My Personal Response Article about Koe No Katachi: A Silent Voice

By: Christine Mae Arcilla

The Japanese title, which means “The Shape of Voice,” reflects the central theme that communication and bonding can take many forms.

A Silent Voice is a Japanese anime film directed by Naoko Yamada and starring Shoyo Ishida. Shoko Nishymiya, a young pupil, is transferred to Ishida’s primary school at the beginning of the film. Nishymiya, meanwhile, is deaf and unable to speak verbally, making it difficult for her to establish new acquaintances at school. She introduces herself to the class using a notebook and requests that anyone who wishes to speak with her do so using the notepad.

Shoya’s initial reaction to Shoko in the manga is one of curiosity, but he doesn’t know how to approach her. Prepubescent boys are known to taunt ladies they are afraid to acknowledge they want. However, in the film version, this is not as evident, making some of Shoya’s actions, such as ripping her hearing aid out and causing her ear to bleed, rather distressing.

Peer pressure at work is even more pernicious, as evidenced by Shoya’s comrade Shimada, who never initiates but laughs along with his pranks, Naoha Ueno, who is a willing partner, and Miki Kawai, whose false complaints on Shoko’s behalf simply serve to embolden the bullies. When Shoko, who’s had enough, explodes in one scene, it’s heartbreaking, and it made me cry.

The film’s uncompromising portrayal of youngsters’ hidden brutality culminates in a tense turning point when Shoya recognizes that what goes around comes around. The spectator gets to observe the psychological consequences of bullying through Shoya’s perspective, which shows how it scares both the bully and the victim. While Shoya’s fury consumes him from the outset, the film gradually peels away at his exterior to show his unusual family background and other vulnerabilities in comparison to his more popular classmates.

Animation’s non-realistic nature makes it an excellent medium for depicting the pleasurable and often frightening process of growing up. Shoya’s attitude of being an outcast is exemplified by his image of large blue crosses sliced across his friends’ faces. But it’s a shame that A Silent Voice’s lesson is that you must learn to conquer your own issues before seeking aid from others, when perhaps others should be looking for those who are vulnerable and assisting them as well.

Disability exists in this world but is not a “issue” in and of itself. Society bears the burden of the problematic role. The film focuses on the protagonists’ inability to convey their thoughts and feelings. Human diversity is represented as accurately as possible here. Every character in the film, in some way distinct from the others, interprets reality in his or her own unique way. Each of them is in pain for various reasons. When individuals begin to “see” the people around them, when they begin to express and communicate their emotions and thoughts to one another, the world becomes a better place to live.

Likewise, What did I’ve learned about A silent voice film?

A Silent Voice really gets to the heart of how we treat others and teaches us some essential life lessons like embracing others despite their shyness and fear, apologizing and seeking forgiveness for past wrongs, and treating each other with respect and love.