MovieChat Forums > Toki o kakeru shôjo (2006) Discussion > My point of view of the ending

My point of view of the ending

posted 13 years ago by jenniness
37 replies | jump to latest

So these are my two cents of thinking; i have been watchting the ending a few times - and this is my conclusion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tWWCIiPFIc&feature=related
So when they sit at the lake, you can feel that this is their last moment together. When Makoto tells about the painting, she wants to reassure Chiaki, that the painting - which is dear to him- will be fine.
It's like saying: I will take care of what you find so dear - So that's already a step towards Chiaki.
Then Chiaki tells he never intented to stay that long, but unexpectely CHOSE to stay (because he found friendship with Kousuke, and love with Makoto). He doesn't say it directly - but he already confessed it on the bike ride. Makoto then is dissapointed he doesn't straight out tells her he likes her.
So she turns away from him, and you can tell he cares about what she thinks of him ( repeatingly saying; 'What did I say??'). If he didn't care about Makoto, it wouldn't bother him AT ALL what he told her any moment.

Then some kids start to yell 'A Couple'. You can tell from their gestures they don't LAUGH IT AWAY, yet don't deny it. Doesn't that resemble soon-to-be couples who are at the pre stadium of their infatutation? :)

Someone told in previous threads that it could be possible that Chiaki FORGOT that he loves Makoto, but that's clearly not what's happening in this end sequel.
From the start of the scene, you can tell the regrets in their silence because they have to say goodbye.
That you don't REMEMBER what you have told someone, doensn't IMPLY at all that you DON'T have feelings for that person.
Then later he wants to tell Makoto something already a long time - you can literally SEE the sweat on his face, his clumsy gesture, implying he is nervous - characterized as this cool nonchalant guy throughout the movie, why would he be nervous if that's not something dear to him what he wants to say? Then he hesitates, and says this shallow thing about racing to break the tension.
Wasn't he wanting to say. "You ... mean a lot to me?" (2.06 in the given youtube movie).

So in the end, he comes back (yay!!), takes her to him, waits and then says: "I'll be waiting for you in the future"..!!
Some say it's added and the author never intended. So if this is never intended.. then WHY is it animated?? You can see it's drawn (and not only spoken). So I think this is the glimpse of hope the author gave us.
They do love each other. Chiaki is more considerate, and knows Makoto regrets her decisions, and tells her to move on with her life.. and one day, THEY WILL MEET.
If you analyse his character, i don't think he will the type of guy who will give false hope; if he has the guts to leave, then he should be honest too; if he would never see her again, and knew it; he would say: "Take care."
"I'll be waiting in the future." definitely has a different meaning and weight- and i can only imply it means:
1. Yes they will meet, but also
2. Go on with your life (don't wait), and then we will meet.

To my opinion this the most endearing, natural anime i have seen in my life. And i have never took the effort to read so much about an animé, let alone write this point of view of mine.
Loved/love this animé. It's definitely my my favorite animé.

- please forgive my English if I made some dumb faults.

[–] rafaeld-contato 13 years ago

Hi Jen,

Lovely comments on the movie.

I'm also trying hard to completely understand the ending. I agree with almost all your points of view. But I've been thinking...

Before that final meeting, Makoto told Chiaki she was from the future too (a lie, of course). Considering this, don't you think he told her "I'll see you in the future" because he was thinking she would come back to the future too?

I know it's not an ending as pleasent as yours, but I tend to believe that her lie made Chiaki answer that. What do you think?

Oh, for the record, The Girl Who Leapt Through time is absolutely fantastic! Everyone that loved this should try 5 Centimeters per Second. Two of the best movies ever made.

[–] mark_g_1 13 years ago

i never thought of it that way but it makes complete sense jen...its a horrible ending for me because i love a happy ending...i dont think they will ever see eachother again...he said it was the first time he saw many people or rivers on the surface of the earth...so im guessing his future is apocalyptic...not sure why he would want to go back there but maybe something bad would happen if he stayed...not sure, either way the whole feel of the ending for me was they told/showed how they felt for one another and that was enough but i still think it was terrible :P

[–] jenniness 13 years ago

I really can't stand those endings.. so spoil me with mine haha!! :))
True, i totally agree with the melancholic tone in the end.
And sometimes they say: "It's rather enough to know you are being loved" - instead of wanting to possess that love.. :) Sweet..

Cheers!

[–] louis_lux 13 years ago

It's true she is from the future, she is not from the far future but it's still the future.

They meeting in the future can mean that he'll come back to visit her and maybe even take her with him to visit the future. Well it can mean a number of things...

