I just ordered my copy of Byousoku 5 senchimetoru and I’m so super excited!
5 Centimeters per second is a movie comprised of 3 short stories. I think I’ll just borrow The Triad’s synopsis:
After having graduated from elementary school, Tohno Takaki and Shinohara Akari became separated. Time has passed, but the same cannot be said for the special feelings they’ve kept to themselves. One day during a blizzard, Takaki finally goes to see Akari…
This is an animated chain of short stories about their distance. The first episode, “The Chosen Cherry Blossoms,” is about the reunion of Takaki and Akari. The second episode, “Cosmonaut,” is taken from another person’s view who watches Takaki after the reunion. Finally, the last episode, “5 Centimeters Per Second,” is about the wandering souls of the two.
According to the director (Makoto Shinkai of Hoshi no Koe / Voices of a Distant Star fame), the title 5 Centimeters Per Second relates to the speed at which sakura pedals fall. The pedals represent the slowness of life and how people often start together but slowly drift into their separate ways. If Hoshi no Koe is any indication, I’m in for a great movie.
I first heard of it back in March of 2007, when dattebayo subbed the first story, Okasho, instead of Naruto Shitppuuden episode 5. Well it was already tagged a YHBT (You Have Been Trolled) so I knew it wasn’t Naruto… but I usually end up loving these YHBT releases.
Anyways, a year later, 5 Centimeters Per Second is now released in North America and on its way to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee =)
p.s. The Anime New Network’s description of Hoshi no Koe flat out sucks (however, the user ratings probably reflect the Hoshi no Koe quite well… 40% gave it “Excellent” or “Masterpiece”) Wiki for a better description.
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Of the three main works, I liked 5cm the best. It’s the same formula more or less with this movie than the other two, but 5cm definitely clicked with me, while Beyond the Clouds and Hoshi no Koe didn’t do it for me.