Netflix has just released a lesser-seen classic from Makoto Shinkai, the masterful filmmaker behind Suzume and Your Name.
Over the past decade, Makoto Shinkai has become one of the greatest living anime directors. His films Your Name, Weathering With You, and Suzume have earned him worldwide acclaim for his stunning animation, heartfelt storytelling, and sense of wonder that follows in the footsteps of Studio Ghibli.
Netflix has now added a previous production of his, 5 Centimeters Per Second, for people who may not have delved into his filmography before. The film is available now for US subscribers on the platform.
Another slightly whimsical film, 5 Centimeters Per Second follows the life of Takaki Tono and his friendship, and eventual romance, with a woman named Akari, over three chapters. The first takes place in 1991, when they are children and first meet at school, while the second part takes place in 1999 and the third in 2008.
We see them experience ups and downs in their attempts to stay connected, and we see them take different directions in their lives. It’s a poetic look at the beautiful longing inherent in aging and the enormous weight of what could have been—themes Makoto revisits time and again in his work.
This was his second feature as a director, following The Place Promised in Our Early Days, and you can see the fixations that will resonate through to Your Name beginning to form.
Young love, the enormous transformations we undergo over time, the nostalgia for what could have been: it’s all there, packed into just over an hour of excellent filmmaking. The film has enjoyed a gradual release over the years, so the only reviews on Rotten Tomatoes come from regular users, but they are very positive.
“One of the best animated films I have ever seen. Poetic and breathtakingly beautiful, this film is a must-see,” says the most recent. “A moving and profound story that leads to a bittersweet ending,” adds another.
You can now find out their meaning on Netflix. Then, check out our guides to Dragon Ball Daima and Dandadan to cheer you up.
