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Makoto Shinkai English Fan Forum and Site
 An Unofficial English Fan Site for Makoto Shinkai
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Laz
Laz
Joined: 09 Jan 2008
Posts: 1071
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 Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: The Letters .... |
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Not sure if this has been posted before ... but this is one of the places where I wish I coul read Japanese ...
The letters that Takaki and Akari spend time writting .. that they are never able to give (Takaki loses his .. Akari holds on to hers) ... what are your impressions?
1. What do you think was in those letters?
2. If they were given would the story have changed?
Laz
_________________
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 |
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gleowine
EZO Tower
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 336
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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As far as Akari's letter, I think she summed it up, either intentionally or unintentionally, with her last words to him before the train left: "I think... you'll be alright." You can interpret that anyway you wish.
If they'd been received and read, I think it would have changed things. For Takaki it would have been hard to take (I know, I've been there before), but at least he would have learned Akari's real feelings and not been left with a bunch of "what if's". For Akari, there would have been perhaps sadness and regret, but she would have cherished that letter to the day she died. |
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Junpei
VNP 46b-512
Joined: 25 Jan 2008
Posts: 834
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:17 am Post subject: |
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It was posted before Laz, and I've dug it out again.
This was Akari's letter to Takaki which she never gave. It was translated from the original so note that the Japanese often speak from a third person point of view which is why they refer to the person they’re talking to by name instead of “you”.
| Quote: | To Takaki-kun.
How are you?
When we made that date, we never foresaw how snowy it would be today, did we? It looks like the train is late. That’s why I’ve decided to write this while I’m waiting for you, Takaki-kun.
There is a stove in front of me so it’s warm here. As always, I keep some writing paper in my bag so that I can write my letters at any time. I’m thinking of handing this to Takaki-kun later. So don’t arrive too early or I will be very much troubled. Please don’t hurry, take your time coming here.
It’s been a long time since we last met. It’s been eleven months. That’s why I’m actually feeling a little nervous just now. What will we do if we don’t recognise each other when we meet? But this place is so small compared to Tokyo so I don’t think that could possibly happen. But no matter how much I try to imagine what Takaki-kun looks like in school uniform or soccer clothes, Takaki-kun seems like a stranger to me.
Hmmm, what else should I write? Oh, I know. I will start by thanking Takaki-kun. I will write down the thoughts I had for you that I couldn’t convey properly. When I transferred to Tokyo in primary four I was really glad Takaki-kun was there. I was happy we became friends. If Takaki-kun wasn’t there, school would have been much harder for me.
That’s why I really didn’t want to transfer to another school and part with Takaki-kun. I wanted to attend the same junior high school as Takaki-kun and grow up together. It was always what I had wished for. I’ve gotten used to my school now (so please don’t worry too much about me) but everyday I would think to myself many times, “How much better would it be if Takaki-kun was here?”
I’m very sad that Takaki-kun will soon be moving to a much distant place. Even though we’re separated in between Tokyo and Tochigi, I always thought to myself that, “Takaki-kun is within my reach.” I could always have taken the train right away to go see you. But this time, going to the other side of Kyushu is a bit too far for me.
From now on, I will have to learn how to live on well by myself, even though I’m not confident that I can. But I have to. Both Takaki-kun and I have to.
There’s another thing that I must tell you. I’m writing this down in this letter just in case I can’t say it out to you.
I love you. I can’t remember when I fell in love with you but very naturally, I had fallen in love with you before I knew it. The first time I met you, you were a strong and kind boy. You always protected me.
Takaki-kun, I’m sure you will be all right. No matter what happens, I know you wil grow up to be a fine kind adult. No matter how far you will go, I will always love you.
Please, please remember that. |
Takaki dreamed he was writing a letter in a room filled with cardboard boxes. It was the letter that got blown away at the station but, he felt that he still had to have written it even if no one was ever going to lay eyes on it. The last page of his letter wrote:
| Quote: | I don’t really know what it means to grow up. But one day, if I ever meet Akari again by coincidence, I want to have become someone that I’m not ashamed of being.
This I promise you, Akari.
I have always loved you.
Please take care. Farewell. |
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Janny
Cosmonaut
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Posts: 141
Location: Romania
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| Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting Junpei. Touching letter, and so very sad, I feel like I got a knot in my throat after reading it...
Where did you guys find the full letter anyway?
_________________
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. |
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Laz
Laz
Joined: 09 Jan 2008
Posts: 1071
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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Good Stuff ... thanks Junpei ... I wonder when I see the letters or the emails in the various movies, just how much I'm missing by not being able to read them.
Thanks!
Laz
_________________
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 |
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