| | Alternate title : Byousoku 5 Centimeter
Studio : CoMix Wave, Inc.
Licenced by : ADV Films
Length : 3 Movies
Year : 2007
Genre : Drama - Romance - Slice of Life
Synopsis :
Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara are two classmates in an elementary school. During their time together they have become close friends. Their relationship is tested when Akari transfers to another school because of her parent's jobs. Both of them struggle to keep their friendship alive as time and distance have slowly began to pull them apart. Then one day Takaki finds out that he is moving to Kagoshima, he then decides to visit Akari one last time...
Note: Contains three short movies: Oukashou, Cosmonaut, and Byousoku 5 Centimeter.
Additional Notes: This anime ranked #12 in Anime-Source's Best of 2007 poll.
Added : 2006-07-11
Synopsis by : Bilyar
Last update : 2008-03-31
Last update details : Modify info
Score : 8.65
Number of reviews : 17
Link(s) :
Official #1 : Yahoo's Byousoku 5 Centimeter Website (Japanese)
A-Source #1 : Anime-Source.com Spotlight Preview by Strongbad87
Song(s) :
Ending #1 : Masayoshi Yamazaki - One More Time, One More Chance
Release(s) :
2007-08-11 -- Episode(s) 1 by Anime-RG. BT Link
2007-05-16 -- Episode(s) 1 by Anime-RG. BT Link
2007-03-28 -- Episode(s) 1 by KissSub. BT Link
Found 4 releases. Click here to [ Find them! ]
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Posted by : Veld 
Posted on : 2010-05-08  
In a nutshell: A boy and girl that are always at great distance from each other, but keep trying to see each other.
The good:
The animation was quite good. The colors and movements were very fluid and appealing.
The story was very enthralling even though it was short. I really got into the two characters' lives.
The bad:
The ending was about more than I could take and was probably the worst ending that I have ever seen. The story just ends with no resolution, more like an anti resolution.
---------------------------------------------------
Overall: This anime was a very good one until the very end when it felt like I got punched in the stomach and face at the same time. If this show had a good resolution, I would have given it a 9, but the resolution is easily in the top three of my top ten worst moments in anime. 7/ 10.
Posted by : jetjaws
Posted on : 2009-10-13 
This movie is, by far, the most touching movie I have ever seen. The storyline and relationship between Akari and Takaki engrossed me during the entire movie, and when it ended it just blew me away. I honestly did not know a movie could effect me in that way.
In addition to a great story, the movie sums up a caliber of animation which just totally astounded me. I absolutely loved all the character designs(except for Kanae's braids at the end). The scenery is all done in exquisite detail and nothing I have watched so far has even come close to that level. Everything I saw, from the snow to the cherry blossoms, was gorgeous, and I was really wowed by this.
Now, while I didn't enjoy the music they chose, I didn't hate it either, and could see how some people might like it. As for the voice acting, I really enjoyed the Japanese(I haven't seen the English dub yet) and could feel the emotions coming through the dialogue.
Basically, this is a deep, depressing, romantic movie that will completely absorb you and then break your heart. I recommend this to any anime fan out there and look forward to watching Shinkai's other works.
Posted by : phoenixofthewolf66
Posted on : 2009-08-06
The story is not a continuing movie like most. It is composed of three different parts each containing three different so-called chapters told at different intervals of the characters' lives. The story focuses in on the boy, Takaki, more so than Akari, which is nice so the audience is constantly guessing the involvement of the other character.
This is the best looking anime that I have ever seen. You WILL not find better visuals than in this movie. Everything is clean, beautiful, and breathtaking. The visuals kick studio Ghibli right in the pants, and makes Princess Mononoke seem like cartoon network art quality. Director Makoto Shinkai made it so looking at two shadows walking down a highway will make you gaze in awe. A good portion of the second chapter has such stunning visuals that will take your breath away more than five times.
The story is very Japanese, keeping the viewers in the dark most of the time, which is very nice for this particular kind of story it keeps us interested and engaged. The only qualm I have about it is the ending feels very rushed, and it is very Japanese (in which you can expect no closure and an ending that is left open to interpretation).
