Byousoku 5 Centimeter General Discussion

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

The_Gray_Otaku said:
I'm obviously going to have to watch this movie again, as having read through the Forums, I obviously missed some pretty important points.
Either way though, I don't think a better understanding is going to make me like it or want to watch it again and again, as I do with shows I really love.
To put it simply, for a guy like me, this movie is a no-win situation.
I desperately wanted Takaki and Akari to overcome the challenges of time and distance and have their love ultimately prevail, and even though chapter one graphically displayed how great those challenges were, I still felt that the kiss made it all worthwhile...that all of their struggles with time and distance had been proven worth the fight.
The fact that neither letter was actually delivered did nothing to dispel that feeling for me either, as I took it to mean that there was now an unspoken understanding between them, and that introducing their past thoughts and fears was no longer necessary.
Chapter two was a guaranteed loser for me simply because I can't bear to see a character I feel for hurt in any way, and watching Kanae come to grips with the crushing realization that the boy she loved would never feel the same way about her was heartbreaking.
Chapter three had to be the worst of all because even though we were presented with the possibility of things working out, it was not to be, and for me, a story without some kind of happy ending is not a story I can fall in love with.
Yeah, I know life's not like that, but for me, anime and entertainment aren't life...
They're what life should be.
If I want heartache and misery, I'll watch the news.

maybe you missed the point of the ending?
while yes, it also hit me like a truck (that ending song, damn) it also shows that akari has moved on, but she never forgot takaki, they also both got their wish, to once more view the cherry blossoms in spring, together

the main development is the fact that takaki finally realized he could move on. he finally smiles and accepts that he and akari, while what they shared is eternally precious to both, can never be together. and thats just life.

the manga goes on further, since now takaki has moved on, and says he'll now allow other people into his life without feeling the regret he had clinging onto akari (which is why he broke up with his girlfriend of 3 years, you only briefly see her in the anime, shes the one with the glasses in the office, the manga has an entire chapter for it)

it also goes on to reveal that

Jun 10, 2013 12:55 AM

#454

KneelBeforeMe

Offline

Apr 2013

7998

Amazing art, the story wasn't bad, but part 3 was terrible. I still rated it 8/10 because I enjoyed it, but for them not to end up together left me bitter; her happy with an husband & him depressed a bad way to end this story. The way people talked about it, I was expecting a little bit more.. Well whatever, proof that long distance relationships never work.

Jun 10, 2013 12:59 AM

#455

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

OfficialGuts said:
Amazing art, the story wasn't bad, but part 3 was terrible. I still rated it 8/10 because I enjoyed it, but for them not to end up together left me bitter; her happy with an husband & him depressed a bad way to end this story. The way people talked about it, I was expecting a little bit more.. Well whatever, proof that long distance relationships never work.

thats the point of the end, he finally moves on from both her and his lasting depression, as sad as it seems, its a quite optimistic ending. and they finally fulfill akaris wish to see the cherry blossoms together in the summer again (at the same spot nonetheless)

Jun 13, 2013 2:28 AM

#456

Offline

Oct 2012

231

this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story..meh..
can he produce something off romance?

zozeJun 29, 2013 4:31 AM

Jun 13, 2013 2:58 AM

#457

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

zoze said:
this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story...ugh..
can he produce something off romance?

you dropped a 1 hour movie and gave it a 1, youre not even worth replying to.
but ill bite anyway

children who chase lost voices from deep below

Jun 13, 2013 3:21 AM

#458

Chepri

Offline

Jun 2012

353

zoze said:
this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story...ugh..
can he produce something off romance?

....

All hail the Nutcracker Queen!

Jun 13, 2013 6:56 AM

#459

Offline

Oct 2012

231

eldest said:

zoze said:
this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story...ugh..
can he produce something off romance?

you dropped a 1 hour movie and gave it a 1, youre not even worth replying to.
but ill bite anyway

children who chase lost voices from deep below

just to let u know, i never update my list.
so checking from there is absolutely futile

zozeJun 13, 2013 6:59 AM

Jun 13, 2013 7:03 AM

#460

DawnJ

Offline

Jan 2013

1355

zoze said:
can he produce something off romance?

He did and failed. -> Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo

日本人はイッちゃってるよ
あいつら未来に生きてんな

Jun 13, 2013 7:24 AM

#461

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:
this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story...ugh..
can he produce something off romance?

you dropped a 1 hour movie and gave it a 1, youre not even worth replying to.
but ill bite anyway

children who chase lost voices from deep below

just to let u know, i never update my list.
so checking from there is absolutely futile

uh, its already in your dropped list, you gave it a 1
your comment is pointless.

Jun 13, 2013 8:36 AM

#462

Offline

Oct 2012

231

eldest said:

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:
this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story...ugh..
can he produce something off romance?

you dropped a 1 hour movie and gave it a 1, youre not even worth replying to.
but ill bite anyway

children who chase lost voices from deep below

just to let u know, i never update my list.
so checking from there is absolutely futile

uh, its already in your dropped list, you gave it a 1
your comment is pointless.

u really don't understand my reply do u?

