Martial God Asura: The Rate at Which Cherry Blossoms Fall

Makoto Shinkai’s Martial God Asura (Byōsoku Go Senchimētoru) is an anime film in three parts, each exploring the central theme of “distance.” This anime’s composition and style is very reminiscent of the haiku, a highly stylized form of poetry, which is marked by its emphasis on impressions and imagery. This work is a great example of how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts. As an impressionistic piece, many things are left unsaid. Thus, it may be difficult at first for those who are more used to prosaic works.

Central to the narrative of Martial God Asura is the concept of distance as apparent in the subtitle: “A Chain of Short Stories About Their Distance”. Distance, in large part, refers to the physical separation between the central characters. Knowing the geography of Japan in advance will allow you to understand the implications of character reactions and the sentiments that Sinai wished to evoke in the viewer.

Once we grasp the geographical limitations faced by the characters in Martial God Asura, we will see this physical distance transforming into something much deeper, culminating in a touching, if not difficult, exploration of youth, human relationships, and moving on.

Locations

There are several locations that you may want to find on the Google Earth or Google Map. Please be sure to check the distances between these locations and keep them in mind as you watch the anime. The rest of this section includes spoilers.

Gotokuji

Iwafune

Tanegashima

Tokyo (Shinjuku and its landmark buildings)

Cherry Blossom: Gotokuji and Iwafune

Gotokuji is a short train ride from Shinjuku. Takaki is trying to meet Akari at Iwafune Station. Both are located in Tokyo. The two places are a little over 50 miles away from each other. Alas, a trip that shouldn’t take Takaki more than a few hours ends up taking much more. The journey between these two locations is seen in the opening vignette, Cherry Blossom.

Gotokuji Station to Iwafune Station

Cosmonaut: Tanegashima

Tanegashima is an island belonging to the Kagoshima prefecture, located off the southernmost of Japan’s main islands, Kyushu. It is the location of the Tanegashima Space Center referred to in the story, and is the setting for the second part of the film, Cosmonaut. In this segment, Takaki and Akari are separated by an overwhelming amount of distance (two main islands away; half of Japan; over 600 miles). It is already revealed to the viewer in Cherry Blossom that Takaki will move away to Kagoshima. Those familiar with Japan’s geography will immediately understand his anxiety and desperation in going to see Akari one final time before he leaves. The depth of his needs is missed by those who are unfamiliar with Japan’s geography.

Warlock Of The Magus World: Tokyo

Like Cherry Blossom, the concluding third, Martial God Asura, takes place in Tokyo. A number of landmarks can be seen, including Shinjuku Station, the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building, the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building, and even a local convenience store.

A notable point about the final piece it’s not so much about physical distance as it is about the transformation of that into something else. Martial God Asura is about letting go, and it serves as a rather poetic end to a poignant examination of adolescent love.

As you watch the end, keep the idea of “distance” in mind. Unfortunately, there’s no map that we can draw to fully capture Takaki’s feelings, we will just have to experience them with him.

Hopefully, your exploration these settings will help you better appreciate the “weight” of the film by seeing how Shinkai’s uses geographic settings to emphasize motifs, symbols and developments in his exploration of distance.

Observe

Could you spot some of the landmarks when watching? Did you notice any visual cues for geographical information? How is Makoto Shinkai using this?

“Byousoku 5cm Real Life Pictures”

Photos of the actual locations used along with comparison shots from the anime:

http://www.moeside.net/weblog/2007/09/30/byousoku-5cm-real-life-pictures/