A Silent Voice Anime Movie
A Silent Voice (Anime Movie)
Genre: Psychological Drama / Coming of Age
Japanese Title: 聲の形 (Koe no Katachi); lit. “The Shape of Voice”
Year of Release: 2016
Origin: Japan
Runtime: 2 hours and 9 minutes
Director: Naoko Yamada
Production: Kyoto Animation
TV: –
Manga: A Silent Voice Manga 2013 – 2014 (7 volumes)
Facts: The movie achieved a global box office total of $30.8 million. While A Silent Voice secured the Japanese Movie Critics Award for Best Animated Feature Film, it was also nominated for the Japan Academy Film Prize for Excellent Animation of the Year and the Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film, ultimately losing to In This Corner of the World and Your Name, respectively.
Plot Overview
A Silent Voice chronicles the journey of Shōya Ishida, a high school student grappling with his past actions as a bully. During elementary school, he subjected Shōko Nishimiya, a new student who is deaf, to torment. Shōko’s disability made her a target, and Shōya, swayed by his peers, spearheaded the bullying. This escalating harassment led to Shōko transferring schools, leaving Shōya to confront the repercussions of his behavior.
Years later, consumed by guilt and isolation, Shōya makes a concerted effort to reconnect with Shōko and seek atonement. The film meticulously explores themes of redemption, the act of forgiveness, and the profound impact of bullying on mental health. As Shōya and Shōko navigate their tangled emotions, they gradually forge a connection, confronting their shared past and learning the difficult lessons of self-forgiveness and mutual understanding.
Main Characters
- Shōya Ishida: A high school student who once bullied Shōko. He now lives as a social outcast, actively seeking redemption.
- Shōko Nishimiya: A kind, deaf girl who transferred to Shōya’s elementary school. She endured bullying and yearns for acceptance.
- Yuzuru Nishimiya: Shōko’s younger sister, fiercely protective of her sister and instrumental in the development of their relationship.
- Tomohiro Nagatsuka: A friend to Shōya who offers support as Shōya embarks on his path to reconcile with Shōko.
- Naoka Ueno: A former classmate of Shōya, harboring complex feelings about their shared past.
- Miyoko Sahara: Another classmate who becomes part of Shōya’s evolving social circle as he attempts to mend his relationship with Shōko.
The film’s profound emotional resonance and intricate character development render it a poignant examination of bullying’s lasting consequences and the arduous yet hopeful journey toward healing.