The English sub is a bit annoy for people like me who enjoy places and people's names to pronounced in the correct Japanese pronunciation. Johnny Yong Bosch (most well known for voicing "Kiba" in the anime "Wolf's Rain"), Hillary Haag, and Cristine Auten.
This is the kind of anime that is perfect for first timers and those just starting to get into anime. The entire theme of the movie is centered around "love" with no extremely complex story such as found in animes such as Akira or Ghost in the Shell. This is a must for anyone who collects anime or just likes to add one to the collection that just can't be ignored. I know I'll be on the lookout for it.
Posted by : du5k
Posted on : 2009-05-19
5cm/s is very similar to Hoshi no Koe aka Voices of a distant star, a rather unforgettable production. Well, 5cm/s isn’t a one-man’s experiment though, it’s a whole movie created by a studio… But in both productions, their animation and story style stands out and they both tell a sad story about the couple who can’t be together… which is why, like Hoshi no Koe, I can’t see this more than a piece of art.
5cm/s sells mainly on the story style and the animation/BGM quality, which I appreciates, but stories like 5cm/s doesn’t have a solid plot with twists and climaxes and that for me, isn’t enough for me to enjoy, especially when they’re using a sad ending. Well, I admit my dislike of sad endings is partly the reason though.
So like Hoshi no Koe, I didn’t enjoy this but it’s a great reference for excellent storytelling techniques and animation styles.
Plot/Concept: 7
Story Style: 9
Production Quality: 10
Value: 6
Posted by : ZenbaaS
Posted on : 2009-02-21
After all the enthusiastic reviews I thought I would give this anime a try. The graphics in the anime are stunning and definitely quite a bit of eye candy for anyone concerned.
The story starts out quite promising with the childhood relationship displayed in a very sweet but somewhat sad way. From here on in the anime seems to lose any direction it ever seemed to have in the first place. It seems to be a bunch of events that are thrown together without much explanation or any coercion whatsoever. The ending pretty much "jumps" you as it sort of build up and then....nothing.
I would give the anime a slightly higher rating based on the visuals and music but the utter lack of substance to the plot just completely killed it for me! Not something I would recommend unless you enjoy filling in (or making up) about 70% of the story for yourself.
Posted by : denaclias
Posted on : 2008-12-12
Sigh where to begin... 5 Centimeters per Second reminded me of my youth. Those days passed when we had the highest hopes from my future, that I could do anything, and that love is an unbreakable bond.
I finish the movie, go sit down with a coffee and all I can think about is how I went wrong with my first love... I curse thee Makoto Shinkai!!!(not really:P)
Plot:
Love story in the best sense, but more mature then any anime I have seen. Not the ending I was expecting, but kudos for Shinkai for ending like this. Nicely paced and kept me glued right till the end. The world is moving constantly and we cant stop, but keep on living.
Characters:
Excellent job on the characters by the design team, and how they react to situations. Maturity shown by characters reflects how much Shinkai has gained in terms of experience on how the characters deal with love lost and moving on with their lives.
Sound:
One word. Perfection. Maybe I'm biased towards the music cause I loved the soundtracks for Shinkai's other movies but the OP and ED fit perfectly with the movie.
Animation:
Gorgeous colors that makes for a feast for the eyes and the attention to the little details really brings out the realism in the animation. Mixed about the characters but that can be forgiven when looking at the rest of the animation.
Final Thoughts:
Best Shinkai work by far, a refreshing break from the myriad of sci fi animes. A gem for all who have a love for anime and love stories. Maybe the next miyazaki, maybe not, but Im optimistic about the future for Shinkai and now...to go find a copy of this on ebay since ADV discontinued it ><
Posted by : Yuun
Posted on : 2008-07-07
When this series come out and become so famous, it failed to catch my attention due to my ignorance. A year later, just 2 months after I break up with my first love I pick this series up from the shelves in my frequent anime shop.
Oh boy, you have no idea how much tears I shed after I finished this series when I just merely sob a little and recover within 2 days after my break up.
This series is slow pace and heavily based on the conversation and self-expression of characters to move the story. No doubt, the graphic design like the background setting is superb beyond words can explain. The best animation quality I have seen in my years of watching anime and when I thought KEYS animation has it all, Makoto Shinkai show me that he can do better! I was so mesmerized to the beautiful scenery so much causing me unable to notice the fact that my neighbour having such a huge fight that tables and chairs are flying.
