5 Centimeters per Second (Byosoku 5 senchimetoru) is a Japanese romantic drama directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama and written by Ayako Suzuki, set to hit French theaters on February 25, 2026. With a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute, the film stars Hokuto Matsumura, Mitsuki Takahata, and Nana Mori. This live-action adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's acclaimed 2007 animated film was developed with the explicit support of the director himself, according to production details provided by Fuji Television and CoMix Wave Film.
In 2008, Takaki is nearing thirty and leads a solitary life in Tokyo, caught up in his work as a computer programmer. Beneath this seemingly stable existence lie memories of a brighter past. He recalls the year 1991, when he met Akari at school and formed a unique bond — one built on intimate conversations and a shared fascination with the sky and the promises of the future. This formative relationship shapes his worldview and his sense of anticipation.
In the end, life pulls them apart. Moves, missed opportunities, and prolonged silences mark their journey. Despite the distance and the years that have passed, an invisible thread seems to connect them, intertwined with memories and unfulfilled hopes. Through this bittersweet chronicle, the film explores the passage of time, the nostalgia of youthful love, and the challenge of aligning dreams with reality.
Initially, the project was sparked when producer Hiromasa Tamai (Fuji Television) reached out to Makoto Shinkai through the CoMix Wave Films website. At first, Noritaka Kawaguchi believed that the 63-minute animated work was too short for a direct adaptation. However, Ayako Suzuki, who was awarded the Fuji TV Young Scenario Award in 2020, developed an expanded version that incorporated new narrative elements, all while maintaining the original three-part structure of the 2007 film. Makoto Shinkai publicly praised the new version, expressing his emotional response to the visuals and the editing approach taken by Okuyama.
The director meticulously prepared the adaptation: crafting a comprehensive manual over 100 pages that delves into the film's context and characters, conducting detailed scene-by-scene analyses of the animated feature to grasp the director's intentions, and organizing group screenings at his family workshop to deepen his emotional connection to the story. Hokuto Matsumura, a member of the group SixTONES and already involved in Makoto Shinkai's universe as a voice actor in Suzume, takes on the role of Takaki in his first leading role in a major film. The theme song, "1991," composed by Kenshi Yonezu, echoes this pivotal year in the protagonists' lives.
Straddling the line between faithful homage and modern reinterpretation, the film continues the tradition of introspective Japanese romances, characterized by reflection and narrative fragmentation over time. Like the original, it favors a tender storytelling style that highlights the changing seasons, landscapes, and silences. Fans of Your Name or Japanese teen melodramas will find here a similar focus on memory, longing, and emotional distance.
5 Centimeters per Second | Movie | 2026
Release Date in theaters: February 25, 2026
Drama, Romance | Duration: 2h01
Directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama | Starring Hokuto Matsumura, Mitsuki Takahata, Nana Mori
Original title: Byosoku 5 senchimetoru
Country: Japan
Revisiting a seminal work in Makoto Shinkai's filmography, this adaptation offers a broader interpretation of a story that has become a symbol of modern Japanese romanticism. Blending a generational coming-of-age tale with reflections on emotional memory, it brings to life on screen a story defined by patience, emotional distance, and enduring feelings.
To extend your in-theater experience, check out the February movie releases, discover the must-see films of the moment, or browse our top romantic comedies of the year.
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