Live-Action Trailer Portrait '5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND', When Longing and Sorrow are Beautifully Wrapped

This film tells the story of Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara, two friends whose feelings for each other deepen but are tested when their families have to move to different cities.

In three acts, starting from the warmth of their meeting in elementary school, the loneliness of longing in their teenage years, to the maturity shadowed by memories of the past, their story illustrates how slowly time passes while waiting for a meeting that may never happen.

Hokuto Matsumura (member of the group SixTONES) has been entrusted by Makoto Shinkai to bring to life the main character, who is loving yet bound by memories of the past. Akari Shinohara, a newcomer actress, will be announced soon, to capture the innocent and emotional face that underlies Takaki's first love.

This film successfully evokes deep emotions in many people thanks to the universality of longing it portrays, a depiction of waiting at a train station, piled-up letters, and echoes of memories that feel very personal to anyone who has ever experienced the longing of waiting for a love's answer.

The title itself is taken from the speed at which cherry blossom petals fall, slow yet certain, just like the hope that fades as time continues to roll on without answers. Furthermore, the beautiful visuals combined with melancholic music like 'One More Time, One More Chance' make each touching moment resonate deeper.

This adaptation is worth the wait due to Makoto Shinkai's direct involvement in developing the screenplay, ensuring the essence of the story remains intact even as its format is transformed into a feature film. Additionally, the promising casting with Hokuto Matsumura is expected to deliver an authentic and emotionally rich interpretation of the character Takaki.

The addition of a two-hour duration also provides space for background details and intimate moments that were not explored in the animated version, adding a new dimension to the relationship between Takaki and Akari.

The screening of the film 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND live-action version is scheduled for fall 2025 in Japan, with an estimated duration of two hours. This duration allows for deeper exploration compared to the animated three-segment version, which is 63 minutes long, thereby adding layers to the story and enriching the emotional experience for the audience.