More often the series is carried by philosophy and abstract conversations making it more meaningful as you give it more thoughts of your own.
Byousoku 5 centimeters is divided into 3 story starting from Oukashou which portray both the hero and heroine in their sweet young days, while Cosmonaut the 2nd story carries on by the older hero into a new setting with a new girl, and the finale 3rd story brings in together everything when all the 3 characters already an adult and when I finally manage to piece everything together I was shocked to witness such dramatic relationship filled with ever-flowing love for each another yet it can’t be fulfilled.
The slow pacing anime allows me to slowly resolve into the bittersweet story as well as the magnificent graphics. Though I really hope Tono (hero) would be more engaging in getting what he wants rather than giving up to distances in a relationship and being so passive. Well everyone moves on and this is few of the conclusions in reality that more than often anime don’t really touch about.
The ending song was very meaningful and blended perfectly with the ending and lights up the entire atmosphere with overwhelming of mixed feelings. This movie is Best short anime I ever watch, even better than some certain long series out there. It worth your every single cent to get the DVDs especially when the English Dub for the DVD I bought weren’t bad at all either. A very touching yet engrossing romance anime, a must watch series by all~!
Posted by : GreyCloak
Posted on : 2008-05-21
5 Centimeters per second reminded me of my first love. Those youthful days of unspoken promises and youthful optimism that life will always work for us and nothing can bar the promise of romance.
Seconds after I finished the movie I was suddenly filled with the urge to shout, scream profanities, bang my head on something hard and unthinkably.. swear off watching romance animes ( thank God I recovered my sanity!! ) These extreme emotions and urges swirled on my mind.. I can’t break the sad feeling the anime spelled upon me.
I recommend it to those who love romance animes that in the last roll of credits at the last episode bequeaths the watcher with that bile-tasting stuff in the mouth, moments of insanity due to the ending, and a heart of full of recriminations of the stupidity of the main characters and a heart full of sadness.. sorrow.. and pity. I love this anime!!
Plot:
Very good. It follows the story of two childhood friends (seems that everything starts at childhood.. I wonder why I didn’t immerse myself with pretty girls when I was young) anyway, this tells their wonderful story of romance.. and the trials of a long-distance relationship and their growth and maturity in the field of romance (but for me it wasn’t their relationship wasn’t that mature and yes! They weren’t showing maturity with their decision concerning their relationship! It gave me fits! But I do forgive them!)
Animation:
I’m stunned with the gorgeous stark background of winter, the flowing lines of summer and the rich animation of everything (I love trains! I love winter!)
Characters:
The characters were very profound in every sense. I like the character propping and build-up. The main characters during their young age were imbued with the sense of "nothing can go wrong and if something does go wrong we can conquer it!" That empathy of Sumida towards Takaki and her feelings left unvoiced. That chivalric attitude of Takaki towards everyone.. yes! He can be described as someone so nice that I wanted something to corrupt him. And of course, the purity of his love towards Akari. Akari can be described as steadfast and nice.
These are my thoughts on the characters.
Music:
Superb. Background music is exquisite.
Conclusion:
5 Centimeters per Second is worth your time. Anyway, the richness of the emotions and feeling swirling around the main characters takes your breath away and their story is a lesson itself.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
( Its not that I want others to watch to experience that really really gloomy aura I've experienced after watching it.. HONEST! I'm not that unkind.. *grins*)
Posted by : Molenir
Posted on : 2008-05-14
5 Centimeters per second, is a series of 3 short stories, that are touching, and yet bittersweet. Stories of the relationship between 3 people. The distance between them, that despite what they wish, or desire, never seems to grow any less.
The music, and the animation were outstanding. Thats about all you can say. I was simply astounded by how detailed, and how colorful everything was. This show is worth watching if only for that reason. However the music likewise was terrific. Helping with the feeling of the show.
The stories, particularly the first one, were also very well done. I didn't care for how the second and third story concluded though. Rather I was disappointed. Maybe its because I'm such a sucker for a romance, that I would have liked there to have been more. Because of that, I simply can't rate this as high as I otherwise would have.
