đź“ť Summary: A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice is one of Kyoto Animation’s emotionally stirring films and through the lens of Japanese culture, tells a heart-wrenching story of disability, redemption, healing, and bullying. The movie is directed by the talented and renowned filmmaker, Naoko Yamada, and is based on the manga created by Yoshitoki Ōima, which serves as deeply rooted literature in animanga.
Act I: The Bully And The Outcast
The captivating film starts off with an elementary school setting filled with vibrant art and characters, introducing us to Shoya Ishida, who is depicted as a thrill seeking and reckless boy. One day, a Shoko Nishimiya came into class as a new transfer student. And unlike her amiable classmates, Shoko is a deaf girl, and because of her disability, Shoko possesses a unique way of trying to befriend others using a notebook that only separates her further.
Just like any other school child, Shoya is initially mildly curious about Shoko. But soon, he goes from mild curiosity to pulling off her hearing aids, suffocating her with mockery, and guilting her classmates to do the same. Shoyo was beyond dreadful, but Shoko’s kindness prevails, and even her tremendous strength has limits, especially when it comes to people showing her so much bullying. Ultimately, Shoko is bound to switch schools.
When the principal comes off a bit of a power trip (over her bullying issue), the first suspect is none other than Shoya. He loses his so-called friends as well, becoming the proverbial lamb being led to a slaughter—alone and demonized, he begins to grasp what an outsider truly means. Lo and behold, all the pain he used to inflict is now being meted out to him.
Act II: Years of No Words Spoken
Life marches on—and so does Shoya. A few notable changes: he is a high school student now, as well as a brooding, guilt-ridden recluse who cannot make eye contact, much less keep his chin on the stratosphere. With the shame of his past actions as his new best friend, he has taken to learning sign language with hopes of meeting his long-lost Shoko. What is most disturbing is his wish—more like, desire—to die, chaining himself to the brutal reality of having no hope at connection or forgiveness.
Just as he is ready to head to a cliff, he bumps into a Shoko that he hasn’t seen in ages. There’s one notable difference she seems to have maintained all this while—her kindness. In contrast, a self-doubting bully-doormat of arms-shy high school student seems to buzz around her with bubblegum shaped thoughts. Frankly speaking, in a type of catch that dare not speak its name, Shoya slowly puts the notebook she used in elementary school back in her hands (where it truly belongs) and attempts at rekindling the friendship they used to share.
To Shoko’s (and most likely him)-surprise, she does accept his offer to hang out, although she is rather reluctant to embrace it. Thus starts a long process, friendly but slow journey toward a real friendship. He apologizes for what most would consider irredeemable acts, and she tries, admitting, to ease the pain. Is it too much to expect to strive for Shoko without being opened up to him slowly?
Act III: Healing and Conflict
While Shoya makes his desperate amends attempts, he also tries to repair other splintered connections. He reaches out to some of his ex-classmates like Tomohiro Nagatsuka, a loyal albeit strange boy who becomes his first true friend in a long time. They form a small bonding group and for the first time in a while, Shoya feels that he is not an outcast.
This, however, is not all smooth sailing. Shoya’s former classmates bear emotional scars and some of them refuse to acknowledge the changes he has made. One of the worst bullies, Naoka Ueno resurfaces and that brings her own brand of trouble. She is adamant that Shoyo does not deserve any guilt and goes as far as contending that Shoko’s disruptive presence meant that her victimhood, if attempted, was far from straightforward.
The weight of the unsaid emotions, unspoken words, and the silent guilt that the group shares begins to tear them apart. Shoko também curl with issues related to her self esteem. She considers herself to be the one at fault, and that notion becomes even stronger because of how Shoya acts after all the bullying in primary school.
Act IV: The Breaking Point
When the emotional burden becomes to become to heavy Shoko decides to take extreme measures when she attempts suicide—thinking it would ease the burden for everyone. Luckily shoya comes in the nick of time, but unfortunately saves her while plummeting off a balcony while falling into a coma upon being hospitalized.
Such an event inflicts heavy damage physically and emotionally forcing everyone to face the true, and often hidden, depths of their emotions. While they shock Shoko goes on to meet Shoya hospital and face him with her true feelings, which are mingled with pain as much as gratitude, while he’s blanking. When Shoya finally wakes her bond to be stronger is honestly increasing to the greatest degree.
Final Act: The New Beginning
In another first, both Shoya and Shoko participate in the cultural festival organized by their school which stands as a great milestone. They have marks issues such as Bands that prevents these demons from freely socialiting also devoid Shoya is now sighted Shoya who used to avoiding to Even glaring socialization, transforms into accepting.
The anime features a refreshing ending in which both Shoya and Shoko comes facing forward into the bright hope for the future, which is much more precious than life itself. While losing wounds laid upon themselves in the past, they both learn valuing life after showing bares forgiving, and, most importantly, without Living through pain.
🌟 Themes
More than documenting bullying, A Silent Voice delves into the intricate concepts of forgiveness, relationship building, and personal value. It poses challenging considerations regarding the kindness extended toward others, the act of forgiveness, and the healing process—ordinarily achieved without forgetting.
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