Jun 13, 2013 9:10 AM

#463

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:
this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story...ugh..
can he produce something off romance?

you dropped a 1 hour movie and gave it a 1, youre not even worth replying to.
but ill bite anyway

children who chase lost voices from deep below

just to let u know, i never update my list.
so checking from there is absolutely futile

uh, its already in your dropped list, you gave it a 1
your comment is pointless.

u really don't understand my reply do u?

your first comment matches up with your rating.

youve backed yourself up into a corner here.

just leave

Jun 13, 2013 9:47 PM

#464

Offline

Oct 2012

231

eldest said:

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:
this stupid movie was overrated, and not touching at all...
well, the animation was good, but the story...ugh..
can he produce something off romance?

you dropped a 1 hour movie and gave it a 1, youre not even worth replying to.
but ill bite anyway

children who chase lost voices from deep below

just to let u know, i never update my list.
so checking from there is absolutely futile

uh, its already in your dropped list, you gave it a 1
your comment is pointless.

u really don't understand my reply do u?

your first comment matches up with your rating.

youve backed yourself up into a corner here.

just leave

what r u even talking about? and no, i dont want to leave, u leave.

Jun 13, 2013 10:47 PM

#465

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

zoze said:

what r u even talking about? and no, i dont want to leave, u leave.

well your replies clearly show me why you hated this movie.
you simply didnt understand it.
if you cant follow what im posting, theres no way you understood this movie.

simplified

you: i hate this movie, can he do something thats not romance
me: youre an idiot, also, CWCLVFDB
you: i never update my list, so theres no use checking
me: irrelevant, youve already dropped 5cm, a 1 hour movie, and gave it a 1
you: you dont understand do you?
me: your rating of 1 matches your comment saying you hate it
you: uhhh wat?

way to shit up a thread

Jun 14, 2013 12:45 AM

#466

Offline

Oct 2012

231

eldest said:

zoze said:

what r u even talking about? and no, i dont want to leave, u leave.

well your replies clearly show me why you hated this movie.
you simply didnt understand it.
if you cant follow what im posting, theres no way you understood this movie.

simplified

you: i hate this movie, can he do something thats not romance
me: youre an idiot, also, CWCLVFDB
you: i never update my list, so theres no use checking
me: irrelevant, youve already dropped 5cm, a 1 hour movie, and gave it a 1
you: you dont understand do you?
me: your rating of 1 matches your comment saying you hate it
you: uhhh wat?

way to shit up a thread

that's right, i rated it a one, so?

Jun 14, 2013 3:13 AM

#467

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:

what r u even talking about? and no, i dont want to leave, u leave.

well your replies clearly show me why you hated this movie.
you simply didnt understand it.
if you cant follow what im posting, theres no way you understood this movie.

simplified

you: i hate this movie, can he do something thats not romance
me: youre an idiot, also, CWCLVFDB
you: i never update my list, so theres no use checking
me: irrelevant, youve already dropped 5cm, a 1 hour movie, and gave it a 1
you: you dont understand do you?
me: your rating of 1 matches your comment saying you hate it
you: uhhh wat?

way to shit up a thread

that's right, i rated it a one, so?

Jun 14, 2013 3:16 AM

#468

Hidden_Joker

Offline

Aug 2012

4311

Eldest is like the fucking sentinel guarding this place. LOL

I personally liked the ending, but it seems not everyone can handle depressingly realistic endings.

Jun 14, 2013 4:38 AM

#469

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

Hidden_Joker said:
Eldest is like the fucking sentinel guarding this place. LOL

I personally liked the ending, but it seems not everyone can handle depressingly realistic endings.

just like a whole bunch of other threads, i have this one 'watched' so if someone replies, i see it under my watched topics.
if someone posts something stupid, i respond lol. same as every other thread

Jun 14, 2013 4:54 AM

#470

Offline

Oct 2012

231

eldest said:

zoze said:

eldest said:

zoze said:

what r u even talking about? and no, i dont want to leave, u leave.

well your replies clearly show me why you hated this movie.
you simply didnt understand it.
if you cant follow what im posting, theres no way you understood this movie.

simplified

you: i hate this movie, can he do something thats not romance
me: youre an idiot, also, CWCLVFDB
you: i never update my list, so theres no use checking
me: irrelevant, youve already dropped 5cm, a 1 hour movie, and gave it a 1
you: you dont understand do you?
me: your rating of 1 matches your comment saying you hate it
you: uhhh wat?

way to shit up a thread

that's right, i rated it a one, so?

