Growing Up | A Personal Analysis of 5 Centimeters Per Second 

Wow! Thank you all so much for the recent support on this video. I never expected it to get as popular as it did. I also really appreciate all the shares and likes as well as new subscribers that have come from this video. I've been on a very long hiatus from RU-vid, but I intend to come back very soon. So again, thank you so much for all your support and I hope to bring you more content in the future. Thanks and much love Rayouri

In the manga, when Toono crosses paths with Akari at the train track, it shows him catching a keen glimpse of the ring on her finger. He then smiles to himself and walks on. It seems he's happy knowing she's happy, and this is a big part of what provides closure for him.

This movie made me confess my feeling to my crush and yeah she reject me, but thanks i finally can move on.

When takari saw akari in the last scene he felt closeure because he saw glimps of the ring and he was abel to know that she is happy and he finally let go.

This film is a masterpiece. It touched me on a deep and personal level. Of course it's very relatable and beautiful. And I've been through pretty much what takaki went through. One of the best animes ever made and one of the best films ever made period. Great analysis.

I don't know why I'm watching these... I'm just digging a hole for my self deeper and deeper to the point where is no way back...

I really impressed with your personal analysis of the film. I also realize that as I continue to watch 5 cm. per second, I gain a more deeper insight about the film. I want also to share my personal insight about the ending: I think Akari already forget Takaki and already moved on since she was already married and living a happy life. However, through her letter and her dream, she remembered some vague memories in the past which brings back the old feelings she had when she was with Takaki. It is a different story for Takaki. While facing the real world, he felt that he is losing already losing those feelings he had for Akira. Those frustrations and struggles in life is already eating up those loving feelings he had with her. Until, he ended up quitting his job. I can see in Takaki a person who wished to treasure the memories of his beloved. Akira already forgotten Takaki but still remembers the feelings. While Takaki is still longing for Akira and Takaki refused to forget her memories and his feelings for her. Deep within their heart, I believe they still are still longing for each other. At the end, Takaki smiled and moved on. For me, through that place (Train Scene with the cherry blossom), he was able to recall and remember the most important person. In his imagination, he was able to see Akira looking at him and still remembers him. Her happy memories with her gave him a renewed strength to move forward through his life.

Going through your beautiful analysis with a touch of your experiences, for me, the train was what bridged the distance between Takaki and Akari but also delayed their reconnection with a tribulations of; snow (Ep 1) and just plain train crossing (Ep3). The youth was strong in the both and they had their sweet reunion then. Time passes and they could no longer bridge the gap that has widened. The passages of time, wore down on the raw passion the two had for each other. Takaki ignores phone calls. Akari moves on with life. Life continues to pace through their mundane work lives. Their work life is very relevant to how I am feeling at the moment and I am feeling the routine sucking away at my life as I long for the joy of youth. I recall the sweet passion of longing for love of my youth aswell. At the end, the whole walking past each other to me signified how the two crossed paths once in life. When they reached their corresponding other sides of the road it symbolises distance; Prior to crossing = The moment they met as kids. From strangers to friends to close friends. Step by step. Crossing Paths and possible realisation of each other? = Their past joy, love and fullfillment to see Sakuras' fall 5cm/s once more. Reaching the other side = The distance and gap that has inevitable occured due to life tearing them apart naturally. Again, Step. By. Step. Boom gate lowering down = Sealing the fact that they did not do anything more within the few seconds they crossed paths (I mean, who could've done anything) and theres nothing letting them go back to that point due to the undeniable fact that a train (Distance and time) is coming through whether they like it or not. The train crossing = Distance and time - It shows the harsh fact that physical distance is real and the time it took away from the two was symbolicaly and literally shown once again as the mere few seconds it took from the both of them as the train crosses, robbing the two of the ability to see each other aswell while allowing time to ... pass. When the tribulation of the train crossing finally passes, Akari has long moved on. I'd like to think that Tataki pictured himself fulfilling their promise of watching the Sakura's fall 5cm/s when they crossed paths, saw her stop for a sec before the train passes, saw her moving on, and finally let her go and took a step towards the unknown future. *my initial comment was very simple but the more I wrote the more I saw within me what could have been underlying in this moment. Simply beautiful. I took almost 20 mins just pondering and writing this. Very thereapeutic. I recommend everyone to comment their thoughts like Kendrick suggested in the video. It may do you some good to process what we went through in life and how this masterpiece captures a form of it is such a pure and raw form.