I do recommend this show though. While certainly not as memorable as other shows, its a good one to watch. And at only an hours length, not too much of an investment in time.
Posted by : solidsnakex
Posted on : 2007-11-30
Great piece of work by Makoto Shinkai. Though I wasn't really impressed with his previous work Hoshi no Koe....this one really touches me...somehow I feel everyone should watch this anime once at least.
Plot:
The story is very simple yet deep in some sense. It's basically about a couple who cant be together due to fate and other circumstances, and how it affects their lives as life goes on without being able to see and communicate with each other. The story proceeds quite slowly at first. Very touching at the last episode near the end. And it is more realistic than Hoshi no Koe though they both portrays the same theme...(long distance love). You must watch all 3 episodes to feel the mood as the stories are inter-linked.
Animation:
Well the animation is quite well done, especially the nice and realistic background scenes. The characters have their own unique designs too.
Music:
The part that touches me so much(almost cried), is the music accompanying the flashback of the past of Akari and Takaki. That alone made the whole impact on me. (Don't listen to the music by itself, watch it with the flashback to feel it)
Overall:
Recommended for all including those who loves action anime, try watching this. You're missing out if you only stick to harem, action, fantasy, sci-fic types of animes. Remember to watch 3 episodes at a go...treat it like a short movie.
Posted by : fresh_no_concept
Posted on : 2007-11-21
Okay, so I decided to write a review for this anime after watching it a second time in a more objective manner. The first time would have certainly brought the fanboy in me out and that ever so wonderous 5 star rating might have prematurely showed up. Surely, there would have been a flaw or two in this here Makoto Shinkai work that I could find if I start concentrating and looking for it. Something is bound to show up that will irk me in some way, shape or form that shall prevent the movie from becoming a permanent resident on my hard drive (and eventually, my DVD shelf). On the second time around (as well as the third and fourth), I'm still trying to find the flaws. No way a movie can be this good and not have something wrong with it...
Best place to look for flaws are in the story and characters. The story isn't exactly original (then again, nothing really is nowadays). In fact, Shinkai's two previous works more or less use the same theme that Byousoku 5 Centimeters presents. Where this succeeds, however, is in its contained atmosphere. The story is isolated to primarily two people (three, if you count Kanae) and grounded in reality. The latter concept alone helps get the theme across much better than Voices or Beyond the Clouds ever did. By the end of it all, I had to take a few moments to let it all sink in again before reflecting on my own experiences in love and relationships. Very few animes leave me in a pensive mood and I'm always glad when that rare occasion presents itself. Byousoku 5 Centimeters is one such occasion.
I guess you can say the story was very much helped along by the amazingly beautiful animation and music. I can never really find flaws in the technical sides of Makoto Shinkai movies (aside from the earlier character designs he had). Regarding this movie, I'd rather search for a needle in a haystack. The character design and animation, on occasion, had a Miyazaki flavor to them. Oh, and I'll never get tired of all the sweeping backdrops and background stills that permeate all MS movies. The shot with the bird flying through the clouds for a good thirty seconds is a prime example (and what a fine thirty seconds that was). Music is your usual soft piano themes with some classical assistance here and there. Simplicity works well throughout most of the movie and the climax is properly paired with an incredible song at the end.
So, even with repeated viewings, I have not found anything truly wrong with this movie. I guess I can try nitpicking here and there but it wouldn't make much of a difference to me. Byousoku 5 Centimeters is wonderful. I enjoyed every aspect of it. I wait impatiently for ADV to release this thing in December. I'll get the LE version if they have one. And why not? It's the reason I began watching anime again. Kudos to 5 cm/s and kudos to those who watch it.
Posted by : SleepyLafiel
Posted on : 2007-09-08
Makoto Shinkai. I would say that my previous relationship with the man and his works have been one of unimpressed ambiguity. But as much as I remained unimpressed with his previous works, I still could not bring myself to give them too low of a grade, solely based on the quality of its construction and animation; let's face it, as unoriginal as the "LDR" type stories are, his animation style is gorgeous to look at, and its easy to see that he's trying to make the characters connect to the viewer, even if they were tremendous failures.