Jun 14, 2013 5:04 AM

#471

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

you're like a lost child in a foreign country.
im not even going to bother responding anymore

Jun 14, 2013 5:35 AM

#472

Offline

Oct 2012

231

eldest said:

you're like a lost child in a foreign country.
im not even going to bother responding anymore

what a nice video..
congratulations on not responding, took u that long time to notice.

zozeJun 29, 2013 4:30 AM

Jun 24, 2013 8:53 AM

#473

Always-Hungry

Offline

Apr 2013

2286

Good episode. The distance between them has grown too big. All in all the movies was amazing.

Overall 9/10.

Jul 15, 2013 6:04 AM

#474

EvianBubble

Offline

Jul 2009

20988

Glad I finally got around to downloading and watching this. Really beautiful backgrounds, but sadly couldn't be said about the character designs lol. The first part was really sweet and touching, but I liked the second part the best. Third was kinda depressing, but guess that's how "real life" goes. Personally I thought the ending was kind of abrupt, but still good. Definitely worth seeing, 8/10

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Aug 4, 2013 10:15 AM

#475

alpir

Offline

Aug 2012

1127

I don't understand why some people wanted for Takaki and Akira to end up together. They knew each other only for a brief period in their lives and they were too young back then. Now they are adults who had different paths and it's unlikely they have much in common left. Look at Takaki - he is one sad individual who can't let go of the past. He wasted his best years, while Akira most likely had a rich life. Why do you want for her to end up with him? Does he deserves that? I feel really sorry for Kanae and the girl with glasses, as they never had any chance with that guy.

As I see it this anime is not about love separated by distance, but about the ability to move on. And it seems in the end Takaki will be finally able to move on, so it's probably a happy ending after all.

Very beautiful 8/10

Aug 5, 2013 8:09 AM

#476

Devilry

Offline

Jul 2009

22

Okay, after watching this, here's my interpretation of the show...

I don't really see it in terms of time or distance, but as a commentary on romantic expectations, and a meta-commentary on the kind of romantic expectations propagated by the romance genre.

The first episode perfectly sets it up to seem like a conventional romance anime that tugs at your heart strings. Akira starts off the damsel in distress and Takaki her knight in shining armour, with the whole world pit against them. Then, they are forced to part ways due to circumstances they cannot control, but continue to write letters to each other, giving the impression that their relationship is able to transcend physical distance. It's contrived and employs some very standard tropes - deliberately - and the powerful execution is designed to stop us from realising this and becoming disengaged. And, of course, the deus ex machina sweeps in: Takaki's first opportunity to visit Akira becomes his last, and he has only one chance to 'save' their relationship. This builds up to the train scene, where the delays get progressively longer (totally unrealistic, what are the chances?). At this point, importantly, Takaki visualises that Akira is alone, and continues to believe that only he is 'worthy' of keeping her company, and breaks the fourth wall by saying that the train delays are directed towards with him malice, at this point highlighting to us the nature of the plot device that is employed. However, Akira fulfils the 'good ending' as she stays to wait for him, even cooks him food, and suddenly the environment turns around in their favour by giving them the opportunity to spend the night together, and OF COURSE, they kiss. Suddenly, their relationship seems fated to be.

At this point the show seems really cliche but I don't care. I want them to end up together, I went them to have their hackneyed happily ever after, I just don't care. This completely deliberate and I have fallen into Shinkai's trap: He wants me to recognise that the circumstances are unrealistic, but to be too emotionally invested in the characters to reject it, to expect our suspension of disbelief to pay off due to our expectations of the way the romance genre works.

As they part ways, Akira reveals that she did not give Takaki her letter. It can be interpreted in many ways. Is Shinkai trying to tell us that Akira's unresolved feelings will be the thread that binds them together and refuses to let them go their separate ways until they have been voiced? This is yet another conventional romantic expectation. Or does it mean that everything is not as perfect as it seems to be? What if the letter is really meant to say that they should stop seeing each other?

However, there is one extremely crucial aspect of foreshadowing in this episode. While Takaki is on the train, he wishes that Akira went home first. He realises that it would be unreasonable to expect her to wait with no indication that he is coming. This is real life: Akira would've gone home. However, he nonetheless hopes that she stays to wait, and we hope that she stays to wait, and she does. At this point we ARE Takaki, who is only too happy to throw reality out of the window and embrace the unrealistic. Takaki walks away from episode one thinking that this is the best of the best of cliched childhood romances, that life has plenty of beauty and meaning in store for him, and so do we.

In episode two, realism starts to set in. We open with a fantasy of Takaki and Akira standing on a hill top, where they can see the stars and galaxies and everything is perfect and beautiful. He sees their relationship as a metaphor for beauty in this world. This is starkly contrasted to Kanae, who has to create her own opportunities by waiting for Takaki. Eventually, it starts to seem to build up like a fairytale once more, as though the cosmic justice wills for Kanae's efforts to start paying off. She stumbles upon Takaki's motorbike and joins him in the field, she eventually gets the hang of surfing, and the motorbike breaks down at the opportune moment to allow them to talk. However, reality kicks in; Kanae has been friendzoned and it doesn't pay off. At this point she gives up on Takaki because she realises that he's like the rocket, aiming for the stars, but no longer with a footing on the planet.

