::08:11:08::

::: 5 Centimeters Per Second :::

By ~ Apollo

It really is a special experience when you run into an anime that touches you because it relates to your real life. The movie 5 Centimeters Per Second touched me in that way. It deals with the issues of coming of age, true love, fighting to maintain a long distance relationship, and moving on from your past. The movie is touching on so many levels and I was really caught up in the emotion of it all.

The main character in this story is Takaki Tono. He and classmate Akari Shinohara bond in elementary school but drift apart due to the fact that Takaki has to move. They keep in touch while he is away and Takaky finally is able to come back to see her a year later. This starts the first of the three chapters that this movie is divided into. I cannot spoil the rest, but the movie had me totally hooked because the voice actors put real emotion into everything they say and it definitely comes through.

The visuals are nice. This is not an aciton anime by any means so you shouldn't expect to be blown away the illustrations. However, the expression on the characters' faces is where this anime shines, as it should since this is a drama. The expressions on the characters' faces really convey the emotions of hope, desperation, love, and longing. That is the real strength of this anime and it really is effective.

The reason this anime really touched me is that I am going through many of the challenges that the characters face in terms of love. It really hit a soft spot in me and I am not sure it was just because I can relate to the series. Obviously that helped, but that should not take away from the fact that this anime is top notch and has a lot of quality. The truths that this anime presents are hard to accept and very real, but its not negative. Its just realistic. If you are looking for some drama look no further. Even real life movies have a hard time illustrating this much emotion through their characters.

Grade: A