Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
vrs4life
One thing to note: Any depiction of romance can be extended to encompass friendship too. With that, what do I even say. It perfectly encapsulates 'real human connections'. It also perfectly expresses the feeling of being lost, longing for that one thing you lost a long time ago, and so much more. I have cried to many scenes in anime and movies, but never just sat there, letting tears roll down my cheeks trying to contain these overflowing memories of sadness and bursting emotions that I had quenched within me.
This movie is arguably the best one by Makoto Shinkai, for its ability to make you feel so much through so little. It also pains me to see it have such a low rating, but I guess there are many types of people in this world too. Genuinely changed my life, for better or worse I'm not…
Read at the sourceweeaboomc
5 Centimeters Per Second, isn't Makoto Shinkai's best work. But I would say it's a clear indication of what was to come from him.
5CPS is one of the most well-designed animated feature of its time. The setting, composition, and visual design are like nothing else from that 2000s era. This is undeniably the backbone of all of Makoto Shinkai's future works visually. Narratively not so much.
5CPS's biggest drawback is the sauce. The plot construction heavily relies on Takaki and Akari's thoughts and still stagnant moments of silence for dramatization. This to some degree makes the plot feel a bit too plain. Unlike Makoto Shinkai's other works that proceed 5CPS, 5CPS doesn't have a gimmick that's nearly as interesting. Which also means that at the end, it's just not as memorable as his lat…
Read at the sourceBruce_lightener
One of the most beautiful yet heartbreaking anime movies. It encapsulates three stories, the first part is "first love" and perfectly portrays the novelty that comes with it, the efforts put into it, despite everything they characters drift apart. The second part portrays "unrequited love" and emotional weight of "heartbreak" and the pain which is seen in both the characters that appear. The final part is the "conclusion" as the name of the movie masterfully foreshadows the whole time. The movie even shows it with the title "a chain of stories about their distance." One can interpret it as impact of two people on each other's lives despite the fact that they've become strangers. The male protagonist had turned into a realistic and flawed individual who gets into a rebound relationship and…
Read at the sourceUimcom
My thoughts on 5 Centimeters per Second, having only watched the anime:
The whole story builds a consistently melancholic atmosphere. Its deliberate imperfections end up mirroring ordinary, real‑life experiences. From today’s perspective, however, some of the tragic beats feel a bit forced. If this were set in modern‑day Japan, the two leads could easily video‑call every day and meet during school holidays, unless one of them fell for somebody else. On top of that, the JR train being delayed for two hours is quite a narrative stretch. In a way, the male protagonist is perpetually unlucky.
That said, I actually really love this anime. I don’t think it leans too hard into commercial appeal.
Read at the sourceMrLebowski
Beautiful but Kind of Empty Shinkai Romance
5 Centimeters per Second is one of Makoto Shinkai’s earlier works that guy who’s famous for making anime that look like literal paintings. This one follows the quiet, bittersweet connections between people over time, centered around distance, growing up, and how life pulls you in different directions.
Visually, it’s stunning. The backgrounds, the way snow falls, train rides, cherry blossoms it’s peak Shinkai eye candy. The animation and art direction are gorgeous, and the soundtrack (especially the ending song) really sticks with you. If you watch it just to zone out and enjoy pretty scenes, it delivers.
The story though… it’s where I start to have issues. It’s very slow and melancholic, which is clearly the point, but it felt more distant t…
Read at the sourceBaconLaken193
I'm not exactly sure how to feel. I have the feeling that it was good, but I did not enjoy watching it. It was like reading a poem that you don't understand. That is the best way I can put it. Beautifully illustrated and whatnot but as far as the story goes, I just don't get it. If you like the abstract art of poems and haiku you'll probably love this. If it had more content between the episodes then it could very well be amazing but I feel like it's lacking. I'm sure that's the point, for us to draw the connections and see the reality, but that isn't what I and many other people want/expect.
Read at the sourceShiroeIzumi
Shinkai is to anime as Tim Duncan is to basketball. The GOAT of his field. The animation will always be fantastic and the stories will always make people cry. 5 Centimeters Per Second isn't as good as a lot of other Shinkai Films but that doesn't make it a great film to watch anyways. This was one of the earlier entries for me so I've rewatched it a few times and it holds up over time, the characters still pull at my heartstrings pushing 30.
