
a review by JackieArt

a review by JackieArt
A Silent Voice is an emotional masterpiece that can get anyone teary eyed with important lessons. This anime is personally one of the most relatable anime I have seen and probably for others as well. Some just watch it for the hell of it and still enjoy it! Well then, on with the review.
Animation- The animation is spectacular and very colorful. I cannot help but get hungry when I watch anime cooking in detailed animation, HOW DARE THEY MAKE ME EAT A FOURTH MEAL. Honestly, I don't have much to say except I praise its animation for being the best out there, so many fluid movements and expressions with aesthetically pleasing lighting. I cannot praise it enough, watch the movie for the animation alone, you won't regret it. It certainly gives me Your Name vibes, so if you like that movie, you might enjoy this one as well.
Story- The story is written well, with some flawed stuff here and there, but It's only a few. The positives is how wholesome they write the main 2 characters, Shoya and Shouko. The chemistry between them is unmatched, I fall in love with the interactions whenever they come up on screen, even though the beginning says otherwise heheh. The plot is simple to follow and the emotional connections with the characters makes me tear up every time, the heartbreaking love story, the mental health issues that go on in a high degree to this day, the importance of friendship and any relationship is all there! I won't spoil much because for those who haven't watched, I want you to be prepared. It also captures real life issues such as bullying, mental health, and accepting yourself and not be damaged by the people around you, it's just so relatable to many. Now lets go to the negatives, in the beginning we are introduced to the side characters, but they are kids up until the time skip, but really what is the problem is.....the side characters ARE ANNOYING! Some of them are written so hateful that the whole vibe just disappears whenever they are on screen, I'll discuss it more in the next part, but otherwise, the story is easy to follow and may be tear jerking relatable to some as well.
Characters- Some characters are the most annoying ones I have ever seen on screen, I AM POINTING AT YOU MIKI AND NAOKA! They have to be one of the most insufferable characters in anime I have ever seen! I know they are written to be bad characters, but where is the development??? Where is the redemption of these bitches?? I see none, NADA. Well, At least Naoka knows she's a piece of shit and I see SOME development at the ending of the film, but MIKI?!?!?! WHY IS SHE EVEN IN THE FRIEND GROUP. Nah! if I was in the friend group, I would straight up vote against her being in their group, why do they even invite her in? She is what most people call, fake. She is one of those gossipers with a fake smile and I HATE those types of characters and she doesn't even get redemption, she just stays like that. It kind of pisses me off, but at the same time I get why, it is a movie and you can't focus on every character, but I still don't feel pleased when she on screen. The rest of the secondary characters are okay, but I mostly like Yuzuru, Shoukos sister and Tomohiro, Shoyas friend. These 2 characters have to be one of the most wholesome, second to Shoya and Shouko. Now instead of ranting about the others, let me get in with the major positives. I thought Shoya would be one of the most hateful characters due to the beginning, but no I was dead wrong. After the time skip, I have nothing but empathy for him and to see his struggles and inner demons along the way and how he progresses is so emotional, especially the ending, my goodness I was about to burst into tears. Shouko is no better at making me feel like crying waterfalls. Shouko is so sweet and through the entire movie I wanted to hug her so bad. A very tragic character throughout the movie and her arc made me realize myself as well, she is to me a very relatable character, especially since I was having a hard time during that point of my life as well, but until the ending of the movie, I realized what is special and how there is more to this life and that's what kept me going forward. This movie inspired me and others as well and that alone can make me not stop recommend this movie enough.
Voice acting, soundtrack, etc.- The voice acting in both dub and sub is top notch, one of the best I hard, especially the deaf representation through Shouko and how the voice actors captured of what a deaf person would sound like. This is one of the dubs that sound almost exactly like the Japanese version, so I recommend both versions if you prefer one or the other. The soundtrack is so pleasing to hear and makes me tear up, though some songs did not really fit the scene in my opinion, but it didn't bother me as much. As for other thoughts, watch it watch it and watch it, especially if you have mental health issues or want to see a very wholesome romance. This anime changed my perspective in things and in a way, changed my life, I know that seems extreme, but it really did and some liked it for other reasons which is fine by me. Anyways, see you guys in the next review, peace.
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