Makoto Shinkai’s Masterpiece 5 Centimeters per Second Live-Action Unveils First Stills, Starring Hokuto Matsumura of SixTONES

The live-action film 5 Centimeters per Second (秒速5センチメートル), starring Hokuto Matsumura (松村北斗) of SixTONES, will be shown in theaters on October 10. A set of still images capturing the emotional essence of the original anime has been released. The images depict the story's changing seasons with delicate realism.

The film is based on Makoto Shinkai's 2007 theatrical anime, which was made after his earlier blockbusters such as Your Name. (2016), Weathering With You (2019), and Suzume (2022). It tells the story of Takaki Tono's 18-year journey. The live-action version was directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama, a famous filmmaker and photographer. He is known for directing commercials for Pocari Sweat and music videos for Kenshi Yonezu's "Kanden" and "KICK BACK" as well as Gen Hoshino's "Create." The live-action version tries to reimagine Shinkai's vision in a new medium.

The story is divided into three parts: In 1991, elementary school children Takaki (played by Yuto Ueda, 上田悠斗) and Akari (Noa Shirayama, 白山乃愛) meet. They connect because they are lonely. In 1997, on Tanegashima, a teenage Takaki (Yuzu Aoki, 青木柚) goes through high school while Kanae (Nana Mori, 森七菜) develops feelings for him. In 2009, Takaki (Hokuto Matsumura) lives a lonely life in Tokyo, while Akari (Mitsuki Takahata, 高畑充希) continues to think about the past. It is a story of two people going through 18 years at different speeds, with different experiences, and meeting different people.

The new stills show the film's atmosphere very well: Akari looks into the distance, Takaki stands at a train crossing as cherry blossoms fall, childhood memories of playing with soap bubbles during the peak bloom season, the winter get-together at Tochigi's Iwafune Station, Kanae and Takaki watch a rocket launch on Tanegashima, and Kanae surfs along the sea. Many of these scenes look just like the most famous images from the anime.

Additionally, original live-action moments have been revealed, including Takaki’s conversation with Science Museum director Ogawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka) and a heartwarming shot of Kanae’s sister Midori (Aoi Miyazaki) sharing a smile with Akari under the cherry blossoms. The collection of 11 stills encapsulates the film’s tender, bittersweet, and nostalgic tone.

Source : ORICON NEWS