Netflix has officially started streaming Makoto Shinkai's most underrated film, and it's an absolute masterpiece. Makoto Shinkai has been one of the top names in anime for nearly a decade now. Starting with Shinkai's subversive body-swapping film Your Name, the director has become as famous as Hayao Miyazaki, with fans eagerly awaiting every film he makes. However, one of his lesser-known projects is currently streaming on Netflix, and it's something fans can't miss.
5 Centimeters Per Second is a 2007 Shinkai film told in three short stories that follow a boy named Takaki Tōno through various stages of his life. From childhood to adulthood, the film explores how he reacts to being separated from his best friend, Akari Shinohana, when she moves away. At a light hour, 5 Centimeters Per Second is a fairly easy watch for fans of Shinkai's work. However, the way it's told makes it one of the most heartfelt and emotional journeys of the director's career.
5 Centimeters Per Second is a simple masterpiece that will bring tears to your eyes.
This short play packs emotional punches at every turn.
While Shinkai is known for his films that blend drama with science fiction and mythology, 5 Centimeters Per Second is more realistic. It is a pure drama that explores the pain that Takaki faces after being separated from his friend. The saddest part of the movie is showing what happens when a person cannot forget the past. Takaki is constantly in a state of “What if” as life passes, keeping his mind on Akari and his feelings for her. He is stuck in a loop of living in the past, leading him to struggle with the future.
What's worse is that Takaki's way of thinking affects everyone else. The second story focuses on a girl in his class named Kanae Sumida who has feelings for him and wants to confess, but his constant glancing at his phone without sending any messages to Akari causes her to leave him in pain. Then, in the future, he ruins his relationship with his girlfriend, Risa, by never talking to her again. It's a tragic look into the life of someone who can't move on, even though Akari is engaged.
Makoto Shinkai's 5 Centimeters Per Second Will Make You Appreciate His Films Even More
Everything fans love about his latest work comes from here.
The best thing about 5 Centimeters Per Second is its humanity. Shinkai knows how to touch on vulnerable moments, making 5 Centimeters Per Second his rawest film yet. However, he also incorporated these moments into his later films. Even with their fantastical elements, Your Name, Weathering With You, and Suzume all share a rich and emotional story that explores the humanity of their characters. Rewatching these films after watching 5 Centimeters will open up a whole new experience for the audience as they see the underlying emotional themes embedded in his stories.
5 Centimeters per Second is the perfect blueprint for what's to come as Shinkai improves his skills.
Essentially, 5 Centimeters Per Second is the perfect blueprint for what's to come as Shinkai refines his craft. It's emotionally and thematically rich, making it a must-see for fans of his work. Plus, at just an hour long, it's a perfect watch. Makoto Shinkai Fans want to see more of his movies, especially now that it's streaming on Netflix.
Source: GKIDS Films