This analysis was beautifully edited, it deserves way more views!

I didn't cry but, this movie speaks how my highschool happened. When I was in junior highschool I met her, shes beautiful and we loved each other. Looking back, I was happier with her. We finished junior high, and starting the senior high and we didn't go to the same school. We still text each other but eventually she changed and I stopped bothering her. I still love her even now. I also spend my free time writing about her and saving it on my notes and hope that she read it someday. Then I met another girl, she always go with me. She definitely liked me. I never told her that I don't feel the same way she do for me, she even try to make me jealous. But it's just that I haven't move on from my junior highschool. After watching this movie I thought to myself that I should move on and make myself happier again.

This movie really is special to me, even if i think koe no katachi kimi no nawa are incredible films, this one is the best for me. I found this movie when i was 18 and i just had been through a hard breakup after 1 year of relationship and i was struggling for various reasons in general, i really related to this movie, to the feel of it to the message simply to the main character, i can talk about it more precisely now because i watched it multiple times but the first time after the last scene when the music rolled in, i was just sitting in my room in the dark just stunned, felt a connection to the movie but didn’t know what and it procured in me all these emotions that eased me .

I like this interpretation it seems more like an inspiring tale of one man's hardship and his relationship to his childhood best friend rather than a tragic tale of two lovers as most people think upon first viewing

Basically, I think this film has a lot of things in common with my life. I'm only 16 (turning 17 in August), and, I'm afraid that my life it's going to be like Takaki's life... Afraid to love someone new just because he can't forget the love of his life...In my oppinion the smile he gave at the final scene was a fake smile... He's smiling in the exterior but he is crying in the inside, because he knew who she was... All of us need to stay strong... Love is a bitch, and we can't suffer because of someone...

this analysis deserve more views!

Great analysis! first saw it 2 years ago and it became one of my favorite movies ever, but I still need to put some distance in between because of the sad/realistic and nostalgic theme the movie have, and that resonates very closely with my personal experiences. Also, I find that it's very similar (in themes, tone and atmosphere) to Murakami's novel Tokio Blues, my favorite book. Greeting from Chile!

Trying to get past mistakes/missed opportunities involving love is so hard. Cause you can’t help but think that maybe somehow it’ll work out. It’s so hard to move on and accept that you need to leave it in the past and move on.

Never really appreciated this movie until I watched this. I see why it's a great movie now

Thanks for this video, I first watched this movie around 2010, and I share many of the same feelings towards it as you do. I just watched it earlier today for the 2nd time since then, and I got to see and feel alot of more things I didnt understand back when I was younger

Wow dude, first this movie made me cry and then Happy, now you made me cry and Realize I am not alone in this one, or this movie is wrong, Thank You dude

Thank you for sharing your oponion❤️

I actually can relate of all arcs. I got a girlfriend but she moved away and we never saw each other again... Then 2 years later I had a big one sided crush. But I couldn't feel the movie... i've watched every anime that'll make you cried and well... I cried. I think the film was to short for me. I don't know why no tears fell down. But I appreciate the movie so hard.

Every time I rewatched 5cm per second it always reminded me of your video and so i have watched this video quite few time something about this video is just so relatable thank you for making this video

Just watched the anime Movie screwed me over badly :/

I wonder if you're going to do anything else with Shinkai's body of work? Your Name released in the West the same year you made this and Weathering with You came out earlier this year, with the American release in a few weeks' time. Would be interesting to see what you make of his changing sensibilities.

I'm so in love with this anime, that if I open it accedentely I just cannot stop watching it and watch the whole thing...