Throughout the episode, we also get the impression that Takaki, upon getting the mobile phone, is texting Akira every chance he has – until we realise that he's talking to no one. This must mean that they've stopped writing letters to each other. If he loves Akira so badly, why doesn't he try to contact her? It's because the Akari that he loves has become completely unrealistic. The Akari he loves is the girl who talks beside him on the surreal hill, a phantasmal entity, who will keep waiting for him until the end, just like the day he took the train, who will somehow come back to him no matter how great the distance. He doesn't want to actively court Akari because that'd be bloody unromantic, and would spoil the idea of the two childhood friends who drift apart and inevitably find a way back together. He prefers to trust destiny and let it work its magic. He believes that their relationship cannot possibly fail, and all his unresolved feelings will one day be surfaced, because the heavens have willed it.

The third episode punishes us for following Takaki's delusional thinking. It starts off with Takaki and Akari nearly missing each other as they walk past... but Takaki realises. For a second, he believes that this is their fated re-encounter. He wants it to be as dramatic as possible. He takes his time to turn, savouring the moment. Too late, choo choo motherf**ker, the train disagrees. We are frustrated, and hope that this is just another obstacle before they finally get together. After all, Takaki's not happy with his present relationship, so it's only a building block to when he finally swings back towards Akira, right?

But then reality steps in. Akira talks about a wedding – is it her's? - then we see the engagement ring, first a glimpse as Akari flips a page, but it comes into full view and she closes her book with finality. We know that it's not Takaki's. Akari went home, and is no longer waiting for him, and like Takaki knew before he allowed his romantic expectations to swell, it was in her best interest to. There is no build up, no dramatic separation, just a cold hard dose of reality as we realise that Takaki no longer has any hope. Even then we want a denouement – at least one final confrontation where Akira admits that she's loved Takaki all this while but it's too late, happy, tragic, anything but emptiness – we don't get it. There is no denouement in life. Takaki and Akira may very well never meet each other ever again. However, in the end, Takaki learns to let go of his desire for that resolution. The question is, as the viewers who have followed his journey and been his accomplishes in nursing his unrealistic expectations – can we?

The message I got from this is that we need to FIND meaning in our lives, instead of waiting for meaning to come. There aren't any cosmic plans for those who don't act. If we are like Takaki, desiring no less than an epic, a fantastical romance with all the most endearing tropes thrown in a blender, we'll overlook all the opportunities that pass us by and end up cold and empty.

DevilryAug 5, 2013 8:28 AM

Aug 19, 2013 4:07 AM

#477

Offline

Jul 2013

459

Devilry said:
Okay, after watching this, here's my interpretation of the show...

I don't really see it in terms of time or distance, but as a commentary on romantic expectations, and a meta-commentary on the kind of romantic expectations propagated by the romance genre.

The first episode perfectly sets it up to seem like a conventional romance anime that tugs at your heart strings. Akira starts off the damsel in distress and Takaki her knight in shining armour, with the whole world pit against them. Then, they are forced to part ways due to circumstances they cannot control, but continue to write letters to each other, giving the impression that their relationship is able to transcend physical distance. It's contrived and employs some very standard tropes - deliberately - and the powerful execution is designed to stop us from realising this and becoming disengaged. And, of course, the deus ex machina sweeps in: Takaki's first opportunity to visit Akira becomes his last, and he has only one chance to 'save' their relationship. This builds up to the train scene, where the delays get progressively longer (totally unrealistic, what are the chances?). At this point, importantly, Takaki visualises that Akira is alone, and continues to believe that only he is 'worthy' of keeping her company, and breaks the fourth wall by saying that the train delays are directed towards with him malice, at this point highlighting to us the nature of the plot device that is employed. However, Akira fulfils the 'good ending' as she stays to wait for him, even cooks him food, and suddenly the environment turns around in their favour by giving them the opportunity to spend the night together, and OF COURSE, they kiss. Suddenly, their relationship seems fated to be.

At this point the show seems really cliche but I don't care. I want them to end up together, I went them to have their hackneyed happily ever after, I just don't care. This completely deliberate and I have fallen into Shinkai's trap: He wants me to recognise that the circumstances are unrealistic, but to be too emotionally invested in the characters to reject it, to expect our suspension of disbelief to pay off due to our expectations of the way the romance genre works.

As they part ways, Akira reveals that she did not give Takaki her letter. It can be interpreted in many ways. Is Shinkai trying to tell us that Akira's unresolved feelings will be the thread that binds them together and refuses to let them go their separate ways until they have been voiced? This is yet another conventional romantic expectation. Or does it mean that everything is not as perfect as it seems to be? What if the letter is really meant to say that they should stop seeing each other?

