• Despite that head-scratcher of an ending, I absolutely fell for this. The story was very relatable. I think that’s the beauty of Makoto Shinkai’s work – His stories were always something people could relate to. It may not be because they happened to experience the same thing as our characters do, but because of how these characters react to the situations that were placed in front of them.
• As usual, stunning artwork.
• I love how it talks about distance. Long distance relationship can either work or fall apart depending on how committed both parties are to each other. But what hurts most is, what if one person is holding on too much while the other holds so little? Do you still fight for it?
• Moving on. Oh boy. We all know how this works. All of us. Moving on is not an easy feat, but 5 Centimeters Per Second is a story focused on that. Moving on. Letting go. Accepting. It is accepting that things you want to happen may not always turn out that way. Letting go of someone you have loved for years because you know they’ll be better off that way. Moving on from a love that isn’t really meant to be for you.
• I am in love with how Makoto Shinkai tells his stories. In this specific one, he used 3 chapters to tell his story of love and moving on. It follows the main character, Takaki, during the first and the third chapter. The second one was narrated by Kanae, someone who is narrating Takaki’s story at a different angle – which I loved.
• Out of all the three Makoto Shinkai’s work I’ve watched, this would have to be my absolute favorite. Highly recommend.
• Word of caution, the ending is pretty open. It is open to various interpretation so I wouldn’t be sharing mine if you have not watched it.
Title: 5 Centimeters per Second
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Writers: Makoto Shinkai (screenplay and original story)
Release Date: March 3rd 2007
Genre: Drama, Romance
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.
Perusing at Midnight 