5 Centimeters per Second is a 2007 Japanese anime film by Makoto Shinkai, which actually comprises 3 different anime movies released over the period. This wiki holds all the necessary details about the anime, including its detailed plot, characters, cast, production, etc.
Brief Introduction
- ‣ Name – 5 Centimeters per Second / 秒速5センチメートル (Byōsoku Go Senchimētoru)
- ‣ Release Date – March 3, 2007 (Japan)
- ‣ Director & Writer – Makoto Shinkai
- ‣ Genre – Romance, Drama, Slice of Life
- ‣ Studio – CoMix Wave Films
- ‣ Runtime – 63 minutes
Overview
5 Centimeters per Second (Japanese: Byōsoku Go Senchimētoru, meaning “5 Centimeters per Second”) is a 2007 Japanese animated film. It is a romantic drama that tells a story about love, growing up, and the passage of time. The film was written and directed by Makoto Shinkai, a famous anime creator known for his beautiful visuals and emotional stories. It runs for about 63 minutes and is divided into three short, connected episodes.
The title comes from the slow speed at which cherry blossom petals fall—about 5 centimeters per second. This symbolizes how people can start close together but slowly drift apart over time, like the petals floating away in the wind. The film explores how distance, both physical and emotional, changes relationships.
Release
5 Centimeters per Second first premiered in Japan on March 3, 2007, at a theater in Shibuya, Tokyo. It later got a special IMAX screening in 2022 to celebrate Shinkai’s Suzume.
- ‣ Japan: DVD on July 19, 2007; Blu-ray and HD DVD on April 18, 2008.
- ‣ North America: Licensed by ADV Films, released on DVD in March 2008 (delayed from December 2007). Later, GKIDS and Shout! Factory handled Blu-ray releases.
- ‣ Other Countries: In Australia, Madman Entertainment released it on DVD in 2009 and Blu-ray in 2019. In the UK, Manga Entertainment did DVD in 2011 and Blu-ray in 2018; Anime Limited took over later. It screened in the Philippines in 2013 as part of a Japan friendship event.
- ‣ Streaming: It’s currently available on Netflix and Prime Video, depending on your region.
A novel version by Shinkai was published in 2007, and a retelling called One More Side (from other characters’ views) came out later.
Detailed Plot Explained
The story follows Takaki Tōno, a young boy who grows into a man, and the people in his life. It spans from 1991 to 2008, showing how time pulls friends and loved ones apart. The film is told in three iconic episodes, each from a different time in Takaki’s life.
Episode 1: Cherry Blossom (1991–1995)
In the early 1990s, Takaki is a shy elementary school student in Tokyo. He meets Akari Shinohara, a new girl in his class. They quickly become best friends, sharing books and walking home. They feel a special connection. But Akari’s family moves to Iwafune in Tochigi because of her parents’ jobs. The two stay in touch by writing letters, but the distance makes it hard.
A year later, Takaki’s family is moving to Kagoshima, far in southern Japan. Before he leaves, Takaki decides to visit Akari one last time. He writes a letter confessing his feelings but loses it on the train. A big snowstorm delays his trip, making the journey long and tiring.
When they finally meet, they walk through the snow, hold hands, share a kiss, and spend the night in a small hut. They promise to keep writing, but deep down, they know their paths may never cross again.
Episode 2: Cosmonaut (1999)
Four years later, Takaki is now in high school on Tanegashima, an island known for space launches. He seems quiet and distant, often staring at the sky or writing emails he never sends. His classmate Kanae Sumida has a crush on him.
She rides her scooter with him to school and tries to get closer, but Takaki’s heart is still with Akari. Kanae notices how he dreams of someone far away and feels she can never reach him.
One day, they watch a rocket launch together. The bright light and roar fill the sky, but Kanae realizes Takaki is looking for something she can’t give. She decides not to confess her feelings and lets him go in her heart, though she knows she’ll always care for him 🙂. Takaki moves on to college in Tokyo, leaving Kanae behind.
Episode 3: 5 Centimeters per Second (2008)
Thirteen years after their last meeting, Takaki is an adult working as a computer programmer in busy Tokyo. He has a girlfriend, but he ignores her calls because he’s still haunted by thoughts of Akari. Meanwhile, Akari is engaged to another man, and one day, she sorts through old letters, finds the one she wrote for Takaki long ago. Both remember their snowy reunion in dreams.
One spring day, Takaki crosses a railroad at a cherry blossom viewing spot—the same place they once promised to return to. He spots a woman who looks just like Akari. They seem to recognize each other, but a fast train passes between them, blocking their view.