That changed dramatically with this short movie. I had not even heard of it until today, so the hype that I usually associate with Shinkai works was not there, and neither was the unreachable levels of expectation that accompanies any form of hype. And after viewing it, I can finally join the legion of fans that have praised Shinkai's creations, although I would argue that this is by far his most realistic and mature look at love lost, and the reality of growing up.
What makes this stand out from Hoshi no Koe and Beyond the Clouds? While those were stories that are truly unconnectable due to its Sci-Fi/fantasy plots, this one was grounded in reality. It's a very typical story, and in reality, does nothing to change the typical LDR plot. But like many other reviewers said, it is the emotion that defines this series, and unlike the unfocused emotions in his previous works, he seemed to have finally understood how to connect to the audience this time around.
Plot: 8/10. Nothing earth shaking or original, it's a typical love lost/definition of loneliness type of story. The ending is much more mature than I expected, especially from an anime production, and it's very brave of Shinkai to end on such a forlorn note. Forlorn, but not overly depressing, as the lesson of letting go is very well expressed in the ending to an otherwise run of the mill pacing. It does do a pretty nice job of expressing the truth that although we forget sometimes who changes us, we can never dispute the fact that we are changed inside.
Characters: 9/10. Very well done, and well expressed by the animation team. It's situations that many have gone through, and it is very easy to relate to the characters. What struck me the most was the realism to the situations displayed, that not all of life's adventures conclude with happy results. While Shinkai's previous works also display unidealistic ends, the characters in this, and how they respond to love lost, is much more optimistic, and it shows the maturity Shinkai has gained through the years.
Animation: 9.5/10. Not flashy as usual, it still carries with it a gorgeous use of color palettes that makes for a stunning view. The use of focus is also striking, and is something rarely seen in anime. It gives the production a rare level of realism, and when combined with the details to everything large and small, makes the show a joy for the eyes. Character details are unimpressive, however, but the backgrounds and setting are the main things here.
Sound: 8.5/10. The whispering of the main male character disturbed me slightly. It almost seems as if he's afraid to speak, and it's annoying. The rest though is well done, although unspectacular. It never draws attention away from the motions and storyline, so no harm done. The music carries with it a nice amount of subtlety, with the exception of the ED, and fits in quite nicely to the happenings.
Summary: I would argue that this is by far the most evocative of the three Shinkai works (not counting his assistance in porn games). It shows a director who's grown from a mid-20's neophyte storyteller to something a little more mature, but not quite to the levels of Miyazaki. But unlike the feelings I had after seeing his previous two works, I, like the main character of this piece, am optimistic about the future, and will look forward to Shinkai's future productions.
Posted by : Himitsu
Posted on : 2007-09-07
Though it didn't leave a lingering impression like Makoto Shinkai's other works (The Promised Place, Hoshi no Koe), Byousoku 5cm is by far the most beautiful work, ever. Good luck to any other producer, it will be hard to live up to Makoto Shinkai's work. The colours, the tone, the animation was unbelievably superb. You will definitely be at awe of the superior visuals, literally each frame was a masterpiece.
I love how Makoto Shinkai puts so much emotion into each setting and character, without even inputting sound, voice, or even music. The beauty in the colours, the smooth movements on screen say so much, it's like poetry.
The three short stories all pertain to relationship at a distance, all three were great works, but I favoured the first one because I felt that it sprang out a variety of strong emotions. It wasn't only just the one feeling of yearning for the other, there were moments of utter joy. To put it simply, it was very cute.
Byousoku 5cm would still be a masterpiece without even taking note of the music, but the score itself is masterful. The tinkering notes blend in amorously to each event.
Makoto Shinkai's works are so strong in emotional expression, he always sends out powerful messages without a complex storyline. Though Byousoku 5cm itself might leave you unsatisfied and lethargic, this is no doubt something you'll have to watch, he directs titles in a style you will not see anywhere else. Also, as I can't emphasize enough, Byousoku 5cm has THE BEST VISUALS THAT I'VE EVER SEEN.
Posted by : nickofsatan
Posted on : 2007-09-01
Since watching the first portion of this film, I have become an avid fan of Makoto Shinkai's Byousoku 5 cm. When the entire film was released, I quickly jumped upon the opportunity to watch it. I was eager to review it, but to let the ideas sink in a bit more, I decided to take a small step back for some breathing room.
