“You’re Waiting For a Train…” (Insight – 5 Centimeters Per Second)

01 Apr 2011 3 Comments

by Psi in Anime, Insight, Philosophical, Slice of Life Tags: 5 Centimeters per Second

I love anime. I watch it every moment that my life allows me. However, there are times in which I do worry about the state of the Industry…where it’s going and, if in about five or ten years, will it evolve into something that is beautiful or something that is a grotesque shell it once was. No, I’m not talking about the politics and business of the Anime Industry, but rather the style and storytelling that it currently uses.

It seems that these days, anime series are utilizing more ecchi, fanservice, and even violence to draw the viewer into the series itself. Although this tactic does work, it could possibly mislead the viewer into focusing more on those three things rather than focusing on a rich storyline, or the deep relationship of the characters. What’s left sadly is the instant gratification of one part of our minds, but not the whole.

With that in mind, I hesitate at times when picking a series to watch. But every now and then, you get that feeling when browsing…a chance. This chance came to me in the form of a Crunchyroll Deal of the Day. It was a movie that I never even heard of, but the description I read drew me into buying the DVD with what little money I had left. After just watching it, the regret I once had into the purchase have long since dissipated.

• 5 Centimeters Per Second
• Slice of Life Anime Film, (3 Episodes, 65 Min. Total), “Age 13+”
• Price: $24.99 ($14.99 if Pre-Ordered)
• Recommended for: Anybody who loves Anime without all the Drama, Ecchi, Violence and whatnot. Even then, just any Anime fan.

5 Centimeters Per Second tells the story of two childhood friends, Takaki Tōno & Akari Shinohara, who were separated due to Akari and her family moving away. Although they are separated, they still keep in touch with each other, ultimately leading Takaki to travel far than what he is used to, to meet Akari once again. However, the journey he takes isn’t without hardships…one that foreshadows his own life ahead.

The story itself is broken down into 3 Episodes, each told from a different perspective. The first follows Takaki when he is just 13 years old, making the long trek to once again meet up with Akari.  The journey itself can be seen symbolizing his life ahead; the amount of planning Takaki takes into drawing up a complicated train route he needs to take in order to see her, only to be ultimately be lost and confused. This manifests itself with the number of delays he experiences due to a Blizzard that appears on the same day of his journey, which only intensifies as time goes by. As each hour draws closer to their meeting, Takaki himself gets more anxious…worrying if Akari will wait for him if he arrives late. The number of emotions Takaki experiences in his journey ultimately leaves him in a state of emptiness; a seed that is planted, but grows as he himself does too.

The second episode then switches to the perspective of Kanae Sumida, a classmate of Takaki since Junior High. She has had a crush on him ever since he transferred to her school, but has had trouble confessing to him. Her feelings of Takaki can be seen manifesting with her hobby of Surfing in the beaches. Although Kanae always falls everytime she catches a wave, she manages to get back on the board to try again. This act symbolizes her repeated attempts to try to confess to Takaki. However, these failed acts begin to take a toll on her. From forgetting to fill out her Career form, to the numerous wipe-outs she experiences due to her lost in thought of Takaki, Kanae feels “lost”; mirroring Takaki himself. Ultimately though, she accepts her feelings that although she is in love with Takaki, he would never return those feelings; gazing far into the distance without noticing her.

The final episode takes on a dual perspective: one of Takaki, and the other of Akari. Now an adult, Takaki’s emptiness has taken a drastic effect on his life. Living alone in an messy apartment, working lifelessly everyday, the pictures that are painted reflects that he has lost all sense of direction in his life. Close to a breakdown, he quits his job as an attempt to take back control. On the flip-side, Akari is seen happily boarding a train, planning to see someone. The final scene of Takaki and a young woman, who looks similar to Akari, walks by each other in a railroad. Both Takaki and the woman notices and looks back, unfortunately their view being blocked by the passing trains. Once again Takaki hesitates to see if she is still there, only to see that she is gone. A promise is then said…one that involves meeting with each other again…a journey that Takaki once took with a purpose…that since then he had lost.

After watching the film, it made me think about the current state of things…the Anime Industry was just the tip of the Iceberg. I feel that the emotion of love itself became lost and confused in today’s world…just like Takaki. Just like how anime itself uses vice in order to draw attention to itself, it ironically is also reflected by the state of how people connect with each other in today’s relationships: Looking more at appearances, certain characteristics from dating sites, as well as and how much income one makes rather than what matters deep down…trying to understand each other. Maybe that’s what Makoto Shinkai is trying to say in his work, that the complications of life itself can ultimately destroy even the most simplest and purest of emotions.

With that being said, I do highly recommend this film. However, from what I’ve seen the DVD is usually sold in limited quantities from time to time. As of this writing, Rightstuf.com has the DVD in pre-order for $14.99 (Originally $24.99), and as of this writing, will be released April 24th, 2011. So if you do want to save some money, jump on this. Like me, you just have to take that chance, rather than hesitating…for you might regret it.

• Rightstuf.com Listing (DVD Purchase Listing)

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