that can be reflected on a true to life situation. Because of that, it becomes one that can be watched many times, and enjoyed timelessly. If anything, the atmosphere this movie creates is enough to make anyone love it. Tell me I’m overrating this movie if you want, but this is my opinion. That’s the point of a blog right? Well, now I need some sleep. I’m sure there are probably a few gaps and misinterpretations in my summaries, but that’s because I wrote all of this in one sitting after finishing the movie. I’ll probably be revising this as I rewatch the movie, but feel free to point out any mistakes you see. This is probably the most epic post I’ve ever written.