However, there is one extremely crucial aspect of foreshadowing in this episode. While Takaki is on the train, he wishes that Akira went home first. He realises that it would be unreasonable to expect her to wait with no indication that he is coming. This is real life: Akira would've gone home. However, he nonetheless hopes that she stays to wait, and we hope that she stays to wait, and she does. At this point we ARE Takaki, who is only too happy to throw reality out of the window and embrace the unrealistic. Takaki walks away from episode one thinking that this is the best of the best of cliched childhood romances, that life has plenty of beauty and meaning in store for him, and so do we.

In episode two, realism starts to set in. We open with a fantasy of Takaki and Akira standing on a hill top, where they can see the stars and galaxies and everything is perfect and beautiful. He sees their relationship as a metaphor for beauty in this world. This is starkly contrasted to Kanae, who has to create her own opportunities by waiting for Takaki. Eventually, it starts to seem to build up like a fairytale once more, as though the cosmic justice wills for Kanae's efforts to start paying off. She stumbles upon Takaki's motorbike and joins him in the field, she eventually gets the hang of surfing, and the motorbike breaks down at the opportune moment to allow them to talk. However, reality kicks in; Kanae has been friendzoned and it doesn't pay off. At this point she gives up on Takaki because she realises that he's like the rocket, aiming for the stars, but no longer with a footing on the planet.

Throughout the episode, we also get the impression that Takaki, upon getting the mobile phone, is texting Akira every chance he has – until we realise that he's talking to no one. This must mean that they've stopped writing letters to each other. If he loves Akira so badly, why doesn't he try to contact her? It's because the Akari that he loves has become completely unrealistic. The Akari he loves is the girl who talks beside him on the surreal hill, a phantasmal entity, who will keep waiting for him until the end, just like the day he took the train, who will somehow come back to him no matter how great the distance. He doesn't want to actively court Akari because that'd be bloody unromantic, and would spoil the idea of the two childhood friends who drift apart and inevitably find a way back together. He prefers to trust destiny and let it work its magic. He believes that their relationship cannot possibly fail, and all his unresolved feelings will one day be surfaced, because the heavens have willed it.

The third episode punishes us for following Takaki's delusional thinking. It starts off with Takaki and Akari nearly missing each other as they walk past... but Takaki realises. For a second, he believes that this is their fated re-encounter. He wants it to be as dramatic as possible. He takes his time to turn, savouring the moment. Too late, choo choo motherf**ker, the train disagrees. We are frustrated, and hope that this is just another obstacle before they finally get together. After all, Takaki's not happy with his present relationship, so it's only a building block to when he finally swings back towards Akira, right?

But then reality steps in. Akira talks about a wedding – is it her's? - then we see the engagement ring, first a glimpse as Akari flips a page, but it comes into full view and she closes her book with finality. We know that it's not Takaki's. Akari went home, and is no longer waiting for him, and like Takaki knew before he allowed his romantic expectations to swell, it was in her best interest to. There is no build up, no dramatic separation, just a cold hard dose of reality as we realise that Takaki no longer has any hope. Even then we want a denouement – at least one final confrontation where Akira admits that she's loved Takaki all this while but it's too late, happy, tragic, anything but emptiness – we don't get it. There is no denouement in life. Takaki and Akira may very well never meet each other ever again. However, in the end, Takaki learns to let go of his desire for that resolution. The question is, as the viewers who have followed his journey and been his accomplishes in nursing his unrealistic expectations – can we?

The message I got from this is that we need to FIND meaning in our lives, instead of waiting for meaning to come. There aren't any cosmic plans for those who don't act. If we are like Takaki, desiring no less than an epic, a fantastical romance with all the most endearing tropes thrown in a blender, we'll overlook all the opportunities that pass us by and end up cold and empty.

Wow dude, I knew your feeling but at least spoiler the long part ( and spare somebody who didn't see the movie yet. )

Btw, I just get one Impression from the movie : Real Life is harsh, Takaki-kun guaranteed that :D
The art is one of my favorite of course, and The Story ? Yes, actually it's just your typical-drama-plot with no Extraordinary twist at all, but that's what make this story special, because the movie show us how real life goes on. Though I a little dissapointed in the Ending ( which really depressing for the sake of my mental state ). But I really got the climax like 10-15 seconds before the montage and 10 seconds before the credits.Last, I didn't agree that 5 cm per second is Shinkai's best work ever, but at least, This story have it's own traits and that's why I love it, so.... no matter what the haters say, the overall still excellent and beautiful too :) *TwoThumbsUp*

Pusswookie said:
This,

cressidaaa said:
Levi and Eren should be bro's. I'm rooting for their friendship!

is truth.