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] ihatespike 13 years ago

*spoilers ahead*
I'm under the impression that possibly the time device became new again when Makoto used her last jump to give it back to Chiaki.
Follow me here:
At the beginning Chiaki had one jump left on his arm, and a power-up nut for more jumps (There had to have been at least 15 or so in there) which he lost.
Makoto found and used them frivolously. Chiaki used his very last jump to save their friends and was stuck in Makoto's time.
This last jump brought Makoto back to the point where she still had one jump left. (so at that point she had one jump, he had none.)
She jumped back with her last one, to the point where Chiaki had one jump left still, AND the power up nut was unused. It never clarified this, but I'm willing to bet that the power up was still useable, since the arm tattoos appeared to be time-reversable; it makes sense.
So...we see Makoto crumble the nut into Chiaki's hand BUT!!!
Chiaki is shown to have one jump left still. A jump he already had.
Meaning either
A) the nut was unrenewable via timejump, or
B) the jumps went back to Makoto

Meaning she could visit him anytime she liked and vice versa.
Which implies that Chiaki's statement that "He'll be waiting" was both an admission that he did in fact love her, and an invitation to come visit him in the future. Makoto's reply that she wouldn't be long as well as her hints to her friends about her secret plans for the future seem to fit with this theory.

I could be wrong, but I double checked the numbers and Chiaki definitely only has one jump at the end. So A or B seem like the only options. I choose to believe option B. :)

[–] Abbykat 13 years ago

It seems like it's A. None of Makoto's jumps give her back any of her previous leaps, no matter how many times she jumps back to or past the same moment; sort of a "no wishing for more wishes" clause. Only when Chiaki, a separate time traveler, undoes one of her leaps does she get a charge back.

Besides that, if leaping back to before you used the charger would make it possible to use it again, Chiaki wouldn't be in the predicament he's in at the climax of the movie; he'd simply be able to leap back to the last time he had it and voila, infinite leaps.

The implication of Makoto crushing the charger seems to be that it's already tapped out from when she used it the first time.

"You always know where the X-Men have been, because it's always on fire."
- Pete Wisdom

[–] blade025 13 years ago

LOL you guys make the ending more complicated than it needs to be

[–] ihatespike 13 years ago

Well you do have to take into account that Chiaki only had one jump left, so maybe he didn't want to risk using it to get his charger back when he wasn't sure when or where he lost it; he needed that last jump to return to the future.
On top of that, why would Makoto return the nut to Chiaki if it wasn't reusable? It might have just been to prove that it was her that used it, but it seems almost like she thought crushing it in his hand would give him the jump he needed, hence her sigh of relief when she sees the last jump left.

It's pretty open-ended, but the whole 'waiting to meet the future Chiaki' thing doesn't seem to fit the overall message of the story or the character of Makoto, since her aunt said that she was the type to run after a guy instead of waiting for him. Maybe Chiaki's farewell words implied that time-travelling would be invented soon, or even that the painting he wanted to find was directly connected to the invention/discovery/inspiration for time travel, in which case Makoto would be able to time travel in the near future.
idk...

[–] mish-56-490707 13 years ago

I think when Makoto said she finally knew what she wanted to do in the future, it was basically she fully consider the possibility of studying and making research about time leap and she could be the person who inspired it. Her aunt told about her character that she would usually chase after something so that is one point to consider; it could be possible that Makoto became curious about time leaping... I'm just not sure about the painting why it was connected to the future. Makoto asked Chiaki on the street if it has a connection with the era he's lived in. Chiaki stopped for a while and he never answered her question... Maybe because Makoto loved him that it became an inspiration for her as well to decide for her future since Chiaki was so persistent to see it whatever the cost. And she knows in her heart that she needs to do something about it. Both to take care of the painting and to be eager about time leaping which is a great idea to lead her to Chiaki. After all, if you love someone and he values something, wouldn't you be inspired to uphold the things that he care about? And with the way Chiaki told Makoto that he'll wait for her in the future, it's like that he's confident that they'll meet in future which ofcourse is possible with leaping through time. And it could be that Chiaki knows all along that she'll make it through the future because as I've said, she could be the one responsible about time leaping and basically she has the idea by then how to meet Chiaki in future. I'm not sure though... Oh well, I would watch the movie again and keep on analyzing and guessing! ^_^

[–] jenniness 13 years ago

I like this thinking too, after all, she is advised to do science by her teacher, which would imply she could develop into that genius who will make timeleaps possible!!

Thanks! Cheers

[–] diezo_is 10 years ago

I felt that Makoto chose to study art and would go on to learn to restore and preserve paintings. Putting her in the position to keep her promise to Chiaki about making sure the painting lasts until his time.