Overall-
The display of emotions and how relationships of any kind can have lasting effects was very well done and carried the movie great paired with the backgrounds and details in Shinkai animation.
Story- 6/10
Animation- 9/10
Sound- 8/10
Overall-8/10
Tears Shed-15/10
Read at the sourcelemonshark06
Makoto Shinkai’s second full-length film, 5 cm per Second is doubles down on the themes from his first two non-short-length projects: growing distance and mixed connections. Divided into three sections, the film follows Takaki as he grows up and grows more distant from a childhood friend.
Takaki and Akari are elementary-school classmates when Akari reveals she’s moving away. Shinkai absolutely excels when he’s capturing deliberately-paced scenes of ordinary life, and in this, the first longer-form film without sci-fi elements, he revels in the ephemera and impermanence of modern life. The scenery, the trains, the buildings, the SKY!!! is a all a visual treat. No one is going to be blown over by the fast-paced developments. This is true slice of life: glimpses of a few days of a few people…
Read at the source1lit3r8
The genius of Byousoku 5 Centimeter is that it’s a mirror. The interpretation varies entirely based on when you watch it and where you are in life.
You can easily tell which reviewer has moved on from their first heartbreak from the ones who are still carrying emotional baggage. Those who call it "harmful" or "boring" are just projecting their own unresolved issues onto a film that refuses to do the emotional work for them.
I recommend people watch this at different stages of their lives. That’s where the magic truly shines. it’s an emotional barometer for your own growth. Sometimes that ending smile is about the weight of acceptance; sometimes it’s the relief of finally being free. Shinkai hands you the pen and lets you finish the story based on who you've become.
Can't believe Makoto…
Read at the sourcemellojello24
I only decided to watch this anime because I've heard many great things about it, mainly about how it is a realistic and overall great anime.
However, I personally think that it was boring as hell. People might say that this is just because it's part of the "realistic" aspect of it, but I thought my life was boring until I watched this anime.
I kinda see why others might enjoy this anime, as it is very easy to relate to and the long-distance can be a realistic problem for couples in real life, but I personally didn't enjoy it.
Also, why are they stuck on the same person for years, just stay friends and move on already smh
Read at the sourcebob-weebington
5 Centimeters Per Second ought to count as tragi-romance. None of them ever get off the ground. There are three main stories/arcs in this show: Saying goodbye to train girl, not scoring with surfer girl and leaving her disappointed, and not scoring with job work girl.
It might sound somewhat dark or depressing but it isn't. The animation is stunning (loved the rocket launch scene) and there's some decent music to go along with it too.
In the end, the film has showcased its anthology of broken beauty and then you can move on to watching other Makoto Shinkai films like Garden of Words.
I remember a lot from his one but not nearly as much as Garden of Words, which had a much better soundtrack as well. So if you liked this, definitely check out his other films.
Read at the sourcemeiwah
This anime is life itself, where everything comes only to eventually fade away.
The story follows the protagonist’s love from childhood into adulthood, set in a time when social media was not yet widespread.
It does not aim to bring happiness or sadness to the audience. Instead, it leaves behind a peculiar sensation, something impossible to name or explain, and never intended to be fully understood.
The visuals and animation need no introduction, as Makoto Shinkai’s artistry is already renowned. Yet this work feels different. It is not simply beautiful; it is a true masterpiece.
If someone asked me which romantic anime they should watch, this would be the very first one I’d recommend.
Read at the sourceTrippersnipper7
Great watch.
Not in your face but really makes you think about the situation and bitter sweet memories they shared. Regardless of if or how much you enjoyed its definitely going to stick with you. I like when movies feel like there not forcing you to feel emotions but more 'letting it come naturally. Which 5 Centimeters per Second does gracefully.
Pros:
The Visuals were amazing which isn't surprising coming from CoMix.
All the scenarios with the characters felt extremely natural yet exaggerated (welcome to anime).
Unique premise with a very poetic story.
Cons:
Hmmmmm the only thing i can really think of is how short it was, which generally is more of a complement. However if journey was dragged out a bit longer we could've connected with the characters more.
