Koe no Katachi

As a wild youth, elementary school student Shouya Ishida sought to beat boredom in the cruelest ways. When the deaf Shouko Nishimiya transfers into his class, Shouya and the rest of his class thoughtlessly bully her for fun. However, when her mother notifies the school, he is singled out and blamed for everything done to her. With Shouko transferring out of the school, Shouya is left at the mercy of his classmates. He is heartlessly ostracized all throughout elementary and middle school, while teachers turn a blind eye.

Now in his third year of high school, Shouya is still plagued by his wrongdoings as a young boy. Sincerely regretting his past actions, he sets out on a journey of redemption: to meet Shouko once more and make amends.

Koe no Katachi tells the heartwarming tale of Shouya's reunion with Shouko and his honest attempts to redeem himself, all while being continually haunted by the shadows of his past.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Nishimiya, Shouko Main

Hayami, Saori Japanese

Ishida, Shouya Main

Irino, Miyu Japanese

Nishimiya, Yuzuru Supporting

Yuuki, Aoi Japanese

Ueno, Naoka Supporting

Kaneko, Yuuki Japanese

Nagatsuka, Tomohiro Supporting

Ono, Kensho Japanese

Ishida, Maria Supporting

Kamata, Erena Japanese

Pedro Supporting

Watanuki, Ryuunosuke Japanese

Ishida, Miyako Supporting

Yukino, Satsuki Japanese

Sahara, Miyoko Supporting

Ishikawa, Yui Japanese

Mashiba, Satoshi Supporting

Toyonaga, Toshiyuki Japanese

Nakamura, Shinichi Producer

Tateishi, Kensuke Producer

Iizuka, Toshio Producer

Uetsuki, Mikio Producer

Reviews

Apr 3, 2025

bigbodybenz

Recommended

A Silent Voice is a breathtakingly emotional and visually stunning anime film that tackles themes of bullying, redemption, and the power of human connection with remarkable sensitivity. Directed by Naoko Yamada (K-On!, Liz and the Blue Bird) and produced by Kyoto Animation, this movie is a masterpiece of storytelling that lingers in your heart long after the credits roll.

The film follows Shoya Ishida, a former bully who seeks redemption after tormenting Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf transfer student, in elementary school. Years later, consumed by guilt and self-loathing, Shoya sets out to make amends, leading to a poignant journey of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and healing. The narrative ... doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of its themes—depression, social anxiety, and the lasting scars of childhood cruelty are all portrayed with raw honesty. Yet, amidst the pain, there’s a profound sense of hope and humanity.

Visually, A Silent Voice is a work of art. Kyoto Animation’s signature attention to detail shines in every frame—subtle body language, expressive sign language, and symbolic imagery (like the recurring use of "X" marks over faces) deepen the emotional impact. The soundtrack, composed by Kensuke Ushio, is hauntingly beautiful, enhancing the film’s quiet yet powerful moments.

The voice acting is exceptional, with special praise for Saori Hayami (Shoko) and Miyu Irino (Shoya), who convey volumes of emotion through their performances. The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the characters’ growth to feel earned and authentic.

I watched A Silent Voice on Animyne, and the experience was flawless. The streaming quality was crisp, with no buffering or technical issues, which was essential for a film this immersive. Animyne’s interface made it easy to lose myself in the story without distractions.

A Silent Voice is more than just an anime film—it’s a moving exploration of guilt, empathy, and the courage it takes to reach out to others. It’s a story that will make you reflect on your own actions and the weight of forgiveness. 10/10, an unforgettable masterpiece.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Feb 11, 2025

MajoEve

Mixed Feelings

Koe no Katachi is often praised for its emotional depth and portrayal of bullying, mental health, and redemption, it isn’t without its flaws. The pacing feels uneven, with the first half of the movie being emotionally gripping but the latter half dragging in places. Some characters, especially the supporting cast, feel underdeveloped—important conflicts and motivations are hinted at but never fully explored.

Additionally, the film’s attempt at redemption for the protagonist, Shoya Ishida, can feel a bit forced. While his growth is central to the story, some might find it frustrating how quickly other characters seem to forgive or overlook his past bullying. Nishimiya, the deaf ... heroine, also lacks agency at times, often reduced to a passive character whose struggles revolve around Shoya’s journey rather than her own.

Visually, Kyoto Animation delivers stunning animation, but at times, the direction leans too heavily into symbolism without enough narrative weight to support it. The ending, while emotional, may leave some viewers unsatisfied due to its open-ended nature.

Overall, A Silent Voice is a beautifully animated film with an important message, but its execution may not resonate with everyone, especially those looking for a more balanced and fully developed character arc.

6/10 Fine.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Feb 7, 2024

nosferatusbat

Not Recommended

Objectively a stunning and beautifully well animated film with a premise that sounds interesting. However, falls flat with the express focus on making the abled-bodied comfortable with Shoko being a mary-sue that forgives her bully in the end (not stating that she has to be cruel to her bullies or that redemption isn't good, it just comes across as being flat and disinteresting with how little Shoko is fleshed out beyond her traumatic incidents) and has no further personality than being a shy, sweet, loveable but sad damsel in distress. I find this extremely distressing given the topic matter, and my own experiences with being ... bullied as a deaf child - Note: I am not profoundly deaf like Shoko is, but I do wear a hearing aid and use sign language to communicate. Regardless, my own experiences with this film makes it very uncomfortable for me to watch, and largely, I would not recommend it to anyone who is looking to see narratives on disabled people in anime, because this movie, is far from that.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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