When the train is gone, she’s nowhere to be seen. Takaki smiles sadly as cherry blossoms swirl in the wind, accepting that life has moved on. The story ends on a bittersweet note, showing how some connections fade but memories remain.
Characters
5 Centimeters per Second (2007) is filled with a compact cast of characters. The story revolves around emotional connections and the impact of time and distance, so the characters are designed to feel like real people with relatable feelings. Below is the list of all characters with their respective cast shown in the movie.
- ‣ Takaki Tōno (voiced by Kenji Mizuhashi as an adult, David Matranga in English dub) – A shy, quiet boy who loves reading. He grows into a lonely adult who can’t forget his first love, Akari. The story follows his life and feelings.
- ‣ Akari Shinohara (voiced by Yoshimi Kondō as a child, Satomi Hanamura as an adult, Hilary Haag as a child in English dub) – Takaki’s kind childhood friend and first love. She likes books and is gentle, but moves away. As an adult, she’s engaged but still remembers Takaki.
- ‣ Kanae Sumida (voiced by Ayaka Ōnoue, Serena Varghese in English dub) – A cheerful high school girl who likes Takaki. She surfs and rides a scooter, but feels sad when she sees that he loves someone else.
- ‣ Takaki’s Parents (no voice actors credited) – Takaki’s mom and dad, who move the family far away for work. They’re not shown much, but cause Takaki to leave Akari.
- ‣ Akari’s Parents (no voice actors credited) – Akari’s parents, who move to a new town for their jobs. They’re barely mentioned, but make Akari leave Takaki.
- ‣ Risa Mizuno (voiced by Risa Mizuno in Japanese, minor role in English dub) – Takaki’s girlfriend when he’s grown up. She’s only mentioned, and he ignores her calls because he’s stuck on Akari.
- ‣ Akari’s Fiancé (no voice actors, unnamed) – The man Akari will marry as an adult. He’s never shown, but shows Akari has moved on with her life.
- ‣ Kanae’s Sister (voiced by an uncredited actress in Japanese) – Kanae’s kind older sister, who lives in their hometown. She shows up briefly to talk with Kanae and support her.
Production
Makoto Shinkai wanted this film to be different from his earlier works, like Voices of a Distant Star, which had sci-fi elements. He aimed for a “real world” story about time, space, and love’s challenges. This was his first project with a full team of animators, not just himself.
- ‣ Studio – CoMix Wave Inc., known for detailed backgrounds.
- ‣ Director and Writer – Makoto Shinkai.
- ‣ Character Design – Takayo Nishimura.
- ‣ Music – Composed by Tenmon, a long-time Shinkai collaborator. The ending song, “One More Time, One More Chance” by Masayoshi Yamazaki, is a heartfelt ballad about longing. It was written in 1997, even before the film was made.
- ‣ Animation Style: Stunning and realistic. Shinkai’s team drew detailed skies, trains, snow, and cityscapes to reflect the characters’ feelings. For example, vast empty spaces show loneliness, while cherry blossoms add beauty and sadness.
Themes
The film is deep but simple in its message: Life changes us, and not all loves last. Key ideas include:
- ‣ Distance and Time – Physical moves and years apart slowly break bonds, like cherry petals falling.
- ‣ Unrequited Love and Longing – Characters hold onto feelings that can’t be returned, showing the pain of “what if.”
- ‣ Growing Up and Moving On – It’s about accepting that people change and finding happiness in the present, not the past. Shinkai calls it a story of “reality,” where happy endings aren’t always possible.
- ‣ Loneliness – Quiet moments, like staring at trains or skies, highlight inner emptiness.
Fun Facts
- ‣ Cherry Blossom Speed – The title comes from how fast cherry blossom petals fall—5 centimeters per second. It’s a symbol of how Takaki and Akari slowly drift apart, like petals in the wind.
- ‣ Real-Life Inspiration – Director Makoto Shinkai used his own experiences of love and separation to create the story, making the emotions feel real and heartfelt.
- ‣ Famous Song – The ending song, “One More Time, One More Chance” by Masayoshi Yamazaki, was a 1997 hit. Its lyrics about missing someone fit the movie’s sad vibe perfectly.
- ‣ Real Japanese Places – The film’s settings, like Tokyo and Tanegashima, are real locations. The detailed animation of trains and snowy fields makes them look just like the actual places.
- ‣ Short but Emotional – The movie is only 63 minutes long, split into three parts, but it’s so touching that it often makes people cry.