I know things don't always work out, but I really wish they met at the end ;( GREAT movie though!

i truly loved this movie.I still think it's the best anime movie ever made

I just watched the movie, you have the best review on youtube

5 centimeters per second reminds me of madrara speech nothing ever goes as planned in this acuresd world it kinda proves that madrara was right

I know a lot of people take that ending to be him letting go or moving on, but I disagree. First off that's not much of a smile, I think Mona Lisa smiled more. And he was always good at wearing that facade while still being empty inside, he did it all throughout Chapter 2. At best perhaps he got past the worst part of his depression. I believe what he's smiling wryly about is that he was able to live out the promise of watching the cherry blossoms together again, in some form. Just the fact that he waited for the passing train (which she didn't) is a sign he hasn't let go, and you can see the disappointment in his face too. I doubt he let all that go in the time it took him to do an about face and take 1 step. It was 1 step, at best he took forward literally and figuratively. Though great review and this is a film I hold dearly because I basically lived it out myself. Right down to the phone call almost word for word, the girl wanting to live with her aunt. I was convinced it was created just for me that's how much it mirrored events in my life. And yes, me holding the new women in my life up against an unfair ideal of the perfect girl, one of which I know now truly was the perfect one for me, ala Kanae. I can tell you that you never completely get over it and a piece of you leaves with them.

This movie purely touch the heart this movie is all deferent in all aspect this movie is true real story. We all relate in our life every aspect not for the for love this movie show lonliness not every person feel lonely i feel lonliness is best way to calm but in excessive amount eat you inside eat your sole i stay at my home not talk very much i play lot of games i stay like that about 2 years + and last month i watched this movie and i realize now i m not able to talk anyone at first and then realisation i cry a lot now i want to getting normal but it very hard nad its even harder i changed my place i have no friends here but i have no hazitate to write only because no one knows me but i m happy to face the truth and getting strong and forget to past✌️💪

couldn't have said it better man, I've always felt the same way

During the movie i did not cry, i dont think im human anymore. But i dont think thats really the case. Ive been through those shitty feels and i guess im kinda used to it.

i cant say anythings about this i dont have a single words to say

This seems very similar to a video I made on Nagi No Asukara several years back. I feel like we would probably get along haha

Thank you for this !

Good video bro this anime is not one you put on as background noise and it's message is so subtle you have to pay attention or you will miss it BTW you got a sub

i liked the video a lot

I watched it for the first time today. Every part of the movie was something I can relate to. It was literally describing my life. When I was 10 years old, the girl I had a mutual crush on had to move out country because her dad is a international business man. We wrote back and forth untill I had to move myself and was unable to post anything I wrote because there was no post office near us. 4 years had passed and I moved back to my old house and saw all the mail she sent me in those 4 years and I couldn't stop crying. I tried contacting her but no response. About 2 weeks ago I was walking around my city and I saw her, I wanted to approach her but she was with another man. I started crying and I was really confused with my feelings until I saw this movie today. The message it sent was that life doesn't revolve just around me, everyone has there own life and if she decides to date someone else its her choice. I did cry out all my confused emotions out today and I've been thinking all day now. I decided to look up analysis videos to see different perspectives and you managed to explain the rest to me. I'm currently walking to work and hope I can put up a smile again and face reality. Thank you for reading if you reached this far.

At some point in our life, we are Kanae...

For me the 2nd arc of the story was so easy to relate to and was incredibly heartbreaking to watch. I feel so bad for Kanae, it hurts to an incredible degree to see how her feelings for Takaki are not mutual. Not that he dislikes her or pushes her away but that he simply doesn't feel the same way about her and she is able to see that just before she is about to work up the courage to tell him how she really feels. Myself and many others included have gone through this pain. I used to cry and wonder what's wrong with me? Why doesn't this person feel the same way or why won't they just give me a chance? As a young teen I wanted to be loved, I wanted to experience what it was like to fall in love with another wonderful person and share affection as one being composed of two parts. It just speaks volumes when Kanae goes home and cries herself to sleep lamenting at her own faltering courage as she was never able to tell him how she really feels and knowing that in the end if she continued to pursue Takaki she would only cause more heartbreak for herself later on. The heart wants what the heart wants and it is ridiculously hard to swallow the notion that the person who you love so deeply will never feel the same about you and all you can do is accept it. Love is one of the scariest and most beautiful emotions because it has the potential to both break you and torture you or to renew life with quality and happiness. Everyone deserves to be loved.