I don't believe that they see each other again, If Chiaki was able to return he would have said something to Makoto before leaving. I also don't think it is possible to leap forward as you leap into your own body and would need to know where your going to make a leap.

On a side note, I also had a theory that the aunty is Makoto when she is older and has gone back in time to restore the painting for Chiaki. The major hole in this is how did Makoto leap back when she was older if she has no leaps left.

[–] RadicalEd26 12 years ago

After Chiaki leapt back to the future he could have recharged his leaps and gone back to Makoto. He mentioned that everyone was leaping in his future so this technology was available to him when he got back. To me that's the simplest explanation.

[–] mikemapa 12 years ago

This is exactly what I thought! What's the big issue--why can't he just jump back to the future with his last jump and get a new nut?

[–] jenniness 13 years ago

Thanks so much for appreciating my review, and sorry for my late reply, i never thought my review would evoke lots of comments, but this is really fun!! :))

As for your answer; i don't think Chiaki sincerely believed Makoto when she said she is from the future. Why would someone from the future use the time leap for silly things like to jump back for pudding? -

Thanks for your recommendation!! I will DEFINITELY watch 5 centimeters per second!!

Cheers

[–] jenniness 13 years ago

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] rafaeld-contato 13 years ago

LOL

Oh, c'mon... It's as sad as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. At least the couple won't live in separated ERAS in 5 Centimeters. :)

A depressing story is Grave of The Fireflies. Now THAT can make a grown man cry!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] adamsmo 12 years ago

Grave of the Fireflies is possibly the best anime movie ever, though. It's often considered by many to be, including myself...

[–] Oliverl22 13 years ago

@ Rafaeld

I don't actually believe Makoto was lying when she said she had come from the future. Makoto was just telling Chiaki that she had been in the NEAR future. When Makoto had made the very last time leap she had been slightly into the future so what she had said was true.

I also believe that Chiaki knew a lot more about time travel then Makoto. This is why Chiaki could freeze time which was something Makoto hadn't done, etc. He would have obviously had his reasons for allowing her to remember the whole speech.

[–] adamsmo 12 years ago

I don't think they meet. I just don't see there being a way to do so for her... unless he were to bring back a device, but 'i'll be waiting' does not imply that.

I just took it as him seeing the art in the future from her, since that was what the clouds at the end appeared to be.

Pretty cut and dry in my mind, but dreary.

[–] donarumo 12 years ago

My take on the ending, and I have not read all the other replies so this may be repeated, is this:

She tells Chiaki that she will come running. I think this means leaping through time. She tells Kousuke that Chiaki told her something about her future.

I think Chiaki finds a way of getting another time device to her and she uses the device to travel to the future.

[–] watcher101 11 years ago

I was always under the impression that later, perhaps a few years later in Mokoto's time, like after she graduates from high school and/or college, that he would come back for her and take her with him to the future. Hence he's says that'll he'll be waiting for her, and she replies that she'll come running. And when she tells Kousuke that she has made a decision for her future it's that she plans on going with Chiaki at a later point, but she can't tell him that she's planning to time travel, so it's a secret.

[–] SpacePirateRita 11 years ago

I thought a conversation between Makato and her aunt earlier in the movie was foreshadowing. Makato's aunt never got married, and one day they were discussing someone Makato's aunt had liked. The guy said that he would come back some day, but he never did and Makato's aunt kept waiting and before she knew it, a long time had passed in almost an instant. I foresee that as the kind of future Chiaki will have. He'll keep waiting for Makato, and maybe Makato will keep waiting for him, never to meet again.

[–] jenniness 11 years ago

That's so sad.. :(

[–] Demonflame5 11 years ago

Reminds me of when her auntie said it took a lot of courage to ask her. Everything in that day had to be just right for it to happen

[–] Noraabs 11 years ago

I just finished this movie, what an absolute wonderful ending that was!

What I understood was that since Chiaki is from the very far future and he has to go back, Makoto can't possibly age herself into his time so she has to time jump to the future and that's why she had to go back to get more time jumps but she can't use them yet. She has to make sure the painting survives her time and is there in the future and since she said it was around this time they found it, I imagine she doesnt wait that much and when the time is right she will run to his future and that's why she has a knowing smile in the end.

perfect happy ending. really loved the movie. :)

[–] jujubea_ah 11 years ago

*Uhh my head.*
I read the replies to your topic and most of them where pretty good.

I personally think that he will be come back and be with her at some point.

But who knows, its probably those type of endings where it's meant to have different meanings and ultimately be whatever you want it to be.

