Some days ago, I got my mom to watch 5 Centimeters Per Second with me. It’s a movie that is up there in the ranks of my “Anime I can recommend to my parents” list. While she was asleep for half the movie since it was late in the night, the half that she did see she liked. She expressed that she wants to see the movie again, at an earlier time.

This boosted my anime recommending ego, and so I’m here writing a review for it. Enjoy.

Visuals

Starting with the visuals, I think 5 Centimeters Per Second is just gorgeous. The cinematography is topnotch. The animation is amazing. The art style has this watercolor-y look to it that I really like. The set pieces are breathtaking. The whole movie is a feast for the eyes.

Anyone who appreciates good art will enjoy the movie just for the visuals alone.

Story

The story is made up of three episodes all central to the Takaki and Akari and their relationship through the years. I think it’s a very down to Earth and relatable story about love and learning to let go.

Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara became best friends in elementary because of their similar situations and interests. But they both had to move away from each other after graduation, losing their chance to go to middle school with each other. Takaki rode a train to meet Akari again before they move too far apart, and their love blossomed.

Unfortunately, time and distance were not on their side. They drifted apart. Takaki did not cope with the fact, as evidenced by his ignorance of Kanae Sumida’s feelings for him in senior high, and his failures in work and relationships as he grew older.

Meanwhile, Akari has moved on and is happily married. She found a letter she wrote addressed to Takaki from the past, reminding her of him. They both wish they could see the cherry blossoms together again.

5 Centimeters Per Second is no stranger to emotions. There is no melodrama, just nuanced human emotions. The longing for the one you love. The heart-brokenness when the one you love isn’t looking at you. The debilitating sadness when you can’t just move on. It’s all very well done and well expressed in the movie, making the characters feel very human.

Ending Song

Of course, there has to be a separate thing for the One More Time, One More Chance. It’s an important part of the movie.  Some even think it’s the best part of the movie.

It acts as a recap of sort, retelling the story in a montage accompanied with Masayoshi Yamazaki’s soulful singing. It leads to Takaki and Akari’s fateful meeting from opposite sides of the train tracks as the cherry blossoms fall, and Takaki’s decision to finally move on. It’s really a beautiful sequence.

To be honest with you, I didn’t like the song at first. But after my rewatch, I appreciated it more. The lyrics have a lot of meaning and really fit with what the characters are feeling.

Conclusion

Grab your family and get them to watch 5 Centimeters per Second. Maybe then they won’t think too badly of you for watching anime all the time.

In all seriousness though, I consider it a must see for anime fans or even movies in general. It’s got eye candy in every shot, a wholesome, bittersweet story, and a dose of the Feels™.  Anyone will find something to enjoy in this spectacle of a movie.