Review of ‘The Colors Within’ Anime Film: A Deep Dive into Its Artistic Narrative

Overview

Naoko Yamada’s latest film, The Colors Within, artfully explores themes of friendship and self-acceptance, set against a backdrop of vibrant colors and music.
The narrative prioritizes atmospheric elements over urgency, delving into visual synesthesia and spirituality.
Mixing everyday reality with dazzling visuals and sound, the film presents a wonderfully imaginative exploration of life.

A World of Color
Sights and Sounds
The Beauty of the Everyday

Renowned director Naoko Yamada has carved out a significant niche in the realm of slice-of-life anime. With a career spanning decades, she earned critical acclaim through works like A Silent Voice and the Sound Euphonium series. Her narratives often center on uncomplicated premises, skillfully delving into the emotional landscapes of youth and friendship. In her latest endeavor, The Colors Within, Yamada taps into these emotional depths through the signature visual style of the acclaimed studio Science Saru—previously noted for works like The Heike Story. The film offers a warm celebration of friendship and self-acceptance, marking what may be Yamada’s most poetic achievement to date.

A World of Color

The narrative centers around Totsuko, a self-aware high school student in Japan who perceives emotional “colors”emanating from those around her. Intrigued by Kimi, who radiates a vibrant blue yet struggles with personal challenges after leaving her Catholic school for a job at a used bookstore, Totsuko forms a bond. She also connects with Rui, whose calm green aura reflects his own aspirations of moving away to pursue medical studies. Together, this trio forms a secret band, rehearsing in an abandoned church on Rui’s island, as Totsuko gradually learns to express herself emotionally, inspiring Kimi and Rui to engage in more honest conversations about their lives. This unique group dynamic builds toward a pivotal performance that might enable Totsuko to discover her own true colors.

The film features a light narrative that revels in its atmospheric nuances, steering clear of any hectic urgency. Notably, it mirrors A Silent Voice with its exploration of visual synesthesia instead of auditory challenges. The film is rich with auditory and visual motifs, such as the rhythmic metronome of a ball cradle, paralleling Totsuko’s interactions with her surroundings. A faint spiritual theme runs throughout, particularly with Totsuko’s Christian faith playing a role in her identity without feeling solely spotlighted within the film’s Catholic context. While her passion for music and her “secret band”is not framed as a moral conflict, Totsuko still finds subtle ways to challenge the rules imposed on her.

Sights and Sounds

This film successfully marries realism with a splash of fantasy, as Totsuko’s emotions are expressed through vivid, colorful imagery. The film employs a diverse palette reminiscent of the works of renowned anime directors like Makoto Shinkai and Keiichi Hara. Each representation of Totsuko’s internal world—whether it’s through stained glass or colorful paper decorations—infuses the narrative with an essence of whimsy. Even the classroom scenes, often portrayed in darker tones, shine with inventive brightness, blending imagination with reality.

Music plays a pivotal role in The Colors Within, crucially supporting the narrative through an atmospheric score composed by Kensuke Ushio. With a history of collaboration on both Saru (notably, Devilman Crybaby) and Yamada’s previous works (A Silent Voice), Ushio’s composition embodies a journey that leads to a light rock concert finale. Unlike other recent anime films highlighting intense musical ambitions, this film presents music as an organic form of self-expression—simple yet profound. The audience’s journey culminates in an electrifying surprise during the final performances, paralleling the characters’ own discoveries.

The Beauty of the Everyday

Though the film brilliantly captures its atmospheric essence and ethereal aesthetics, some depth in character development feels slightly absent, particularly for Totsuko’s companions, Rui and Kimi. Their internal struggles are rapidly summarized, with emotional growth largely achieved through self-reassurance rather than significant plot developments. A few extra scenes focusing on the perspectives of Rui and Kimi could have enhanced their relatability within the story’s dynamics. Regardless, The Colors Within excels at depicting the serene beauty embedded within the mundane aspects of life, celebrating the harmonious simplicity present in everyday moments.