Reviews

Some say that Byousoku 5 Centimeter (hereafter referenced to as B5cm) foregrounds 'coming of age' as the issue for the two characters never finding 'true' love, as far as the three-piece series is concerned. My interpretation deviated slightly from this norm, where I saw the fledgeling romance between the young Shinohara and Sumita as a moment of 'perfection'. In this moment, the two characters reached the apex of their spiritual and physical intimacy. Furthermore, this means that neither character can enjoy a subsequent relationship without comparing it to their unabashed and magical 'first love'. This initial spark, their 'perfect' moment under the stars, is their only truly beautiful experience in life. Shinkai's tragic masterpiece explores the desire for romantic innocence, and the difficulty of finding such a finite resource. B5cm asks its viewers whether we ever achieve the same level of spiritual intimacy as we do with our first love. Throughout the film, fate plays a key role in constructing and dismantling relationships, and the theory that its intervention is not a product of an omni-benevolent agenda becomes apparent. Shinohara's final desperate attempt to find his one true love suggests that love can be torn apart or sewn together by the smallest of catalysts and variables. From a more abstract perch, though, a different perspective is gained; what if we are never again meant to meet our first, or truest, love? Would meeting them again tarnish the only pure experience we have in this world? As you can probably tell, the ambiguity of this wonderful trilogy had me pulling my hair out for days. No matter how compelling the tale, however, it has to be said that B5cm would not be the same without its magnificent animation. Gorgeous starry skies, urban landscapes and harsh rural winters are brought to life in one of the best-drawn anime's I have laid eyes on. Accompanied by a soundtrack that bleeds the feelings of Shinohara, viewers become wrapped in the events unfolding throughout the three acts. Through its masterful study of the innocence of youth, to the raw and powerful score, B5cm remains consistent in its fragile beauty. Up there with the Ghibli repertoire as ambassadors of anime to a wider audience, B5cm is a must watch.