5 Centimeters per Second

Three snapshots trace Takaki Tohno's growth from a shy student to a man defined by distance. In their school days he forms a quiet bond with Akari Shinohara, but life pushes them apart before they can be close. Later he befriends Kanae Sumida, who harbors a secret love for him even as she remains a loyal companion. As adulthood arrives with its demands and a city that feels cold and indifferent, Takaki faces the loneliness that comes with changing priorities. Seasons pass, and the ache of separation tests whether memory can keep people near when geography keeps them apart.

Released in 2007, the film is directed by Makoto Shinkai and built from an original screenplay rather than a novel or comic adaptation.

Visually, it pairs quiet urban landscapes with a sense of time slipping by, a signature look that has influenced later romantic dramas in anime. Its emphasis on distance and memory resonates beyond the romance genre, earning devoted attention from fans and critics alike.

Critics praised its restrained storytelling and lush visuals, highlighting how the film turns everyday moments into a meditation on longing, time, and the ways people drift apart. The film invites quiet reflection rather than overt drama.

Awards: It did not win major awards, but it earned recognition at various animation festivals and regional film events, underscoring its craft, atmosphere and emotional resonance within the genre, among fans and peers.