Makoto Shinkai English Fan Forum and Site

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1071

Discussion on the second episode ... Takaki and Kanae.

Menasha · vc_bios_b960909 Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 822

This could have been a movie in it's self was a very nice story, nice back story of the space program there, beautiful backgrounds, I can't ask for any more.

Kanae was my favorite character by far, something about her I liked.

Junpei · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:25 am Post subject:

Kanae is still my my favorite character but after I've read the review for the novel, I think I can "slip down" from her knowing she eventually moved on after Takaki left. She is one of a strong girl, I hope for her in her future.

Menasha · vc_bios_b960909 Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 822

From her personality I got she would be able to move on easily with out the presents of Takaki always around her to remind her.

Just speculation though, but I got that feeling from her riding off on her moped in the music video hah.

Phantast · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject:

No, I agree with you on that, Menasha. I don't think she was the type to linger in the past like Takaki.

Kanae was great, but she wasn't my favorite character. Despite his faults, I would have to say that Takaki is my favorite character in 5 Centimeters.

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1071

Good thread ... when I was watching this the other day ... it struck me that I'm not sure Kanae necessarily moved on completely from Takaki ... but she handled it in a more mature way.

For instance ... at the end of this part, she says that she will always love Takaki, no matter what. She's come to grips with the fact that Takaki tends to see past her, but she still is seen at the airport watching Takaki's plan take off and then slowly riding home on her scooter. I think she carries the weight of her feelings for him ... even though she appears to move on. I guess we all carry around pieces of that first love we have ( or pieces of anyone we love, or that matter).

Laz

Phantast · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I agree with you. It reminds me of (the translation of) a line from the ending song of "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time":

"Even if one day I fall in love with someone else,
You will always remain special and dear to me."

I felt like that's how it was with Kanae, and even Akari.

It's cheesy, I know, but it seems relevant anyway. xD

Junpei · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:13 pm Post subject:

I remember something like that in the letter Akari had written to Takaki and I'm sure Kanae would be feeling very much the same.

Junpei · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:53 am Post subject:

I had a watch again yesterday and couldn't stop thinking about the beautiful silent scenes where Takaki and Akari were together on a hill looking at the sky, clouds and stars.

I first thought it was in the past since Takaki hadn't seen Akari ever since and he was in Kagoshima but I realised it was shown they were both teenagers which is what they were at that time.

So I'm assuming all that was in Takaki himself?

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1071

I just realized that at the end of this episode ... after Kanae waves good bye to Takaki ... and the voice over talks about how she couldn't tell Takaki she loved him becuase he was always looking past her ..... that the following scene of Takaki on the hillside looking at the planet/sun rise ... it is Akari that is beside him on the hill and not Kanae. Kanae has short hair and the girl on the hillside with Takaki has long hair. Can't believe it took me that long to catch that.

Laz

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You're a woman, I'm a calf ... you're a window, I'm a knife ... we come together making chance into starlight ... - Jeff Buckley

ここにいるよ. - Voices of a Distant Star