5 Centimeters Per Second

Akari: Hey, they say it's five centimeters per second.
Tono: What do you mean?
Akari: It is the speed at which the sakura blossom petals fall. 5 centimeters per second...

This Makoto Shinkai animated masterpiece is a concoction of pure and unadulterated artistry and depthness. It boasts of great art and an even greater story about growing up, destiny and love. The story introduces us to two unforgettable characters, Tono and Akari. They were childhood best friends, and from the scenes they had in the film, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce that they share a deep connection---something that most people are not blessed to have or encounter in their lifetime. In time, they realized they were in love with one another.

However, no matter how deep that love was, it was still not enough to keep them together. After so many years of yearning and searching for Akari, who was at that time, was already engaged, Tono still missed the chance of having the woman that he so longs to be with since the moment they parted on the day the sakura trees started to slowly shed their petals.

At the crossroad of a railway, they met once again. Tono knew in his heart that the girl he saw by the crossing while the sakura petals were slowly falling down was the only girl he ever truly loved. Upon reaching the other end of the crossroad, he noticed that the girl was also about to turn around to look at him, but it was then when the trains started moving, hindering him from seeing the girl he always longs to hold and love.

Tono waited for what seemed like an eternity, until suddenly, the view was cleared. It was his chance to finally see Akari for the first time in years. He saw the usual buildings, structures, the light emmited by the train signals...but the girl was there no more. He never said anything, but he might have said to himself, "It must have been my imagination. She will never be here. She will never be with me." With that thought, his feet slowly turned around, then moved forward back to the ordinary world.

"At what speed must I live to see you once again?"---Tono