I have just watched the film and decided to see peoples reviews and you made a really good review despite how old this is, I can somewhat relate

Well I just watched this video after watching the anime for about 15 times in total througout my lifetime. Its been 10 years since i met her. The same place where we accidentally bumped heads as we were rushing to our school bus when we were 9 years old. Unfortunately after middle school she had to go overseas... Today... we went past each other... her face... i can never forget that face anywhere i go... her eyes with the unique colour and natural gleam.. it was only for a few seconds... but i knew it was her. We lost contact for 10 years in total... we occasionally send emails to each other once in 2 months maybe? IDK. But when we passed.... we both flinched... i saw her flinch as soon as she saw me... But... we walked past each other either way... The one thing that was different was her hair.. longer now.. and her right hand ring finger... a ring.. We kept a promise that we will meet each other one day... and if possible... you know where im going... All this while i had a shitty life... moments of uncertainty, depression, attempted suicide and all.... But after all that... it was washed away today. She had the same issues i had when we were kids... But now she is happy and living her life of joy... while i was in the slumps struggling to even smile. Today was the day that i realized... i need to move on in life and start a new hope... not for her, not for anyone... but myself. I know for a fact that she did turn back cause the sound of her heels stopped and i head a scrape suggesting turning around... but i was already walking... i walked away with a smile... knowing that she is happy and she is safe. Thats all that i wanted to see and thats all that was needed as my motivation to move on. If you have made it this far.... dont loose hope on yourself. Fight the urge to end the pain and suffering... move on in life as another person the person you are destined to be.

*When I noticed that my heart had already become hard from the gradual loss of its youthful vitality.*

GREAT analysis. I saw it for the first time a few days ago and it really touched me. I’m a teenager, so I have no greater experience of life, but I totally loved it. The animation, soundtrack and messages probably makes it my favourite anime movie ever. Strong 10/10. Edit: I already want to re-watch it.

I came across this film at a convenient time. It was my social psychology class when our final project was to do our own research about any concept that had an impact on social psychology. I decided to cover on the social psychology of love, being the hopeless romantic I am. I went to youtube one day when I saw it in my recommended when I instead was hoping to put on music to help me find inspiration on what to research. In the end, I found the greatest source I could've used to help me make the project, along with the other criteria the professor had us follow. I ended up having so much fun making that project as I felt that there was so much to cover, which ended up getting a 100. As for my own experiences, I definitely did find myself in the same situations as Takaki. emotionally and mentally, as well as Kanae with the desperation of trying to have the person you desire to look at you the same way you look at them. The girl who I had fallen in love with was not just the one I loved, but also my best friend. And it was absolutely devastating to see the girl that had caused me so much happiness to also be the one to bring me so much sadness. In the end, I knew that I'd have to eventually let her go and I believe that this movie alone was what allowed me to truly realize that as I promptly cried my heart out as you did XD. Now, I feel as if this great burden that I've held inside since 6th grade when I met her was lifted and I had found space to breathe and I am finally able to move forward without thinking of the "what if" and "what could've been". I will forever be grateful to not only this movie that taught me to embrace and face the uncertainties of the future head on and how to slowly regain ourselves and bounce back. but also to her who taught me what it means to be in love and the sacrifices and challenges needed to make that love last and grow. Glad I took the time to watch this and see just how this movie has impacted other people :)

I liked this video very much. I can relate very much to what you say, and I honestly think this should be much more viewed. Good work!

this analysis is soooo underrated holy great video

Great final thoughts on the movie.

Why the comment are too long .I also wanna to share it to u but now i have moved on.And another thing is she was never interested in me.Even though i like her and she was my best friend.I am not taking about love or being in relationship but somebody close to me and whom i cannot forget.We are far apart now and now i get rid of all the social media and i am focusing to my life and future.I have no contact of her but i wish i could meet her and say thank you and miss you.I trust she would understand it and we can go on our ways.

You're gonna carry that weight

Thank you for sharing this personal experience. Here is mine : ) The first time I watched this film was my last year in high school. I came back to re-watch it again every now and then. My interpretations of this film have changed from time to time similar to yours. To me this film portrays beauty of human life, it is a mixture of happy and sad moments. There are things that you cannot control, but the most important thing is to accept it and move on. Just like you said, it is also grown with me. ^ ^

l cryed like a baby too when i was done...and after that i decided to see what other peoples thoughts were...you made me cry again😂thank you for sharing your thoughts...they inspired me as much as the movie did(it may be a little late but i'm a new commer in Anime🤗)

As someone who was in a long distance relationship for over 2 years that didn’t work out, this film hit me hard

You basically had this everytime you watched 5cm/s: "It worked, with a million others, to sculpt a true world in a fold of the [scrambled], and created a [scrambled] for[scrambled], in the [scrambled]." "It cannot read that thought." "No. It has not yet achieved the highest level. That, it must achieve in the long dream of life, not the short dream of a game." (Minecraft End Poem)

i watched most the anime in my teenage.So,i can see a heavy positive effect in my life.

I just watched this on my slice of life anime tour, binged this, Silent voice, your name, I want to eat your pancreas, garden of words and your lie in April . Ngl out of all his films, this is probably the worst. It’s not bad, it’s a great film with great animation and amazing art style, but it just doesn’t really resonate with me like the others and I don’t really understand the concept, the editing and episodic nature doesn’t really make sense to me. I know at the end I’m sad though. Next up Maquia

You explain it so emotional way and its just like a magic in your voice bro

5 Centimeters Per Seconds is to you what High School Musical was for me. I was happy as a child, but also ignorant and chained. Middle school was horrible for me, as I have very few fond memories of that part of my life. Then in high school, I met a girl who changed my life forever, comparable to how Troy Bolton and Gabriela Montez met in my favorite film trilogy. We broke apart, but unlike Takaki and Akari, I'll never let go, for I value the memories I have, even sad ones and I always hope that I will find my love again, no matter what the world throws at me.

This movie hit way too close to home, this movie essentially describes a relationship I had extremely well, while I won’t say it’s the best movie ever I will say it’s an extremely personal movie to me and it made me feel all types of emotions that where long dormant, I love this movie

The best analysis of all time! I just finished this movie and it was hard to understand the end scene, I freaking cried. I can relate to some of the scenes of this movie but the end scene cracked me up!

i hated it when i first watched it because i didnt understand it clearly enough mainly because i'd never really experience in love. But later that day as i was thinking about it i could slowly understand what in the actual fuck was happening and i was like "ohhhhh how did i not see that" but yeah its a really good movie but it didnt hit home for me or anything because again i never had (or will have) experience in love and stuff.

i really like your analysis. you clearly did a good job! you shared very personal thoughts and thats nice. after i watched it the first time i thought about this movie a lot and found my own conclusion why its so absorbing...

I here late. But I THANK YOU for finding time to make the video and share your thoughts...

Haha, wish I went about the film like you did. My perspective of the film is more clear~ I'll always keep this video in the back of my head to remind myself that even though I will experience hardships, I can learn to let those go and move on to an uncertain but better future. Auto-subscribed man. Thx!

Beautiful analysis... Today I watched it again, after 2 years. 5 centimetres per second will remain one of my favourite anime movies...

I watched it for the first time today reminded me of a guy I love and still love from elementary. He was the first person who appreciated for who I am. He saw things in me that I didn’t even see in myself. I think I’ll always have a special place in my heart for him. I’ve liked many people before but no one made me feel the way he did. This movie made me realize how I much I still care about him, but regardless I have to let him go. I’m working on moving on because as sad as it seems he’s probably moved on. I feel happy for him, I really am happy for him. Maybe I should just move on and accept that it’s ok to not like him anymore and love myself. It’s ok to let some things go in life in order to ensure happiness in the end.

