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A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) is an acclaimed animated film released in September 2016 by Kyoto Animation. It is a deeply moving story about forgiveness, healing, and the long-lasting effects of bullying.
The movie follows Shoya Ishida, a young man haunted by his past. In elementary school, Shoya relentlessly bullied a new transfer student, Shoko Nishimiya, who is deaf. His cruelty led to Shoko leaving the school, but Shoya was then rejected and isolated by his own classmates, leaving him alone and full of guilt for years.
As a high school student, Shoya is depressed and isolated. He decides to make things right by finding Shoko. His difficult journey begins as he tries to apologize and genuinely connect with her, seeking not just forgiveness from Shoko, but from himself.
The film provides a powerful journey, exploring heavy themes like the devastating impact of bullying, the struggles of deafness and communication, mental health, and the transformative power of empathy and true friendship.
A Silent Voice is celebrated as a cinematic masterpiece for its deep sensitivity and honest portrayal of complex emotions.
The film bravely tackles the difficult topic of bullying, showing the long-term emotional damage it causes not just to the victim (Shoko) but also to the bully (Shoya).
Shoya's journey from a thoughtless tormentor to a genuinely remorseful person seeking atonement is incredibly realistic and raw.
Director Naoko Yamada handles Shoko's deafness and her communication challenges with incredible care, using sign language and nuanced sound design to immerse the viewer in her experience.
The animation is breathtakingly beautiful, capturing subtle emotional expressions and realistic environments that make the characters' personal struggles feel intense and authentic.
Voice: Aoi Yuki
Voice: Saori Hayami
Voice: Kensho Ono
Voice: Miyu Irino
Voice: Yuki Kaneko
Voice: Yui Ishikawa
Voice: Megumi Han
The film is based on the manga series, Koe no Katachi, written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Ōima. While there isn't a single A Silent Voice novel, the original manga is the source material. It ran for seven volumes and offers more detail on the backstory and the lives of the supporting characters than the film could cover in its runtime.
If you found the emotional depth, focus on bullying, and themes of redemption in A Silent Voice compelling, here are some anime like A Silent Voice that explore similar challenging relationships and emotional journeys:
Your Name. (Kimi no Na wa): Another visually stunning movie that deals with deep emotional connection, loss, and the power of human bonds, though with fantasy elements.
March Comes In Like a Lion (3-gatsu no Lion): Follows a young professional shogi player struggling with isolation and trauma, finding healing and support through a found family. It handles depression and loneliness with great sensitivity.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time: A classic film that explores the consequences of youthful actions and the complexities of growing up, similar to Shoya's journey of repentance.
Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation Art Team
Kodansha
Kyoto Animation, Shochiku






Many people ask, "Is A Silent Voice on Netflix?" Availability often changes based on your region, but the film frequently appears on major streaming platforms. You should check services like Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll, or look for rental options on platforms like Amazon Prime Video to watch this film.
Yes. A Silent Voice is known for being deeply emotional and tackles difficult subjects like guilt and depression. However, it is ultimately a film about hope, forgiveness, and healing.
Whether A Silent Voice on Netflix depends on licensing agreements in your country. While it is often available in some regions, it may be found on other major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or Hulu in others. Always check your local streaming options.
The film provides a complete and powerful narrative but focuses on the core story between Shoya and Shoko. The seven volumes of the original manga source material include more depth on the supporting A Silent Voice characters and events not shown in the movie.
Due to its themes of bullying, suicide ideation, and intense emotional trauma, A Silent Voice is generally recommended for older teens (PG-13 and up).
The main message of A Silent Voice is the power of communication, the necessity of empathy, and the possibility of redemption and self-forgiveness. It's about learning to confront your past and truly listen to others.