Comments on: 5 Centimeters Per Second Re-Watch: A Bittersweet Analysis of a Bittersweet Tale

By: KENNTH

KENNTH — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:23:30 +0000

What it showed me was that even love can’t withstand time.

By: ETERNAL

ETERNAL — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 02:31:08 +0000

The sakura tree actually mean that even when 2 petals originated from the same branch, the might end up falling in different places. Byousoku 5 Cm itself mean the speed of a person’s changing by passing of time.

Thanks for raising that point, it’s been bugging me for ages. Now I no longer have to make up a vague excuse when people unfamiliar with the movie ask me why it has such a strange title.

By: raizo

raizo — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:02:37 +0000

@james allen: Tohno actually didn’t overcome that pain easily. I believe he already tried to forget Akari since Cosmonaut chapter, notice he want to send message to Akari but he can’t, and on chapter 3(he’s about 30yrs old) he tried to create a relationship with another girl. In the end he still can’t forget Akari and when he’s realize there is no one behind the passing train, he finally able to notice that no matter how long he wait, Akari won’t appear(the lyrics of the song suit the plot perfectly here). I know some people expect a happy ending, if u watch the commentary from Makoto-san, he said that the movie originally end up with a happy ending, but life is not like that, there is no definite ending in life (if i found the link to his interview i’ll add them later).

The sakura tree actually mean that even when 2 petals originated from the same branch, the might end up falling in different places. Byousoku 5 Cm itself mean the speed of a person’s changing by passing of time.

*some of these review are not mine, they’re basically collection of review from many blogs
lastly i know my english is not very good, forgive me if i made lots mistakes

By: balance

balance — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:22:04 +0000

I remember watching this and when it ended I had to double check on the time left on the movie. I was like "That is the ending you got to be kidding me!" I thought to myself after what he has went through and all the good girls he has rejected.. He ends up without Akari. The part where Akari was departing from the train station I thought she was metting up with Takaki but I was wrong. As few of you said it made most us feel that they were meant to be together... Overall about ending, there are pros about a bad ending... I usually remember bad ending more than good ones, but I will get over it but thinking about it still depresses me but that is life sigh... The romance part in the beginning was really nice, she waited for him ^^. Why didn't Takaki write to Akari? - I seem to forgotten the reason... @Eternal keep up the good work, PS I don't like the bright white BG it hurts my eyes =_= balances last blog post..First Figures, Haruhi Suzumiya goodies!

By: ETERNAL

ETERNAL — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:38:53 +0000

@ kerokero: Well, I read it in terms of his happiness; he might have been going out with someone else, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he had completely gotten over Akari. On the other hand, though, that could just have been me romanticizing the whole scenario. As for the ending, they were both remembering their relationship at school, and I'm guessing that the letter was Akari's main physical proof of their history together. It was presumably a tool to symbolize their relationship. I don't think that the letter would have made any literal difference in the outcome of the story, but it's a nice image nonetheless and it adds to the heartbreak of the conclusion. It's sad, of course, but I suppose that's life.

By: kerokero

kerokero — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:37:17 +0000

Nice written analysis ^^ In the third episode, both Takaki and Akari have found their own loved ones.However Takaki broke up with her girlfriend he has been dating for three years, so doesn't this mean Takaki also moved on his life after going out with that girl? I wonder maybe if Takaki didn't lose the letter, or if Akari remembered to give the letter to Takaki what would've happened? Maybe the ending would be different, but at the ending song Akari took the letter out again, that part i did not understand what the producer is trying to emphasize. I still can't understand why Takaki wasn't able to go on with life, and Akari did.... kerokeros last blog post..Shugo Chara! - Episode 70

By: ETERNAL

ETERNAL — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:26:57 +0000

@ james allen: To be honest, I was a little bothered by that as well. It almost sounds too optimistic for us to believe that he was able to overcome his pain that easily, even though it's what I want to believe. As you said, the closeness of the two characters is heavily emphasized in the film, which is a huge part of why I initially read Takaki's emptiness as a result of his breakup rather than his unsuccessful adulthood. The couple is close to the point that we believe that they were "meant" for each other, and the movie concludes by effectively dispelling that wish. I'm not sure why Shinkai would have chosen to make Takaki smile at the end, but I suppose he wanted to give the film a more positive message. I'm assuming that he wants us to believe that love can't hold people back forever, but in many ways, that indeed does contradict the rest of the story. However, even though it might have felt "out of character" for the viewer, it might have been realistic for the characters, considering how much time passed in between. Either way, I don't believe that he intended the ending to be tragic more than it was bittersweet, so I was able to come to terms with the conclusion. But maybe that's just wishful thinking. Maybe, given the circumstances, Takaki should have never smiled at all. I'm not sure, and I don't think I want to find out.

By: james allen

james allen — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:29:20 +0000

Although overall i thought i liked the film, i have to say the ending really, truly annoyed me (so much so that I'm writing about it now). I agree with your comments but its the smile, at the end that drives me crazy as i can only reasonably take it to mean two things (the latter being most likely). 'For a brief moment they acknowledge each other, they had both walked together through the cherry blossom one last time.' 1. Takaki smiled because he was remembering fond memories. Well in this case Takaki's no better off now than he ever was, he is still obsessing over her, not wanting to let anyone else close. Nothing is resolved, and he remains in an never ending limbo of obsession, depression and hopelessness. 2. Takaki smiled because he has finally learnt to move on with his life as she has. Her turning to look back, but then being able to walk away, is a metaphor for this. He in contrast remains, then he looks sad, then he follows her example, and takes a step away, a smile breaking across his face as if finally able to leave the past behind... Well if that's what was being said, as i believe is as implied, then it is quite simply, absurd. From what we are led to believe Takaki has only wanted to be with Akari and nobody else since the films start. Yet in that split second he has resolved to forget all this, appreciate what they had, and move on. I just dont buy it, it just seems completely out of character. Due to the films heavy focus on the closeness and deep affection of their relationship, the fact that it ends without either character having even enough reason, to want to see the other again, i feel, cheapens what went before. In the context of the story, you want them to be together, you want them to overcome the obstacles. And while the fact that they didn't, is very human (certainly expected for a couple their age) I don't think it makes for a great film. james allens last blog post..I've got mine thanks...

By: tflops

tflops — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:27:22 +0000

All the marks on what I think is exactly you have said, moreover I'll watch (the) Girl have leapt through time which is said interelated with the melodramatic movie. If only people we're meant for each other... sob .-. tflopss last blog post..Staffs for New Full Metal Alchemist Anime

By: Black_Claw

Black_Claw — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:18:55 +0000

Nice analisyst, the best that I know so far, exactly like the way I think about the movie. Man, you rocks! :D