5 Centimeters per Second

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5 Centimeters per Second

2007

1h 3m

Drama

Romance

Animation

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4 Reviews

87%

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1,000+ Ratings

Young love, missed connections, and unrequited feelings collide in a romance from Makoto Shinkai, the visionary director of Weathering With You and Your Name. Told in three vignettes, 5 Centimeters per Second: A Chin of Short Stories About Their Distance, explores the joys and heartache of falling in love set against the backdrop of the breathtaking visuals that define Shinkai's work. Takaki yearns to spill his heart out for childhood crush Akari, but their families move away before any feelings can fully blossom. They stay in touch, but eventually drift apart with school and new friends to distract them. As the seasons pass, Takaki navigates his relationships while haunted by all the things he left unsaid with Akari, his first love.

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Ronnie Scheib

Variety

[An] exquisite, light-drenched tone poem.

Mar 7, 2008

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Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

As poet of heartbreak, Shinkai could be accused of treacly mush (the voice-overs are a bit florid, and the saccharine piano score doesn't help), but he's got a delicate touch with sentiment that will have receptive viewers reaching for a Kleenex.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 5, 2007

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

This is a tearjerker coming-of-age anime about unrequited love and missed connections. 5 Centimeters Per Second is filled with beautiful images and insightful observations about how people who are once very close can slowly drift apart.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 12, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

So-so.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 12, 2022

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Jerilds G

It's really mid. It's not deep, or sad. I watched it and felt unfilled. Not because I was sad or disappointed, but because I felt like I wasted my time. It's mid, and it's really not worth a watch.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Leprechaun K

Really enjoyed this. Love the contrast between the busy life in a world city and the peacefulness of the country side. Probably my favorite Shinkai movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

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Audience Member

I have never been more bored in my life, this was the most painful hour of my life... save yourself the trouble, of following this and watching these terribly drawn faces - unless you want to have a laugh !

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

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Jay W

I went back to watch "5 Centimeters Per Second" after being so impressed with Makoto Shinkai's other projects. It is nice to see an artist find his footing. "5 Centimeters Per Second" follows, what else, star crossed lovers - Shinkai's usual wheelhouse. The movie is broken up into 3 distinct sections, all following a Japanese boy named Takaki Tohno through different times in his life. The first is when he is a 12-year-old experiencing his first love. The second follows him in High School years later as others pine for his affection. And the final story is when Takaki is an adult. The animation is beautiful, some of the best you're ever going to see. Makoto Shinkai has a distinct style of detailed photo realistic 2D animation that is like no other. The story borrows a lot of typical romantic tropes but presents it all in a new way. The characters are nothing special, but I really like the unique themes of the movie. Some moments, particularly towards the end, the movie gets a little pretentious. The movie is likely not going to be understood by younger viewers. There are moments where the movie feels like it is style over substance, but with style this good, who needs any substance?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

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Faiz D

One of the best animated movies that I have ever seen. Poetic and breathtakingly beautiful over-all makes this film a must-watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

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Shamun Ahrar S

Not bad. To be honest, the movie script seems a little bit loose to me. Which I don't expect in Sir Makoto Shinkai's movie. But, rest of the movie is fantastic. The graphics, characters, casting is always great. It's not so close to any other movies of Sir Makoto. Like Suzume, Your name or Weathering with you etc. But, This movie is good for passing your time. So, enjoy it.👍🏼

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

Full Review

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Makoto Shinkai

Director

David Matranga

Takaki

Hilary Haag

Akari

Serena Varghese

Kanae

Makoto Shinkai

Writer

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Synopsis

Young love, missed connections, and unrequited feelings collide in a romance from Makoto Shinkai, the visionary director of Weathering With You and Your Name. Told in three vignettes, 5 Centimeters per Second: A Chin of Short Stories About Their Distance, explores the joys and heartache of falling in love set against the backdrop of the breathtaking visuals that define Shinkai's work. Takaki yearns to spill his heart out for childhood crush Akari, but their families move away before any feelings can fully blossom. They stay in touch, but eventually drift apart with school and new friends to distract them. As the seasons pass, Takaki navigates his relationships while haunted by all the things he left unsaid with Akari, his first love.

Director: Makoto Shinkai
Screenwriter: Makoto Shinkai
Production Co: CoMix Wave
Genre: Drama, Romance, Animation
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 16, 2020
Runtime: 1h 3m

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