"When u get older,you will see the things only that you regret."

I felt like listening to your review was a nostalgic and engaging experience. Thank you for such an insightful personal analysis. :')

Have you ever read the manga version of this? I just got done reading it, and I remembered your review, so I came here to watch it again.

Same of you, I watched this movie for four times and I always be back here

In the past 4 nights, I had a dream about her for 3 of those nights. I haven't seen her for over a year now. They were some of the best dreams I would ever have, and I remember them so vividly. Perhaps I was feeling nostalgic. I recalled this film as well, and watching you speak about it allowed me to cry my eyes out to release all those feelings I felt.

i wanna to tell u all guys that i have only watched this movie once because i have no courage and emotion left in me to watch that movie for the next time.

This is one of the best explanation videos for the movie! I loved this video! Please make more videos, please!

7th time watching this anime and got them flashbacks but this was the first time i longed for someone to just talk about the film thank you dude you truly helped me move on from this anime and from the shit i experienced.

Great analysis 5 centimetres per second has become a part of me. For me it's not just a movie. "Desperately reaching out our hands into nothingness " There's so much to learn from this movie...

Such a good film! I watched it last night and it relates to life so much. It's a mature film that yes growing up can relate to this film actually. The whole world doesn't revolve around just you, you fall in love but not everyone has a happy ending. I didn't when I fell in love but I've learnt to accept that life is full of emotions. This film..was just so different to other anime films I've seen.

just watched the film.... the film hit hard........ but your analysis was recommended after hit even harder, now i'm realizing somethings

Fantastic review, it really helped me understanding the movie for my own.

Man great job, the way you convey your experience in such a structured way blows my mind This is one of my favorite thing that i find in youtube 👍 grats man

I've loved this movie because it somewhat paralleled my life. When it first came out, I had just changed schools and moved away from my only real childhood friend. The part where he takes the train to visit her made me cry a lot. A couple of years later I thought about it again, rewatched it and then it was the second part that was most relevant to me. Like many people I had an intense, unrequited crush. And I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life. Also secondary school wasn't the best time for me in general. But in the end, I also managed to stop dwelling on the past so much and move on. I'm not the lonely and bitter person I used to be. It's always been an incredibly cathartic movie for me

oh men I just made a video Amv today about 5cm because I have a similar relationship to this movie like you! :) your analyses was just great and thank you for sharing your story and thoughts with the world. I would be happy if you want to watch my video about Takaki and Akari. :))

just finished rewatching it and f it still hit and hurts.

Agreed I love this film as well, for some reason this film touched my heart and made me feel so many emotions

I like your insight and I can deninetly relate to everything you talked about, this might be a little too deep for me though.

i am just confused because both Takaki and Akari both have handphones, so why can't they call each other then? and in the final of the manga, did Kanae ended up being with Takaki?

really good review., and I believe david smith also gave good point about the final moment.

I just watched this movie and I stumbled across your video and honestly your words have helped me a lot. It changed my look on a lot of things and has helped me move forward with myself/life. Thank you

So...how long till you make another video?

This film is one word and one world only. Beautiful.

This is great👍

I bet no film can bit this one... OMG this film is totally 3 dimensional on a 2D Screen - It is wide[in fact so wide that it makes you curious], It's has distance[so much that you wanna reach the stars], and logically deep[you can understand only you have such mind level]. I refuse to believe that this story is written by a human!!!

It looks like it had an open end of Kanae ending up with Takaki in the manga.

still hate the trains doe

Awesome video

This is my third time watching and each time I come back to this review 🤕😓

Nice vid. Great analysis of the movie. Consider studying film man.

The Vaporwave track is a good touch to this video. It was a Vaporwave track that I heard this morning that reminded me of this movie in the first place

*bro...* :'(

what is this aching feeling in my heart , when i think about this movie --- i dont understand it