Colors and Sounds Bringing The World to Life
Best known for A Silent Voice, director Naoko Yamada and production company Science Saru have created The Colors Within. The film follows Totsuko (Akari Takaishi), a high school girl with the ability to see people’s emotions as colors. She becomes fascinated by the unique color surrounding her classmate Kimi (Sayu Suzukawa) and soon befriends her, along with a boy named Rui (Taisei Kido). Together, the trio forms a band, deepening their friendship as they share their personal struggles. The Colors Within was released in Japan in August 2024 and later debuted in North America in January 2025.
Naoko Yamada Dream
According to Deadline, Naoko Yamada had a clear vision for The Colors Within from the start. In an interview, she shared that creating the film was a significant challenge and one of her most ambitious projects to date. The idea stemmed from her desire to connect colors and music, which led to the inclusion of a band and the film’s focus on sound and color. She explained, “The fact that Totsuko is able to feel the colors of other people is something that’s not tangible, and I think that was really a connection to how people sense music. It’s not tangible, but they could be able to feel emotions from it. So, from the way Totsuko feels the colors of others, and then how the audience could be able to sense the music and sound of the movie, I really thought there’s a deep connection.”
This film takes a different approach from Naoko Yamada’s previous work, A Silent Voice. Unlike its heavier themes, The Colors Within is a slice-of-life story that offers a lighthearted and enjoyable experience without an overly complex narrative. While some moments could have been explored in more depth, drama is not the film’s main focus. Beyond its engaging visuals and music, the film presents relatable themes, such as using music as an emotional outlet, personal growth, self-discovery, and acceptance, as explained by pluggedin.com. Each character struggles with their challenges, unsure of how to overcome them. However, through their friendship and shared bond, they gradually learn to face their issues and move forward.
Meet the Band
The Colors Within’s strong emphasis on color and sound also extends to its characters who become a band. The film follows three main characters: Totsuko Higurashi, voiced by Sayu Suzukawa (Libby Rue in the English dub), Kimi Sakunaga, voiced by Akari Takaishi (Kylie McNeill in the English dub), and Rui Kagehira, voiced by Taisei Kido (Eddy Lee in the English dub). Totsuko has a kind heart and often loses herself in her world. Although she doesn’t fully understand how her ability to see people’s emotions as colors came to be, she embraces it, finding beauty in everything around her. Suzukawa brings Totsuko to life with a voice that perfectly captures her innocence and carefree nature. Her singing adds depth to the film, making the musical moments even more captivating. Although some may see her as odd or unusual, she is simply someone who wants to appreciate the beauty of the world around her while staying true to her faith.
Kimi, Totsuko’s classmate, prefers to keep to herself while still finding ways to be involved.
At school, she is known for her incredible singing voice in the choir, and in her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar and working at a bookstore. To Totsuko, Kimi’s color is a deep, gentle blue. Takaishi brings Kimi to life with a voice that is both gentle and rich, perfectly matching her quiet yet compassionate nature. Her warmth and understanding toward others make her presence stand out, and her voice only enhances that impact. Then there’s Rui, a quiet and introspective character whose greatest passion is music. As he prepares for college, he struggles with uncertainty about his future. Despite his reserved nature, he has a cheerful and professional demeanor, especially when he’s with Totsuko and Kimi.
Kido delivers a strong performance as Rui, though the character receives less screen time than the other two. While he should have had more lines, his voice work still captures Rui’s balance of seriousness and playfulness. In Totsuko’s eyes, Rui’s presence is represented by a calm green hue.
Colors and Sounds Make the World Go Round
According to Deadline, Yamada faced challenges with this film since everything, from the music to the animation, was created from scratch, both of which are central to the movie. In an interview, she shared that her goal was to use animation and sound to create a sense of calm for the audience. She explained, “I wanted the audience to feel calm, kindness, and happiness, so that went into deciding the colors and the atmosphere of the characters. But I really wanted to express light through color.” When Totsuko sees someone’s color, it appears as a stunning, vivid watercolor display. The animation flows smoothly, resembling the delicate beauty of professional watercolor artwork, making every moment visually captivating. The film maintains a vibrant and lively atmosphere, with no moments where the lighting or animation feels dull or lifeless. When the visuals do darken, it serves a purpose, reflecting Totsuko’s emotions and allowing the audience to connect with what she is feeling at that moment.
The music in the film is decent, though it doesn’t lean heavily into being a musical. It isn’t until the end that the audience sees the three band members come together to showcase what they’ve been creating in their own time. The film features three character-based songs, each reflecting their emotions. Rui and Kimi’s songs are slow and melancholic, while Totsuko’s song is upbeat and catchy. While Totsuko’s song lyrics can feel repetitive at times, the melody is still enjoyable and easy to get stuck in the audience’s heads.
Final Rating
It has been some time since Yamada last released a film, but based on interviews and videos from GKIDS‘ YouTube channel, The Colors Within is a project she has been eager to share with the world. Visually stunning with its animation and featuring catchy music, the film has earned $2.1 million worldwide after just a few days in theaters. While the reviews have been largely positive, The Colors Within hasn’t surpassed the success of Yamada’s previous work, such as A Silent Voice, which grossed over $30.8 million. However, for fans of slice-of-life anime with a touch of drama, this film is a delightful watch, appealing to both young adults and older audiences.
Watch The Colors Within in theaters now!
The Colors Within (2024) Official GKIDS Films Trailer
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Author
Janaye is a graduate student at Rowan University, pursuing a degree in Writing Arts. She previously earned her bachelor's degree in the same field, specializing in creative writing and public publishing.
Elke Simmons' writing portfolio includes contributions to The Laredo Morning Times, Walt Disney World Eyes and Ears, Extinction Rebellion (XR) News/Blog, and Dead Talk News.