I really want to read the original story by Yasutaka Tsutsui, I think I heard somewhere that it refers to the story of Makoto's Aunt. Now that would be cool.

[–] barniac68 10 years ago

I agree with the simplest explanation for the ending, & here`s my tuppence -

Time-leaping is monitored & failure to return using your last leap triggers a recall/retrieval procedure to prevent opportunists from settling in the past, as in Timecop.

In light of this, Chiaki HAS to leave, but, according to what I`ve gleaned about most (but not ALL) of the versions of this story, unlike the other visitors from the future he DOESN`T erase Makoto or anybody else`s memories of his existence in this time period, & as he can use his last leap to go home he won`t be 'recalled' & would be allowed to go leaping again, just not to this exact point in history.

However, he STILL hasn`t seen the painting & intends (& expects to be allowed) to return at a later date in the future, be it in a week, month, decade or whatever, hence his "I`ll be waiting for you...". Thus, in order for them to meet again, Makoto will keep a close eye on the painting & it`s whereabouts, probably via Auntie Witch.

Whatever. It`s a beautifully-realised adaptation, dramatically, visually & aurally (apart from Close Encounters Of The 3rd Kind, can you think of any other 5 notes of music that you`ll probably remember to the end of your days?), & the word 'joyous' is an accurate description of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time 2006.

Fave bits for me inc. Makoto`s leap off the high-diving board & her subsequent "uhoh:waaaaahhh!", the Nurse`s Room door not closing-to properly upon Makoto`s huffy exit, & the perfect tone of the Eng VA who played classmate Yuri when she says,"Makoto;time waits for no-one.", which I`m not ashamed to say almost made this jaded 40-something cry.

[–] nTo 10 years ago

Pretty impressed that this board is still active after some years since it started. Gotta say what a beautiful anime, and I couldn't believe that it was made in 2006. 8 years old, man, time waits for no one!

Among many different interpretations about the ending, one question: why did the painting matter so much to Chiaki given he has never seen it anyway?

Well, don't worry about my question. I support any happy version of the ending.

My favorite part of the film, was the moment Chiaki confessed while riding the bike with Makoto. That was pure romantic! I cannot imagine a better confession moments in movies. And, I totally understood how for Makoto that moment genuinely made her clock stop ticking.

I'm a guy but I think for girls, sometimes they do have it really difficult when a best friend asks for more. I know, friend zone sucks but hey sometimes that's what the girl wants right?

And when a best friend confessed, it's so hard because no one can go back. Friendship is ruined, while to proceed as a couple would be impossible.

This irony was perfectly set in a beautiful summer sunset and bike riding home....wow...what a sentimental feeling....

Sorry instead of giving an interpretation, I shared my favorite part of the anime.

[–] barniac68 10 years ago

Time waits for no-one, but history proves that genius is eternal.
This is what I call a "First-Time Once" film as you feel kinda sad that you`ll watch it again & again but never have that exact initial viewing`s "wow,this is excellent!" feeling at it`s impact...but still immensely enjoyable, regardless!

[–] MrHoots 10 years ago

Unless, you find a way to have a self-induced amnesia! Just be sure to write down somewhere, "Watch, "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time"!"

[–] barniac68 10 years ago

I like your thinking, & appreciate your forward-planning advice...of course, I could always just leap back to the point before I first viewed TGWLTT & leave myself a note lol!
If you found this 1 easy to follow, check out the live-action film "Cyborg Girl" aka "Cyborg She" - highly recommended for giving you (initially at least...)a time-paradox headache, but turns out to be an intelligently thought-out little gem.

"Shoot `em in the head!" *beep* that-RUN!" Undead Or Alive, 2007

[–] darklight-5653576 8 years ago

Ok, didnt chiaki say sth like "there is a device in future era that people can time leap with it" so the device will be available in the future time. so even if he return to his time with used up charges, he can buy or get one of those again and return to the past to meet makato again and again!this really helps i guess since he was so sure about seeing her again in the end. And i dont really support the idea that she Might invent the device since she was so sad in the end that shes not goin to see him again, how all of the sudden she felt joy by his last line that " ill be waiting for you " ? since inventing sth that complicated wont be 100% achievable ...

[–] barniac68 7 years ago

Check out 2010`s live-action adaptation "Time Traveller:TGWLTT", starring Makoto`s VA Riisa Naka, confusingly playing Auntie Witch`s daughter who 'leaps' after Auntie Witch invents a method to return to the past....

"Shoot `em in the head!"
*beep* that-RUN!"
Undead Or Alive, 2007

[–] darklight-5653576 7 years ago

I will, Thanks for the replay