I’ve watched a lot of love story anime, but “5 Centimeters Per Second” has to be one of the best I’ve ever seen. It isn’t just another fairy tale; it’s truly about real-life love. It’s a story where you actually get to see what happens in real life: how, despite our best efforts to love, we end up losing the most important person in our lives to time.
Real-Life Love and Loss in Anime
We lose them not because we forget them—we always remember them from the bottom of our hearts—but because we lose contact with them. Our lives and everything surrounding us take more priority over time, and eventually, we lose connection. We lose that best friend we had, and we even lose our best love, our first love, our true love. We become two random people on the street, two unknown persons who might end up finding each other on that same unknown street again. But this time, maybe we won’t recognize them. Maybe we won’t remember who they are, or if we do, we won’t approach them. Because even if we know that passerby, we have already lost the way to reconnect with that person.
Watching “5 Centimeters Per Second” was an experience that left a lasting impression on me. The film, directed by Makoto Shinkai, is a visual and emotional masterpiece that delves deep into the intricacies of human relationships and the inevitable passage of time. From the very beginning, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be just another love story with a predictable happy ending. Instead, it offered a raw, unfiltered look at the realities of love and life.
The Story Begins: “Cherry Blossom”
The film is divided into three parts, each chronicling different stages of the characters’ lives. The first part, “Cherry Blossom,” introduces us to Takaki Tōno and Akari Shinohara, two young students who share a deep bond. Their friendship blossoms into love, but life soon intervenes. Akari moves away due to her parents’ jobs, and despite their best efforts to stay in touch, the physical distance begins to take its toll. The imagery of cherry blossoms falling at a speed of five centimeters per second is a powerful metaphor for their slow but steady drift apart. Each petal represents a moment, a memory, a piece of their connection that is gently but inexorably pulled away by the currents of life.
High School Heartache: “Cosmonaut”
In the second part, “Cosmonaut,” we see Takaki in high school, still haunted by his memories of Akari. He is unable to fully connect with those around him, including a classmate who harbors feelings for him. This section of the film poignantly captures the sense of longing and the pain of unfulfilled love. It’s a reminder of how our past experiences, especially those related to love, can cast long shadows over our present.
A Bittersweet Conclusion: “5 Centimeters Per Second”
The final part, “5 Centimeters Per Second,” brings the story to a bittersweet conclusion. Both Takaki and Akari have moved on with their lives, but the memories of their time together linger. They are now adults, leading separate lives, yet there’s a sense of something unresolved. The climax of the film, where they pass each other at a railway crossing, is both heart-wrenching and beautiful. In that fleeting moment, they are so close, yet worlds apart. They turn to look back, but the passing trains obstruct their view. It’s a powerful visual that encapsulates the theme of missed connections and the relentless march of time.
The Art of Visual Storytelling
As I sat there watching “5 Centimeters Per Second,” I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of melancholy mixed with admiration for how beautifully it captured the essence of love and loss. Each frame was a work of art, painted with the vibrant yet soft hues of reality. The cherry blossoms, falling at a pace of five centimeters per second, were not just a visual treat but a poignant metaphor for the slow and inevitable drift that life brings between people.
The characters, Takaki and Akari, felt incredibly real. Their journey from childhood friends to distant memories was a reflection of so many relationships we all experience. It was heart-wrenching to see how their love, pure and strong, was slowly eroded by time and circumstance. The trains they constantly missed, the letters they never sent—each moment was a reminder of opportunities lost, of words left unspoken.
Watching them grow apart, I felt a tug at my own heartstrings. Recalling the people who have slipped away from my life. It made me think about the times I, too, have watched someone walk away. Kowing that our paths might never cross again. But this anime also made me realize that these experiences, as painful as they are, shape us. They teach us about the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we do have.
“5 Centimeters Per Second” doesn’t offer a conventional happy ending. Instead, it provides something more profound. —A reminder that love, in all its forms, is fleeting yet beautiful. It encourages us to embrace the present. To hold on a little tighter to the ones we love. And to understand that some separations, though inevitable, do not diminish the impact those relationships had on our lives.
The Impact of Animation and Soundtrack
The animation quality and soundtrack further elevate the storytelling. Shinkai’s attention to detail is evident in every scene, from the delicate portrayal of cherry blossoms to the bustling streets of Tokyo. The music, composed by Tenmon, complements the narrative perfectly, evoking the right emotions at the right moments. It’s this combination of visual and auditory artistry that makes “5 Centimeters Per Second” a truly immersive experience.
As the credits rolled, I felt a mix of sadness and gratitude. Sadness for the love stories that could never be, and gratitude for the poignant reminder of how precious and fragile human connections are. “5 Centimeters Per Second” isn’t just an anime; it’s a mirror reflecting our own experiences, urging us to remember, to feel, and to live fully in the present, for time waits for no one, and neither does love.
Conclusion: A Poignant Exploration of Love and Time
In conclusion, “5 Centimeters Per Second” is a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who has ever loved and lost. It’s a film that stays with you long after you’ve watched it, prompting reflection on your own relationships and the passage of time. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. It’s more than just an anime; it’s a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the bittersweet nature of life itself.
