Words: Nick Layland – World’s Apart Birmingham
What is A Silent Voice about?
Screening as part of our Worlds Apart Birmingham Double Bill
A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) is a 2016 adaptation of Ōima Yoshitoki’s manga of the same name, from animation studio Kyoto Animation and fan favourite director Yamada Naoko.
A Silent Voice Synopsis
Nishimiya Shouko is an elementary school girl with a hearing impairment who, upon transferring schools, meets a boy named Ishida Shoya in her new class. Shoya leads the class in bullying Shouko because of her impairment. As the bullying continues, the class starts to bully Shoya for bullying Shouko.
After graduating from elementary school, Shouko and Shoya go their separate ways… until many years later, when Shoya, tormented over his past, decides he must see Shouko once more. Shoya wants to make amends for what he did in elementary school and be Shouko’s friend.
Why we chose A Silent Voice
Kyoto Animation holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, myself included. From their introduction to us via their second season of Full Metal Panic all the way up to modern masterpieces like Violet Evergarden their evolution in both storytelling and animation has been a wonderful journey. Bringing Yamada Naoko back to the directors chair after cementing herself as a fan favourite with K-on! was an ingenious move that brought weight and wonder to a story grounded in both emotion and psychological distress.
A Silent Voice brings believable characters of all ages, we see our main characters go from elementary schoolers to high schoolers, alongside their parents who also have to deal with the fallout of the plot, and every one of them are natural and relatable. Stealing the show for me is Hayami Saori who puts in the most incredible performance for Shouko, not being hearing impaired herself but convincingly portraying Shouko in a way that feels respectful and realistic.
A Silent Voice is a story about forgiveness and seeking to make amends, both sides of that coin as we see a young man seeking forgiveness for his misdeeds as a young boy and the young woman he seeks that forgiveness from, in turn allowing him to forgive himself and live his life. It’s a story as old as time, but it’s executed beautifully and perhaps in ways you don’t expect, the culmination of which will stay with you for a long time.
I’d be remiss to not at least touch on the parallels of Kyoto Animation’s real life situation, the tragic arson attack of 2019 and the ongoing prosecution of the attacker.
Whilst I don’t believe this should be a motivator to see the movie, and I’d never be so crass as to use a tragedy like that to sell a movie ticket, I would ask if you do come to see the movie you stay to the end. Watch the credits, take in the names and witness their legacy of those no longer with us that poured their souls into this work. They live on through their animation and through us, the audience.
Where can I see A Silent Voice?
A Silent Voice | 129 mins | rated 12 | Mockingbird Cinema, Screen 1 | Saturday 30th September 2023, 20:15
If you like this, consider Promare (PG)
As part of our Double Bill with Worlds Apart Birmingham
Thirty years have passed since the appearance of Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings, who destroyed half of the world with fire. When a new group of aggressive mutants calling themselves “Mad Burnish” appears, the epic battle between Galo Thymos, a new member of the anti-Burnish rescue team “Burning Rescue” and their leader, Lio Fotia, begins.
A Silent Voice | 129 mins | rated 12 | Mockingbird Cinema, Screen 1 | Saturday 30th September 2023, 20:15
Worlds Apart Birmingham
Worlds Apart Birmingham
Comics, manga and graphic novels.
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website| 0121 643 0143| birmingham@forbiddenplanet.co.uk
Worlds Apart (formerly Nostalgia and Comics) on Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham city centre, is the oldest comic book shop in the UK.
Established in 1976, this geeky retailer has been serving Brummies and the world over in comic geekery for almost 50 years from their premises in Birmingham city centre. Worlds Apart sell comics, manga, graphic novels, figures and collectables, plushies and more. Their staff are friendly, passionate and brimming with comic book knowledge which means they will look after you whether you’re a newcomer or comic veteran.
They have a fantastic Anime and Manga Discord you can join here
They’re open seven days a week. You can order online via the Forbidden Planet website, over the phone or send them a message on any of their social media handles. We would recommend following their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where they post daily about their new stock items. You can also put in requests for particular items if they don’t have them in stock.
Home Viewing
A Silent Voice. is available on Blu-Ray and DVD, at alltheanime.com
It also contains art cards and a special booklet containing Makoto Shinkai’s original proposal for the movie. A standalone Blu-Ray release is also available.
Share your thoughts on A Silent Voice in the comments below
- A Silent Voice at IMDB
- A Silent Voice at Wikipedia
- A Silent Voice at Rotten Tomatoes
- A Silent Voice at Anime News Network