Very bittersweet, perhap…
Read at the sourceJowiszowa
This anime is not just bad, it's harmful. It's pretty much romanticising being stuck in the past. The theme itself could be good if the author wouldn't show it as a beautiful thing almost making the MC the martyr of love (?). Poor girlfriend of the guy. Imagine being treated like a spare because your boyfriend couldn't move on from his crush from PRIMARY SCHOOL. Just break up with him, let him be miserable alone, he clearly likes it. What more can I say. The animation and music like always in the Shinkai's works is top notch but I would recommend to skip Byousoku 5 Centimeter and watch something that not only looks and sounds nice but also has a story worth Your time like Garden of Words for example. This one is not it.
Read at the sourceGIGADRANE
I just finished rewatching Byousoku 5 Centimeter. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen it, yet it always ends the same way — with that familiar ache of guilt and yearning. Like so many of Makoto Shinkai’s works, this film doesn’t pull its punches.
Some call it melancholic, but if you’re looking for a story stripped of fairytales and magic, this bittersweet film offers a realism that cuts deep. It’s nothing more and nothing less — just a quiet, painful play of time and distance.. Even the silence feels heavy.
Beautiful story writing.
Visuals expected as you'd expect from Makoto san.
And of course, the music that makes you choked everytime it starts playing.
Read at the sourceoilyypan
5 centimeters per second (2007) is Makoto Shinkai's second film. Idk... I liked it ig
Pros: Gourgeous, AMAZING visuals. Everything from the ocean to falling petals and the attention put into the makes every frame captivating and every shot truly wallpaper material. The soundtrack as well conveys deep emotions of longing, lonliness and loss. The ending theme One More Time, One More Chance is definitely on of the best ED's ever.
Cons: While the film's atmosphere is certainly captivating, the *meat* of the film itself is unfortunately deeply flawed. It has good themes and ideas it wants to talk about but executed them very badly. Plot and character developement? Non-existent. Instead we are met with 10 hours worth of scenes of life kind of just passing by...
Yeah no. This made the film utt…
Read at the sourceRealkaku
They always say the worst thing she can say is no. But after watching 5 Centimeters per Second, I realize that’s not true. What’s worse is silence. What’s worse is waiting. What’s worse is love fading away without anyone saying a word. That kind of ending is worse than death.
This film hit me because it feels so real. Takaki and Akari aren’t torn apart by some big betrayal or dramatic rejection. They just… drift. Distance grows, letters stop coming, and time keeps moving while their feelings stay frozen. Nobody says no. Nobody gives closure. And that’s the part that hurts most because sometimes in life, you don’t lose someone all at once, you just lose them little by little.
The movie is beautiful. The trains, the cherry blossoms, the sunsets. They look like paintings, but they don’t fee…
Read at the sourceChild_mafu
Makoto Shinkai work means the animation will be best and so will be storyline and we will see separation or say just bitter sweet endings... The movie is all about how time and distance can fade away love while also gonna say that in spirituality true or eternal love outgrow both time and distance... The theme of movie was beautiful and resonated one personally...
Plot and animation are beautiful while characters portrayed reality and sounds are really warming....
Unique story with lil bit painful theme
Masterpiece anime style
Characters had flaws but represents reality that is impermanence
Movie is 10/10 💖
Highly recommended
Read at the sourceoqz
Spoiler warning btw
This gotta be the biggest letdown ever it was so good then what? Literally nothing they made a very sad dynamic between the mc and the girl showing how their relationship and love slowly drifted away after moving. But it literally just ends after that the moive just leaves you empty inside and then just ends no conclusion it didnt even need to have a happy ending but they didnt even get back together after they moved they just got emotional and imagined themselves together again. Overall 3/10 wouldn't recommend boring and sad with no plot it just kinda feels like temu i wanf to eat your pancreas but at least no death ig
Read at the sourceOkamiMiyazono
47 - I understand why people may not recommend this movie but to understand the purpose and meaning behind certain details will require you to put yourself in those shoes.
Both Takaki and Akari understand love differently and both try to take a leap of faith in their own way but unfortunately it isn’t always the easiest. Self doubt, jealously, loneliness , depression, and sadness play a huge part in this movie and will keep you wondering “why did it end like this?” “Why didn’t the movie end that way”…
When I first watched this movie, I watched it after enjoying Your Name. I mean how great was Your Name and knowing that another great movie just like it is available to watch and wow was I shocked. 5 Centimetres Per Second was not what I was expecting but it made me watch it again, and aga…
Read at the source
