What occurs when two individuals love one another yet are simply not destined to be together? Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara are childhood friends, but circumstances beyond their control tear them apart. They promise to keep in touch, and although the passage of time widens the distance between them, the chain of memories remains ever-present. Byousoku 5 Centimeter is a romantic drama that focuses on the mundane and harsh reality of long-distance relationships. Stuck in the past and unable to create any new memories, Takaki and Akari cling to the hope of seeing each other again. They live their everyday lives half-heartedly, hurting both themselves and the people around them.