5 Centimeters per Second (2007)
Makoto Shinkai's quietly devastating anime poem about distance, memory, and the people we can never quite reach again.
5 Centimeters per Second - Movie Information
- Original Title: 秒速5センチメートル
- Release Year: 2007
- Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Romance, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 3m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 3, 2007 (Japan - G), June 21, 2007 (South Korea - ALL)
- Alternative Titles: 초속 5 센티미터 (KR), 秒速五厘米 (CN), 5 centimetri al secondo (IT), 5 Centimètres par Seconde - a chain of short stories about their distance (FR), Byousoku 5 Centimeter (JP), 5 Centimeters Per Second: A Chain of Short Stories About Their Distance (US), Byôsoku 5 Senchimêtoru (NL), חמישה סנטימטרים בשניה (IL)
- Production Companies: CoMix Wave Films
- Production Countries: Japan
5 Centimeters per Second - Plot
Three moments in Takaki's life: his relationship with Akari and their forced separation; his friendship with Kanae, who is secretly in love with him; the demands and disappointments of adulthood, an unhappy life in a cold city.
5 Centimeters per Second - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and experience the film's breathtaking visuals and melancholic atmosphere:
At what speed must I live to see you again?
Where to Watch 5 Centimeters per Second
Looking for where to watch 5 Centimeters per Second?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
5 Centimeters per Second - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Makoto Shinkai
Main Cast
- Kenji Mizuhashi
- Yoshimi Kondou
- Satomi Hanamura
- Risa Mizuno
- Ayaka Onoue
- Yuka Terasaki
- Yuko Nakamura
- Masami Iwasaki
- Ryou Naitou
- Hiroshi Shimozaki
Writers
- Makoto Shinkai
Producers
- Makoto Shinkai
- Chung Jin-ho
5 Centimeters per Second - FAQs
Where can you watch 5 Centimeters per Second?
5 Centimeters per Second is available to stream on Netflix and HBO Max. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region — check JustWatch for current options in your country.
What does the title 5 Centimeters per Second mean?
Five centimeters per second is the speed at which cherry blossom petals fall. Director Makoto Shinkai uses this image as a metaphor for the gentle, inevitable drift between people — beautiful and fleeting, impossible to hold onto, much like the connection between Takaki and Akari.
What is 5 Centimeters per Second about?
The film follows Takaki Tohno across three chapters of his life: a childhood bond with Akari severed by distance, a high school friendship with Kanae who secretly loves him, and a lonely adulthood in Tokyo. It is a meditation on longing, memory, and the emotional cost of time passing.
Does 5 Centimeters per Second have a happy ending?
The ending is bittersweet rather than happy. Takaki and Akari cross paths at a railway crossing as adults but do not reunite — a train passes between them and she is gone. Takaki smiles and walks on, suggesting quiet acceptance rather than resolution. Many viewers find it emotionally devastating yet cathartic.
Who directed 5 Centimeters per Second?
Makoto Shinkai directed, wrote, edited, and served as cinematographer on 5 Centimeters per Second. He is also known for Your Name (2016) and Weathering with You (2019). The film is widely regarded as one of his most personal and emotionally resonant works.
Who are the main voice actors in this film?
The principal voice cast includes Kenji Mizuhashi as Takaki Tohno, Yoshimi Kondou as young Akari Shinohara, Satomi Hanamura as Kanae Sumida, and Ayaka Onoue as the adult Akari. The performances are understated and naturalistic, perfectly matching the film's quiet, introspective tone.
How long is 5 Centimeters per Second?
5 Centimeters per Second has a runtime of 63 minutes, structured as three interconnected short stories. Despite its brevity, the film achieves remarkable emotional depth, with each chapter functioning almost as a standalone piece while building a cumulative portrait of loss and longing.
What are similar films to 5 Centimeters per Second?
Viewers who love this film often recommend The Garden of Words (2013) and Voices of a Distant Star (2002), both by Makoto Shinkai, as well as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (2018), and Hotarubi no Mori e (2011) for similarly emotional anime experiences.
More About 5 Centimeters per Second
Explore further details, ratings, and database entries for this film: