The Shape of Voice (Japanese: 聲の形, Hepburn: Koe no Katachi, lit. "The Shape of a Voice"), also known by the international title A Silent Voice, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Ōima. The work first appeared as a one-shot story in 2011 before later being serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from August 2013 to November 2014. The success of this manga later gave rise to a theatrical animated film produced by Kyoto Animation and released in 2016. In Indonesia, the manga is published by the publisher m&c! under the title The Shape of Voice, while the film is better known by its international title, A Silent Voice.
Synopsis
The story centers on Shoya Ishida, a mischievous elementary school student who leads acts of bullying against his newly transferred classmate, Shoko Nishimiya, who has a hearing impairment and is deaf. The bullying carried out by Shoya, ranging from mockery to harsher acts such as damaging Shoko's hearing aids, culminates in an incident that causes Shoko to transfer schools. After Shoko's departure, all of his classmates, including those who previously took part in the bullying, make Shoya the scapegoat and he becomes the victim of new bullying. This experience makes Shoya a withdrawn person filled with deep regret.
Years later, while in high school, Shoya, who has already changed and is considering ending his life, decides to meet Shoko again. He wants to apologize and try to make up for his past mistakes. This reunion becomes the start of a complex emotional journey for both of them. Shoya tries to rebuild a friendship with Shoko and also with their childhood friends, such as Tomohiro Nagatsuka and Yuzuru Nishimiya, Shoko's younger sister. In the process, they are reunited with Naoka Ueno and Miki Kawai, who hold their own feelings and conflicts related to the events of the past. The manga and film follow Shoya's struggle to atone for his mistakes and learn to accept himself, while Shoko wrestles with the guilt and low self-esteem she has long held inside, which ultimately brings them to a tense and meaningful climax.
Manga
Publication
The Shape of Voice originated from a short story (one-shot) published in the February 2011 issue of Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine. Because it received a positive reception, Yoshitoki Ōima later developed it into a full series that began running in Weekly Shōnen Magazine on August 7, 2013. The series ended on November 19, 2014 with a total of seven tankōbon volumes published by Kodansha in Japan. Before serialization began, this publication had been reviewed by the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, which gave its support because the depiction of deafness issues was considered careful. In Indonesia, the license to publish this manga is held by the publisher m&c!. The manga has also been published in various other languages, including English by Kodansha USA.
Awards and Reception
The Shape of Voice manga achieved great critical success. The series ranked first in the 2015 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list for the male readers category. In the same year, the work was nominated for the 19th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and succeeded in winning the New Creator Prize. In addition, the manga was also nominated in the 8th Manga Taishō and the 38th Kodansha Manga Award for the best shōnen category. Internationally, the series was included in the Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens list from the Young Adult Library Services Association in 2016 and 2017. Critics praised the depth of the characters, the handling of heavy themes such as bullying, disability, and mental health, and the emotional journey depicted in a deeply moving way.
Anime Film
Production and Release
Plans for an anime adaptation of this manga were announced in November 2014, coinciding with the release of the final chapter. In October 2015, it was announced that Kyoto Animation would produce the film with director Naoko Yamada, known for her works such as K-On! and Tamako Market. The film's screenplay was written by Reiko Yoshida, with character design by Futoshi Nishiya and music composed by Kensuke Ushio. The main voice actor for Shoya Ishida is Miyu Irino, while Saori Hayami voices Shoko Nishimiya. The film was released in Japanese theaters on September 17, 2016 and distributed by Shochiku. The film was also released internationally, including in the United States in October 2017.
Animation Style and Music
One of the most praised aspects of this film is its extraordinary animation quality, which is a hallmark of Kyoto Animation. With a system of animators working as full-time employees, this studio is able to produce smooth and detailed animation, especially in expressing body movement, hand signs, and the subtle body language of its characters. This is very important because the film relies heavily on non-verbal communication to convey emotion and narrative, especially in depicting interactions with Shoko, who is deaf. Director Naoko Yamada uses this ability to convey the psychological nuances of characters visually, for example through changes in hairstyle or reflexive hand movements, which strengthen the emotional impact of the story. The background music created by Kensuke Ushio also received praise for being able to strengthen the atmosphere and emotional depth of every scene. The film's main theme song is titled "Koi wo Shita no wa", performed by the singer aiko.
Reception and Awards
The film A Silent Voice received a very positive reception from critics and audiences. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the film achieved an approval rating of 94%. Praise was directed at the director's direction, animation quality, voice acting, music score, and depiction of the psychological complexity of its characters. Renowned director Makoto Shinkai, who directed the film Your Name., called A Silent Voice a "fantastic work" and a "refined and magnificent production".
Commercially, the film was also a success. Upon release, the film placed second at the Japanese box office and grossed a total of more than ¥2.3 billion (around US$30.8 million) worldwide. The film won several awards, including Best Animation Feature Film from the Japanese Movie Critics Awards and Anime of the Year (film category) at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival. The film was also a nominee for Animation of the Year at the Japan Academy Film Prize.
Themes and Impact
The Shape of Voice is known for its in-depth and sensitive exploration of various heavy themes. Its central theme is bullying and its long-term impact, both for the victim and the perpetrator. The story honestly depicts social isolation, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The work also explores themes of forgiveness, atonement, and the difficulty of communicating and understanding others. The depiction of deafness as a condition that affects the characters' lives in a real way, and not merely as a plot device, is also regarded as one of the story's main strengths. The story invites viewers and readers to reflect on the meaning of true friendship, self-acceptance, and the importance of listening to the "shape of the voice" of the people around them.
References
Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia, "The Shape of Voice"
Wikipedia bahasa Inggris, "A Silent Voice (film)"
Wikipedia bahasa Inggris, "A Silent Voice (manga)"
The Verge, "A Silent Voice shows why Kyoto Animation is one of the top animation studios"
MyAnimeList, "Koe no Katachi - gust0717's Review"
Wiki Anime, "Koe no Katachi"
Toons Mag, "A Silent Voice (film)"
KAORI Nusantara, "Aoi Yuuki dan Saori Hayami ramaikan Koe no Katachi"
Annecy Festival, "A Silent Voice - 2017 Programme"
The StoryGraph, "The Shape of Voice vol. 1 - Review by songwind"
Anime News Network, "Cast, Staff Discuss A Silent Voice Anime Film in Making-of Video"
MyAnimeList, "Koe no Katachi - Excel44M's Review"
Pembrita Bogor, "4 Rekomendasi Film Anime Romantis..."
Cartoon Brew, "'A Silent Voice' Set For U.S. Release In October"
KAORI Nusantara, "Tak Sempat Nonton Anime Koe no Katachi? Nantikan Saja Blu-raynya"
TEGASIAN, "A Silent Voice: Menjelajahi Dampak Perundungan dan Kekuatan Memaafkan"