What Is A Silent Voice About
Okay, let's talk about A Silent Voice. You know, that anime movie that everyone cries about? Yeah, that one. Prepare for my probably-unpopular take!
So, What's It *Really* About?
On the surface, it's about Shoya Ishida. He bullied a deaf girl, Shoko Nishimiya, in elementary school. Years later, he's riddled with guilt. He tries to make amends.
But is that all it's about? I think there's more to it.
Redemption... Maybe?
The movie explores themes of redemption. Can Shoya truly be forgiven? Even he doesn't seem sure about it. It's a heavy question to ponder while eating popcorn.
He tries so hard to connect with Shoko. He learns sign language. He tries to be a better person. Is it enough?
This is where my unpopular opinion comes in. I'm not totally convinced he's 100% redeemed. Hear me out!
The Unpopular Opinion: Is Shoya *Too* Focused on Himself?
A lot of his "redemption" feels... selfish. He's trying to alleviate his *own* guilt. Is he really doing it for Shoko?
Sometimes, I feel like he's more concerned with how *he* looks. He wants to be seen as a good guy. But good guys don't bully people in the first place!
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate his efforts. But the movie paints him as almost saintly sometimes. I'm not buying it completely.
Beyond Bullying: Communication Breakdown
The film also hits on the struggle of communication. It's not just between the hearing and the deaf. It's between everyone.
No one in that movie seems to truly understand each other. They're all trapped in their own little worlds. They are constantly misinterpreting each other's actions.
Maybe that's the real tragedy. Maybe the bullying was a symptom of a bigger problem: a complete failure to connect.
Friendship Is... Complicated
And then there's the "friend group". Oh, boy. High school friendships are messy. Add in a history of bullying, and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Everyone has their own baggage. Their own insecurities. Their own reasons for acting the way they do. Nobody is perfect.
The film showcases the painful truth of complex relations. Shoya seeks forgiveness from everyone and tries to bring his friends together.
More Than Just Tears
A Silent Voice is definitely a tearjerker. But I think it's also a conversation starter. It makes you think about your own actions.
It forces you to consider the impact you have on others. Even the seemingly small things. Words and actions have weight.
So, yeah, I cried. But I also questioned things. And that's what makes it a good movie. It makes us think deeper.
Final Thoughts: More Than Meets the Eye (or Ear)
Ultimately, A Silent Voice is about connection. It's about forgiveness. And it's about the struggle to understand each other.
It's not just about a bully and his victim. It's about a broken system. And a group of people trying to find their way.
So, watch it. Cry. And then, maybe, think about your own silent voice. What are you *really* trying to say?
