5 Centimeters per Second is a hauntingly beautiful, deeply melancholic film that explores the ache of separation, the passage of time, and the fading of first love. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the film follows Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara, two close friends who are separated by distance as their families move. The story unfolds in three parts, each exploring a different stage of their relationship—from the intensity of young love to the bittersweet acceptance of growing apart. The film is a meditation on the fragility of connection and the inevitability of change.
The series is defined by its core themes: the power of memory and longing, the ache of distance and separation, and the bittersweet nature of time and growing up. The protagonists are profound underdogs—ordinary people who are powerless against the forces of distance and time that pull them apart. 5 Centimeters per Second masterfully subverts expectations by rejecting the typical romantic happy ending, instead delivering a quiet, introspective, and deeply realistic portrayal of love that fades with time. It is a series that understands the weight of a memory.
For fans of 5 Centimeters per Second, finding similar anime can be a challenge. The series occupies a unique space—part romance, part drama, part meditation on distance and time. Yet, many underrated series share its core DNA: a focus on the emotional weight of separation, an exploration of the bittersweet nature of memory and longing, and a willingness to use beautiful, atmospheric visuals to explore deep emotional themes. These shows deserve far more attention for their emotional depth, their atmospheric storytelling, and their refusal to provide easy answers.
Here are 15 underrated anime that capture the spirit of 5 Centimeters per Second.
1. Voices of a Distant Star (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Created, directed, and animated almost entirely by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: Mikako Nagamine is chosen to be a mecha pilot in a war against an alien race, while her friend Noboru remains on Earth. As she travels further into space, their messages take longer to reach each other.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and explore the ache of separation and the power of love to transcend vast distances. The focus is on the emotional weight of being apart and the difficulty of maintaining a connection. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
2. The Garden of Words (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: Takao Akizuki, a 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker, skips school on rainy days to sketch in a garden. He meets Yukari Yukino, a mysterious older woman, and they form a quiet bond.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and share his focus on quiet, emotional moments of connection between two lonely individuals. The focus is on the healing power of connection and the difficulty of expressing one’s feelings. The tone is melancholic and deeply atmospheric.
3. The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: In an alternate post-war Japan, three friends make a promise to fly to a mysterious tower. Years later, one of them has fallen into a coma, and the tower holds the key to waking her.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and explore themes of separation, longing, and the power of promises across time and distance. The focus is on the emotional bonds between characters and the ache of being apart. The tone is melancholic and deeply atmospheric.
4. She and Her Cat: Everything Flows (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 4
- Studio: Liden Films
- Notable Staff: Based on the original short by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: The story is told from the perspective of a cat named Daru, who lives with a young woman struggling with loneliness and the challenges of adulthood.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are based on works by Makoto Shinkai and share his focus on loneliness, connection, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. The focus is on the emotional lives of the characters and the comfort of companionship. The tone is warm, melancholic, and deeply moving.
5. Your Name (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.9
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: Taki and Mitsuha, two strangers who have never met, begin to swap bodies. They must navigate the complexities of their connection and uncover the truth behind their mysterious link.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and explore themes of connection, distance, and the power of love to transcend time and space. The focus is on the emotional bonds between the characters and the ache of separation. The tone is a blend of melancholy and hope.
6. Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu (2005)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.1
- Episodes: 6 (OVA)
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel by Mizuhito Akiyama.
Plot Summary: Naoyuki Asaba, a high school student, meets Kana Iriya, a mysterious girl who is secretly a fighter pilot in a war against aliens.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are about a young couple separated by circumstances beyond their control. The focus is on the ache of separation and the power of simple messages to bridge distances. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
7. True Tears (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.5
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Directed by Junji Nishimura.
Plot Summary: Shinichiro Nakagami is a high school student who lives with his family and a girl named Hiromi, who was taken in after her parents died. He becomes entangled in a love triangle.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are melancholic dramas that focus on the complexities of young love and the pain of unspoken feelings. The focus is on the emotional weight of choices and the difficulty of expressing one’s true emotions. The tone is quiet, introspective, and deeply moving.
8. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Rating: MAL: 8.3
- Episodes: 11
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Notable Staff: Directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai, written by Mari Okada.