I was really glad that Shinkai decided to go back to shorter pieces rather than long movies. His zen like level of animation and colorfully painful music arrangements blend together much better when used in stories of brevity and simplicity. Virtually beyond description, the only limitation of his animation is how effectively it blends with the storyline. In his longer movie, I felt that much of the nice animation went to waste as it was convoluted by sci-fi nonsense and vague actions. To my definite approval, Shinkai has stripped Byousoku of any false techno overcoat, allowing him to do what he does best: heartwrenching romance.
The story presented has definitely had a controversial reception, with people either getting it or not getting it. I think that the majority of people who watched the first installment and then waited for the next two have been mislead to think byousoku is a cute little love story. Yes, the animation, music, and characters can all be seen as cute and lovable. But in Byousoku, Shinkai clearly values purpose over plot. He carries no intention of building an intricate plot, but rather, on expressing deep emotions and equally incredible points of view.
And here is the point in which the problem arises. I have docked stars from numerous anime works for badly presenting a theme or purpose, but in this case, the problem lies in the purpose itself. Even though the setting, artwork, characters, and music establish and convey a complex enigma of emotions, Shinkai's meaning is still unclear. I think it falls somewhere along the lines that love will tie people together no matter what the conditions are. But if that were the case, there were countless opportunities to add more hints and establish a solid point of view. Byousoku did not chose one easily dormant and unique theme, and instead lingered in between. I kept having to rewatch sections to look for themes, and each time, the story felt just a little bit more pointless. Put short, Byousoku tactfully used animation, music, and characters to convey an idea, but the idea itself was relatively convoluted.
Oh, this really bums me out, having to give only an eight of ten. The anime was spectacular to watch, i highly recommend it, but it leaves one with the feeling "Oh, it was great, but if they had changed just the tiniest things, it would have easily been one of the best. EVER."
Posted by : gpooj
Posted on : 2007-08-13
5 Centimeters Per Second - The Rate at Which Cherry Blossoms Fall
Story:
9.5/10 - This is the story of life and the passage of time. Akari and Takaki transferred to the same school during the final year of elementary school. They became very close friends and struggled to get into the same middle school. As fate would have it Akari's family moved away and she could no longer be with Takaki. They both had feelings for each other in addition to being best friends. Their separation and Takaki's dealings with it are the underlying themes of the story.
It would have been a perfect 10 for story but the ending seemed a bit lacking. Takaki seems to be at a crossroads in life and almost nothing is revealed about what he intends on doing. If it were ended a bit sooner or later I'd say it would be a perfect.
Music:
9.5/10 - The music was astounding. Originally I was going to give it an 8 because I though it was fairly unimportant though appropriate, but then I realized how touching it really was. The ending piece sums up the feeling at the end of this short series.
Style:
9.5/10 -Excellent art. Excellent character design. Everything is so realistic it seems like episode 1 and 2 could be memories of your own. Episode 2 has some powerful imagery that was rather majestically depicted. Episode 3 was done in the same realistic fashion but gave the feeling that it was no longer a memory. A great deal of work was put into the style and I have to say it was one of the best I have ever seen.
Lasting Appeal:
9.5/10 - I can't forget this series. It was too good. Everything that happens in this series are seemingly common events. Most people can recall having a best friend who moved away. Almost every situation that occurs in this anime could have also occurred in one way or another to almost everyone. Because of this it is deeply touching. Takaki's final remarks in episode 3 are grippingly realistic when you think about them, that coupled with the ending theme make the story unforgettable.
Pros - Very real, very powerful, and they use metaphors that aren't impossible to understand.
Cons - The ending for Takaki is inconclusive. Maybe the viewer is supposed to decide for themselves what happens, and what he does, because Takaki could be anyone, even you.
My opinion
9.5/10 - Shockingly enough this is the highest ranking I have ever awarded to an anime besides Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal. The only thing keeping me from recommending it to everyone is the fact that I'm a guy and I'm not sure if it's generally accepted of me to appreciate such a deeply touching anime. I'm known as a tough reviewer so take my word for it, this is an anime not to miss. I've rounded its score up to 10 for the star ranking.
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