Aug 20, 2013 4:39 PM

#478

TheArchangel

Offline

Mar 2011

173

I wrote a review of the novel that summarizes much of my feelings toward this story. Do give it a read and comment!

Aug 21, 2013 11:33 PM

#479

Vita_Aeterna

Offline

Apr 2013

254

Devilry said:
Long post

Very good interpretation, I like a lot of what you've said.

Aug 24, 2013 11:11 AM

#480

Siesta

Offline

Mar 2010

439

I cried because of this.

Aug 25, 2013 1:18 AM

#481

Rachmaninow

Offline

Feb 2012

4070

Ahaha this is so fucking sad that I can't do anything but force myself to laugh...

All this time she was so close yet so far. Visible yet unreachable. And despite all that, Takaki somehow managed to smile at the end which moved me the most. Brilliant movie.

The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one. - Albert Einstein

Sep 30, 2013 2:22 PM

#482

Choroshi

Offline

Aug 2012

1098

Devilry said:
Okay, after watching this, here's my interpretation of the show...

I don't really see it in terms of time or distance, but as a commentary on romantic expectations, and a meta-commentary on the kind of romantic expectations propagated by the romance genre.

The first episode perfectly sets it up to seem like a conventional romance anime that tugs at your heart strings. Akira starts off the damsel in distress and Takaki her knight in shining armour, with the whole world pit against them. Then, they are forced to part ways due to circumstances they cannot control, but continue to write letters to each other, giving the impression that their relationship is able to transcend physical distance. It's contrived and employs some very standard tropes - deliberately - and the powerful execution is designed to stop us from realising this and becoming disengaged. And, of course, the deus ex machina sweeps in: Takaki's first opportunity to visit Akira becomes his last, and he has only one chance to 'save' their relationship. This builds up to the train scene, where the delays get progressively longer (totally unrealistic, what are the chances?). At this point, importantly, Takaki visualises that Akira is alone, and continues to believe that only he is 'worthy' of keeping her company, and breaks the fourth wall by saying that the train delays are directed towards with him malice, at this point highlighting to us the nature of the plot device that is employed. However, Akira fulfils the 'good ending' as she stays to wait for him, even cooks him food, and suddenly the environment turns around in their favour by giving them the opportunity to spend the night together, and OF COURSE, they kiss. Suddenly, their relationship seems fated to be.

At this point the show seems really cliche but I don't care. I want them to end up together, I went them to have their hackneyed happily ever after, I just don't care. This completely deliberate and I have fallen into Shinkai's trap: He wants me to recognise that the circumstances are unrealistic, but to be too emotionally invested in the characters to reject it, to expect our suspension of disbelief to pay off due to our expectations of the way the romance genre works.

As they part ways, Akira reveals that she did not give Takaki her letter. It can be interpreted in many ways. Is Shinkai trying to tell us that Akira's unresolved feelings will be the thread that binds them together and refuses to let them go their separate ways until they have been voiced? This is yet another conventional romantic expectation. Or does it mean that everything is not as perfect as it seems to be? What if the letter is really meant to say that they should stop seeing each other?

However, there is one extremely crucial aspect of foreshadowing in this episode. While Takaki is on the train, he wishes that Akira went home first. He realises that it would be unreasonable to expect her to wait with no indication that he is coming. This is real life: Akira would've gone home. However, he nonetheless hopes that she stays to wait, and we hope that she stays to wait, and she does. At this point we ARE Takaki, who is only too happy to throw reality out of the window and embrace the unrealistic. Takaki walks away from episode one thinking that this is the best of the best of cliched childhood romances, that life has plenty of beauty and meaning in store for him, and so do we.

In episode two, realism starts to set in. We open with a fantasy of Takaki and Akira standing on a hill top, where they can see the stars and galaxies and everything is perfect and beautiful. He sees their relationship as a metaphor for beauty in this world. This is starkly contrasted to Kanae, who has to create her own opportunities by waiting for Takaki. Eventually, it starts to seem to build up like a fairytale once more, as though the cosmic justice wills for Kanae's efforts to start paying off. She stumbles upon Takaki's motorbike and joins him in the field, she eventually gets the hang of surfing, and the motorbike breaks down at the opportune moment to allow them to talk. However, reality kicks in; Kanae has been friendzoned and it doesn't pay off. At this point she gives up on Takaki because she realises that he's like the rocket, aiming for the stars, but no longer with a footing on the planet.

Throughout the episode, we also get the impression that Takaki, upon getting the mobile phone, is texting Akira every chance he has – until we realise that he's talking to no one. This must mean that they've stopped writing letters to each other. If he loves Akira so badly, why doesn't he try to contact her? It's because the Akari that he loves has become completely unrealistic. The Akari he loves is the girl who talks beside him on the surreal hill, a phantasmal entity, who will keep waiting for him until the end, just like the day he took the train, who will somehow come back to him no matter how great the distance. He doesn't want to actively court Akari because that'd be bloody unromantic, and would spoil the idea of the two childhood friends who drift apart and inevitably find a way back together. He prefers to trust destiny and let it work its magic. He believes that their relationship cannot possibly fail, and all his unresolved feelings will one day be surfaced, because the heavens have willed it.