Plot Summary: Years after the death of their friend Menma, a group of estranged childhood friends is brought back together when Menma’s ghost appears to Jinta.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are about the lingering impact of the past and the difficulty of moving on. The focus is on the emotional weight of loss and the power of memory. The series is a tear-jerking exploration of friendship, regret, and the healing power of connection.
9. A Lull in the Sea (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.0
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Directed by Toshiya Shinohara, written by Mari Okada.
Plot Summary: Four childhood friends from a school under the sea are forced to attend a school on the surface. A catastrophic event separates the group.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are ensemble dramas that focus on the complex web of relationships within a group of friends. The supernatural elements serve as catalysts for emotional revelation. The series is a masterclass in exploring unrequited love and the pain of change.
10. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Directed by Mamoru Hosoda.
Plot Summary: Makoto Konno discovers she has the ability to leap through time. She uses this power to fix small problems, but learns that her actions have unintended consequences.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are about the consequences of choices and the importance of cherishing the present moment. The focus is on the emotional weight of decisions and the fleeting nature of happiness. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
11. Wolf Children (2012)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.6
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Studio Chizu
- Notable Staff: Directed by Mamoru Hosoda.
Plot Summary: Hana falls in love with a wolf man and has two children who inherit his ability to transform into wolves. After his death, she must raise them alone.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are about the bonds of love and the sacrifices required to maintain them across time and distance. The focus is on the emotional weight of separation and the enduring power of love. The film is a masterpiece of emotional storytelling.
12. Time of Eve (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 6 (ONA)
- Studio: Studio Rikka
- Notable Staff: Directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura.
Plot Summary: In a future where androids are commonplace, Rikuo Sakisaka discovers that his family’s android has been visiting a mysterious café where humans and androids are treated as equals.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are thoughtful, introspective stories that explore the nature of connection and what it means to be human. The focus is on the quiet, emotional moments and the philosophical questions about empathy and understanding.
13. Kino’s Journey (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 8.3
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: A.C.G.T.
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Keiichi Sigsawa.
Plot Summary: Kino, a young traveler, journeys with a talking motorcycle through a variety of strange and unique countries.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are philosophical journeys that explore the complexities of human nature and the search for meaning. The tone is quiet, observational, and often melancholic. The focus is on understanding rather than judging.
14. Mushishi (2005)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Rating: MAL: 8.7
- Episodes: 26 (Season 1)
- Studio: Artland
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Yuki Urushibara.
Plot Summary: Ginko, a “Mushi-shi,” travels the countryside investigating “Mushi”—primordial, ethereal lifeforms that exist alongside humanity.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are atmospheric, contemplative series that explore the unseen forces that shape human lives. The focus is on understanding rather than fighting, and the tone is quiet, meditative, and deeply philosophical.
15. Hotarubi no Mori e (2011)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa.
Plot Summary: Hotaru, a young girl, befriends Gin, a spirit who lives in the forest. She can never touch him, or he will disappear.
Similarities to 5 Centimeters per Second: Both are about the bittersweet relationship between two beings who are separated by circumstances, and the pain of separation. The focus is on the quiet, emotional moments of connection. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
Why These Anime Work for 5 Centimeters per Second Fans
Fans of 5 Centimeters per Second are drawn to stories that are quiet, melancholic, and deeply emotional. They appreciate a narrative that explores the ache of separation, the bittersweet nature of memory, and the inevitability of change. They are not looking for simple action or escapism, but for stories that make them feel the weight of a single moment.
The anime listed above all share this fundamental DNA:
- The Ache of Separation: Whether it is the distance between Takaki and Akari, the light-years between Mikako and Noboru, or the years between promises, these series understand that the most painful experiences are often the quietest ones. The focus is on the emotional toll of being apart.
- The Power of Memory: These series celebrate the power of memory and longing, and the way that the past continues to shape our present. The focus is on the bittersweet nature of remembering what was lost.
- Subversion of the Romance Genre: These series reject the typical romantic happy ending, instead delivering a more realistic, nuanced portrayal of love and loss. They understand that the most compelling stories are those that touch the heart.
These 15 anime, like 5 Centimeters per Second, are not afraid to be melancholic. They are underrated gems that offer a deeply moving, thought-provoking, and beautifully crafted experience for viewers who are willing to open their hearts to the ache of separation and the enduring power of love.
