From No Voice to Big Voice

A Silent Voice (Japanese: 聲の形, Hepburn: Koe no Katachi; lit. 'Shape of Voice') is a 2016 Japanese animated psychological drama film directed by Naoko Yamada, and written by Reiko Yoshida, based on the manga of the same name by Yoshitoki Ōima. The film was produced by Kyoto Animation, featuring character designs by Futoshi Nishiya and music by Kensuke Ushio. Plans for an animated film adaptation were announced in November 2014, Kyoto Animation was confirmed to produce the film in November 2015. Miyu Irino and Saori Hayami signed on as voice casting in May 2016 and the theatrical release poster and official trailer were released in July 2016. The film covers elements of coming-of-age and psychological drama, dealing with themes of bullying, disability, overcoming guilt, forgiveness, mental health, suicide, and friendship of opposite sexes. It follows the story of a former bully turned social outcast, who decides to reconnect with and befriend the deaf girl he had bullied years prior. The film premiered at Tokyo on August 24, 2016. It was released in Japan on September 17, 2016, and worldwide between February and June 2017. The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise going to the direction, animation, voice acting, musical score, and the psychological complexity of the characters. It has grossed $30.8 million worldwide. The film won the Japanese Movie Critics Awards for Best Animated Feature Film. While nominated for the Japan Academy Film Prize for Excellent Animation of the Year, as well the Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film, it lost to In This Corner of the World and Your Name, respectively.