Makoto: 5 Centimeters Per Second & Voices of a Distant Star

Posted by LC

LenCanvas here,

Been a while since I’ve written anything. You’ll probably see something from me in the next week or so. Hopefully the team has been entertaining. Consider me the one that brings the alternative to this blog since I don’t try to catch the newest (or new) anime season. Today, I bring you some “literature” of anime:

|| Voices of a Distant Star and 5 Centimeters Per Second are both by Makoto Shinka
|| discussing the intangible and mysterious connections between relationships. As the
||   titles suggest, these animations are neither harem-filled, panty-flash eye-candy (though
||   they do have scenery porn), nor ending with happily ever after. These animations hit
||   the bittersweet heart-buds and are meant to be watched with concentration and detail to
||   character roles.

||   The plot in 5 Centimeters Per Second is highly composed and brutally
||   honest, not afraid to give glimpses to the repetitive but equally numbing actions
||    growing children take. As you can tell I felt very moved by the movie but appreciating it
||    requires much attentive relation to the characters. Hence, if you search around google
||   you would see comments of boredom and lack of interest. Highly recommended for
||   the softhearted.

||   Voices of a Distant Star is a (dated) sci-fi fantasy ova harping on those same
||   heartstrings. The story is much less complicated –a preview in comparison to 5
||   Centimeters Per Second. There’s a lot more implied in the characters’ roles: the
||   typical childhood friend scene with singular, timid mix of friendship and hormones. The
||   artwork is not for everyone but if you’re into mech and space scenes…. The breadth
||   of this ova disappoints me but is acceptable since its was all done by Makoto and his
||   wife (later re-dubbing from professionals.)

5 Centimeters Per Second:

artwork: 6/7
plot: 6/7
Lencanvas points: 7/7