![]() Her inability to fit in and communicate with her peers irritates her classmates and sparks severe bullying, to the point where she and Shoya get involved in a physical altercation.Ī Silent Voice displays another unfortunate reality: that Japanese teachers also often turn a blind eye to bullying. In A Silent Voice, Shoko’s deafness makes her “different from the norm”. ![]() In this society, schools emphasize social conformity to a fault. This is partially due to its homogenous society, which calls out anyone who is different from the norm. School bullying is often worse in Japan compared to other societies. This unique portrayal allows A Silent Voice to empathetically and effectively highlight stark realities around bullying in contemporary Japan. Even though Shoya treated Shoko terribly, viewers cannot help but root for him as he tries to set things right. This allows the audience to understand the psychological effects of school bullying, and how detrimental it can be on the bully and the bullied. Different Takes on BullyingĪ Silent Voice is unique because it takes the perspective of the bully instead of the bullied, and even makes the audience empathize with Shoya’s past. Throughout the film, he goes through a tough journey of self-resentment and redemption as he confronts his past. Shoya’s character arc is truly heart-warming to watch. These friends reveal that Shoko had threatened their own friendships with Shoya, causing Shoko to blame herself for Shoya’s misfortunes. The pair try to become closer, but communication between them is still difficult, and the reentry of old friends from elementary school in their lives complicates their friendship. He finds her at a sign language center and attempts to communicate with her using sign language, which is refreshing to see in an animated film. Years later, as a remorseful high schooler, Shoya seeks Shoko out to make amends with her. The acts that once made him popular among his classmates now make him ostracised among his peers, and he falls into a state of depression. Eventually, Shoko transfers to another school, and Shoya’s classmates turn on him for causing Shoko’s departure. Shoya realises that he becomes more popular among his classmates when he mocks Shoko, and he thrives off of this increased popularity. Her effort to integrate into her new environment annoys Shoya and his friends, who end up bullying her. The flashbacks begin when a new transfer student named Shoko arrives in Shoya’s class Shoko informs her classmates that she is deaf. The audience understands how he came to this scenario through a series of flashbacks, as Shoya recalls his elementary school days. Story of RedemptionĪ Silent Voice starts off on a startling note–Shoya is about to commit suicide. Shoko’s deafness makes her a victim of bullying, which demonstrates the ableist nature of Japan and how difference threatens the country’s perceived homogeneity. ![]() The film has a twist: the female lead Shoko is hearing-impaired. Along this journey, Shoya comes to terms with his troubling past as he seeks to redeem himself in the present. Featuring beautiful scenery, an enticing plot, and emotional character arcs, it features the heart-wrenching journey of a protagonist named Shoya, who goes from elementary school bully to ostracised high school loner. A Silent Voice is one of famed studio Kyoto Animation ’s most critically-acclaimed films.
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