A Silent Voice (2016)

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Beginning of Bullying

The film starts by introducing Shoya Ishida, a rebellious and carefree elementary school boy, and his classmates. One day, a new student named Shoko Nishimiya transfers to their school. Shoko is deaf and communicates through a notebook where she writes what she wants to say.

Shoya and other classmates begin bullying Shoko for being different, with Shoya leading the charge. They damage her hearing aids, mock her, and physically hurt her. Shoko endures this mistreatment silently, which eventually escalates. When the school steps in, the blame falls squarely on Shoya, who is singled out as the sole perpetrator.

Shoya’s Isolation and Regret

Flash forward to Shoya’s high school years. He is now a social outcast, haunted by his past actions. His guilt has become overwhelming, causing him to shut himself off from the world, even contemplating suicide. He’s constantly reminded of his wrongdoing, and he can’t forgive himself.

Shoya has no friends, is disconnected from his family, and imagines X marks over everyone’s faces, symbolizing how disconnected he feels from those around him.

A Chance for Redemption: Meeting Shoko Again

Shoya decides to find Shoko to make amends for the pain he caused her in elementary school. After locating her, he tries to apologize, though he struggles to articulate his emotions. Shoko, now a teenager, accepts his apology, showing that she doesn’t hold a grudge, though her personal feelings of self-worth remain deeply complex.

This encounter sparks a journey of redemption for Shoya, as he slowly begins reconnecting with the world and making new friends. He also starts a tentative, fragile friendship with Shoko.

Dealing with the Past

As Shoya attempts to atone for his past, the weight of guilt doesn’t just disappear. He is forced to confront his old classmates, each of whom dealt with the bullying incident differently. Some still harbor resentment, while others prefer to ignore it altogether.

The film explores the complexity of human relationships as Shoya tries to reconcile with his classmates and help Shoko feel more accepted in the world. Throughout this process, Shoya comes to understand that self-forgiveness is as crucial as the forgiveness of others.

The Emotional Breakdown

The film reaches a pivotal emotional point when Shoko, feeling burdened by her inability to “fit in” and her perceived negative impact on others’ lives, attempts suicide. This event shatters Shoya, and in a desperate attempt to save her, he falls from a balcony and ends up in a coma.

Shoya’s brush with death forces everyone, including his friends and family, to confront their emotions. Shoko, in particular, feels immense guilt for Shoya’s injuries.

The Final Act: Mutual Forgiveness and Reconnection

Shoya wakes up from his coma, and Shoko comes to visit him. The two share an emotional moment where they finally open up to each other about their feelings. Shoya admits his desire to live, and the two agree to move forward, supporting each other.

In the film’s final scenes, Shoya attends a school festival, symbolizing his reconnection with society. The X marks that had previously covered people’s faces begin to fall away, showing that he has forgiven himself and is ready to accept love and friendship from those around him.

Movie Ending

The movie concludes on a hopeful note, with Shoya and Shoko standing together, ready to face the world. Shoya has learned that life is about confronting your mistakes, accepting who you are, and building meaningful relationships despite past pain. The film’s ending emphasizes themes of healing, reconciliation, and the importance of communication.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There is no post-credits scene, but the movie leaves a lasting emotional impact without needing one.

Type of Movie

A Silent Voice is an animated drama with strong themes of redemption, forgiveness, bullying, and mental health. The film is a heartfelt and emotionally complex story that resonates with viewers of all ages, though its themes are particularly relevant for young adults.

Cast (Japanese Voice Actors)

• Miyu Irino as Shoya Ishida
• Saori Hayami as Shoko Nishimiya
• Aoi Yuki as Yuzuru Nishimiya
• Kensho Ono as Tomohiro Nagatsuka
• Yuki Kaneko as Naoka Ueno
• Yui Ishikawa as Miyoko Sahara

Film Music and Composer

The film’s soundtrack was composed by Kensuke Ushio, whose delicate, ambient score complements the emotional depth of the story. The music balances the film’s melancholic tone with lighter moments of warmth and hope. The song “Koi wo Shita no wa” by Aiko plays during the closing credits, further emphasizing the film’s reflective and poignant atmosphere.

Filming Locations

While A Silent Voice is animated, it is set in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The movie takes place in real-world locations, such as the Kōgō Bridge and the Ogaki Water Park, which fans of the film often visit. The serene, natural beauty of these locations adds to the film’s atmosphere of reflection and emotional weight.

Awards and Nominations

• Japan Academy Prize for Excellent Animation of the Year (Nominated)
• Tokyo Anime Award (Won)
• Mainichi Film Awards – Best Animation Film (Won)

Though it didn’t take home many international awards, A Silent Voice is widely regarded as one of the best anime films of recent years.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Director Naoko Yamada focused heavily on the body language and facial expressions of characters to convey unspoken emotions, particularly for Shoko, who communicates largely through gestures.
• The movie’s production required in-depth research on deaf culture and Japanese Sign Language to authentically represent Shoko’s character.
• Yamada collaborated with manga creator Yoshitoki Ōima to ensure the film captured the manga’s emotional intensity while adjusting the narrative to fit the movie format.

Inspirations and References

A Silent Voice is based on the manga of the same name by Yoshitoki Ōima, which itself was inspired by real-life stories of bullying and the struggles of people with disabilities. The story was initially published as a one-shot before being expanded into a full series.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While there are no significant alternate endings, some minor scenes were cut for pacing. The film simplifies certain subplots from the manga to focus more on the central relationship between Shoya and Shoko. Some manga readers may notice the absence of certain supporting characters’ backstories.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is a faithful adaptation of the manga, though there are a few differences:

• The film condenses some of the side character development to focus more on Shoya and Shoko’s relationship.
• Certain emotional moments are handled more subtly in the movie compared to the manga, which goes into greater depth about the internal struggles of each character.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Shoya’s first apology to Shoko, where he struggles to express his regret.
• Shoya jumping into the river to retrieve Shoko’s notebook, symbolizing his commitment to making amends.
• Shoko’s heartbreaking attempt at suicide, followed by Shoya’s heroic act to save her.

Iconic Quotes

• Shoya: “I wanted to apologize, but I didn’t know how.”
• Shoko: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” (repeated in sign language).
• Shoya: “If you’re going to blame someone, blame me.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Shoya’s X marks over people’s faces visually represent his feelings of isolation. As he opens up, they gradually disappear, reflecting his emotional growth.
• The film subtly uses sound design to represent Shoko’s deafness, occasionally muffling the audio to simulate how she experiences the world.

Trivia

• The original manga was briefly banned in Japan because of its sensitive themes around bullying and suicide.
• Naoko Yamada is one of the few prominent female directors in anime, and A Silent Voice is considered one of her masterpieces.
• The film was heavily praised for its realistic portrayal of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Why Watch?

A Silent Voice is a must-watch for anyone interested in deep emotional storytelling. It handles difficult themes like bullying, disability, and mental health with sensitivity, offering a heartfelt message about forgiveness, acceptance, and the power of communication.

Director’s Other Movies

• Liz and the Blue Bird (2018)
• Tamako Love Story (2014)
• K-On! (2009, 2011)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Your Name (2016)
• Weathering With You (2019)
• 5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)
• The Garden of Words (2013)