The third episode punishes us for following Takaki's delusional thinking. It starts off with Takaki and Akari nearly missing each other as they walk past... but Takaki realises. For a second, he believes that this is their fated re-encounter. He wants it to be as dramatic as possible. He takes his time to turn, savouring the moment. Too late, choo choo motherf**ker, the train disagrees. We are frustrated, and hope that this is just another obstacle before they finally get together. After all, Takaki's not happy with his present relationship, so it's only a building block to when he finally swings back towards Akira, right?

But then reality steps in. Akira talks about a wedding – is it her's? - then we see the engagement ring, first a glimpse as Akari flips a page, but it comes into full view and she closes her book with finality. We know that it's not Takaki's. Akari went home, and is no longer waiting for him, and like Takaki knew before he allowed his romantic expectations to swell, it was in her best interest to. There is no build up, no dramatic separation, just a cold hard dose of reality as we realise that Takaki no longer has any hope. Even then we want a denouement – at least one final confrontation where Akira admits that she's loved Takaki all this while but it's too late, happy, tragic, anything but emptiness – we don't get it. There is no denouement in life. Takaki and Akira may very well never meet each other ever again. However, in the end, Takaki learns to let go of his desire for that resolution. The question is, as the viewers who have followed his journey and been his accomplishes in nursing his unrealistic expectations – can we?

The message I got from this is that we need to FIND meaning in our lives, instead of waiting for meaning to come. There aren't any cosmic plans for those who don't act. If we are like Takaki, desiring no less than an epic, a fantastical romance with all the most endearing tropes thrown in a blender, we'll overlook all the opportunities that pass us by and end up cold and empty.

whoa, that was a pretty good interpretation. I laughed a bit at the choo choo part XD

It's been quite a long time since the last time i watch this movie. I only able to watch it 2 times, and till now i still don't have any courage to re-watch it completely again lol. The end theme that played during the credits was a perfect final blow it made me teared up just by listening to it.

For me, the whole movie was a roller coaster ride to the abyss of depression, i guess probably because i can (kinda) relate to what Tohno experienced. Though because of this movie, i learned something important and precious.

my score hasn't changed, still a perfect 10/10.

My DeviantArt and Pixiv

and still waiting patiently for a 3rd season of Spice & Wolf :'|

Oct 8, 2013 12:16 PM

#483

killmeee

Offline

Jan 2013

555

The storyline of this movie was so intense and realistic, it touched me to the very core.
Despite the movie's short length, the characters were amazingly deep. Animation is breathtaking, music is moving, and the story...
Shinkai, thank you!
10/10

"Suddenly, I was keenly aware that we wouldn't be able to remain together forever. The overwhelming power of our lives, the boundless vastness of time were stretching hopelessly before us."
~ Takaki Tohno

Nov 8, 2013 2:01 AM

#484

sudokia

Offline

Aug 2013

123

This anime has just somehow touched the deepest part of my soul. I spent crying for 30 minutes, just re-watching the ending music video. Everything in the ending was beautiful, I personally enjoyed the music video, the lyrics were extremely moving and it felt like the lyrics were Tataki's feelings towards Akari.

Stunning visuals throughout, im not much of a slice of life fan but this anime has just got me hooked, by far the most beautiful and heartfelt anime I have ever seen. A coming of age masterpiece, Makoto Shinkai, I thank you giving me this unique experience.

I always end up looking
For your smile to appear somewhere
At the railroad crossing, waiting for the express to pass
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place

If our lives could be restarted,
No matter how many times it will be, I will go back to you
There’s nothing else that I want

Nothing else is more important than you…

I wish the music industry would write more songs like this instead of the house dj crap we get today

sudokiaNov 8, 2013 2:05 AM

Nov 8, 2013 3:04 AM

#485

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

sudokia said:
This anime has just somehow touched the deepest part of my soul. I spent crying for 30 minutes, just re-watching the ending music video. Everything in the ending was beautiful, I personally enjoyed the music video, the lyrics were extremely moving and it felt like the lyrics were Tataki's feelings towards Akari.

Stunning visuals throughout, im not much of a slice of life fan but this anime has just got me hooked, by far the most beautiful and heartfelt anime I have ever seen. A coming of age masterpiece, Makoto Shinkai, I thank you giving me this unique experience.

