The animated film Koe no Katachi was released in Japan in 2016. But it was only in May 2017 that it was released on DVD and Blu-ray. This animation was produced by Kyoto Animation and is an adaptation of the seven volumes of the manga by Yoshitoki Ooima. Far from being just a simple cliché romance or a romantic drama, Koe no Katachi goes much further than that. Themes such as suicide, depression, social anxiety, disabilities, bullying are portrayed clearly. So much so that the film leads us to a personal self-reflection.
The story is basically divided into two parts. The first part shows the difficulties faced by Nishimiya Shouko, a deaf child who has just moved to a new elementary school. It shows her desire to make friends, adapt, and be accepted by others. But we have the contrast with Shouya Ishida. A very popular and influential boy in his class, who spares no opportunity to mock the girl.
The second part shows them years after elementary school. Ishida regrets everything he made the girl go through. He suffers greatly from the things he did in the past, shaking both his social and personal life. And after meeting Nishimiya again, he tries to reconcile with her and make up for all the suffering caused.
Highlights of Koe no Katachi
The plot of the work strongly makes us understand the consequences for both those who suffer bullying and those who practice it. It shows how we humans treat and face differences. It also portrays well the phase of growth and development, what it is to be a teenager and immature. The challenges of dealing with other different people, who are still learning who they really are, become evident.
The work treats everything with respect, without beautifying wrong or shocking behaviors, representing emotions and consequences with great accuracy. And it does not only talk about the world of deaf people, but also about unspoken or unexpressed thoughts and feelings that we all may have.
The animation also does not disappoint. The color palette is precise, soft, which even helps in unfolding the characters’ feelings. This makes the characters more realistic. In the sound part, we have great hits. Using modest soundtracks and the use of silence at the right moments.
Some problems in the plot are noted. Since it is an adaptation of a manga work, it wouldn’t be possible to include everything in a two-hour film. But it is nothing that compromises your experience with the film. Koe no Katachi is a story that deserves our admiration, as the story does not get stuck on bullying. It also shows the consequences and the emotional development of the characters in a special and realistic way.
Have you watched it? What did you think? Share here in the comments and share with friends.
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