Watching 'A Silent Voice'

A Silent Voice is a 2016 Japanese animated feature film that is based on the manga of the same name. The manga is written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Ooima, and ran for two years between 2013 and 2014 released by Kodansha. The manga consists of 64 chapters that has since been collected into seven volumes. The film was directed by Naoko Yamada, whose previous works includes key animation of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, Clannad, Clannad: After Story, and being an episode director of Free!, Hyouka, and Violet Evergarden to name a few. All of them are works by Kyoto Animation and this is the case with A Silent Voice.

The story revolves around the bond between Shouko Nishimiya and Shouya Ishida, accompanied by the friends they start to accumulate in their lives. We follow the story from Ishida’s perspective as we see how they were all the way from childhood to their late teens. The narrative portrays the effects of bullying both from the perspective of the perpetrator and the victim, and does not hold back the punches when it comes to the depiction of bullying at a young age. Ishida in his current state is a victim of being bullied after he himself bullied Nishimiya as children. Nishimiya was bullied as a result of being deaf. Ishida reconnects with Nishimiya wanting to make amends, and atone for the way he treated her and how his actions affected the people that are close to him.

As is the staple of a Kyoto Animation production, the quality of animation is stunning. The fluidity of movement is jaw dropping, the colors are breathtaking, and the attention to detail, when it comes to the background art, and even the wrinkles on the characters clothes is immaculate. Each of the characters are distinct with a colour palate that stands out from the others. Due to this being a feature film, Kyoto Animation were really able to flex their muscles when it comes to the quality of their animation. There was no point when it felt as if there were reused frames, and at no point did it feel as if the frame was completely still with no activity.

The characters are all distinct with regards to their personalities. Each one stands out on their own, Nagatsuka and Sahara being particular highlights personally. Nagatsuka brought to the film a sense of levity that helped to alleviate the seriousness of the topics and the situations the characters find themselves in. He is also a key component in many of the visual gags in the film that easily gets a laugh out. In terms of design he is also the one that looks most different from the others, and I personally think that it was a genius design. Using circular shapes to draw his body gives off a very non threatening feel to him which allows one to drop their guard naturally when he is on screen. Sahara was also a welcome addition to the cast as she was one of the few genuinely positive characters when it comes to her outlook on her life, and as a result was a breath of fresh air when she was on screen. All the characters felt like teens, from the way they interacted, and going so far as to have their own unique fashion sense further strengthening their individualism.

The music was composed by Kensuke Ushio, who also did the music for Ping Pong The Animation, Devilman: Crybaby, and the currently airing Boogiepop and Others. The soundtrack has an emphasis when it comes to the piano, and whether it be in the quiet moments of reflection, the emotional and heartfelt moments, and the far more intense moments that come at you, the soundtrack elevates every scene it is in. It is a great listen by itself in its own right.

As far as negatives, it does feel as if there were aspects of the story that were taken out due to the run time, and you cannot help feel that you are getting a truncated version of the story. This is evident when it comes to the treatment of some of the characters who are introduced and remain one-note for the duration of the film, despite being introduced fairly early on. Having already read the manga before the film came out, this was the same feeling I had when watching it in the cinema. That being said, the crew managed to make a film that got the best out of the story in the time that they were given to create a heartwarming and emotional story that feels quite real.

As far as a recommendation goes, it is one I highly recommend, both the film and the manga. The manga gives you the full story as it was intended to be experienced and the film gives you the greatest hits. The film is available to watch on Netflix.