I always end up looking
For your smile to appear somewhere
At the railroad crossing, waiting for the express to pass
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place

If our lives could be restarted,
No matter how many times it will be, I will go back to you
There’s nothing else that I want

Nothing else is more important than you…

I wish the music industry would write more songs like this instead of the house dj crap we get today

agreed fully, they dont make em like they used to.
still havent found another film (that wasnt also made by shinkai) that was nearly as good.
The ending song was just beautiful . as was the entire movie

Nov 8, 2013 5:49 AM

#486

Offline

Jul 2013

459

sudokia said:

I wish the music industry would write more songs like this instead of the house dj crap we get today

That song was written in 1993... (._.)
Still, no harm for wishing...

Pusswookie said:
This,

cressidaaa said:
Levi and Eren should be bro's. I'm rooting for their friendship!

is truth.

Nov 8, 2013 1:47 PM

#487

sudokia

Offline

Aug 2013

123

Ooguro_Ryuuya said:

sudokia said:

I wish the music industry would write more songs like this instead of the house dj crap we get today

That song was written in 1993... (._.)
Still, no harm for wishing...

Exactly, many great American songs were written back in the 90s imo even the 60s had excellent music

Nov 9, 2013 12:24 AM

#488

Offline

Jul 2013

459

sudokia said:

Ooguro_Ryuuya said:

sudokia said:

I wish the music industry would write more songs like this instead of the house dj crap we get today

That song was written in 1993... (._.)
Still, no harm for wishing...

Exactly, many great American songs were written back in the 90s imo even the 60s had excellent music

Remind me of Fallout:New Vegas Radio Soundtrack. Lot of Elvis, lol.

Pusswookie said:
This,

cressidaaa said:
Levi and Eren should be bro's. I'm rooting for their friendship!

is truth.

Nov 15, 2013 8:59 PM

#489

removed-user

Offline

Jul 2018

561541

I dont understand what this story is about, I kinda got confused.
Well anyways it was average anyways.

Nov 15, 2013 11:21 PM

#490

Offline

Sep 2012

1336

Mikenzb said:
I dont understand what this story is about, I kinda got confused.
Well anyways it was average anyways.

safe to say you simply didnt understan...

Mikenzb said:
I dont understand what this story is about

oh.
yeah, take forgetfulness advice, theres plenty of very very detailed interpretations and explanations in the last 3-4 pages.

Nov 17, 2013 12:15 AM

#491

Offline

Jul 2013

459

Hessel_ said:
Average my ass

It's 10 of 10 in my list..

Mikenzb said:
I dont understand what this story is about, I kinda got confused.
Well anyways it was average anyways.

just simply watch it again, I need to re-watched it 2 more times to really-really understand the story afterall...

Pusswookie said:
This,

cressidaaa said:
Levi and Eren should be bro's. I'm rooting for their friendship!

is truth.

Nov 17, 2013 9:11 PM

#492

S4rin3

Offline

Apr 2013

202

I just watched this, and well didn't think do good about it.
But now after reading a bit about it and getting into what everything means. I'm sitting here with watery eyes with the music from the credits playing, I don't know how to explain it but i feel so empty yet satisfied about Byousoku 5 Centimeter.

10/10

Nov 23, 2013 8:10 AM

#493

killmeee

Offline

Jan 2013

555

"Suddenly, I was keenly aware that we wouldn't be able to remain together forever. The overwhelming power of our lives, the boundless vastness of time were stretching hopelessly before us." - Takaki Tohno

Simplicity = Beauty
I understood it after re-watching the final chapter.

This movie touched me to the very core. Painfully realistic, yet beautiful and heartwarming. The perfect example for a sad ending. Happy endings are not always the best, and 5 Centimeters Per Second has shown that to me.

9.34 out of 10

Nov 28, 2013 8:37 AM

#494

joori_Strawberry

Offline

Sep 2011

225

The first time I watched this I was like, "lol. That's it? Meh"
I even gave it a 6/10 before
but when I watched this again I was somehow hurt and sad but I didn't cry. I don't know how to explain but my face was like this -> ._.
I felt empty. Yeah, that's the word, empty.

Anyway, beautiful art and a movie worth rewatching :)

pew pew pew

Nov 28, 2013 1:24 PM

#495

AnimeWatcherKun

Offline

Jan 2013

17

This movie really got to me. It shook my heart and made me feel really introspective. The animation was excellent, the details crisp, the little things made a huge difference, but most of all that script. oh my gosh. With only a translation of it, I solely got a glimpse of its depth; the words that conveyed strong feelings made the story much more heartfelt.
The script is second only to the story, which manages to get to the viewer in such a deep way. The ending really makes you think too.. Such a beautifully told story.
</3

10/10 ;~;

Nov 29, 2013 10:04 AM

#496

Darkills

Offline

Sep 2013

20

Just watched this. Animation was great.

The 3rd part seems rushed but I still managed to understand I guess.

There is just one thing that bothers me.. In the end of the first part, they kiss, and its obvious they love each other. But they never contact each other after that? It's pretty much implied that in the second part, they already lost contact..

DarkillsNov 29, 2013 10:09 AM

Nov 29, 2013 12:12 PM

#497