5 Centimeters Per Second – Shinkai Makoto – _Images

5 Centimeters per Second is an anime film created, directed and written by Makoto Shinkai under Studio CoMix Wave Inc and was released on March 3rd, 2007. A novel was also made by Makoto Shinkai and was published on November 19th, 2007 by Media Factory. A manga series adaptation was written by Makoto Shinkai, features artwork by Seike Yukiko and was published starting July 2010 and ended June 2011 in Afternoon magazine.

5 Centimeters per Second Plot

5 Centimeters per Second’s setting is in Japan ranging from the 90’s to 2007 and is split into several acts. Each act revolves around Toono Takaki and his relationship with Shinohara Akari. In the first act, Shinhara Akari is a new student in Toono Takaki’s elementary school where they become close due to having similar interests. After graduation, Akari moves to another city, Tochigi, because of her parent’s careers but the pair keep contact through letters. Eventually, the distance drifts them apart but when Takaki learns he is moving to Kagoshima, he makes it a point to try to visit Akari because they will be too far to see each other after the move and prepares a letter to tell Akari about his feelings. Unfortunately, Takaki loses the letter and because of an extreme snowstorm, the train kept being delayed. The two coincidently meet and share a kiss before separating the next day. The two promise to write to each other and it is later revealed that Akari also prepared a similar letter for Takaki.

In the next act, Takaki is a senior high student in his third year in Tanegashima. Takaki’s classmate, Sumida Kanae, has developed feelings for Takaki but cannot muster the courage to tell him. Regardless, she tries to stay with him when she can and walks home with him but Takaki remains oblivious of her feelings. Kanae noticed Takaki consistently writes emails and stares off somewhere distant. She later discovers that the emails are not being sent but comes to the conclusion that she will never become what Takaki is looking for.

In the final act, Takaki is now working as a computer programmer while Akari is engaged to a different man. Takaki is still obsessed with Akari to the point that it gets in the way of his day to day life. He eventually suffers from depression and leaves his job because of his feelings. Akari rummages through her old things and finds her old letter for Takaki. One day, Akari and Takaki pass each other coincidently at a train crossing where they had watched the cherry blossoms before Akari’s move to Tochigi. At opposite sides of the train tracks, they glance at each other before a train passes between them. When the train passes, Akari has disappeared but Takaki smiles and walks on.

5 Centimeters per Second Plot

[Toono Takaki] – Takaki is 5 Centimeters per Second’s main character and is forced to move several times because of his parent’s careers. Both he and a girl, Akari, become close through school but are forced apart when Akari moves away. Takaki and Akari continues to exchange letters before drifting apart.

[Shinohara Akari] – Akari is Takaki’s close friend and eventual love interest. Like Takaki’s parents, Akari’s parents move several times because of their careers. After moving away from Takaki, they exchange letters before drifting apart.

[Sumida Kanae] – Kanae is Takaki’s high school classmate and has developed feelings for Takaki. Even if Takaki is oblivious of her feelings, she continues to spend time with him until she realizes that she will never become what Takaki is looking for.

5 Centimeters Per Second Similar Series
1. Kotonoha no Niwa
2. Hoshi no Koe
3. Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo

source: Zerochan; written by Bootan

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