5 Centimeters per Second - Reviews

5 Centimeters per Second was the first contact i had with Makoto Shinkai's work and i was completly blown away with it. I never though i could see such beautiful scenary with something that is animated rather than 3D. It's safe to say i became a fan of Mr. Shinkai since that moment (at the time of this review i already saw the majority of his work but 5 Cm has a close space in my heart).

I won't be too long with this review because i feel that this is rather a anime that you should experience for yourself first and than talk about it. The story although it's something we already saw before, Shankai does it in a way that makes it fresh and realistic rather than crafting something "happy" or to please people overall.

I assume you heard about 5 Cm animation before seeing it, and like me, thats what intrigued you in the first place and i must say it's the best looking anime i have ever saw hands down. His work in the animation and sound desing is flawless and nothing i could say would make that justice.

Definitly see it if you like slice of life /romance animes or animes overall since this is a master piece.

Definitely worth watching. 

It's a peculiar concept as it is three mini stories that revolve around a couple who were destined to be together but their distance keeps that from happening. It is interesting to see how their young love blooms in the first mini story and watch how their relationship progresses and evidentally deteriorates as it doesn't seem to be a topic much covered in anime. Primarily, I didn't think much of the actual storyline, since it was split into three parts it was difficult to really feel any sense of a secure plot, however they do make you care deeply for the characters, especially in the second segment. 

I would recommened this not for the story, but primarily for the animation. Never before have I been so unbelievably blown away by how beautifully stunning japanese animation can be. This in my opinion is one of the (if not the) best looking shows out there at the moment.  Simply and utterly breathtaking, it's worth watching just for the amazing visuals. 

Honestly, I feel like I just wasted an hour of my time watching this "movie". If you're only here for the drama, romance, and feels, then watch it. But if you are looking for a good story, don't watch it. 

No major spoilers, yay!

OVERALL

5 Centimeters Per Second is a movie with 100% drama, and 0% story. I loved the art and music, which were both better than any other anime i've ever watched. It does a very good job at summarizing all of the romance clichés, but the story is lacking character development and relationship development.

STORY

I wouldn't call 5 Centimeters Per Second a movie. Rather than one continuous story, it is 3 small 20 minute stories put together, one after another. Each of these stories cover a period of less than a week, but are separated by a few years. By themselves, the small stories have their own separate plot, climax, and a very emotional ending. But after putting them all together into one "movie", the story turned out to be very confusing, with no transitions between two parts.

ANIMATION/SOUND

AMAZING! I don't know who drew the background art, but he/she/they deserve props for the many beautiful artworks. The music was also beautiful, and with the art, enforce the emotions that the stories produce.

CHARACTERS

One of the down points of having a story with only one 60 minute movie is that we learn nothing about the personalities of of the characters. We know their names, what they do, and thats about it. They could have made the movie longer, or even better, made it into a TV series with a full story.

Honestly, the story line was pretty good, the art style for the scenery is really gorgeous, not so much for the people tho. Didn't make me feel any strong emotions but that's fine. All in all, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to other people looking for a nice chill movie.

My anime reviews are always simple, short and straight-forward and is 100% spoilers-free.

Genres: Drama, Slice of Life, Romance.

Additional Info: Atomic Bomb filled with sadness.

Ending Rating: 85%

Short Review:

Want to sulk yourself into a beatiful yet bittersweet romantic story and jerk your tears till your eyeballs evaporate through hawking radiation? Be prepared because this anime movie will make you thank your parents that they gave you life to watch such a wonderful anime.