Well, I've re-watched the ending a couple of times, and I think I'm slowly beginning to understand what it means to me.

Did anyone else notice that at the end when they both caught the cherry blossoms, Akari let go of it, whereas Takaki held on to it tightly? It's like it's saying that Akari was able to let go and find her own happiness, whereas Takaki is still clinging to the past. It's so sad that he lost so much just because he was holding on tightly to old memories and feelings.

Does she let go? It didn't really show that. Her hand dropped to her side, but we don't know if she let go or not. I'd be really sad if she did that with such a huge smile on her face. That would just be cruel.

Hmmm actually, now that you mention it... I went back and watched that scene again, and noticed that it sort of looks like she caught the petal in her hand, held on to it, and then her hand dropped to the side. It really doesn't look like she let go of the petal at all... plus it didn't show her expression, so maybe she was actually a bit sad about it? It's hard to say for sure.

[size=1][color=#666666]This message was edited by Aya Chan on Dec 28 2007.

Yeah no kidding. I watched it again just now and realized that I'd misinterpreted several things, and missed many others during those video flashes that Shinkai loves doing so much. There are so many nuances that you can miss like that. For example: did you guys notice that the magazine he was reading at the end (convenience store just before the all-too-famous song starts) was about the ELISH Satellite leaving the solar system? You know, the one he watched launch into space in Cosmonaut? I swear, I always miss these things...

Did anyone else realize there was a novel for 5 centimeters per second? It's written by Shinkai himself, and I'm ticked because I can't find it anywhere. I really want to read that.

I read that blog entry as well. The writer had several comments on the ending in other entries. I don't know if he's right or not, but I think reading the book would clear it up.

Just got the Dub on DVD and watched it. I viewed it with horror beyond my expectations. I didn't expect the dubbing to be nearly as bad as it was. I was slamming my head on the wall every five minutes. They made Kanae's voice nasally! Nasally!!! Just give me five minutes with her voice actor... that will be enough.

I read the book by the way. It was a mind opening experience. Totally redefined Takaki for me. His tale is far sadder than I initially thought. I feel so terrible for him. He tried so hard to recover, but even after he'd moved on, things always got in the way. Things from his past, his emotions, his differences. I would almost say there was nothing he could do about it. What's really frightening is that it made me feel a sudden similarity to him. I can sympathize with many of his experiences.

My opinion of Kanae has only gotten better. I can't help but love the girl more than before, especially knowing her final moments. I don't think I'll watch Cosmonaut the same way again. There was even more imagery than I had initially thought. I suppose that's true about all the chapters though. I had already picked up on the fact that Tohno was aware of Kanae's affection for him, but it was nice to read confirmation. I'm glad to know he felt bad about it, but knew it was necessary. His rejection was probably one of the nicest things he did to a girl in the 17 years we read about. Some say he should have cut her off earlier, but I'm glad he waited until after the rocket's take-off, when she was ready to confess. It was necessary that she experience at least that moment together with him.

I suddenly don't feel any disdain for Akari anymore either. I don't particularly feel any connection with her, but I'm really glad she took the best things out of her relationship with Takaki. She didn't try to forget him, but instead treasured their memories together more than anything in the world. That's a heartwarming thought.

Yeah, that's the problem. She's my favorite character. I can't believe they ruined her...

Yeah, there are a lot of things I misinterpreted. More so things I never noticed. It's too bad the third story was so truncated. The book went far more into Takaki's adulthood.

The annoying thing is that, yeah, it's dual audio, but the subs are miserable. I regret deleting my fansubbed version. Well, that's a bit overstated. The subs aren't awful, they just aren't exactly praiseworthy. Sadly, ADV did a very mediocre job with this. It would have done them well to think more about the story before totally misinterpreting it. I think that hurt the translation significantly. The story seems clichéd, as you noted, in the English version. It's depressing.

Yeah... in regards to the spoiler, the dub isn't so mistaken that it screws up the meaning that badly, but it certainly doesn't meat my expectations.

Finally, I concede that I was exaggerating my intentions a little over Kanae's VA. She's got her good moments. Overall though, I wish she would kindly cease participation in any serious VA roles. She's not suited to them. She'd be more appropriately cast as an obnoxious girl in some school life anime. Deep drama? No.

This was the only anime that actually brought tears into my eyes. I think just because i too had a childhood sweetheart that i miss and haven't see her in like 10 years. Hopefully I'll get to see her this summer when i go back to my home country.

A brilliant movie, very deep - I do think I'll watch it again to understand more. The storyline was quite saddening, it is one of those few things that after I watch it I get a weird feeling in my stomach and just sit there thinking. Hard hitting is putting it lightly in my opinion.

Loved every bit of it.