o-tak-u

5 Centimeters Per Second 

Director: Makoto Shinkai

Movie

Vintage: 2007-01-22

Running time: 62min

Production Group:  CoMix Wave Inc.

Summery:  A story about two people, Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari. They both were transfer students to the same middle school, they got made fun of because of their poor health and they always stayed together which created a mutual interest in each other. They become seperate due to family situations and they both kept in touch with mail. As time goes by Takaki and Akari start to forget about each other, but Takaki then starts to remeber all the times they shared together. Takaki then tries to search for her and hopes to seeing her again. But life does not go as you wish. 

 5 Centimeters Per Second is composed of three short movies : ‘The Chosen Cherry Blossoms’ (Oukashou / 桜花抄), ‘Cosmonaut’ (コスモナウト) and ‘5 Centimeters per Second’ (Byousoku 5 Centimeter / 秒速5センチメートル). Each short story consist of Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari as they progress through their lives; when they are still childrens, then teenagers, then to adult.

 Makoto Shinkai, the Director and Producer of this Amazing animation produced other movies and short films such as Voices of a Distant Star, She and Her Cat, and The Place Promised in our Early Days. Shinkai has been recognized as to be  “the next Miyazaki”. Althought that has a great sound to it, but while this newest project confirms the remarkable talent he displayed in his previous efforts, he has yet to show any range or variety.  All the films he has created all had to do with isolation and the longing for love, the desire to make and maintain the connections. Shinkai really does a great job when he directs movies and produces them, the styles, sound, looks may be similiar with other anime films, but Shinkai is different, he makes sure that the everything is right in spot, the timings, combination of the artworks and lines. Shinkai’s previous works, all had splendid story and they all tended to be short stories, so when making 5 Centimeters Per Second, he went applied that short story telling feel to it, but breaking up the 62 min film into a 3 part short stories. Which really worked well, due to the fact that, with the break up in between the film can tell the viewers that time has passed and is more into the future of the characters.

 Like all other Makoto Shinkai films, the one thing that really stands out is the visuals. Of all the anime films  I’ve seen, nothing can match or compare to his visualworks (other than Miyazaki). Makoto Shinkai’s visual works are nearly photorealistic recreations of actual real-world settings, he displays great use of the lighting effects that enhances the mood and setting of the story. The great detailed work that sucks in the viewer as they are awed with his splendid visual pieces. His use of the vivid colors although some what glossy and dazzling to the eyes, these improvements have really affected this movie in great ways. Compared to his previous works, the animations has improved dashingly, the moving clouds, the vehicles, the snow and grass, everything basically in the movie that moves has such emotions really poured into them.

 The music artist for this animation is Tenmon, who did an excellant job in setting the mood with the song “one more time, One more chance”. The great use of Piano mixed with various other instruments bringing the animation to life. For those who are very emotional may need a box of tissue, because the story and music of this movie is top notch, and can really move the heart.

 5 Centimeters Per Second is definetly a master piece quality anime movie, so if you have not watched it before, then make sure you go watch it. Be blown away by his amazing visual display and have an experience of a life time.

 ““““““““““““““““““““

Ratings:

Story: A

Animation:A-

Art: A+

Music:A

““““““““““““““““““““`

Youtube video of the OP/ED will be posted, so please go and watch them if you are interested.

Thanks again for reading and if there are any suggestion/comments/questions, please feel free to ask.

Jya~ne see ya later

 ~O-tak-U