On the literary nature of dialogue: A line like, 'Even if we exchanged a thousand messages, our hearts probably only drew one centimeter closer,' is full of poetic and philosophical feeling. Do you think such literary monologues bring the audience closer to the characters, or distance them?

This is a highly sophisticated question that explores the subtle relationship between a signature feature in Makoto Shinkai's films—"literary monologues"—and the emotional connection with the audience.

My perspective on this is: This literary monologue style is a masterful strategy that "uses distance as a means to ultimately achieve a deeper closeness." It creates a sense of distance on the surface, yet it is precisely this distance that carves out space for the audience to enter the characters' inner worlds and project their own emotions.

First Layer: The Surface "Sense of Distance"

Undeniably, these highly refined, poetic, and philosophical lines are almost never spoken or thought in real life. This "non-colloquial" language inevitably creates a certain sense of distance.

Theatrical Distance:
- It constantly reminds the audience: "You are watching a meticulously crafted work of art, not peering into a slice of real life." This feeling is akin to watching a stage play or reading poetry. The inherent beauty and philosophical depth of the language slightly pull you out of complete immersion in the plot, prompting you to appreciate and contemplate the lines themselves.
Character "Elevation":
- Characters capable of such profound monologues appear more sensitive, introspective, and possess a stronger "literary and artistic" aura than ordinary people. This might make some viewers feel the characters are "a bit distant from their own lives," unlike an everyday boy next door.

From this perspective, the literary monologue indeed erects an "aesthetic" barrier between the audience and the characters, creating a sense of distance.

Second Layer: The Core "Sense of Closeness"

However, this distance is merely a tool. Its ultimate purpose is precisely to strike the audience's hearts more accurately and profoundly, achieving a closeness that transcends everyday conversation and taps into something more fundamental.

Precisely Capturing the "Inexpressible" Emotion:
- Many of us have experienced the feeling of chatting frequently with someone yet still feeling emotionally distant. Yet, it's hard to articulate this feeling precisely with everyday language. Shinkai uses the concrete, quantifiable imagery of "a thousand text messages" and "one centimeter" to accurately "translate" a vague, abstract, inexpressible, yet universal emotion.
- When the audience hears this line, their internal reaction is often: "Yes! That's exactly it! I've always felt this but couldn't put it into words!" In this moment, the audience achieves an unprecedented depth of resonance with the character's inner world. Shinkai speaks the words buried in our hearts.
Providing "Concentrated Essence" of Emotion:
- Film runtime is limited. Using lengthy, realistic dialogue to depict Takaki's inner transformation could become tedious. This literary monologue style acts like a "concentrated essence" of emotion.
- A single line like "I deeply felt that the two of us would probably never be together" surpasses thousands of words of setup. It directly lays bare the core tragic premonition, instantly allowing the audience to understand the character's situation and feelings, greatly enhancing narrative efficiency and emotional intensity.
Creating Space for Audience "Self-Projection":
- It is precisely because of the poetic and philosophical nature of the lines that they possess greater universality.
- "Five centimeters per second" can be the speed at which you drifted apart from your first love, the speed at which you grew distant from your hometown, or even the speed at which you moved away from your dreams. This open space for interpretation allows every viewer to find an entry point within this line that corresponds to their own life experiences and project their own stories onto the characters.
- This closeness isn't the character moving towards you; it's you actively stepping into the character's world and discovering a part of yourself residing there.

Conclusion: A "Translator," Not a "Barrier"

Therefore, Makoto Shinkai's literary monologues may appear to be an ornate "barrier," separating the characters from real life. But their true function is more akin to an "emotional translator."

They translate the complex, vague, and nameless emotions deep within each of us into beautiful, precise, and powerful poetic lines. They abandon superficial imitation of behavior (colloquial speech) in pursuit of deep, absolute emotional truth.

Ultimately, this "distant" linguistic style becomes a bridge. It allows us to transcend the limitations of everyday language and arrive directly at the most universal, most tender core of human emotion. In that place, we achieve the deepest understanding and empathy with Takaki, with Kanae.