A Silent Voice is able to defy storytelling and reach the deepest corners of the human soul, thanks to the direction of Naoko Yamada and the brilliant manga writing of Yoshitoki Oima. The 2016 animated film intelligently navigates the intricate skin of adolescents as they go through deep regret and the strong desire to redeem themselves.
An Insight into the Story of Redemption
A Silent Voice focuses on the character of Shoya Ishida, the antisocial child who is burdened by his extremely dark past. In Elementary school, he was a ruthless bully, and his vicious pranks were aimed towards a mute deaf child, Shoko Nishimiya. She was absolutely tormented by a lack of pity and excessive force directed towards her. Shoko eventually had to transfer schools. Years went by but it was not going to be an easy task for either one of them – this is exactly where insecurities began to root.
In today’s world, an even bigger dread set in for Shoya. In an ironic turn of events, he finds himself alone, exiled by his group of friends who now torment him. The First Sequence of the film was based on sheer hopelessness, Shoya sinks into remorse and willingly contemplates suicide. The irony of it all is shocking – this all goes on to explain the gravity of having regretful moments in your life.
In the pursuit of forgiveness, Amaya gets in contact with Shoya with determination, and this becomes the foundation upon which an equally captivating tale of self forgiveness brims. Shoya decides against taking a darkened path and instead follows a road that seeks a transformation from within.
A Poignant Narrative Rich with Emotional Layers
The film triumphs for its characters being fleshed out with depth and nuance. Shoya is not depicted as a delinquent who overshadows all his bad deeds for a new beginning. If anything, Shoya is plagued with self hatred and a relentless social phobia with lingering thoughts that redemption may never come in the first place. Throughout the movie, he subconsciously masks his face with his palms, or when there are too many people in the room, he envisions an X over everyone’s face which helps mute their voices.
And, Shoko, while being strong is also incredibly vulnerable, she has mastered the art of disconnecting herself yet is shattered on the inside. The genuine compassion that Shoko has for others comes at a cost, and that cost is self blame for the pain that others impacted by her action suffer. Shoko’s character is brutally honest and the movie has baffling intensity as she tries to undermine her deep rooted insecurities.
Supporting characters have their share of contribution. People like Tomohiro Nagatsuka, Shoya’s friend, bring in comic relief and show that sometimes friendships can save lives even when they appear impossible. On the other hand, Naoka Ueno, another classmate, is still in distress and bitterness, suggesting that some people may not recover at the same rate as others.
A Film With Narratives Beyond Words
The plot of the film A Silent Voice and the journey of the characters is not the only thing commendable; the animation too holds its own. Naoko Yamada has missed no chance in improving the film’s propelling imagery. Shoved into the reel time and again is water in the form of rivers, ponds or tears as a symbol of an emotional flow and change.
The perspectives of frames in the film make sure the viewers get their fair share of the tears. For example, many scenes where Shoya is the focal character, his emotional detachment gets shown by other characters’ faces being out of focus, as he gets better, these screens slowly part ways ensuring a soothing feeling.
Another aspect of the film that stands out is the use of silence. In a film based around a hearing impaired character, silence becomes an important element of the narrative. The absence of speech carries meaning, and such sparse moments are cleverly used to put the audience’s focus on that which is left unsaid. Kensuke Ushio’s score for the film fits in perfectly, being understated while at the same time exploding with emotion at times.
A Timeless Tale
Many will see A Silent Voice as a film about bullying, about alienation, about forgiveness and compassion, which is something every human being desires. The desensitization the film shows us that can result from fear, childishness or a longing to belong is sad. But it also tells you that being sorry isn’t enough; it reiterates that actions speak louder than words.
Shoko’s character arc also highlights the importance of loving oneself in the process of achieving that self-worth. Her life was not easy and for Shoya it’s not just about blank forgiveness, its about the opposite, never-ending cycle of rebuilding trust and relationships and learning to forgive himself.
To put it more accurately, it is the injury that brought them together as friends and family. The unhealed wounds are touched by those closest and dear to them. Therefore, the mere fact that Shoya and Shoko are happy for a short while can be an example of the little triumphs of love enmeshed with pity.
Intangible Itzhak Shasha is uncompromised
Be it Koda Kouko or Takumi Shinto, what we fail to identify in them is fear. Shouta and Shinko’s fourth installment in the series has left us in floating uncertainty. The ne plus ultra turns out to be boots stashed at pack up. Our love for Mako Kasugano inevitably clashes with Shoma Shiraishi’s damaged past, a trash bag torn from the core.
The universal appeal of the film serves a purpose even if you consider yourself a victim or a bystander or even a perpetrator like its seemingly endless plot, the aftermath of every action is its purpose. And it is not the eternal lie that makes believers who are incapable of learning from the past.
Conclusion: A Narrative That’s More Poignant Than Its Analysis
A Silent Voice is more than an animated film; it is a great cruel adventure that offers a perfect balance between comfort and challenge. Featuring a story that invokes feeling, fleshed out characters as well as brilliant camera work, it’s difficult to walk away untouched from the experience. In the end, the film nudges us all to hear—not only with ears but with our hearts—the unspoken voices present in other people, and those that lie within us.
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