After the resounding success of Suzume in 2023, Japanese director Makoto Shinkai, also known for the film Your Name, is still making waves. And this time with one of his most beloved works: 5 Centimeters per Second. Almost two decades after its original release, the story of Takaki and Akari will return to the big screen, now in the form of live action. And we already know when it will be released.
5 Centimeters per Second Live Action arrives in October
It was announced on the Twitter/X account @5cm_movie_2025 that the new live-action adaptation will hit Japanese theaters on October 10, 2025. And yes, a first visual has already been released that left fans with their hearts in their hands. In the image we see Tono standing on a snowy landscape, with an iconic phrase. “How fast do I have to live so I can see you again?”. And if you know the original film, you know that’s already a dagger straight to the heart.
5 Centimeters per Second was originally released in 2007 and was one of the films that put Shinkai on the international map. Unlike some of his other more recent works, this story has no supernatural elements or cosmic comets. Rather, it is a melancholy exploration of the passage of time, emotional distance and the love that simply wasn’t. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s one of the most touching anime films out there. Especially if you watched it at the right time in your life.
The new from the director of Your Name and Suzume is all ready to go
The new film is being produced by Spoon, with distribution by Toho, one of Japan’s largest companies. Actor Hokuto Matsumura will play Takaki Tono. And if the name sounds familiar, it is because he is no stranger to Shinkai’s world, as he was the one who voiced Sota in the Japanese dub of Suzume.
This generates quite a bit of anticipation, as Matsumura has experience capturing the emotional sensitivity that characterizes the Shinkai universe. In addition, both Suzume and 5 Centimeters per Second are available on Netflix, allowing you to relive or discover these stories for the first time before the release of the live action.
Although no further details about the cast or the length of the 5 Centimeters per Second film have yet been revealed, it is clear that this adaptation seeks to connect with a new generation of viewers. What is clear is that this adaptation seeks to connect with a new generation of viewers. Also, while maintaining the poetic and melancholic tone that made the original film so special.
And yes, we know that live action adaptations of anime do not always have a good reputation. But with such powerful source material and a committed team, there is reason to be hopeful. The first visual already gave us a direct emotional hit, and knowing Shinkai, we can expect a heavy dose of nostalgia and visual beauty.
So if you were ever heartbroken and watched 5 Centimeters per Second to cry silently, get ready. In October, you’ll be back to walking alongside trains, watching the snow fall. And to wonder if love can survive the passage of time.