I saw this movie for the first time when I was in just 18 and had a similar experience to Shota, not the bullying part, but how everyone threw him under the bus in the act where everyone of them was wrong which reached the point of him believing that he is the only wrong one and he is to be blamed for everything. This movie gave me a different prospective, a hope that I can live a life after that, I can rebuilt my life and after my 8th rewatch of it, I have here to write about the movie that changed my life. It's less of a review and more me just talking about my favorite movie (SPOILER ALERT).

From the intro scene alone, this movie captured my attention, makes me curious that why is this guy trying to kill himself only to be thrust into his past. That choice of music really worked for the that scene and brought a lighter tone that before showing us that he was a happy kid, someone who had friends, yet we see him alone on the bridge when we first meet him. We proceed is past with Shoko's introduction, her entering the classroom only to be revealed that she is deaf. Everyone's expression at the really told us who they are, assholes. Nao and Kawaii are so pathetic, just badmouthing her for no reason. Sahara tries to help Shoko only to be bullied by Nao. Shoya is still on the sidelines and when he throws that piece of stone, he enters an experience that will change his life. Everyone keeps on bullying that girl only for Shoya to go so far and hurt Shoko and when the time comes up to admit their mistake, Shoya is thrown under the bus.

I just hate Kawai and Nao, like the second one picks on Shoko for no reason and the first one just a victim in her own eyes, refusing to take accountability. I just hate people like this and Shoya's childhood friends aren't any better, putting all the blame on him and them bullying him like what happened to Shoko. Even the teachers just punish Shoya but gave no punishment to others but schools do be like that.

There are many scenes that give us parallels, the first one is the bullying montage, Shoya getting the same treatment that Shoko got, people throwing him around, disturbing him, spraying water on him. Then the scene of shoko jumping to get her book paralleling her trying to commit suicide at the end, where the first time, Shoya couldn't catch her but at the end, he did and many more which helps us understanding the main themes of this movie, redemption and forgiveness. To not let your past or your problems dictate your life, to move past them, to live a life, to live with someone, to understanding your own self and understanding others.
This movie also goes with show don't tell, so many scenes are subtle, hidden meaning in the subtexts, that really demands your attention. Shoya and Shoko falling but never able to catch each other until the ending scene, how Shoko's mother hurts Shoya's mother, moments where no one speaks but we can tell what they feel.
Every scene on that bridge is just golden, Shoya and Shoko's first proper conversation after years, them bonding over feeding bread to Carps and the scene where Shoya let's lose, putting everyone in there place.

For me, the choice of showing us Shoya's POV gives us a new view point for a story like this. We get to see Shoya, closing himself off from everyone, isolating under the burden of committing such horrible acts. The scene of his closing himself from everyone really hits hard because that's how you feel like, not wanting to talk to anyone, not believing you are worthy enough to be with anyone. His fight with Shoko when they were kids really is a tragic scene, where we see him consumed by self hate and anger as he can't understand the other person. His growth from a kid how thought he can toy with anyone without any reprecaution to a guy who doesn't even want to live to a guy who got someone he can live with, it's just amazing. His finally finding himself in the final scene, opening up to everyone, that scene still warms my heart.

From her introduction, Shoko had a cute smile that was only there to hide her pain. She sees her being deaf as nothing more that a curse on others, she thinks of herself being the reason of everyone's problems Her fight with Shoya when they were kids really is a tragic scene, where we see her, consumed by self hate and anger as she can only apologize until she meets Shoya after the time skip. She finally got someone outside of her family who wants to connect to her, who helps her find her old friend. Her getting to know that her condition is only getting worse only to try being more normal, trying to speak, making a ponytail and her confessing to Shoya, all big efforts. But they don't came from a place of confidence but her fear, fear of ruining everything again. But after Shoya saves her, she decides she can't just be feeling bad for herself, she has to be confident. Her commitment of getting everyone back together really shows us who Shoko can be, growing us person as now she has found the courage can she now have someone who she has to live for.

Yes, even I agree there are issuing to his movie, the pacing sometimes feels too fast which only happens because they tried to adapt this manga into a movie and they had to cut content and the second issue is that the side characters don't get much time to shine, they could have had a bigger part in to story.

In conclusion, this movie shows us that you can be better, you can change, you can get a better life, you should never give up, there is a place for you in the world, there are people in this world you can open to, how to act around people, how to treat others and most importantly, how to treat yourself. This movie is a must watch for everyone, especially teenagers, they can learn a thing or two from this.