5 cm per second

Upon Akari Shinohara's arrival, Takaki Tono soon becomes friends with her, due to their common interests, such as that they both prefer to stay in class during recess due to their seasonal allergies. In the Japanese version we find that their way of speaking highlights the strong bond that unites them which is very rare in Japan, even among people who are in love. After primary school, Akari moved to Tochigi due to her parents' work. The two protagonists will remain in contact through a rich correspondence of letters, but despite the Platonic feelings that exist between them, the separation makes them suffer. When Takaki finds out that his family is moving to Kagoshima, he decides to go to Akari to reveal his true feelings.

Takaki is now in his third year of high school in Tanegashima, where the Tanegashima Space Center is located. Kanae Sumida, a classmate of Takaki's, has fallen in love with Takaki since his arrival, but cannot find the courage to express her feelings for him. She spends as much time as she can with him. However, Takaki seems to only regard her as a good friend. Over time, Kanae notes that Takaki regularly writes letters and that he often seems thoughtful, looking for something or someone.

Episode 3 - Byosoku 5 Centimeter (5 centimeters per second)

We are in 2008. Takaki is now a computer programmer in Tokyo and Akari is preparing her wedding. There is no clear indication as to what Kanae is doing, but in the final edit, she can be seen a little larger by the ocean next to her surfboard. Takaki is still in love with Akari at the expense of his life and other relationships. Akari finds the letter she intended to give to Takaki without ever having given it to him and regrets this lost love. On the verge of depression, Takaki quits his job.

The film achieved considerable critical and commercial success. In fact, it won the award for the best animated film and best special effects at the Future Film Festival and Asia Pacific Screen Awards. It also reached third and fourth place in Japan's best-selling DVD and Blu-Ray in July 2007 and 20086,7, respectively.

The film was considered the best animated film not made by Hayao Miyazaki. Its director is also presented as one of his successors, surpassing even the master in certain areas. Makoto Shinkai said that unlike his past works, there would be no fantasy or science fiction in this film. The author addresses the themes of time, space and love. The title refers to the rate of fall of a cherry petal, petals being a metaphorical representation of man, recalling the slow pace of life and the way people come together to move slowly from one to another. In the first episode, cell phones and e-mails are not yet within everyone's reach.