Makoto Shinkai English Fan Forum and Site

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1071

It's been a while since I sat down and watched any of Shinkai's works. The real world has gotten the upper hand lately. I threw in She and Her cat and I really appreciate the storytelling abilities of Shinkai. Black and white, single character narration ... not much action ... and its a great complete story in 5 minutes.

I really like how the cats are kind of "every cat" .. no special color or breed ... just a cat. The expressions on Chobi's face and the positions you find him placed .... in her lap as she reads .... lying next to her while she cries. It's a very sweet representation of Chobi. Mimi is just adorable too.

This viewing ... what really struck me was the opening line to the last section ...

Junpei · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:16 am Post subject:

I personally think all Shinkai's shorts are great. Everything he needed to show is done in a short time, no long story.

Though it was only 5 minutes, as you watch, it feels longer through the speeches and storytelling which one of the reasons why I love it.

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1071

It's only 5 minutes but you don't feel that it's too short ... or that it's only 5 minutes. Hopefully we'll get more shorts.

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

IsUa · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:18 am Post subject:

So, I liked She and Her Cat very much... Very Happy

Tell a great story in just 5 minutes, for first real project Makoto Shinkai, shows his art (this is a wholesome work of art). Wink

We can say that "She and Her Cat" is a bittersweet anime about a woman, her cat (Chibli), their lives, their lives together (and Mimi).

This is black-and-white (very important, helps keeping the story simple), like the cats (who are simplified) despite that Chibi maintains a true real appearance. Also the music (or the lack), help criating a sort of melancholy atmosphere.

The story is told from the perspective (simplistic though) of Chibli. We can say it's a story about love, and a poignant look at heartbreak and the recovery with love. Her story is told through the cat, and her tale is...one of loneliness and heartbreak. She is shown as a lonely person who's only true friend is Chobi... Crying or Very sad

In the apartment were they live, their days pass with satisfaction, others not, as the cat loves and ponders after She. Meanwhile Mimi, is a cute kitten wants to marry Chobi. Chobi disagrees; he loves the more adult woman instead a young kitten.

For Chobi She is perfect and must not be at fault. He notes that She leaves during the day (when the scent of the outside world comes through the door). for Chobi the important is we are together, and that's all that there needs to be.

"... this world... I think we like it". (despite of everything)...no need more words... Smile

In conclusion, for me this is one of Makoto most beautiful (and important) work... Wink

Maltos · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject:

I very much agree with you there! She and Her Cat is one of my favourite Shinkai works (though I always find it hard to choose between She and Her Cat and Other Worlds). The way he managed to fit so much emotion and beauty into that 5 minutes amazes me. The simplicity of it is in great contrast to the complexity of Place Promised and even Voices; it seems to set itself apart from Shinkai's other work, for me.
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Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1071

I agree with you IsUa ... Smile

The simplicity of the work ... it's hard to think that it's only 5 minutes long as you get so much in that time span.

I think of Tenmon's music the same way ... simple yet moving and almost perfect.

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

yotterportan · Tracer Joined: 20 Jun 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Singapore

Hearing that last line made me shivered... I think it's very beautiful yet intriguing to hear that sentence coming out from a cat, so pure and sincere.... *emo* More like... adults must learn from the young and inexperienced ones about the beauty and simplicity of the world around, and take the best out of it.
I've been putting this on facebook status for quite some time after watching it...

Anyway speaking about last lines... regarding 5cm/s... I believe if I'm not wrong this sentence is repeated:

"sou omotte ita" --> the sub says: "that's what we thought"

Firstly by Takaki, when Omoide ha Tooku no Hibi soundtrack finished playing, when he was reminiscing his childhood with Akari on the train

Lastly by Akari, just before the closing scene and the start of One more time one more chance, at the same time when she stepped outside the train...

Not sure whether this is intended though... but it's beautiful..

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