5 Centimeters per Second

A chain of short stories about their distance..

A story about Takaki Tono and his close friend Akari Shinohara. The film consists of three episodes: Cherry Blossom, Cosmonaut, Byosoku 5 Centimeter.



"The movie is named 5 Centimeters Per Second for the speed at which cherry blossom 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." 

Episode 1: Cherry Blossom

Takaki and Akari became close friends when Akari transfers from his school. They became inseparable; they have that same attitude, likes and interest. One day they just realized that they’ll no longer be able to see each other again. After graduating from Elementary school, Akari moves to Tochigi due to her parents’ job. Both keeps on communicating through letters, but Takaki knows that it will somehow end soon. Takaki have to move out to Kagoshima, so he decided to personally meet Akari, since he knows he might not able to see her again after moving. He writes a letter for Akari but during his journey he kinda losses the letter and the snowstorm delayed his trip for several hours. 


When he arrived he thought that Akari might not be waiting since he was very late, but he was surprised that Akari waited at the stations waiting area motionless.  They finally meet and they share their first kiss. Takaki realizes that he will never see Akari again but they promise to continue writing to each other. While Takaki regrets he lost the letter for Akari, she on the other hand has a letter addressed for Takaki but she never give it to him.

Episode 2: Cosmonaut

This story involves Takaki and Kanae. Takaki is now in the third year of senior high in Tanegashima. Takaki’s classmate Kanae fell in love with Takaki, the day she first met him in middle school. Kanae wants to confess to Takaki but she never had the courage to do it. That’s why she looks for ways on how to spend time with him. She waited for him after school since she wants to travel with him together. 


She passes by the gym where Takaki was practicing archery. But the sad thing was Takaki is unaware of Kanae’s feelings and treated her as a very good friend. One day when walking together back home, Kanae wanted to confess but she never said a word, she just cried. She realized that Takaki will never look at her the way she wants to and she observes that he is staring off into the distance, writing emails to someone, thinking something far beyond. Although it hurts a lot but she has no choice, but to keep the feelings to herself. That night she cried so hard until she had fallen asleep.

Episode 3: Byōsoku 5 Centimeter

Takaki is now a computer programmer in Tokyo while Akari was preparing to get married with someone.  Takaki still thought for Akari to the point where he wants to breakdown and quit his job.  Both still recalling the past and hopes for the day that they might be able to watch the cherry blossom together again. One day while Takaki walks down the street, Takaki and Akari appears to pass each other at the train crossing.  At the opposite sides of the track, they both stop and begin to look back but the train passes by and cut their views. Takaki waits for the train to pass but he sees that the woman was gone already. After that he smiles and continue walking.

I was actually like kinda relate to the love story of the movie that's why I decided to post this one. They have this long distance relationship, since they were kids they have that romantic feelings towards each other and the feeling is really mutual. As they say, long distance relationships aren't for everybody. In a long distance relationship there are of course lonely times, heartaches, tears and missing that someone so much syndrome.  

Keeping that relationship alive is really HARD. That's why this movie is a beautiful disaster. I believe it's beautiful cause it has the most superb animation scenes, you'll know if you have the chance to watch this. I was really in awe. The best scenes ever. It was disaster since it's not a happy ending. The relationship ends in failure. It shows that in time, one can move on and be happy.


Although it's not a happy ending I still recommend this movie, the animation is worth it. While watching this movie I felt like dreaming, the perfect environment scenes, the sunset and the stars absolutely amazing. I will post the environment scenes on my tumblr page so if you're interested just visit my tumblr.